D = Dissertation
D = Done Dissertation
Therefore,
D = Doctor, or, PhD
D = Dog and Daughter have no idea what that means save for the fact that
D = more time to play with them!
I still can't believe that five years have come, rather unceremoniously, to a close, or, as my friend Summer so wonderful suggested to me in comments on the previous post, it's not over, rather I'm transforming.
So here's to transforming! Maybe I will finally finish the wedding present that was started 5 years ago for my friend, who is now having her second child in the next few weeks and celebrated her 5th wedding anniversary this Spring... Maybe I can pretend it was for the baby? ;) Maybe I will finally finish that quilt that I was making for our couch, which I also suspiciously started ... FIVE years ago. Maybe I will finally get the recipes in that cookbook that I bought for myself... wait for it... FIVE YEARS AGO. Noticing a trend?
A few years ago, my friend Michael called me up, after I was practically crying about how hard it was to finish writing the two chapters for my qualifying exam with an 9 week old puppy on my lap, and told me to read page 82 in Writing Your Dissertation in 15 Minutes a Day. Page 82? Why?
Page 82: If you have any choice, there are changes in your external life not to make while you're writing a dissertation. Don't move, unless you've just been evicted. Don't renovate. Don't get a puppy.
I don't remember if he laughed and directed me towards the book again when I told him I was pregnant.
So I guess five years, a puppy, a baby, and 215 blood/sweat/tear pages isn't bad. I'm not saying the thing was brilliant, but let's remember the word of the day.
D = done.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
We're in the new digs...
A couple of months ago I cried (yes, I'm that kind of person) when I read a friend's blog that spoke of the help of her community and family when they prepared for a big move across the country. Gosh, I thought to myself, I can't even imagine that. How wonderful to have so many people help out a family with small children and a big house to move.
And then we decided to move. And oh the gratitude for all the help. It started with friends who babysat Stella almost a month ago now for 12+ hours so that we could drive up here and find the house we are happily living in now.
Steve started his new job here in Santa Barbara on the 18th. We did not move our mountain of "stuff" and the rest of the family until the following Saturday. Thus, I was home alone with the "kids" all week by myself. Needless to say, I was a bit nervous in figuring out how to do it without Steve walking in the door at 5-5:30 and giving me the much needed break from being with two little beings all day that can't talk to you. ;) A friend stopped by and sat on my couch so I could go the grocery store without being attached. Another friend encouraged afternoon dog park outings so Scupper would be tired in the evening and not whine for me to play when I had to finish packing the house. Steve's friend and co-worker stopped by and dropped off a load of boxes and packing tape... and friends brought dinner, drinks, conversation while we packed. Nothing like having your friends see all your crap strew all over the house and still have the wonderful compliment as she packs your clothes - "oh, this is a cute dress - oh and this? Why have I never seen you in this?" :) Having friends help you pack is humbling... and gratifying.
Saturday was the big day. We hired two people off of craigslist to help pack the truck and I forgot to tell them that we had 3 motorcycles. Oops. After they loaded them on the 26' truck, they took a picture for their yelp page so they could say they packed a truck AND motorcycles in 3 hours. ;) Steve continued through most of the afternoon putting odds and ends and we FILLED THE 26' truck. Um, do we have too much stuff? Maybe. My favorite quote from the moving guy? "Wow. I mean, a two bedroom house. I thought it would be easy. And these little Craftsmans are small. Where did you guys have all this STUFF?"
Stella spent the day with her friend Anouk and throughout the day, I received phone calls from my friend Julie about her - she had a low-grade temperature when she woke up and it steadily became worse throughout the day. All Stella would do was sleep in Julie's arms. In some ways, it was very easy, Julie said, but of course, I felt like a horrible mother that I had to leave her there until the house was clean and the truck was packed. At 5pm, I picked up one hot daughter and proceeded to find out that her temperature was 103.8 and called the nurse hotline with our insurance (that luckily was continued through the end of the month before our new one started). After some heavy duty doses of Motrin, she was back and kicking, but it's still scary to think that almost 104 is still "ok" with children if they aren't doing anything else funky.
Here was the problem. My plan was to stay at the house on Sat night and then do the "Walk through" with our landlord on Sunday. Um, slightly dumb on my part. I mean, I had a pack/play for Stella and a camping mat for me and Scupper... but seriously? Another friend called on Saturday afternoon and after hearing my plan, offered for Stel, Scup and I to come over and stay in their extra bedroom, while Scupper got to romp around their house with their dog. It's a very gracious person who offers to take a harried mom, her feverish daughter, and a crazy dog at 8pm a night. Steve, the stalwart guy that he is, wanted to drive to Santa Barbara without L.A. traffic and spent the night curled up on the floor of the now empty house with aforementioned camping mat and left for SB at 4am.
What a travelogue so far- and we aren't even up to Sunday yet! I guess the whole point is everyone that we have met in San Diego was so wonderful to jump in and help us move since our family isn't close by. To me, it seems, in a way, that they are our family - and in many ways, made moving so much more difficult. We had always thought we were ready to leave San Diego - and yet at times like this, we realize how many friends and supportive networks we have. And I'm proud to say that many of these friends we met at the dog park. Viva la Morley Field!
Anyway - after finding out Sunday morning with a "after hours peds appt" that Stella most likely had roseola and that she would probably get a rash soon, (which she did), I did the walk through with the landlord (after yet ANOTHER friend stopped by and took Scup and Stel on a walk so I could clean out the fridge), and I dosed up Stella on some fever-reducing Motrin and started the drive to SB. The best part? Scupper had been with our dog walker all day Saturday, played with the friend's dog all Saturday night and Sunday morning - and was SO TIRED that a 50Lb dog sitting in the front seat of a 4-door Honda Accord did not once give me any trouble the whole 4 hour drive.
Steve amazingly unpacked the truck (with some more craigslist mover help) here in SB and even had time to unpack bathroom toiletries and kitchen supplies and had a pesto pasta dinner waiting for us when we pulled into the driveway.
This week has been a whirlwind. Steve has been riding his bike to work every day, which I think is making him really happy, and each morning Stella, Scupper and I head out on a new adventure.
Since Monday morning, we have been to dog beach twice, two hiking trails, and a dog park. We've hit two playgrounds and a pumpkin patch. We've made homemade biscuits and a persimmon spice cake together (Stella likes eating the dry flour off the stirring spoon. I have no idea why, but whatever). The persimmons were from a tree IN OUR YARD. We have been on the backyard swing COUNTLESS TIMES. We have taken walks around the new neighborhood and said hello to our neighbors - the livestock variety of neighbors - including a horse, a chicken coop and two goats. Stella has had quite a few tantrums, which usually involve wanting to be outside instead of taking a nap or wanting to swing or eat only cheese for three days. She has been threatened that she might be an only child because of this. I have unpacked 80% of the kitchen boxes and have ignored basically everything else. In fact, I've spent the last 30 minutes composing this blog post instead of unpacking boxes, but frankly, I can't move from this chair I'm so freaking tired.
I'm excited about our new journey, but also overwhelmed at the sudden push from being a student/part-time PR lady for the UCSD theatre department (with half-time childcare the past two months) to being full-time stay at home mom. Frankly, I'm a bit nervous. I"m not sure what to do all day, and I'm desperately worried that I'm not teaching what I should or stimulating her enough. I know how to teach 18 YEAR olds, not 18 month olds. However, watching her joy in discovering a rock on our hikes or listen to the roosters in the morning, seeing the neighbors trot down the street on their horses in the morning, that makes me smile. I'm excited for the little bit of country life we are treated to each day in the middle of one of the most expensive, yet beautiful, places in the US. We might be eating rice and beans, but we get to hear acorns drop on our deck and the goats bleat as we go to sleep.
And speaking of - I'm off to bed. I think the dishes are going to wait until tomorrow morning.
And then we decided to move. And oh the gratitude for all the help. It started with friends who babysat Stella almost a month ago now for 12+ hours so that we could drive up here and find the house we are happily living in now.
Steve started his new job here in Santa Barbara on the 18th. We did not move our mountain of "stuff" and the rest of the family until the following Saturday. Thus, I was home alone with the "kids" all week by myself. Needless to say, I was a bit nervous in figuring out how to do it without Steve walking in the door at 5-5:30 and giving me the much needed break from being with two little beings all day that can't talk to you. ;) A friend stopped by and sat on my couch so I could go the grocery store without being attached. Another friend encouraged afternoon dog park outings so Scupper would be tired in the evening and not whine for me to play when I had to finish packing the house. Steve's friend and co-worker stopped by and dropped off a load of boxes and packing tape... and friends brought dinner, drinks, conversation while we packed. Nothing like having your friends see all your crap strew all over the house and still have the wonderful compliment as she packs your clothes - "oh, this is a cute dress - oh and this? Why have I never seen you in this?" :) Having friends help you pack is humbling... and gratifying.
Saturday was the big day. We hired two people off of craigslist to help pack the truck and I forgot to tell them that we had 3 motorcycles. Oops. After they loaded them on the 26' truck, they took a picture for their yelp page so they could say they packed a truck AND motorcycles in 3 hours. ;) Steve continued through most of the afternoon putting odds and ends and we FILLED THE 26' truck. Um, do we have too much stuff? Maybe. My favorite quote from the moving guy? "Wow. I mean, a two bedroom house. I thought it would be easy. And these little Craftsmans are small. Where did you guys have all this STUFF?"
Stella spent the day with her friend Anouk and throughout the day, I received phone calls from my friend Julie about her - she had a low-grade temperature when she woke up and it steadily became worse throughout the day. All Stella would do was sleep in Julie's arms. In some ways, it was very easy, Julie said, but of course, I felt like a horrible mother that I had to leave her there until the house was clean and the truck was packed. At 5pm, I picked up one hot daughter and proceeded to find out that her temperature was 103.8 and called the nurse hotline with our insurance (that luckily was continued through the end of the month before our new one started). After some heavy duty doses of Motrin, she was back and kicking, but it's still scary to think that almost 104 is still "ok" with children if they aren't doing anything else funky.
Here was the problem. My plan was to stay at the house on Sat night and then do the "Walk through" with our landlord on Sunday. Um, slightly dumb on my part. I mean, I had a pack/play for Stella and a camping mat for me and Scupper... but seriously? Another friend called on Saturday afternoon and after hearing my plan, offered for Stel, Scup and I to come over and stay in their extra bedroom, while Scupper got to romp around their house with their dog. It's a very gracious person who offers to take a harried mom, her feverish daughter, and a crazy dog at 8pm a night. Steve, the stalwart guy that he is, wanted to drive to Santa Barbara without L.A. traffic and spent the night curled up on the floor of the now empty house with aforementioned camping mat and left for SB at 4am.
What a travelogue so far- and we aren't even up to Sunday yet! I guess the whole point is everyone that we have met in San Diego was so wonderful to jump in and help us move since our family isn't close by. To me, it seems, in a way, that they are our family - and in many ways, made moving so much more difficult. We had always thought we were ready to leave San Diego - and yet at times like this, we realize how many friends and supportive networks we have. And I'm proud to say that many of these friends we met at the dog park. Viva la Morley Field!
Anyway - after finding out Sunday morning with a "after hours peds appt" that Stella most likely had roseola and that she would probably get a rash soon, (which she did), I did the walk through with the landlord (after yet ANOTHER friend stopped by and took Scup and Stel on a walk so I could clean out the fridge), and I dosed up Stella on some fever-reducing Motrin and started the drive to SB. The best part? Scupper had been with our dog walker all day Saturday, played with the friend's dog all Saturday night and Sunday morning - and was SO TIRED that a 50Lb dog sitting in the front seat of a 4-door Honda Accord did not once give me any trouble the whole 4 hour drive.
Steve amazingly unpacked the truck (with some more craigslist mover help) here in SB and even had time to unpack bathroom toiletries and kitchen supplies and had a pesto pasta dinner waiting for us when we pulled into the driveway.
This week has been a whirlwind. Steve has been riding his bike to work every day, which I think is making him really happy, and each morning Stella, Scupper and I head out on a new adventure.
Since Monday morning, we have been to dog beach twice, two hiking trails, and a dog park. We've hit two playgrounds and a pumpkin patch. We've made homemade biscuits and a persimmon spice cake together (Stella likes eating the dry flour off the stirring spoon. I have no idea why, but whatever). The persimmons were from a tree IN OUR YARD. We have been on the backyard swing COUNTLESS TIMES. We have taken walks around the new neighborhood and said hello to our neighbors - the livestock variety of neighbors - including a horse, a chicken coop and two goats. Stella has had quite a few tantrums, which usually involve wanting to be outside instead of taking a nap or wanting to swing or eat only cheese for three days. She has been threatened that she might be an only child because of this. I have unpacked 80% of the kitchen boxes and have ignored basically everything else. In fact, I've spent the last 30 minutes composing this blog post instead of unpacking boxes, but frankly, I can't move from this chair I'm so freaking tired.
I'm excited about our new journey, but also overwhelmed at the sudden push from being a student/part-time PR lady for the UCSD theatre department (with half-time childcare the past two months) to being full-time stay at home mom. Frankly, I'm a bit nervous. I"m not sure what to do all day, and I'm desperately worried that I'm not teaching what I should or stimulating her enough. I know how to teach 18 YEAR olds, not 18 month olds. However, watching her joy in discovering a rock on our hikes or listen to the roosters in the morning, seeing the neighbors trot down the street on their horses in the morning, that makes me smile. I'm excited for the little bit of country life we are treated to each day in the middle of one of the most expensive, yet beautiful, places in the US. We might be eating rice and beans, but we get to hear acorns drop on our deck and the goats bleat as we go to sleep.
And speaking of - I'm off to bed. I think the dishes are going to wait until tomorrow morning.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Sounds like a soap opera
So we're moving to Santa Barbara.
Yep. That was the chaos that happened a few weeks ago. Back and forth with a new potential employer. The weekend of the tri. And then it was over and they didn't offer enough money for us to afford to live there.
And then, they called a week later, and they did.
Um, so we said yes.
Steve is going to be the new Technical Director at the UC Santa Barbara dept of Theatre and Dance. We're excited.
And Stel and Scup and I? We're going to be rocking it out in Santa Barbara... you know, one day is dog beach, the next is the 230 acre hiking preserve, the next is the most awesome wooden playground ever.
'Cause, you know, the diss is done. Defense is Nov. 5.
And we move Oct 23.
'Cause it's nothing like handing in your dissertation, accepting a job, and moving in the span of two weeks.
Yep. That was the chaos that happened a few weeks ago. Back and forth with a new potential employer. The weekend of the tri. And then it was over and they didn't offer enough money for us to afford to live there.
And then, they called a week later, and they did.
Um, so we said yes.
Steve is going to be the new Technical Director at the UC Santa Barbara dept of Theatre and Dance. We're excited.
And Stel and Scup and I? We're going to be rocking it out in Santa Barbara... you know, one day is dog beach, the next is the 230 acre hiking preserve, the next is the most awesome wooden playground ever.
'Cause, you know, the diss is done. Defense is Nov. 5.
And we move Oct 23.
'Cause it's nothing like handing in your dissertation, accepting a job, and moving in the span of two weeks.
Monday, September 27, 2010
BFF
It's obvious we've been a bit busy. Okay... I've had time to read a few other people's blogs, but haven't the energy to whip up a blog post. I have wanted to talk about the fun that the triathlon was -- how my daughter has started pushing boundaries like no one's business -- how our personal life has been in utter chaos and upheaval until a few days ago -- but what little energy I have left is going into revisions for the dissertation. Which is due October 1. for a November 5 defense date. Yes, really, a defense. Yes really, i will be done.... but that's a joy of another matter.
What I logged on today that seemed worthy of 5 minutes of blogging attention was this photo.
This is Stella and her friend Anouk (my friend Julie's daughter). This picture seems to encapsulate their personalities so much so that I can't even explain it fully. Stella is crying out in joy, attention, frustration, something... (actually, i think she was trying to get Scupper to come). Anouk is looking at her with such confusion, apprehension, or just plain - who ARE you girlie? I love it.
And yes, they are both sitting in swim diapers on a 4x4 on the edge of our yard. Go figure.
What I logged on today that seemed worthy of 5 minutes of blogging attention was this photo.
This is Stella and her friend Anouk (my friend Julie's daughter). This picture seems to encapsulate their personalities so much so that I can't even explain it fully. Stella is crying out in joy, attention, frustration, something... (actually, i think she was trying to get Scupper to come). Anouk is looking at her with such confusion, apprehension, or just plain - who ARE you girlie? I love it.And yes, they are both sitting in swim diapers on a 4x4 on the edge of our yard. Go figure.
Friday, September 17, 2010
So we TRIed it - and survived!
No time for a wonderful recap just yet, but a teaser picture...
and my favorite little cheerleader!!
Let's just say that my younger brother beat me pretty hard... 44th overall out of 790 finished contestants... but I will say that at almost 34 years of age, I completed my first ever organized sporting event .... and loved every minute.
Let me know when the next sprint distance triathlon comes to your area - I'm ready to do another one. Goggles, bike, and running shoes, let's go!
and my favorite little cheerleader!!
Let's just say that my younger brother beat me pretty hard... 44th overall out of 790 finished contestants... but I will say that at almost 34 years of age, I completed my first ever organized sporting event .... and loved every minute.Let me know when the next sprint distance triathlon comes to your area - I'm ready to do another one. Goggles, bike, and running shoes, let's go!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Vacation/Not a Vacation with a Toddler
I mean, really, what were we thinking? That going away for a week with a 16 month old was going to be a vacation? That we would have all this time to chill and relax and whatever? Um. No, say hello to the little girl who always wants to be outside and getting into dirt.
Yep. See, she's even ready to drive the van!!
Seriously though, we DID have a nice week up in Tahoe with Steve's extended family. We learned some very valuable things about traveling with our little girl.
1) water and ice keep her occupied for HOURS in the car seat. Books, toys, songs, etc do not. Just give this girlie a plastic water bottle with a block of frozen water in it and she's good to go.
2) ditto for apples. Apples are awesome.
3) if you can, stop at the gas station that has the chickens, goats and horse to run around after. (no joke. Eastern California can be a very rural place, ya'll). Much better than Mickie D's playplace.
4) Find all the playgrounds in the town along your route. This will save you from running around the truck stop store and trying to get into the showers. (Eek). Needless to say, Stella went to more swings and slides in one week than we ever do here. Sometimes (on the way home) twice in one day!
5) Ten hours is a damn long car trip.
6) Sleeping in the same room is not preferred, but after 4 nights of waking up periodically throughout the night and getting up to soothe her so as not to wake the rest of the condo inhabitants, she'll sleep like a charm. And then of course, that's your last night there and you are now exhausted.
7)If you have a daughter who is addicted to water, maybe going out on a power boat is not the best idea if you want to enjoy yourself.
8) But if you have awesome grandparents and an uncle who just happens to be captaining a boat, take advantage of everyone's generosity and go out by yourself for two hours (seriously, is that us smiling? really and truly?)
9) Pictures like this make the whole trip worth it. but do remember that because she likes water so much, she will sit and play in 55 degree lake water until she practically turns purple and you have to make her sit on the beach.
Yep. See, she's even ready to drive the van!!Seriously though, we DID have a nice week up in Tahoe with Steve's extended family. We learned some very valuable things about traveling with our little girl.
1) water and ice keep her occupied for HOURS in the car seat. Books, toys, songs, etc do not. Just give this girlie a plastic water bottle with a block of frozen water in it and she's good to go.
2) ditto for apples. Apples are awesome.
3) if you can, stop at the gas station that has the chickens, goats and horse to run around after. (no joke. Eastern California can be a very rural place, ya'll). Much better than Mickie D's playplace.
4) Find all the playgrounds in the town along your route. This will save you from running around the truck stop store and trying to get into the showers. (Eek). Needless to say, Stella went to more swings and slides in one week than we ever do here. Sometimes (on the way home) twice in one day!
5) Ten hours is a damn long car trip.6) Sleeping in the same room is not preferred, but after 4 nights of waking up periodically throughout the night and getting up to soothe her so as not to wake the rest of the condo inhabitants, she'll sleep like a charm. And then of course, that's your last night there and you are now exhausted.
7)If you have a daughter who is addicted to water, maybe going out on a power boat is not the best idea if you want to enjoy yourself.
8) But if you have awesome grandparents and an uncle who just happens to be captaining a boat, take advantage of everyone's generosity and go out by yourself for two hours (seriously, is that us smiling? really and truly?)
9) Pictures like this make the whole trip worth it. but do remember that because she likes water so much, she will sit and play in 55 degree lake water until she practically turns purple and you have to make her sit on the beach.
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