Cross-Post

For anyone that hasn't moved to my other blog.

True Cliches

New Clothes, New Skills

The switch has been officially made. I am now (in training) to be a Customer Service Rep at a local bank, and no longer a daycare cook.

I got to sleep until 6:45 every morning, instead of leaving for work at that time. I wore what I like to call "Grown-up" clothes, and my boots....oh,my gorgeous knee-high black leather boots. I got an hour long lunch-break every day, long enough to come home, eat, relax, and get back to it.

The kids are adjusting to my new schedule, and seem to like it. I've planned ahead, had the supper stuff prepped for us. Everyone's helping.

I also began my online and on-the-job training. I have SO MUCH TO LEARN.  The first 3 days I was good. Did my e-classes, spent some time with my new co-workers out on the floor. Then, yesterday, I started with my online learning modules. That was when I started to doubt myself....right around the time I hit the power-bar under the desk with my heel and shut-down the computer mid-video clip.

"What am I thinking? I am not smart enough for this."
"They have made a big mistake hiring me."

Luckily for me, my wonderful husband talked me down when I came home. And our Littlest told me it was OK, I could just study more. ( Such a positive  kid).

So, on Monday, I will put on some grown-up clothes, go to work, and finish my modules. This is completely new territory, I have to give myself the time I need to learn these new skills. I guess there's a reason the training period is 6 weeks!

***Just a note: if you happen to follow my blog, I am planning on shutting this blog down, and posting solely from my other one, Runbarefootmama. There's a lot of overlap, seems silly to have 2***

Comfort Zone....who needs it?

Big things going on here at Chez Landry, big things.

First big thing. Five weeks since surgery, and I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Went for my final appointment with my surgeon yesterday. She said the infection I had is clearing up ( she put liquid silver on it, yikes!) and that I should be ready to resume regular activities in 2-3 weeks! I'm happy to hear it, feels like I've been a Patient forever!

This might lead you to think that I'll be heading back to early mornings in the kitchen....

Well, that's other big thing. I'm not going back folks.
This was not part of any grand plan.

I applied a for job I saw posted online ( during my convalescence, I've had plenty of time to surf the web). I never thought they'd call me.

They called me. I had an interview. They offered me the position.

We spent the weekend discussing the pros &cons.....there were lists, post-its, phone consultations with loved ones.

In the end, we decided that this move will be better for our family now, and perhaps offer more opportunities in the future.
I will miss so many things about my last job. The great group of people I worked with. The little kiddies I cooked for, and how they made me smile & shared their hugs. There were so many things I enjoyed. I learned a lot, and am thankful that they gave me a chance to get back into the workforce. I will miss them, and may make a nuisance of myself visiting from time to time (hopefully I'll be welcome).

I am hoping that my new position will be a good fit.  I'll be working at one of the bank branches here in town. The people I have met so far seem very nice. The six weeks of training....that scares me a little. (Hope my brain doesn't short-circuit.)

I am looking forward to the change and the challenge of something new( and to being able to wear nail polish again!) I am also very happy to be able to be home with the kids in the morning again. Being home these last weeks has shown me that they miss me....and I have missed them.

It's scary. It's stepping outside my comfort zone. I think it'll be a good thing.

Thanksgiving Leftovers

Thanksgiving, it's all over. Well, except for the leftovers......and those are going fast.  F.Y.I, the pie, both pumpkin and apple, are gone. Not even a crumb left for Dexter.

There's a lot to be thankful for.

There's my husband. He's always been good to me. In the past few months, he's been absolutely amazing, caring for me and taking over for me when I've been out of commission. Especially during the last few weeks since my surgery.

Our four fabulous kiddos. They scrap and squabble like any other kids....and at the end of the day, they take care of each other. They've also been so understanding about my invalid status and have been very helpful. (We're all missing hugs though. Soon.)

My parents. For taking care of me post-surgery, and for being with us for Thanksgiving this year. For the thousands of things they do for us that I forget to thank them for.

Thankful for the surgeon that skillfully operated on my Uncle.

For family far away.

For friends, both near and far.

For the fact that I have an understanding boss and wonderful co-workers.

I've been feeling glum. Recovery has been so very slow, (at least it feels like it). Infection, meds, the inability to control and "fix" this. Feeling like I'll never be well enough to go back to work, run, lift heavy things.....

I should be thankful that my surgery was not for a life-threatening reason.

I am a lucky gal.....even if I can be a grump who forgets.

A Little Bit of Everything

So,  yesterday, I wrote a post on my other blog.......right here , all about healing from my surgery,blah blah blah.

I  was having some pain (more than usual), took a look at things, had the husband look at things.....by supper, was worried that there might be an infected area, so I scooted on over to the local emergency room.
Saw some lovely nurses, they thought there might be a little something undesirable going on. Waited for the doc, sure enough, it was the start of something that could have been trouble. So, I'm on another week's worth of antibiotics, added another painkiller.....sheesh. (Side note: Both the doc and the nurse were impressed with the work  the surgeon did. Nice to hear that from  medical professionals.)
Hopefully this is just a minor glitch in this recovery thing.
The kids were a bit worried, but once I told them the doctor gave me medicine, all was well in their world again. They do not like that I am not able to do all my usual "Mom" stuff......I feel the same way.

It's a short week for them. No school Friday, so it's a four day Thanksgiving weekend. #2 and the Littlest are hoping for at least one PJ day. All of them are looking forward to having Gramma and Grampa here for the big turkey dinner.

Our Man-child is off to the X-Country zones today.  He's so very nervous. He wants to qualify for Provincials at the end of the month, so he's putting a lot of pressure on himself. (He's a classic First-born perfectionist). He races in about an hour, so think good thoughts folks.

Tomorrow is Boss's Day for him as well. Since I am off work, and can't take him with me this year, I've hired him to be my helper here tomorrow. There's plenty to be done around here, and I'll enjoy spending the time with him. Maybe this Boss will take him out for lunch.

I'd also like to ask you all for some good thoughts for my Uncle. He's having some health problems, and had some pretty major surgery. Thanks all.

Screaming Meemies- Update

Kids have been back at school for just over a month. The leaves are falling and the furnace has run more than once. Looks like summer is really over, and not just on the calendar.

All 4 of our offspring are doing well so far this school year.
The Man-child is in grade 10.....real high school EEK! Oh, I so vividly remember grade 10. Makes it surreal that one of my own is that old now.

Son #2 started junior high ( same school as the Man-Child). I will confess, I worried about this transition for him. He is our dreamer, our grey-man. Often he is off in his own world. I need not have been concerned. He's really enjoying grade 7...now to hope his report card reflects some of his new-found confidence.
Son #3 is the BIG FISH in the pond this year. Grade 6, and loving every minute of it. He has the teacher he wanted, he's discovered that reading is a wonderful thing. It's fun to watch.
The Littlest is spreading her wings as well. School is something she has always loved, but she's spreading her wings outside of those 4 walls. She's started a dance class and is loving it. It's a fun, fitness-type class. No levels, no competition. Watching her confidence grow is a beautiful thing.

Yesterday, we took her to a special Speech Therapy appointment at the Stollery Hospital. We were hoping that they might have an answer for us...or at least a new strategy to help her with her speech issues.
No dice.
It's very frustrating, and I hate to see her still struggling after all these years.If I could get my hands on the people at the private agency that set her back to badly!
What we'll do is go back to speech therapy, doing to exercises and drills, and hope that one day all the work she has done will allow her to speak as clearly and concisely as she thinks.

I am slowly recovering from my reduction surgery. The kids have been an enormous help. (Looks like we're doing something right)  Ron has been so wonderful too. He's taken care of me, the kids and the house. I've been lucky enough to have him home with me this week too.

I've been loving the fact that I am home in the morning with the kids. I miss that so much when I'm working. It'll be hard to give that up when I go back.

I'm too tired to Write Twice

Here's a post from my other blog for your reading pleasure :)

Other Blog Post

Flying Time

Summer is flying by. I wish I was enjoying it more.

It's ridiculous how much I am struggling with this right now.

I miss being home with the kids (as I have stated previously). They miss having me home.

Any time we wish to spend out of town, or with friends is limited by my work schedule, hubby's work schedule, and trying to find a way for us to both be off at the same time.

Oldest is still with my sister. I know he's learning so much, and I know he's liking the fact that he's earning money. :)

We just went down to my parents' place to pick up Littlest, and left Son #3 there for his time.  I love that they get this time there on their own. I think when they're older they'll be happy for it....I know some of my fondest memories are of summer with family.

Ever heard the song by Trace Adkins called "You're Gonna Miss This" ......the sentiment is truer every year.

Dream a Little Dream

So, when last I wrote, I was feeling guilty about working and not being home with the kids.

I do think that my years as a SAHM were the right thing to do. I also know that I want to be more and do more.

So, I went back to work last year. It's a job tailored to my skill-set ( pretty sure I blogged about it before).

I have a dream though. I want to have my own bakery/coffee spot. ( Maybe I've blogged about this too? My mind is a sponge: holds plenty I can't see).

I want it to be a family place, where my kids can work with us until they leave home.

I want it to feel as warm and comfortable as the kitchen in my home.

My fear, the thing that stops me from leaping into it: hurting my family. I don't want to put everything on the line, have it be a bust, and leave us in a lurch.

So, for now, it remains a dream. It'll be upgraded to a goal soon.

How to Look Like a Moron.....

Today was not a good day.

It actually started last night.

In fact, maybe it started the first day I went to work during the kids' summer vacation.

Saying goodnight to the kids last night, Son #3 hugged me hard, and asked me if I had to work for their whole summer off.

Stab of Mommy-Guilt.

Son #2 came down and hugged me hard, twice. Very out of character.

Stab.
Slept in this morning ( just enough to throw me off). Littlest came downstairs, all bleary-eyed. "Mom, do you have today off with us?"

Stab. Stab. Stab.

Already feeling tender, I head into work. There's a note, completely harmless.....I took it the wrong way. There were tears, a bit of really ugly crying. I managed to make a co-worker feel bad, and make myself look like a blithering idiot in the process.

If there was any doubt in anyone's mind at work that I am certifiable, I have now removed all traces of it.

Logically, I know the kids are fine here at home. I leave before they're up (this morning not withstanding), and am home in the middle of the afternoon.

I made the choice to stay home with our kids, and to not work. Now, to not be home with them...it just feels wrong.  No matter that I generally like my job, I miss being home with them.



P.S. I miss the Oldest too. I'll be glad when he comes home.

Working.....Always in Progress

Yikes, nearly a year since I posted anything here. Perhaps that's why my brain feels full to bursting! So, for my mental health ( and possibly to the detriment of yours), I am going to try to stop in here on a semi-occasional basis.

What a crazy year it has been. The biggest change in our lives was me going from being a full-time SAHM (stay-at-home mom) to working Monday to Friday. Honestly, I think the kids have adjusted to me being out of the home better than I have. I miss sending them off to school every morning, but am so lucky that I am done work before they get home every day. As summer vacation creep ever closer, I am struggling a little more.  They will be done school, and I will still be leaving them at the crack of dawn every day. While I realize that many,many people do not get to spend summer vacation with their kids, this will be my first full summer working.

As for my job: I honestly enjoy it. Really, it's like they created a position for someone like me. All my skills I honed while staying home with our kids for so many years are what make me good at what I do every day at work.

• Plan Meals: no problem
• Cook for numerous kids & not feel hurt when they don't like it: got it....have you met my kids?
• Shop for food on a budget: nothing like being a single income family to do that
• Bake and cook from scratch: ...is there any other way? ;)
• Spend time with kids: been doing it a long time.

I am very lucky to work with some really interesting and funny people, and I work for a great organization. I think it's been an ideal way for me to dip my feet back into the workforce pool....though some weeks the early start time makes this mama TIRED.

Internally, the adjustments have been a little tough for me. I wrote a little bit about it yesterday (here) . Of all the things I can do, personal time management isn't one of them. I do miss my days at home, and being able to take a little more time for myself while keeping up with the needs of the family. I'm working on finding balance, and I'm pretty sure it'll be a constant battle.

The kids, my beloved Screaming Meemies....they are growing. Growing taller, getting older, maturing before my eyes. It makes me so proud, and reduces me to tears, depending on the day. The Oldest hits high school, #2 goes to Junior High in the Fall ( both in the same school), #3 will be the Big Fish in grade 6 at the elementary school, and Littlest will be heading to grade 4 (and double digits on her next birthday).


The Oldest is also leaving us for a month this summer. He'll be staying with my sister for a month and working at her SO's (significant other's) new restaurant on Cultus Lake, the Lakeside Beach Club. We'll miss the kid to be sure, but, it's such an exciting opportunity for him. I'll try to keep my tears to a minimum.

Changes abound around here....I'll do my best to keep on rolling with them.