Kimbosue's Blog has MOOOOOVED!

**As of November 9, 2009, please find me at my new home below.**

Some posts are pw protected, so for the super secret decoder pen....ahem... code, please email me at kimbosue2 AT hotmail DOT com.

This blog will remain open. The link is still tied to lots of IF blogs, groups, and websites. I hope someone can read through my journey and find hope and strength and know that there is a light at the end of the IF tunnel. Prayer is the key! I love all my IF girlies I met along the way, and I hope to keep your friendships going forward during this next chapter of Mommyhood. I hope to see you there!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Bullet Wednesday

Another bullet kind of day...


  • Sitter called in yesterday. Her oldest had been throwing up all night and wasn't sure why. Said it was our call if we sent Miles over or not. Well with all this flu hoopla going on, no thank you. So Dean watched him the first half of the day and I came home in the afternoon to work from home and watch him.
  • Dean couldn't really get him to take his morning nap and I couldn't get him to take his afternoon nap. He would fall asleep on me and I would hold him for 20-30 minutes before trying to lay him down. The minute I put him down, he would be up on his elbows and head up looking at me and smiling from ear to ear. We were watching the news before Daddy went to band - around dinner time - and suddenly he wants to nap! But he does look like an angel, doesn't he?
  • UGH - speaking of sitter, we still don't know if she's going to be staying with us or not. I hate to look for someone just to have to tell them "just kidding." Why won't my mom just quit her job already?! Or Mean Aunt Betty? :0)
  • My favorite (and only) cashmere sweater is not handling the milk jugs very well. I am still wearing it anyway, but when I put it on this morning, I don't remember it being so, ahem...short. Then I noticed the jugs were looking lower than usual - BAH - NURSING BRAS! I already had my hair and makeup done and didn't want to pull a turtleneck over all that, so I had to ask sleepy Dean to help me with the straps - pull them up at least a little bit more anyway...
  • Another reason for the bra assistance, was because of this awful, terrible, no good, very bad CRICK in my back. I couldn't have reached over my shoulder to do it if I wanted to! I slept hard last night, so I guess I was in a bad position all.night.long.
  • We carved our silly face pumpkin last night - pics on the camera at home of course! Miles wasn't too interested since he couldn't put his hand in the mush. I was afraid he would swallow a seed. HA - then my pumpkin would grow a pumpkin in his belly. Or maybe not...
  • Slow day at the office when you've only got emails from baby.center, gym.boree, Mean Aunt Betty, with only 1 work related, all day and you've been here 4 hours already....
  • Gossip queens at the office are bitches. Know the facts before you open your mouths. Just because you are the one to report something "anonymously" to the ethics.line, doesn't mean you can flap your trap once action has been taken.

IS IT THURSDAY YET?!!!!!!!! (It's my "Friday" this week....)

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Monday, October 26, 2009

Happy, Happy BDay to ME!

What a crazy fun weekend! Friday night my friends Shannon, Shayla and her boyfriend lover man friend Todd, came over. Deano whipped up some margaritas (I had red wine of course) and grilled 2 chickens, squash and zuchinni. The food was fab and of course turned into a drunk fest. Luckilly Mr. Miles was in bed before everybody got crazy. It was like old times - we even played "I Never..."

Saturday I didn't feel like much of anything, even though it was my birthday. I played with Miles a lot and took a nap with him. Didn't even get out of my pj's and take a shower till 5:00! Then we loaded up and met Shannon, T&D, Shayla and her ahem...friend, sister and BIL @ Backyard.Cafe for dinner*. The food was awesome, the wine was flowing, the cake* and presents were amazing! Then we drove over to T&D's new digs - a 3 story townhouse/condo thingy near the.Heights. It fits them perfectly, but no thank you. 12 foot ceilings makes those stairs EXTRA long...

Sunday I spent most of the day making a baby shower cake. It's my 2nd paid order. It's for my neighbor - she's co-hosting a baby shower at her work for 2 chicks having babies. One of them doesn't know what she's having so it had to be gender neutral. Round 2 on the sheep cake... I had intended on putting the 2nd sheep on the side like last time, but this time I actually centered the top cake correctly (HA) so there wasn't enough room for his butt...



Boo Boo played with my cake pans while I was baking...too cute!


Also speaking of cakes...we did the "Cake.for.the.Cure" again at work. They provide a 1/4 sheet cake and icing and we bring the "embellishments." Our theme was "PEAS find a cure." I made the peans and pod at home out of fondant...Then we only had 20 minutes to decorate it. "Challenges" this year were the cake was extra sticky and the icing extra thick. Oh and they didn't give us a spatula (I had brought a small one) or piping bags for writing (I had brought one). They said the "challenges" were in comparison to the challenges those fighting breast cancer face...



Sunday evening we went to Mom and Dad's for birthday dinner - again. Dad grilled steaks and we had salad and baked taters. Mom made me a cake with a pic of me, Miles, and Maddie on it.*

Miles had squash, applesauce, and pineapples for the 1st time this weekend. Yes, I know we didn't follow the rules for 1 new food every 3 days. But Dean didn't know I had given him applesauce Friday and then he gave him pineapples Saturday. Sunday I told him to bring something he's had before because of the 2 new things so close together. So he brought bananas - good he's had these for weeks now - but then he brought squash for the veggie! UGH - we were at Grammy's so we didn't have a choice. However, they thawed out WAY watery. Like too much to even be able to get on a spoon. Totally not what they looked like in the blender. He was still hungry after the chicken and bananas so we thickened them up with some Daddy's plain potato. New food #4 for the weekend! (However he did have the squished insides of a few french fries a long time ago - before we even officially started solids...)

Monday brought total UGH-NESS...
#1. It's raining yet again in H-town. (Isn't it funny how we complained all summer of how dry it was and now we are complaining its too wet) But I am driving myself to work now that the DRAMA.VAN is out of my life so my 350Z gets a little nervous when it rains this much. Houston is not known for its good drainage system. And Zoe is only about 8 inches off the ground....
#2. Not until I got out of the car did I realize that BOTH of my heel tips have rubbed or broken off. Now its like I am walking on nails - seriously can see the silver nail of the heel...as I walked through the parking garage I could tell they sounded different. When I got to my desk I looked at them and the entire tip is gone and I am now slowly breaking off bits of the plastic part that surrounds the heel nail thingy. Can't take them to the shoe repair place because they are just made by "George" and I am embarrassed to get them fixed considering their cost. (Holler if you know where I got them!) So now new shoes are on the agenda.
#3. Left my Pampers.coupons at home and DESPERATELY (like have 4 left TOTAL in the diaper bag or the house) need to pick some up on the way home. Now I have to go home first. BAH...
#4. During pumping session #1 this morning, one side wasn't sucking correctly. Or at all I should say. I couldn't wiggle all the parts enough to get it to start working so I switched it to just pump 1 side, then the other. Turned into a 30 minute session. UGH. Just when I had convinced myself to BF another 3 months and my pump gives up the ghost? NOOOOOOOOO! Luckily I had the manual in the bag so I took a peek at the troubleshooting section. Come to find out that the rubber thingy that goes inside the flange/inside the bottle was torn. This rubber thingy is crucial to the suction. Good thing I have some spare parts at the office. Hope this next session is better...

*totally forgot to take pictures of all of these things...

sorry it's so long - hope you're still reading.....have a great week!


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Saturday, October 24, 2009

Destiny

32 years ago today, I was born to be Miles' mommy....

Friday, October 23, 2009

Damn You!

Damn you gall.stones!

UGH - I had a gall.bladder attack this morning around 2:30AM. When I got up in my sleepiness, I took 2 T.ums instead of 2 Ty.lenol. This didn't help my pain any (obviously) so I was squirmy wormy/in the fetal position until 4:30...coincidentally Miles' nursing time before work. I would have skipped it to squirm some more, but then I remembered I didn't take Ty.lenol after all, just heartburn medication, DUMB.ASS.... UGH - get up, take better med, feed Miles, both of us cuddle and fall asleep in the "nursing.papasan.chair" (that I just can't let go of). I don't know how I fell asleep like that because my shit was still killing me. I put him back to bed, emailed my work peeps, and resumed the fetal position.

By the time I woke up at 7:30, the pain had subsided. I got up, pumped, showered and made it to work by 9:15. It is actually fall-like weather here in the Lone.Star.State - 53 degrees and GORGEOUS blue skies - not a cloud in the sky (at least that I can see from my 2nd-story-cubicle-window-blocked-by-the-world's-largest-crepe-myrtle-and-5-story-parking-garage.) I so don't want to be sitting here... I could be playing with BooBoo or organizing a cabinet or something (don't ask)...

Anyway, back to the gall.stone saga. I have known I have had them since 2006 when my old PCP ordered an u/s. Flash to 2007, new PCP, (didn't like old one in the least bit) and she said I should have it taken care of before getting PG. Really lady...I am going to be 30 this (that) year. I don't have time for surgery, recovery time, etc, etc. I wanted a baby before I was in menopause! So I opted to put that aside and work on TTC, knowing that if I had an attack while PG, there would be nothing they could do about it.

So now I have had my 2nd attack since Miles was born. BLECH. You don't need your gall.bladder, or at least can live without it. So mine is being removed in 2010!

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Thursday, October 22, 2009

I love a Rainy Night...

It's been raining like crazy here in Houston since about 3AM! Now that I am off the van and my carpooling buddy got laid off, I have to drive Zoe into work. Zoe = 350Z which is a mere 8 inches off the ground. We all know Houston has serious drainage problems - you would think with all the storms we get, they would do better...

I was a big ol' ball of nerves by the time I finally got to the office today! The 288/610 interchange had high water so I couldn't risk going that way. I stayed on 288, hoping to take 59S. It was so dark and the headlights were reflecting off the water on the road, so much so that I missed the dang exit. Took the next exit and thought I could u-turn and get back onto 59...not so much. So stayed on Alabama and came across a feeder going to the left one way (usually they are right) and there was a sign to get on 59S here...2 ramps one on left of esplanade and one on right. I went to the left one...got a little ways up and had a bad gut feeling that I was going one way on a wrong way street. REVERSED DOWN THE RAMP...back to street...continued on Alabama...found Montrose (familiar...good) turned...found Westheimer (office is off of this..good) turned..Finally made it in 1 hour later!

Hoping the storm is gone-gone by this afternoon so I can have a nice UNEVENTFUL drive home!

I forgot to do my "Welcome ICLW'ers" post on Monday - bad blogger...So here's something I stole from my FB to use as my meet and greet...

KIMBO-OLOGY

***********FOODOLOGY***************

What is your salad dressing of choice?
balsamic vinegarette

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
Gringo's lately

What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?
mexican

What do you like to put on your toast?
cinnamon and sugar or cheese and sugar or Nutella

***********TECHNOLOGY***************

How many televisions are in your house?
2

What color is your cellphone?
black and silver with a white cover

Do you have an ipod
in the iPhone :0)

***************BIOLOGY******************

Are you right-handed or left-handed?
right

Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
a mole and a baby :0)

Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
nope

************BULLOLOGY**************

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
not at all

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
I like my name

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
Show me the money!

**************FAVORITOLOGY****************

Season?
Fall

Holiday?
Christmas

Day of the week?
Friday

Month?
October - birthday, anniversary, rodeo, and Halloween!

***********CURRENTOLOGY*****************

Missing someone?
yes

Mood?
fat and happy

What are you listening to?
my fingers do the typing and crepe myrtle branches scraping on the windows (they really should trim this beast of a tree)

***************RANDOMOLOGY*****************

First place you went this morning?
Potty, then Miles' room to feed him

What's the last movie you saw?
Julie and Julia with the girls

***************OTHER-OLOGY*****************

How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
way too many to count

Last time you had a run-in with the cops?
it's been several years

Last person you talked to on the phone?
Deano

Last person you hugged?
Miles

Do you always answer your phone?
depends on the caller

It's four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?
Definitely Shayla

If you could change your eye color what would it be?
i like my eye color

Do you own a digital camera?
2

Have you ever had a pet fish?
Buddy the Betta!

Favorite Christmas song(s)?
Silver Bells

What's on your wish list for your birthday?
Good times with family and friends...but if you feel you must give me something - write a check to Miles' college fund...

Can you do push ups?
not in many years

Can you do the splits?
that's a negative

Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
excited

Do you have any saved texts?
yup

Have you ever been in a car accident?
1 but it wasn't serious

Do you have an accent?
I don't think I do until I visit family in Louisiana

What is the last movie to make you cry?
don't remember, but lots of them do these days

Plans tonight?
Just hanging with the boys

Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
not total rock bottom, but maybe muddy bottom

Name 3 things you bought yesterday.
bananas, lima beans, powdered sugar

Have you ever been given roses?
yes

Met someone who changed your life?
yes

What song represents you?
I am not good with these types of questions

Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?
yes to spend more time with the ones I loved

Have you ever dated someone for over 5 years ?
UGH - yes

Do you have any tattoos/piercings?
pierced ears. There used to be another set somewhere, but I'm not telling.

Does anyone love you?
yes

Would you be a pirate?
ARRRGGHHH (I love to say that!) but that hook hand could pose a problem..

What songs do you sing in the shower?
nothing aloud

Ever had someone sing to you?
yes

When did you last cry?
Monday when Miles got his 6 month shots :0(

Do you like to cuddle?
but of course!

Have you held hands with anyone today?
not yet

Who was the last person you took a picture of?
Miles

Are most of the friends in your life new or old?
Nice mix of both.

Do you like pulpy orange juice?
Who likes to suck their OJ through their teeth like a sieve? NOT ME

What is something your friends make fun of?
Baking, making cutie things, taking cake classes, wanting to take cooking classes...anything I do really (SHAYLA is the only one who makes fun of these things. Everyone else likes me for them...)


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Wednesday, October 21, 2009

6 Month Checkup

Miles had his 6 month checkup Monday. In the doctor's words, "He is perfect!" We seem to think so as well! He got 4 shots :0( Pentacel, Hepatitis B, Prevnar and Round 1 of Flu (Round 2 will be in November), along with Rotateq orally. He was such a trooper and only cried when the shots were given because they stung his little legs. As soon as Daddy picked him up, he stopped crying - so then Mommy could stop crying as well.


He is doing everything a baby his age should be doing right now: showing excitement interacting with people, recognizes people, rolls over, can sit upright, "stands" if you hold his hands, reaching for objects, passing them between hands and to his mouth, loves to make noise and "talk" to you. He is eating like a piglet! He has cereal mixed with fruit for breakfast, a jar of meat (beef, turkey or chicken), with 3 cubes (ice trays) of veggies and 3 cubes of fruit for lunch and dinner. Each meal is with milk along with an additional bottle 3 more times a day! He is doing so well at everything he tries to do!


So far he has tried - and liked - the following foods: rice cereal, oatmeal cereal, mixed grains cereal, green beans, peas, sweet potatoes, mangos, bananas. The only thing he hasn't cared for is carrots, so we've been adding 1 cube to another veggie to sneak them in. So far he hasn't caught on to our trick! This week we are going to add yellow squash and pineapple to the menu.


Here's the stats:

Height: 26 3/4" - 50%
Weight: 17 lbs 10 oz - 50-75%
Head: 17 3/4" - 75-90% (gotta hold that big ol' brain!)


Hope everyone has a great week!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

26 Weeks...

Happy Half Birthday to my Boo Boo!



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Friday, October 16, 2009

Today

***........is brought to you by Blogger.Post.Scheduler as the host is currently out of town on a still undisclosed (and unknown to anyone) anniversary trip with the hubby and the baby***

Our 4 year anniversary was yesterday. We usually try to do something for it. Technically we should be "alone" i.e. without baby, but I feel bad. He has spent the past 2 Saturday nights with Grammy/Great Aunt Betty so we could party like rockstars.... I mean cowboys at the rodeo. I can't send him away 3 weekends in a row! Plus this is a 3 day weekend for us so we should have him for as much time as we can!

Location of this 1 night trip is TBD. 1 night because we have tickets to the Dynamo vs. LA Galaxy game on Sunday at 2, so we didn't want to be scrambling back home to make it in time. TBD because, well...just because. Initial talks were to go to Texas.Hill.Country and visit wineries, but well... you can see what bad parents we would seem, having wine tastings and a glass here and there with a Baby.Bjorn strapped on?? Right now the "plan" (loosely labeled) is to drive north or west. No lodging squared away either. Guessing B&B's are out of the question since those are usually saved for couples' getaways....not that my boy would make a fuss....We love random road trips. I hope the first one as a family of 3 proves to be just as exciting!

It's funny to think we have to take a cooler now to keep Miles' food in. The days of only bringing the boobies are long gone for this little oinker. He's been eating a jar of stage 1 meat (turkey, chicken, or beef), 3 cubes (ice trays) of veggies and 1 whole banana (or peaches or mangos coming soon)! WHAT?! And then milk after that. I serioously don't know how his tummy can hold it all. Must be the reason for his multi-day poops! I thought daily poops were a thing of the past - apparently not!

Speaking of...he's already had 2 poops today. How do I know this you ask? Oh that's because Miles is home with Daddy. AGAIN. Sitter has other plans. Dean actually picked him up yesterday at noon. UGH - the one dilemma in home baby care. Still don't know what the outcome of her BP issues will be. I think I am going to put another ad up on our website and see if we can get more hits on someone keeping him. I am so anti-daycare I don't want to put him in until I absolutely HAVE to...

Melody? Mandy? want to share a nanny?

On to other news:

  • Thyroid test results: negative
  • Diagnosis: Just a tired and fat (but HAPPY) mommy

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Thursday, October 15, 2009

3 Reasons to Remember October 15th

Pregancy & Infant Loss Rememberance Day.


Our 4th Anniversary

The 3rd Anniversary of Grandpa's Death
Love You Always Grandpa. Miss You BUNCHES!


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Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Wordless Wednesday: BAAAAAAAA








































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Tuesday, October 13, 2009

T is for...

  • Thyroid....After much Google MD'ing, I am certain it is my thyroid that is messing with me. I am not a hypochondriac like my sister who claims to have every disease and ailment known to man (is it a good idea for her to be in the health industry?) But seriously. The past several weeks I have been T.I.R.E.D. like around 9:00 I am struggling to keep my eyes open. Also, the weight gain I talked about the other day is another "symptom." It's driving me crazy not knowing, so I just called the doctor's office but got the nurse v/m. Probably because it's their lunch time. UGH - why do health professionals need lunch breaks? I want to know my results!
  • Tooth....as in Miles' first tooth! It's here! It's broke through the gum! And we didn't even know it! Yeah, I know. WORST.MOMMY.EVER! But seriously, he was munching on my finger on Saturday and I didn't feel anything. Then yesterday it was time for booby, but our friend stopped by for a quick visit so I had to give him something to pacify him for a minute and then CHOMP on my finger! AAAHHH! It's on the bottom in the middle, you know standard first teefies. I am nervous now because my great niece who has my great-great-nephew (I know, I am OLD - actually Dean is but that's besides the point!) is 10 days older than Miles got his first 2 teeth about a month ago and his mommy had to quit BF'ing because he was a biter! EEEEKKK! I can only imagine the pain this will cause....Any tips or tricks to keeping him from not biting? My neighbor said she would gently tap on her daugther's cheek, say no, and then if she did it again she would squeeze her cheeks and say no. Eventually she got the point and didn't bite anymore.
  • Time...How does my boy know what time it is? Or what day it is for that matter? Since I have came back to work, I get up at 4:30 to nurse him before work. I don't do it on the weekends (so we can all sleep in) and he wakes up on his own anywhere from 7:15-8:30. So I decided over the weekend that starting this week, I wasn't going to do the early morning feeding anymore. And because 5:00 AM sounds SO MUCH BETTER than 4:30 AM! Monday, my alarm went off at 5:00. I pushed the button for the video on the monitor. Guess who's flipped to their back, eyes open, fingers in mouth? Yes, that would be Miles. But now that I got up 30 minutes later, I don't have time to get ready, get my crap together, and feed him too. Of course the husband is freaking because he doesn't know what to do with him for 2 hours - milk, cereal, play, what? UGH. So I scramble to get ready and have him get my pump, phone, badge, keys, and shoes together so I could squeeze in a 20 minute nursing session. WHEW - I was all discombobulated by the time I got to the office. But my question is still how come Miles sleeps late on the weekends but expects this 4:30 feeding Monday-Friday only? Makes no damn sense to me. Suffice it to say, I compromised and woke up at 4:45...

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Monday, October 12, 2009

UGH - The Rain!

Not necessarily a title that goes with the post, but man I am tired of the drizzles we have been having the past week or so. Ever since it got "cold" i.e. 65 degrees outside (not like where Leah, Nikki or Nancy live!) , it's been wet and nasty. ICK.

Anyway....I didn't really "win" this award nor was I even nominated for it. But I saw it on several of my bloggy buddies' sites and Nancy even said I could have it if I wanted since she nominated nobody. So here I go:

Here are the rules:
1. you can only use one word!
2. pass this along to 6 of your favorite bloggers (see below)
3. alert them that you have given them this award!
4. have fun! (this is a “rule?”)


The Fun Part:

1. Where is your cell phone? charging
2. Your hair? curly
3. your mother? sweet
4. Your father? changed
5. Your favorite food? beans
6. Your dream last night? none
7. Your favorite drink? tea
8. Your dream/goal? mom
9. What room are you in? cube
10. Your hobby? cakes
11. Your fear? drowning
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? PTA
13. Where were you last night? home
14. Something that you aren't? tall
15. Muffins? pumpkin
16. Wish list item? gadgets
17. Where did you grow up? Texas
18. Last thing you did? meeting
19. What are you wearing? skechers
20. Your TV? home
21. Your pets? scared
22. Friends? great
23. Your life? super
24. Your mood? sleepy
25. Missing someone? yes
26. Vehicle? carpool
27. Something you're not wearing? earrings
28. Your favorite store? Michael’s
29. Your favorite color? green
30. When was the last time you laughed? yesterday
31. Last time you cried? weeks
32. Your best friend? S
33. One place that I go to over and over? HEB
34. One person who emails me regularly? Pampers
35. Favorite place to eat? Gringo’s

TAGGED:
On My Mind 24/7
BrandyH2007
Melody
Rae
Nikki
PJ


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Friday, October 9, 2009

Back to the Gyn's office

So I went to the gyn's office yesterday for my yearly checkup. You
would think after having her and Dr. H look at it so many times during
a 14 month span, that she would just give me a free pass...

But no. I even had to fill out all new paperwork even though I was
there in July. "everyone has to once a year," she says.

Physical check of hoohoo and milk makers are good. Pap results in a
few days. Bad news? (and I knew this) I am up over my pre-pregnancy
weight. I dropped all of my baby + IF treatment weight within like 3
weeks. I was estatic because I thought if I lost that much, that fast,
then I would be skinny-minny after 6 months of bf'ing. But no such
luck. I began to notice if I didn't eat a lot AND have snacks, then my
milk production would decrease. So I have been having more calories
but only because I have to.

Doc says that it could be my thyroid. She has seen lots of women's
thyroids act up post-partum. UGH. I thought I was through with weird
things being wrong with me that my friends don't have i.e. IF.

So the lab drew sone blood and I'll have those results soon.

Just something else to contemplate all weekend.

P.S. The van was sent an email today stating that they must start
recruiting more riders, otherwise the van will be disbanned! See, she
thinks she won by me quitting. But looks like I get the last laugh
this time!!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

The D.R.A.M.A. continues...

So the van ride home yesterday was mostly silent. Then (like I knew she would) as soon as we pulled into the parking lot, she held up the keys and asked who was taking the van home because she wasn't driving anymore.
*INSERT SILENCE*
Hello - someone needs to take the van because I am not the driver anymore.
*INSERT SILENCE*
Finally someone spoke up and said that we never intended on not having her as the driver, no one made fun of her driving abilities, this was nothing personal, just a group decision to change the departure time....in so many words.

After 20 minutes of "discussion," it was determined that yes, she would still be the driver, yes we would leave at 6:00, and yes she was totally not happy with it.

As it turns out, I have my yearly PAP today so I didn't have the pleasure of riding at 6:00 this morning. I asked someone who did ride how it was and if they did leave and arrive on time. They did - she complained the entire time - and they got to work on time. VD holds grudges from here to eternity and has said as much. She hasn't spoken to a couple of ladies here in 15 years because of something that happened eons ago. I don't plan on staying in that grudge category of hers. Nor do I want the stress, tension, and DRAMA that comes with remaining on this dramatic ass, soap opera of a van.

This, hereby, is my resignation from Van #7878.

And onto another stressful front...Dean called me yesterday and said he had more bad news. The sitter told him that she recently found out that she has high blood pressure. They are going to begin treating her with drugs to try and get it down. If this doesn't work, the doctor told her that she needs to change her lifestyle to be less stressful i.e. quit keeping Miles. She said he is not stressful in any way, but just less activity. This baffles me because another reason for reducing the BP is because they are trying to have another baby. If MY baby causes you stress, why would YOUR baby not? UGH. She said if she does have to quit, it would be near the end of November - early December. Perfect time to look for a new sitter during the holidays, right?

So basically in 3 weeks, we are going to start looking again - just in case. Because it took forever last time and I don't want to not have a Plan B "in case" she does have to quit.

See - get rid of one stressful point in my life, just to have another take its place...

But isn't this all worth it?

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Wednesday, October 7, 2009

As The Van Turns...

Today on As The Van Turns....

We have the most dramatic of all vans in our company! There is always some he said, she said, she's wearing too much perfume (me), I have allergies, why does she always get the front seat, he is always late, CRAP going on!

We have been 5-10 minutes late every day for the past 2 weeks or so. To some, this is no big deal, but we have several riders whose managers are getting onto them for missing 5-10 minutes here and there. Because look at it, and in the long run, that's a lot of missed work.

Another manager said something to someone on Monday. He even went as far to say that he needs to make up the time - during lunch or after work. Now being that we ride a van, working "over" really isn't fair to the rest of us who want to leave on time. Roger (van guy - he doesn't read my blog, I can use his IRL name) brought it up on the way home Monday afternoon that we just can't be late anymore and that he isn't missing his lunch time so something needs to happen. He suggested leaving at 6:00 instead of 6:05. Van driver (VD) said no. She doesn't like getting up and leaving any earlier than the last possible minute. This is why she arrives at 6:04 or 6:05 every day when departure time IS 6:05. Meanwhile, the riders are there anywhere from 5:50-6:00.

Another rider recently had foot surgery and in lieu of crutches, is using this knee walker AKA scooter. (They are pretty nifty if you are ever in the need, you can rent them here.) So when we are loading up, he gets in the front seat and Roger takes his scooter to the back to put it in the van. This literally only takes an extra 30-45 seconds, but since the van doesn't arrive until right on time, then we don't end up leaving until 6:06 or 6:07. Now, I know you are thinking, GEEZ, this is only an extra minute or 2 late, but in Houston traffic, this means all the difference in the world!

The van driver (VD) lives the closest to the parking lot we meet in. Literally only has 1 stop light and takes maybe 1 minute from her house. We are supposed to leave at 6:05 sharp but because we have to actually get in the van and not magically appear inside it, it takes a few minutes. VD is of course blaming the tardiness on the scooter loading. This is not true. If the van arrived early like we do, then we would have ample time to get us all in, including the scooter.

So nothing was decided Monday. Tuesday, same song, second verse. We got to our desks at 6:36. At 4:30, we were ready to leave including Scooter Boy - HA - but no Roger. He did exactly what I thought he would do. He stayed 6 minutes over since he was 6 minutes late. It's the only thing he can do to try and prove his point to VD. This morning we were only a couple minutes late, but I am sure he will do the same again. This is making everyone else mad because just like a couple minutes can make the difference in the morning traffic, same goes for evening.

So Roger, Scooter, and I were chatting today and wondered what we could do about our dilemma. Obviously talking to VD is not working because she thinks this is an anarchy and what she says goes. NOT. So I get on the Company Fleet website to read the "rules" and decided to email Fleet to get their input. Basically she said they cannot enforce anything. That is why they leave most of the "housekeeping rules" (as they call it) up to the individual vans (NOT DRIVERS) discretion. This includes departure times, waiting times, radio stations, etc. But majority rules. If all of the riders want to leave earlier, then VD must do so.

Our VD is stubborn and won't just take our word for anything. So I composed an email to everyone and included links to Fleet's pages and screenshots of the areas that indicate this "majority rule" rule. Highlighted in pink just in case you missed it. I sent it and asked for a vote. If you are in for leaving at 6:00, reply all and say Yes.

We have 8 total on the van (which is the minimum by the way. Should anyone drop, the van is history). So far, including me, we have 5 votes for YES. 1 is on maternity leave, 1 hasn't responded, and of course VD = SILENCE. I did tag a read receipt on it, so I know she read it at 11:10. I am sure she doesn't want to answer because she realizes we already have a majority and she is just going to have to suck it up and pick our asses up earlier!

Thank you for the van vent. It is so annoying!

Oh and Fleet did say if she still doesn't oblige with the majority vote, then we have to take it up with HR! If this happens, I am O.U.T.T.A there. I don't need this stupid, ridiculous, dramatic stress in my life! Look, I already wasted a post on the crap!

**UPDATED TO INCLUDE EMAIL FROM VD - sent to van riders and fleet services:

Nice coo. But to make it clear for fleet services and the other riders, I recall there were only 4 of you on the van when this was discussed on Monday. It was not a quorum nor a majority vote.

I am resigning as the ‘driver’ for the obvious reasons. I am remaining as a passenger and will if absolutely necessary be a backup driver. I have notified fleet services that another driver will need to be selected.

I have been a founding member of the Pearland vanpool which is now in its fourth year of service. I have seen many changes and personalities come and go. If you haven’t read ‘Animal Farm’ yet, I highly recommend it.

I began driving the van as a courtesy to you because no one else would drive the van. Everyone refused. I did not want to and have hated every day that I have to drive. I have suffered with complaining neighbors of my family having to park their vehicles in the street because van rules state that the van cannot be parked in the street. I have also had to endure the comments of some people on the van of my driving skills. I have taken great lengths to save YOU $120 per year by minimizing the mileage on the van. I did not have to but I did. I made sure the van was available for you when the hurricane came through last year when the previous van driver refused to take action. I make sure the van has gas, everyone is accounted for and reports sent to Metro. I have had the van at the parking lot on time. I really don’t see where you have been late to work with the exception of the last few weeks where we have had a wounded person on the van that understandably takes a bit longer to get in and out of the van and to where he is going. All you had to do was ask if I could get there a few minutes early to accommodate until he can get around better. I have sacrificed A LOT to make sure YOU made it to work, you never had to worry whether your ride was going to be there or not.

To the few people who decided to go this route, again nice one. But I will be damned if I am going to drive you anywhere.

Kim – I am forwarding your email to Fleet Services. I feel this is a threat towards me and my ability to get to work via the van pool. I don’t understand why you feel you had to include this item.

PEARLAND VAN - BE GONE!


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