Disbelief

Law Reunion 2010 and I can't believe another year has already come and gone. And can't believe how much we've changed yet how much were still the same. Or how much it seems like not a week has past since the last get-together, let alone graduation. Or how much fun we had in... Waco...of all places.
And I can't believe that we brought a shorty this year. Or that conversation still reverts to baby poo (no, I still did not contribute to that convo- though I could have had much to say this time...) Or how disappointed i am in myself for taking so few pictures. Or how much Nashty made me laugh. Or how much shock I am still in from the crazy stories I heard of, well, "firm drama"; we'll call it... Or that we'll have to wait for a whole year to pass before it happens again.
But total props and thanks to Melissa's parents for the hookup. And a shout-out to Amy S for being our token preggers girl this year.
How thankful I am for such a great group of friends, committed to our annual get together. So grateful now and years from now for the bond, connection, and history we share- despite our differences and the embedded predictablilty of it all.

Attention, Please

The attention-starved kitties simultaneously 'work-it' for their
moment in the spot light.

Fire Drill

Have I ever mentioned that my house caught on fire? Yep. Christmas morning in the wee hours. I was 8 and I remember it vividly. We rebuilt the house and moved back in several months later. Suffice to say, I guess I know what it is like to escape your burning home in the middle of the night.

Cut to today. Grown up. House of my own. Infant child in my care; under my roof. A shrill smoke alarm is unsettling to anyone at any hour, I think. Especially when it goes off multiple times and no source/ explaination can be found.

And it wakes your baby

Who sleeps downstairs from you

And it's the middle of the night

And you've checked all the closets

And you've felt the walls for hotspots

And found the nearest firestation

And your baby is going back to sleep

But you doubt you will any time soon



What would you grab? What is your plan? You've got 30 seconds...

5 years ago

Last year we celebrated on the Ile de Cite. The year, in a French restarant in Austin (Jezabel, which I highly recommend!) and this year, our anniversary included celebrating with our new small person--our new family member-- and also for the first time.... Our wedding pictures!! Yay :)And to top it off-- I got a couple dozen white and pale pink roses along with my push prizes. Feelin' spoiled. Good times.

Reinstated

So, I have a system that works now... But only half my data/ emails.

Nice.

Trying to figure out what my remote schedule should look like and what I will need to be most productive. Hmmm....

Long Drive up Mopac

The last time I made this drive it was 4AM and I was in labor. Though it felt like just as long of a drive this morning, it was very different.

Today I returned to work. With one hand strangling my starbucks cup and the other extended, locked and white knuckled on the steering wheel, I attempted to drown out my thoughts and emotions by blaring Madeleine Peyroux. Bleary eyed at 9am.

The day was a series of mishaps and realizations as I was reinstated, authorized and documented. Learned about my new role as there was a massive reorg while I was out. Discovered the mother's room and learned what it was like to pump while away from my child (and attempt to balance work while escaping for 20 minute 'mommy breaks' every few hours). Oh, and I can't omit that the hard drive on my work system crashed. Awesome. Sure hope I backed it up, but who knows how long until I figure out what all I lost.

By and large, though, the people I work with were happy to see me and welcomed me back with enthusiasm and sympathy. Even a janitor stopped me in the hall and asked in broken English and hand signals where my baby was (and noting the absence of my beach ball sized belly). I learned that I will be able to work remotely and the boss man (who got a big promotion during the reorg) fully supports "what ever it takes to make me comfortable with returning, ramped up and feeling balanced," I just need to work out the details.

The shorty did great and the nanny was verbose and cheery with her info... everything you would want in a nanny's update.

So all in, it was as good as one could have hoped for, however, I am
completely exhausted to the point of aching body. The mental and physical depletion likely lead to the development to top off the day: I had a Junior League (which I've been trying to quit that thing for a couple years now) meeting tonight at 6:30. So after this long day... I dashed home to feed him then turned around to leave again... even more time away from baby. =(

I get up there only to learn that the meeting had been cancelled, but the notice had been sent to my work email (which of course, I still cannot access). On my way out I saw my cousin-in-law who is the VP of Membership and after a brief conversation resolved to resign, with her full support. =) And just like that... it's done. Driving back home, I heaved a sigh of relief and realized it was the long-overdue 'right thing' for me.

I knew today I would start something, but didn't realize I'd finally
stop something.

Messy Morning

I managed to spill a full glass of my favorite juice this morning all over my side of the bed and the mattress cover had of course slid over just enough to not catch the spill. Awesome. All over the sheets, bed, mattress, headboard, wall, floor, my pajamas and me. Great way to start the day. The ironic thing is that this happened NOW-- when I'm finally getting more than 1.5 hours if sleep at a time- as I have for the past 3 months. For a few nights now, I've been able to get up to 7 hours ...which is mind altering, I assure you. Yet, somehow, with all this rest, I managed to achieve the biggest mess yet.

Oy!

I hate it when that happens...

So, my dream house has been on market and I have had loads of fun perusing the pictures at its walls and halls However, I found out this week that it was going into foreclosure which sent me into a flurry of day dreams and scheming as to how I could make it mine -- -- a little sad when this morning I look to see the pictures one last time and they've already been taken down. *sigh* maybe next time ...

Here Comes the Bride

So this weekend I will be photographing a wedding at Mercury Hall! haven't done much photography since I got preggers. But this lovely bride came to me to ask me if I would shoot her wedding and I'm happily obliging. a little extra spending money ain't bad either -- so I spent my few spare moments this week checking my equipment and preparing for my six hours of physical and mental exertion -- I'm actually a little bit nervous to get back into the swing of things ..Definitely more excited, though, and looking forward to the event pictures to come -- but I suppose I am also a little concerned about having enough time afterwords to process the pictures as needed. But life goes on.

It turns out that 'weddings' are the theme of the week: not only do I have the wedding this weekend, but I finally got my wedding album! It only took five years :) and then yesterday I spent the bulk of my day over at the tri prices and Jackie and I spent time looking for her wedding pictures after realizing that we have had the same photographer! but of course the most key piece of this week that is wedding-related is that Tuesday night sweet Gray proposed to my little sister the day he received the ring at an impromptu dinner with dinner in a glass of champagne.

Sent from my iPhone

Sacraments

Next up: My little sister is going to make a beautiful bride...