I think HOA things are spiraling out of control.
I'm feeling a lot less stressed about it because none of it really involves me. Well it does, but not myself specifically.
There's an email chain from other board members I probably ought to give an opinion with, but I can't bring myself to do it, to sink down to that level of allowing my words and good intentions to be misread, misconstrued and mistreated.
Shouldn't emotion be hung up at the door when it comes to business? Not passion, but just raw emotion. It seems so clear to me and I guess I just don't understand where they're coming from. Any input on this one?
Last night I seriously considered resigning. And if I could give you the full details, I would. But most of the trouble going on is from pettiness, from a vindictive attitude, from self-righteousness on a lot of counts. I feel myself pulling away from it all emotionally and mentally, unable to even want to mediate between the two warring parties. Who do they think they are? Congress? Geez.
Thank goodness I have a girls' weekend next weekend. No email for 4 days! Woohoo!
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Our Trip
A couple of weeks ago we went to Washington to visit Brian's sister. We did a lot of activities that week. It was fun and exhausting and we braved rain and wind, but it was totally worth it. The only thing I'm still unhappy about from this trip is that Sean refused outright to sleep in the car. It was a napless week. At least he's not a kid that screams when he's beyond the point of tired, Hallelujah for that. And he woke up at 6:30 AM almost every day. 7:30 at the latest. Kill me.
So now I'll post pictures of some things we did but only of our family and not my SIL's kids. As much as we love them, I'm not comfortable posted pictures of other peoples' children. We haven't uploaded anything from our camera yet (why are you so surprised?) so we don't have pictures from the children's museum. But I'll tell you about it. It rained that day, so it was the perfect activity. The water area was their favorite and Sean kept both hands in some tubs of water for practically the whole time we were at that part. Like 20 minutes. It was way cute because everything he does is adorable - duh. This was Tuesday.
Wednesday was pretty low-key day. We went to the visitor's center for Mt St Helen's and watched the intense footage of when it blew up. It was awesome.
Alright, I lied, but I figured it was safe to show the back of her head. And this is Sean and one of his cousins holding hands as we walked around the visitor center's nature path. You're supposed to be able to see the volcanic mountain from part of it, but it was still covered in clouds. Oh well. We got a good view of it later that week. The kids enjoyed the walk. I think I made chicken adobo that night. Mmmm. Actually it may have been Tuesday and I actually went to their ghetto Walmart this night. That was an adventure.
Thursday we went to the beach, a lookout point, a sweet kid-friendly restaurant and a shipwreck.
Family picture at the shipwreck
The family-friendly seafood restaurant where Sean was eating crayons
View from the lookout point
Sean was obsessed with getting soaked in the ocean. He didn't realize it was cold until ...
... we walked to the car. Don't worry, my SIL was prepared enough to realize that somebody might want a blanket. I'm glad there's somebody who actually thinks ahead.
So now I'll post pictures of some things we did but only of our family and not my SIL's kids. As much as we love them, I'm not comfortable posted pictures of other peoples' children. We haven't uploaded anything from our camera yet (why are you so surprised?) so we don't have pictures from the children's museum. But I'll tell you about it. It rained that day, so it was the perfect activity. The water area was their favorite and Sean kept both hands in some tubs of water for practically the whole time we were at that part. Like 20 minutes. It was way cute because everything he does is adorable - duh. This was Tuesday.
Wednesday was pretty low-key day. We went to the visitor's center for Mt St Helen's and watched the intense footage of when it blew up. It was awesome.
Alright, I lied, but I figured it was safe to show the back of her head. And this is Sean and one of his cousins holding hands as we walked around the visitor center's nature path. You're supposed to be able to see the volcanic mountain from part of it, but it was still covered in clouds. Oh well. We got a good view of it later that week. The kids enjoyed the walk. I think I made chicken adobo that night. Mmmm. Actually it may have been Tuesday and I actually went to their ghetto Walmart this night. That was an adventure.
Thursday we went to the beach, a lookout point, a sweet kid-friendly restaurant and a shipwreck.
Family picture at the shipwreck
The family-friendly seafood restaurant where Sean was eating crayons
View from the lookout point
Sean was obsessed with getting soaked in the ocean. He didn't realize it was cold until ...
... we walked to the car. Don't worry, my SIL was prepared enough to realize that somebody might want a blanket. I'm glad there's somebody who actually thinks ahead.I enjoyed that day. We found cool shells, Sean experienced sand for the first time and the kids were all very well-behaved and adorable. I'll be the first to admit that I was not as good as them, though I'm very glad to say that any negative-nelly thoughts I had were kept inside (even though I know they were apparent when we were all hungry at dinnertime). And because of that I had a lot of fun when I didn't think that I would.
Friday we went to the zoo. Maybe I'll post those pictures later. That was a really fun day, too. My favorite part was the one year-old elephant that was all fat and cute, Sean's favorite was the petting zoo and hand sanitizer, and I think Brian just enjoyed all of it in general.
And then on Saturday we somehow talked Brian's sister into coming with us (with her kids, too) to surprise their momma on Mother's Day. And it totally worked. That was fun.
As a whole and even in small parts this was a fantastic and fun family vacation. We're so glad that we had such willing and generous hosts who arranged for us to do every single thing we brought up as a possibility to do while we were there. It was amazing. We are really excited for the next time we can visit. :)
Friday we went to the zoo. Maybe I'll post those pictures later. That was a really fun day, too. My favorite part was the one year-old elephant that was all fat and cute, Sean's favorite was the petting zoo and hand sanitizer, and I think Brian just enjoyed all of it in general.
And then on Saturday we somehow talked Brian's sister into coming with us (with her kids, too) to surprise their momma on Mother's Day. And it totally worked. That was fun.
As a whole and even in small parts this was a fantastic and fun family vacation. We're so glad that we had such willing and generous hosts who arranged for us to do every single thing we brought up as a possibility to do while we were there. It was amazing. We are really excited for the next time we can visit. :)
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Differences between this pregnancy and the last:
- I am actually feeling good more days than not.
- I don't have to be constantly eating in order to keep nausea at bay.
- The baby was felt a couple of weeks later, but I'm feeling a LOT more movement. Very cool.
- Except when I sneeze. That makes the baby unhappy, prone to jumping around crazy and making me need to cough, which gives me awesome hot flashes.
- The almost two-year old loves to sit on my belly. I guess it looks comfortable now.
- I have more time to get excited and nervous.
- A bad headache comes around 4 every afternoon and lasts until bedtime or all the next day.
- More nesting tendencies and energy. Is that normal so early on?
- NO MEMORY RETENTION. To the point where I'm willing to spend money on something I know I'll carry around, look at, and that it will beep at me incessantly until I look at it.
- I am more patient about some things than others, to the point that I might even start potty-training in the next couple of weeks. Especially since Sean's word-comprehension is getting so much better.
Mostly it's been a better experience. I just feel at my worst after tending Nursery kids for two hours every Sunday. I keep praying they'll find a replacement soon, but that's hard to do when they've already gone through at least 15 people who said no. And its also hard not to give 100% to something so that I have at least 20% left of myself to give to my family. But I guess I'll keep pushing on and doing the best I can.
- I am actually feeling good more days than not.
- I don't have to be constantly eating in order to keep nausea at bay.
- The baby was felt a couple of weeks later, but I'm feeling a LOT more movement. Very cool.
- Except when I sneeze. That makes the baby unhappy, prone to jumping around crazy and making me need to cough, which gives me awesome hot flashes.
- The almost two-year old loves to sit on my belly. I guess it looks comfortable now.
- I have more time to get excited and nervous.
- A bad headache comes around 4 every afternoon and lasts until bedtime or all the next day.
- More nesting tendencies and energy. Is that normal so early on?
- NO MEMORY RETENTION. To the point where I'm willing to spend money on something I know I'll carry around, look at, and that it will beep at me incessantly until I look at it.
- I am more patient about some things than others, to the point that I might even start potty-training in the next couple of weeks. Especially since Sean's word-comprehension is getting so much better.
Mostly it's been a better experience. I just feel at my worst after tending Nursery kids for two hours every Sunday. I keep praying they'll find a replacement soon, but that's hard to do when they've already gone through at least 15 people who said no. And its also hard not to give 100% to something so that I have at least 20% left of myself to give to my family. But I guess I'll keep pushing on and doing the best I can.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
I might have been a little hormonal for that last post.
While I am still annoyed, I retract anything I stated that seemed over-the-top or mean. Whether or not I like what's happening, I can be a good person about it and still be nice to them. It's better to make friends than to make enemies. They have admirable qualities and I'm choosing now to focus on those and try to help them bring those qualities out more.
My biggest trouble is that they changed a lot of things. And change makes me panic a little.
While I am still annoyed, I retract anything I stated that seemed over-the-top or mean. Whether or not I like what's happening, I can be a good person about it and still be nice to them. It's better to make friends than to make enemies. They have admirable qualities and I'm choosing now to focus on those and try to help them bring those qualities out more.
My biggest trouble is that they changed a lot of things. And change makes me panic a little.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Standing up
I am part of my neighborhood's Home Owner's Association. This is always a difficult things to be in, but especially when all of your neighbors go to the same church. Things that shouldn't be personal become so. Things that should be completely separate from church become integrated in peoples' minds.
And it drives me batty!
Two weeks ago we had a great board of trustees. Then this past Saturday three were up in term, ran for re-election and were voted out because of some campaigning done by someone who was wanting on the board. There was gossip, rumor and trash-talk involved. It just makes me feel sick, especially as whether it was meant to or not, the words were against all the time and effort that I personally have put into this.
It's hard when you give somebody the benefit of the doubt, allow yourself to trust that things can be done fairly. And then to have all of that cast aside like it means nothing. It hurts, quite frankly.
But I can honestly say that I can get through this. I can be a good, upstanding citizen. I will stand up for what I think is right. I am not afraid to present the facts and shut down fallacies.
And I think that anybody who knows me would never assume that I am a good person to get on the wrong side of. That I would be okay with underhanded scheming.
Fortunately for this person, I'm willing to woman up and work with them as well and as diplomatically as I possibly can. Oh, and I can do it without being a complete you-know-what.
I don't care what it takes, I'm going to set things right.
Don't mess with a pregnant woman.
And it drives me batty!
Two weeks ago we had a great board of trustees. Then this past Saturday three were up in term, ran for re-election and were voted out because of some campaigning done by someone who was wanting on the board. There was gossip, rumor and trash-talk involved. It just makes me feel sick, especially as whether it was meant to or not, the words were against all the time and effort that I personally have put into this.
It's hard when you give somebody the benefit of the doubt, allow yourself to trust that things can be done fairly. And then to have all of that cast aside like it means nothing. It hurts, quite frankly.
But I can honestly say that I can get through this. I can be a good, upstanding citizen. I will stand up for what I think is right. I am not afraid to present the facts and shut down fallacies.
And I think that anybody who knows me would never assume that I am a good person to get on the wrong side of. That I would be okay with underhanded scheming.
Fortunately for this person, I'm willing to woman up and work with them as well and as diplomatically as I possibly can. Oh, and I can do it without being a complete you-know-what.
I don't care what it takes, I'm going to set things right.
Don't mess with a pregnant woman.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
More fun
My goodness, we've just had so much excitement the last little bit. But the fun didn't stop yesterday.
Sean's been a little sick for a few days and then last night I could tell he was having a hard time breathing. So I called the after-hours clinic who told me that breathing (in and out) 60 times in a minute was too much. Especially since it was combined with a slight fever and wheezing. And we went to the doctor, Sean got a breathing treatment, we fought him to keep the mist where he'd breathe it, and then picked up a lot of money's worth of prescriptions at the pharmacy.
Meanwhile, Sean was charming everybody he interacted with, favoring the effects of his newly discovered fake laugh (heh heh heh hehhehhehheh).
We were so tired by the time we got to the pharmacy (blessed Walgreens!) that we bought ice cream to share and reward us all for our good behavior. The pharmacy tech was very nice (albeit strange) and very interactive, and the pharmacist himself was wearing a Yoda tie. It made my night so much better seeing that tie on an actual human being.
And to top it all off, we ran into our friends John and LoriAnn. How weird is it that when we go to Provo for the first time in weeks, we see somebody we know so well? It was not something that I was expecting. Especially at 10 o'clock at night.
Then we went home and I've been doing my best to keep today as boring as possible.
Sean's been a little sick for a few days and then last night I could tell he was having a hard time breathing. So I called the after-hours clinic who told me that breathing (in and out) 60 times in a minute was too much. Especially since it was combined with a slight fever and wheezing. And we went to the doctor, Sean got a breathing treatment, we fought him to keep the mist where he'd breathe it, and then picked up a lot of money's worth of prescriptions at the pharmacy.
Meanwhile, Sean was charming everybody he interacted with, favoring the effects of his newly discovered fake laugh (heh heh heh hehhehhehheh).
We were so tired by the time we got to the pharmacy (blessed Walgreens!) that we bought ice cream to share and reward us all for our good behavior. The pharmacy tech was very nice (albeit strange) and very interactive, and the pharmacist himself was wearing a Yoda tie. It made my night so much better seeing that tie on an actual human being.
And to top it all off, we ran into our friends John and LoriAnn. How weird is it that when we go to Provo for the first time in weeks, we see somebody we know so well? It was not something that I was expecting. Especially at 10 o'clock at night.
Then we went home and I've been doing my best to keep today as boring as possible.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Good things
Doctor today went well. They did all of the routine fun stuff and then the really fun part where we got to see another u/s. Yay! And good news - I still only have one in there, despite recurring dreams where one turns into three somehow, defying all laws in biology, physics, and chemistry. I was also relieved that there was still a baby. For some reason I have a fear that it's going to disappear, like a bad joke on us from my body, and in its place a sign or something saying "Punk'd!" or "J/K! LOL!"
My doctor, like the u/s lady, was surprised by the amount of activity he saw the child doing. So there go my hopes that we'd actually get a calm child. At least I can assume it'll be another happy one, right? Right?! :) It will be interesting to have two tornadoes in the house. Maybe their personalities will be similar enough that they get along well. But the baby is measuring right at 12 1/2 weeks, so I'll assume that my due date is still correct. Yay! The u/s tech said we were measuring small, so that was making me a little sad.
Oh and when I stepped on the scale, it was TEN POUNDS MORE than what my scale says at home. Maybe it's time to invest in an accurate scale. And start eating real food that isn't just bread carbs. I was so shocked that I said "Woah.." and the nurse, bless her, didn't react to my reaction. She just kept right on like this was completely normal to be shocked by your weight. Yet another reason why I like her and my doctor's office in general.
Another fun thing that happened today was Brian came with me to the doctor's and then he picked up Del Taco. Typically I'm 'meh' about it, but I had him get me the burrito that he likes. Oh wow. So good. I want another one. I'm never buying a taco from there again. Burritos only.
My doctor, like the u/s lady, was surprised by the amount of activity he saw the child doing. So there go my hopes that we'd actually get a calm child. At least I can assume it'll be another happy one, right? Right?! :) It will be interesting to have two tornadoes in the house. Maybe their personalities will be similar enough that they get along well. But the baby is measuring right at 12 1/2 weeks, so I'll assume that my due date is still correct. Yay! The u/s tech said we were measuring small, so that was making me a little sad.
Oh and when I stepped on the scale, it was TEN POUNDS MORE than what my scale says at home. Maybe it's time to invest in an accurate scale. And start eating real food that isn't just bread carbs. I was so shocked that I said "Woah.." and the nurse, bless her, didn't react to my reaction. She just kept right on like this was completely normal to be shocked by your weight. Yet another reason why I like her and my doctor's office in general.
Another fun thing that happened today was Brian came with me to the doctor's and then he picked up Del Taco. Typically I'm 'meh' about it, but I had him get me the burrito that he likes. Oh wow. So good. I want another one. I'm never buying a taco from there again. Burritos only.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)