awwwww

Sprout is having a nap, and smiling in his sleep.

Sometimes, life is pretty magical.

I Need to Finish...

I really, really want this frigging dissertation done. Like, yesterday.

It's time to take my life off "pause" and get going.

I Need to Revise my Life a Little

Too many vises. Not enough real productivity. I really need to detox from a few things - like the instant procrastination of the internet.

I'm feeling a little bummed out today; not feeling like a very good human. I need to gather my thoughts a little and re-find my energy and motivation.

R.I.P. Ted Kennedy

I just heard that Ted Kennedy succumbed to his brain tumor tonight. It'll be strange to live in a world without a major Kennedy.

Best wishes to the family.

Good Day

We had a really nice day today - a couple hours bumming around the park, including some time lying on our backs watching the clouds, and a nice long nap. And guess who has a new premolar? So that means two premolars down, and two more to go! (And it seems each one gets easier on him, though he was in a bit of pain today, and seemed to have a weird foot-fever this morning - very odd.)

So, all in all, a fine day. Now, back to work... It's not all fun and games, my life.

OMG: KIDS IN THE HALL REUNION

... January 2010... must get TV for that month.

I Watch Stuff article.

Pretty Damned Wunnerful

Thanks to Katie for sending it to me.

*breathe*

I'm so nervous. I've tried cramming as much stuff into my brain as possible, and it's still not nearly enough. I need to calm down, though - I feel sick to my stomach.

I'll be just be glad when the interview is over, whichever way it goes...

calm...

nightmares

I had horrible nightmares last night, in which someone was trying to steal away my son, while I scrambled around trying to hide him. I was tired, and carrying him while running got so hard, but I knew I just had to keep going.

At first, we were inside this big, unfamiliar house and the man was trying to get in - so I bolted all the doors and windows, and moved heavy furniture in front of the doors (all while not being able to put the baby down, lest I lose him in the dark). Then we tried hiding in different rooms and closets, etc. But. then, somehow I realized the killer/kidnapper/whatever was inside with us. So I had to get outside - there I was struggling to move the furniture away one-handed again, so we could get out. It was dark out, though there was a moon, and I didn't know the land - it seemed very much like Wuthering Heights outside, and really full of sharp brambles. I think I saw people, but they were unable/unwilling to hear/help me.

It was possibly the most frightened I have ever been. I willed myself to wake up, but I didn't for a while. Finally, I did, and laid there crying and hugging my son for a while. Eventually, I calmed down and was able to go back to sleep. Only to have the same dream! This happened several times. I'm a complete wreck today.

I have a job interview tomorrow, and I really need to get it... I pray I am able to get sleep tonight...

Hasani Campbell Still Missing

ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)

or Oakland Police Department (California) 1-510-777-3333

I'm Still Alive

Busy, but still around.

Will update sometime in the future, I hope...

STILL MISSING

Attention Shoppers

I would sell one of my kidneys for egg rolls right now.

Being broke sucks.

Colouring

Sprout and I spent a good little time colouring - he's getting pretty good at it, and I think he's even now caught on to the fact that there are lines to follow.

Speaking of which, I am making him something for his 18 month birthday, but you can't tell him - it's safe to say on here, since he can't read yet. I am making him a colouring book out of a scrap book I bought at the corner store. Funny, I know, since I draw worth poop, but the line drawing isn't too hard. I just wanted him to have a book specially for him, with his favourite things in it.

Hard to believe he's this grown up. *sniffle*

Knock Wood...

A few good things have happened, but more details on that later, so I don't jinx anything. And Sprout is seeming to be a lot better, especially since he was able to eat a reasonable sized meal. Early bed for us tonight, I reckon.

Hoping for the Best...

Poor little mite...

Sunday

We woke up at 7.30... not exactly the rewarding day-off sleep-in for which I had been hoping, but not bad. Sprout is still warm, with a mild fever of 100.9 at one point today, but is in good spirits and fairly lively, though he's really starting to run down right now, in time for a nap. He still won't eat, which is a problem (though he's nursing a lot), but I hope I can tempt his tummy with something later today. At least some plain apple sauce should work. He seems to be done throwing up, so that's certainly a plus.

I am feeling ok - and even got a SHOWER in today! With real adult shampoo! (Not that I am filthy, mind, just stuck on a strict bath-only and baby shampoo regiment this past year and a half - showers of recent memory include three or four last April, and a couple in November 2008... Oh, shower, it has been too long.) How did I achieve this? An episode of "Arthur", and I just sidled away before he noticed I was gone. It seems the sound of the shower no longer terrifies him - progress!

Taking him to bed with a movie or something soon, so we can rest and enjoy a cuddle. (I've been leaning towards re-watching the Harry Potter films, so we might go that way for a day of bed rest.) Hopefully, I can get away and write some pages at some point today, but there's always my proctoring shifts tomorrow and Tuesday to get some things done.

Hope this flu (or whatever) is gone by tomorrow.

Some New-ish (Funny) Links of Note:

The Saga of Gary
MLIA Notes from the Edge
WFT Emails and Notes
Passive Aggressive FUs

Fever Update

Sprout just woke up and started saying "gah-gah gah-gaaaaah" (two gahs close together, pause, and again - like a malfunctioning motor) repeatedly.

My first thought: Oh no! He's delirious! My second thought: Oh, wait - he's a baby, and that's how he talks... Yup, I'm smart.

Turns out he's back down in the 90s (98.9F), and all is well. He just wanted a drink of milk and a snuggle to get him back to sleep. He wondered to where I had wondered off, I guess.

Hopefully, he will stay out of the 100s, and all will be well. I am forcing myself to stay up for another hour or so to check again before I zonk out, myself.

Meanwhile, I feel suspiciously queasy...

Three Things

1) I am sick of hauling my arse to campus every day in the way-too-early hours.

2) Sprout lost his little wooden train today, and I am still broken hearted about it. And feeling guilty that I didn't notice and save the poor little thing... The thought of it out there on some sidewalk is heartbreaking. He loved that thing, and so did I.

3) Even worse, Sprout is ill today, and running his second fever, ever - it's only low-grade, but bad enough to suck. Also bad: the 5 throw-ups he had today. I am really hoping he gets better before I have to repeat #1 on this list on Monday.

Dull Update

Made some progress on the dissertation these past days - I now have a good 16 pages in the can on the chapter - the Zohan section is now complete except for some tying it in with the theoretical framework, which will take me another 30 minutes at most. I hope to write the basic theory tomorrow, so that will be behind me. The chapter is growing much larger than I had hoped though... it looks like I might have to cut this and another chapter (already written in draft) up into two each - or cut a third off each and make a new chapter. Not sure which - both should be long enough to easily make four. In any case, it's good stuff, so I'd rather not lose any sections, but 80+ pages is too long for a single chapter.

Work is going well - I am grateful for the money, as I will need it in the uncertain times ahead...

R.I.P. John Hughes

The writer of Pretty in Pink (I heart Duckie) and director of The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles, John Hughes, died today.

Well, it's official - we're no longer teenagers. Bummer.

shucks

I'd give a kidney to be able to crawl back into bed with the little one.

:(

Like or Dislike?

At first, I really liked this picture... but, now, looking at the mother's face, I'm not so sure...

Whew

What a day! I am glad that was my one and only late work shift - all the others are daytime ones, which sucks because they are early, but bus travel is so much better.

Had the unexpected joy of having computer use at work tonight, so I managed to get a ton done, even. (I had only expected to be able to read/highlight/handwrite notes from some paper articles.) I am about 3/4 done that book I rescued from Sprout's toy box today!

Tomorrow is another day...

Things Are Looking Up!

Found my book - not hidden in a safe place, after all, but in a toy box. It figures. Sprout stashes everything in there eventually.

Also, we have water back - not sure about hot water, but any water is a start.

No sign yet of the storm - I hope this doesn't mean it's waiting until we step outside. It has about two hours to come and go, so fingers crossed. However, with such a nasty humidex, there are definite silver linings to the storm anyway - even if it costs me the price of a bus ticket.

Kick Me

I can't find a library book that I need - I likely put it somewhere "safe" where Sprout couldn't destroy it... and then can't find it again. Everywhere I look, piles of contraband keeps sliding and falling - naturally, Sprout is making hay while the sunshines, and I have to confiscate a million things from him - sparking off a million tantrums.

I haven't had time yet to have a bath, because I was pumping (which was not fun at all). My toilet bowl cleaner spilled while I was digging into the storage closet... and, then, when I went to wash my hands, I found that YET AGAIN there is no water in the building. sigh.

So, it's hot, and sticky, and now it looks like I might not get a bath or wash Sprout before I have to go to work. At least I have water in the fridge for use in making lunch. sigh.

What a day - ALREADY!

OH, and PS - We have to walk to downtown today, as my bus pass expired, and they just now threw up a thunderstorm warning. Yup.

Now I really have to laugh. Next will be a pratfall, I am sure...

STOP THE HAMMERING

Ugh. Nearby there are either renovations or the old lady upstairs is clogging... Driving me nuts.

Not too Shabby

I'm still behind, but I must say I've been powering on reasonably well these past few days, despite teething issues and Sprout learning how to climb EVERYTHING. Not too bad, at all.

Will be working for the next few days for moolah, so I might not get around to updating for a while.

...

Life is somewhat poopy, but it goes on.