I know I shouldn't let it bother me, but it still irks me. Having to explain that, yes, in fact, I make money by going to school for my PhD. YES. THEY, pay ME.
This is a revelation for...well, nearly everyone it seems. I've been in grad school for 3 years now. I think my in-laws are just finally starting to believe that I, actually *gasp* contribute to my household income, and in fact, have not been draining my poor, over-worked husband for my educational whims all this time. Stunning.
Yes, that's right folks. If you haven't heard of this before, let me lay it out for you. I got a master's degree. In Geology. It cost me exactly: $0. IN FACT, they paid me $14k per year, paid for my tuition, AND paid my health insurance during that time. No, I did not make bank. Yes, it's a pittance. But it helps. AND, I'm not paying for my education.
My PhD is a similar arrangement, but now I think I make close to...wait for it...$15k per year, still tuition and health paid by the department. Well, until this semester that is. As I'm on a kind of, forced semester-long maternity leave. But! when I'm a full-time student...I get paid to go to school. I know. Take a moment. Let it sink in. Process that.
We good?
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Random Ramblings
I missed posting yesterday. There was something I kept thinking of that I wanted to write about...but by the time I'd sit down to write it, the thought was gone. At which point I'd get up and do something else, planning to return to write it out when the thought came back. It came back...and left, several times. And in the end, I have no idea what that fleeting thought was. So no post. And here we are.
On the baby name front, it seems safe to say that Isabelle is out if it's a girl. Which makes me sad, but...there are FAR too many Isabella's, I'm over the whole Twilight "thing" and hate the association, AND, a co-worker of Mr. Random's who just annoys the hell out of him (nice enough guy, just happens to have every odd quirk that pushes every one of Mr. Random's buttons) is having a girl in October (well, presumably his wife is doing the having) and they've pretty much settled on the name Isabella. Mr. Random hadn't liked the popularity of the name before, but this really finished it off for him. So there were are.
I've also pretty much ruled out Aiden. It just doesn't seem right anymore, and - again - the popularity thing.
We have lists with 3 boys names and 3 girls names at this point, and are pretty settled on the middle names for each. I think we'll go with those and hope one of the 6 seems "right" upon staring at the little one's scrunched face. If not...well, the hospital has WiFi. :)
We watched Where the Wild Things Are the other night. Well, that's inaccurate. We started to watch that movie. And quickly, both of us were looking at each other in horror. And then boredom. It really just didn't do it for us. And, quite frankly, convinced us that children are rather frightening creatures after all and that we'd prefer not to have any. Quite a predicament I find myself in considering that recent conclusion. (I am kidding...mostly)
Seriously though, the boy in the movie seems to have some major issues. Especially issues of loneliness. I think I was a lonely child from time to time, but my gosh. MY GOSH. It really did freak us out. But our kid will be all rainbows and butterflies, right? (now I'm completely kidding)
The weather has taken a turn for pleasant. We've had rain showers and cooler temperatures. I'm hoping the change is permanent and signaling "fall" (as if Phoenix actually has seasons beyond "warm" and "hot, hot, hot!") but we'll see. The end of the 10 day forecast shows temps climbing back up into the triple digits.
I had lunch with Advisor the other day too. She wanted to see me once more before Baby was born. Lunch was yummy, and it was a mostly fun chat. It involved a lot of unsolicited advice from her about everything from labor to breastfeeding to child rearing - which for the most part I agreed with, had already heard, or appreciated, so that was good. We talked work a little bit - I still have mixed feelings about how to spend my time for the next 5 or so months. You see, I'm funding myself, thanks in large part to her, and based on that, feel that I can do whatever the hell I want. If that means I'm focused 100% on the baby and do nothing towards the PhD, well I think that's my right. It's probably also stupid. She has some ideas for how to spend my time and assures me that after the first few weeks I'll want the intellectual activity. I suspect she's right...but I don't like it. (I'm a bit ornery) I'm planning on attending a conference in the spring that I need to submit an abstract for...I believe the deadline's in October or thereabouts, so that'll be something "intellectual" for me to do. (as in, dust off the abstract I worked on over the summer and get that in) Beyond that...it'd be smart to keep up on the literature...and probably to play with some internet programming options. But I don't think I'll make solid goals/plans yet. We'll see how I handle the baby-rearing part first. I had had dreams (last spring) of taking my master's thesis and turning it into a publishable paper during this time. Sounds lofty at this point...but would probably be worthwhile. And it'd be a nice FU to the fine folk who assured me I'd be "worthless" and should take the semester off (yes, this includes Advisor who now has all these ideas for how I should spend my time and suggests I'll want the intellectual stimulation - which one is it lady?).
On the baby name front, it seems safe to say that Isabelle is out if it's a girl. Which makes me sad, but...there are FAR too many Isabella's, I'm over the whole Twilight "thing" and hate the association, AND, a co-worker of Mr. Random's who just annoys the hell out of him (nice enough guy, just happens to have every odd quirk that pushes every one of Mr. Random's buttons) is having a girl in October (well, presumably his wife is doing the having) and they've pretty much settled on the name Isabella. Mr. Random hadn't liked the popularity of the name before, but this really finished it off for him. So there were are.
I've also pretty much ruled out Aiden. It just doesn't seem right anymore, and - again - the popularity thing.
We have lists with 3 boys names and 3 girls names at this point, and are pretty settled on the middle names for each. I think we'll go with those and hope one of the 6 seems "right" upon staring at the little one's scrunched face. If not...well, the hospital has WiFi. :)
We watched Where the Wild Things Are the other night. Well, that's inaccurate. We started to watch that movie. And quickly, both of us were looking at each other in horror. And then boredom. It really just didn't do it for us. And, quite frankly, convinced us that children are rather frightening creatures after all and that we'd prefer not to have any. Quite a predicament I find myself in considering that recent conclusion. (I am kidding...mostly)
Seriously though, the boy in the movie seems to have some major issues. Especially issues of loneliness. I think I was a lonely child from time to time, but my gosh. MY GOSH. It really did freak us out. But our kid will be all rainbows and butterflies, right? (now I'm completely kidding)
The weather has taken a turn for pleasant. We've had rain showers and cooler temperatures. I'm hoping the change is permanent and signaling "fall" (as if Phoenix actually has seasons beyond "warm" and "hot, hot, hot!") but we'll see. The end of the 10 day forecast shows temps climbing back up into the triple digits.
I had lunch with Advisor the other day too. She wanted to see me once more before Baby was born. Lunch was yummy, and it was a mostly fun chat. It involved a lot of unsolicited advice from her about everything from labor to breastfeeding to child rearing - which for the most part I agreed with, had already heard, or appreciated, so that was good. We talked work a little bit - I still have mixed feelings about how to spend my time for the next 5 or so months. You see, I'm funding myself, thanks in large part to her, and based on that, feel that I can do whatever the hell I want. If that means I'm focused 100% on the baby and do nothing towards the PhD, well I think that's my right. It's probably also stupid. She has some ideas for how to spend my time and assures me that after the first few weeks I'll want the intellectual activity. I suspect she's right...but I don't like it. (I'm a bit ornery) I'm planning on attending a conference in the spring that I need to submit an abstract for...I believe the deadline's in October or thereabouts, so that'll be something "intellectual" for me to do. (as in, dust off the abstract I worked on over the summer and get that in) Beyond that...it'd be smart to keep up on the literature...and probably to play with some internet programming options. But I don't think I'll make solid goals/plans yet. We'll see how I handle the baby-rearing part first. I had had dreams (last spring) of taking my master's thesis and turning it into a publishable paper during this time. Sounds lofty at this point...but would probably be worthwhile. And it'd be a nice FU to the fine folk who assured me I'd be "worthless" and should take the semester off (yes, this includes Advisor who now has all these ideas for how I should spend my time and suggests I'll want the intellectual stimulation - which one is it lady?).
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Bank Owned
Just got off the phone with the bank - as of yesterday, our home is now "bank owned". I'm sad and glad all at the same time.
The saddest part, perhaps, is that it went to auction yesterday...but there was no offer. Hah! And people wonder why we couldn't "just short sale" it. If no one will even offer at auction...why would they possibly go thru the paperwork and rigmarole of a short sale? Sad. We love/d that house.
Now to cancel the electricity and water...and let the HOA know we will no longer be required to pay their &^%$ fees. Hallelujah!
The saddest part, perhaps, is that it went to auction yesterday...but there was no offer. Hah! And people wonder why we couldn't "just short sale" it. If no one will even offer at auction...why would they possibly go thru the paperwork and rigmarole of a short sale? Sad. We love/d that house.
Now to cancel the electricity and water...and let the HOA know we will no longer be required to pay their &^%$ fees. Hallelujah!
Night and Day
This happened last night, and 2 or 3 nights ago - where I'm getting up every 1 to 2 hours to pee (well, that's every night) and throughout the night the pressure on my cervix seems to be building. It gets stronger every time I get up, and it gets harder and harder to get up, and walk across the room to the bathroom.
Last night it culminated about 4am when there was so much pressure on my cervix and, ahem, anus, that I really could barely walk. It was ridiculous. And as this pressure builds I find myself going....okay....? Does this mean labor is...starting? I mean, there's no contraction! Well, I'm having some, but still only feel them in shortness of breath...and it's not like they're regular in any way. So I go back to bed convinced the next time I wake up, I'll be waking Mr. Random and this is gonna be it. But...so far...it hasn't been.
And then, this morning, just like the other night with intense pressure (2 nights ago I think?), I get up around the 6-8am time window, hungry...and...with some pressure, but NOTHING like during the night. It's like a calm after a storm or something. And I start wondering if that other stuff was all in my head.
Quite frankly, I find the whole thing confusing. But for now I'll just keep on keeping on...until real contractions show up to warn me that something really is happening...or I feel a baby's head dangling out. :)
Last night it culminated about 4am when there was so much pressure on my cervix and, ahem, anus, that I really could barely walk. It was ridiculous. And as this pressure builds I find myself going....okay....? Does this mean labor is...starting? I mean, there's no contraction! Well, I'm having some, but still only feel them in shortness of breath...and it's not like they're regular in any way. So I go back to bed convinced the next time I wake up, I'll be waking Mr. Random and this is gonna be it. But...so far...it hasn't been.
And then, this morning, just like the other night with intense pressure (2 nights ago I think?), I get up around the 6-8am time window, hungry...and...with some pressure, but NOTHING like during the night. It's like a calm after a storm or something. And I start wondering if that other stuff was all in my head.
Quite frankly, I find the whole thing confusing. But for now I'll just keep on keeping on...until real contractions show up to warn me that something really is happening...or I feel a baby's head dangling out. :)
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Still ticking
Like a bomb waiting to go off. :)
We went swimming last night - the feeling of the baby being supported by the water was totally amazing. I've swam a few times in the past several months, but the difference was never as dramatic as last night! It made getting out of the pool somewhat unpleasant.
Today, let's talk about my cats. I love them. But they ARE annoying. Good training for kids, I'm sure, but jeeze! You see, these little ones have a problem with food. Well, actually, the brother has a problem with food...the sister would probably be okay if we left food out all the time. But brother...eats compulsively until it is ALL. GONE. To the point he'll make himself sick. Poor buddy.
So anyway, 3 years ago now, when we took them to the vet for their annual we were told they were too fat...borderline obese even. And we started restricting their food. They get fed twice a day - morning and night. And we measure how much they get. And the gobble it up in 30 seconds or less. Morning and night.
And they whine. For hours before food time. It is so obnoxious. On the plus side, their weight is pretty healthy now.
So there's that.
Then there's sister cat. She's a lap whore. She loves laps, but especially my lap. And she's an attention-hog. She gets very jealous any time brother is getting attention. This...does not entirely bode well for bringing a little baby into the home, who, will, undoubtedly, get more of our undivided attention than she will.
I've been following the advice I read to start ignoring the cats in the weeks leading up to birth. She hasn't been able to be in my lap for sometime now (the belly takes that space!), which helps...but she would adjust by sitting behind me, beside me, or on my shoulders if she could manage. I've been putting a stop to this...but it's just so sad! The sweet little kitty just wants to cuddle!
Well, that made for a rather boring post...but I'm fresh out of ideas, so there it is. And now I've documented something about the cats...which is good. I think.
We went swimming last night - the feeling of the baby being supported by the water was totally amazing. I've swam a few times in the past several months, but the difference was never as dramatic as last night! It made getting out of the pool somewhat unpleasant.
Today, let's talk about my cats. I love them. But they ARE annoying. Good training for kids, I'm sure, but jeeze! You see, these little ones have a problem with food. Well, actually, the brother has a problem with food...the sister would probably be okay if we left food out all the time. But brother...eats compulsively until it is ALL. GONE. To the point he'll make himself sick. Poor buddy.
So anyway, 3 years ago now, when we took them to the vet for their annual we were told they were too fat...borderline obese even. And we started restricting their food. They get fed twice a day - morning and night. And we measure how much they get. And the gobble it up in 30 seconds or less. Morning and night.
And they whine. For hours before food time. It is so obnoxious. On the plus side, their weight is pretty healthy now.
So there's that.
Then there's sister cat. She's a lap whore. She loves laps, but especially my lap. And she's an attention-hog. She gets very jealous any time brother is getting attention. This...does not entirely bode well for bringing a little baby into the home, who, will, undoubtedly, get more of our undivided attention than she will.
I've been following the advice I read to start ignoring the cats in the weeks leading up to birth. She hasn't been able to be in my lap for sometime now (the belly takes that space!), which helps...but she would adjust by sitting behind me, beside me, or on my shoulders if she could manage. I've been putting a stop to this...but it's just so sad! The sweet little kitty just wants to cuddle!
Well, that made for a rather boring post...but I'm fresh out of ideas, so there it is. And now I've documented something about the cats...which is good. I think.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Jumpy People
It turns out, that when one approaches one's due date...everyone treats you like a bomb ready to go off. Yeah...I wonder when it will happen too, but, wowza.
I didn't answer my phone the other day because I was sitting on the floor scrapbooking and it was way too far away for me to make it in time. I figured I'd just let the person leave a voicemail and call them back the next time I got up to pee...which on average happens every 1.5 to 2 hours...so it would be more than reasonable.
It was my mother that had called. She did leave a voicemail. And in it, noted that I hadn't answered the phone and consequently wondered aloud if I might not be having a baby. Sigh. No...though I DID tell her that we won't be calling people when we go to the hospital.
That's right...we plan to wait until all the fireworks are over and we'll just let people know when the baby's here. Selfish? Maybe. Our right? Absolutely.
Here's the way I'm looking at it. Option 1 - we call when we leave for the hospital. And Mr. Random now has to spend the time that I'm in ACTIVE labor and heading to transition fielding phone calls, making sure EVERYONE gets informed so there are no hurt feelings and basically...tending to other people who, quite frankly, AREN'T in labor, requiring his attention. This would likely make me rather upset. Then, of course, I imagine several folks wanting regular updates. Again...I'm maybe being a bit of a diva here, but I'd prefer his attention was focused on...well, me. :) I'm usually pretty casual about being the center of his world...but I think, this particular instance is one where it's called for. Luckily, he agrees.
Which leads to Option 2. We call y'all after the baby is born. Ta da! At which point, I'm sure it will still be annoying to be interrupted and whatever, but we'll also be excited to share the news. Wouldn't you rather that? Us being EXCITED to be on the phone with you? Instead of stressed/pissed off? I would.
Now, one of my sisters is apparently a little miffed. I don't think she even knows that we're going with Option 2. Then she'll likely be outright offended, but I can't control that. She's miffed because I told her we weren't taking visitors the day of. Least of all DURING labor. She mentioned, ever so casually, on the phone the other day that she was discussing the impending birth with her friend/boyfriend (she's unclear where they're at) and he pointed out, that, you know...she's only 6 hours away. She could take off when she "gets the call" and be there in time for the birth! She left that hanging...and I shot it down straight away.
Here's how I'd see it going if she did come. She'd waltz in, probably about when I'm in transition or crowning...basically, when I LEAST want to be distracted or surprised. And I'd probably scream something obscene at her. And she'd back out of the room, tears springing to her eyes, and would be offended. And hurt. And I would have zero sympathy. I know her...that's how it would go down.
So, No, I said, No. You're welcome to come the next day, but Mr. Random and I talked about it and we're not taking visitors the first day. We want that day to try to soak it all in and just be ourselves with the baby. She was clearly offended and quickly ended the call after that. And apparently complained to our mother - who... fortunately...sees my side of things.
I know, we're selfish bastards. Whatever. When she pushes a little human out her "chute of love" she can call the shots however she likes. As I'm doing the pushing with this little human...I'm calling the shots. And the last thing I want is her waltzing in as the baby crowns. Yet another beautiful reason to go with Option 2.
I didn't answer my phone the other day because I was sitting on the floor scrapbooking and it was way too far away for me to make it in time. I figured I'd just let the person leave a voicemail and call them back the next time I got up to pee...which on average happens every 1.5 to 2 hours...so it would be more than reasonable.
It was my mother that had called. She did leave a voicemail. And in it, noted that I hadn't answered the phone and consequently wondered aloud if I might not be having a baby. Sigh. No...though I DID tell her that we won't be calling people when we go to the hospital.
That's right...we plan to wait until all the fireworks are over and we'll just let people know when the baby's here. Selfish? Maybe. Our right? Absolutely.
Here's the way I'm looking at it. Option 1 - we call when we leave for the hospital. And Mr. Random now has to spend the time that I'm in ACTIVE labor and heading to transition fielding phone calls, making sure EVERYONE gets informed so there are no hurt feelings and basically...tending to other people who, quite frankly, AREN'T in labor, requiring his attention. This would likely make me rather upset. Then, of course, I imagine several folks wanting regular updates. Again...I'm maybe being a bit of a diva here, but I'd prefer his attention was focused on...well, me. :) I'm usually pretty casual about being the center of his world...but I think, this particular instance is one where it's called for. Luckily, he agrees.
Which leads to Option 2. We call y'all after the baby is born. Ta da! At which point, I'm sure it will still be annoying to be interrupted and whatever, but we'll also be excited to share the news. Wouldn't you rather that? Us being EXCITED to be on the phone with you? Instead of stressed/pissed off? I would.
Now, one of my sisters is apparently a little miffed. I don't think she even knows that we're going with Option 2. Then she'll likely be outright offended, but I can't control that. She's miffed because I told her we weren't taking visitors the day of. Least of all DURING labor. She mentioned, ever so casually, on the phone the other day that she was discussing the impending birth with her friend/boyfriend (she's unclear where they're at) and he pointed out, that, you know...she's only 6 hours away. She could take off when she "gets the call" and be there in time for the birth! She left that hanging...and I shot it down straight away.
Here's how I'd see it going if she did come. She'd waltz in, probably about when I'm in transition or crowning...basically, when I LEAST want to be distracted or surprised. And I'd probably scream something obscene at her. And she'd back out of the room, tears springing to her eyes, and would be offended. And hurt. And I would have zero sympathy. I know her...that's how it would go down.
So, No, I said, No. You're welcome to come the next day, but Mr. Random and I talked about it and we're not taking visitors the first day. We want that day to try to soak it all in and just be ourselves with the baby. She was clearly offended and quickly ended the call after that. And apparently complained to our mother - who... fortunately...sees my side of things.
I know, we're selfish bastards. Whatever. When she pushes a little human out her "chute of love" she can call the shots however she likes. As I'm doing the pushing with this little human...I'm calling the shots. And the last thing I want is her waltzing in as the baby crowns. Yet another beautiful reason to go with Option 2.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Rear View
Apparently, I STILL don't look pregnant from behind. (I finally had Mr. Random take a picture from behind so I could see...and...yeah, alright. I don't look pregnant at all. Amazing!) This can make for amusing encounters in public.
For instance...
We were shopping at Best Buy - we knew exactly what we wanted and had other things to do so it was supposed to be an in-and-out trip. The Direct TV sales lady, however; caught sight of us and was right on our tail. She was walking behind us, and I was closest to her when she said "did you hear what we're doing to people today?" I've got to give her props - it piqued my curiosity. "doing to people?". I hesitated and turned around to get a better look. That's when she saw the belly and, I kid you not, jumped a little and said "whoa!". Then, to cover, hastily asked when I was due.
She wanted to save us $200-300/mo on our cable bill. Seriously? Who spends that much on cable? If you do...well, that's your call, but my goodness. We don't have cable. Which I always tell these Direct TV sales people and I know they think I'm lying but we don't. We get the free channels of course, but barely watch them at all. We've got the $8.99/mo plan with Netflix, which we'll be canceling next month as we're cutting back due to my distinct lack of income currently. And that's it.
I mean...if you want to GIVE me $200-300/mo so that I can "save" that much by going with Direct TV, by all means. But otherwise...there's no way you're going to save me money. And besides...I have about a thousand better things to do than get hooked on cable TV shows again. I've been there, done that, and am happy to have broken free.
Now if only I could break my addiction to sweet, sugary drinks. Like lemonade. And juice. And root beer. Ah, root beer...you hold the key to my heart.
For instance...
We were shopping at Best Buy - we knew exactly what we wanted and had other things to do so it was supposed to be an in-and-out trip. The Direct TV sales lady, however; caught sight of us and was right on our tail. She was walking behind us, and I was closest to her when she said "did you hear what we're doing to people today?" I've got to give her props - it piqued my curiosity. "doing to people?". I hesitated and turned around to get a better look. That's when she saw the belly and, I kid you not, jumped a little and said "whoa!". Then, to cover, hastily asked when I was due.
She wanted to save us $200-300/mo on our cable bill. Seriously? Who spends that much on cable? If you do...well, that's your call, but my goodness. We don't have cable. Which I always tell these Direct TV sales people and I know they think I'm lying but we don't. We get the free channels of course, but barely watch them at all. We've got the $8.99/mo plan with Netflix, which we'll be canceling next month as we're cutting back due to my distinct lack of income currently. And that's it.
I mean...if you want to GIVE me $200-300/mo so that I can "save" that much by going with Direct TV, by all means. But otherwise...there's no way you're going to save me money. And besides...I have about a thousand better things to do than get hooked on cable TV shows again. I've been there, done that, and am happy to have broken free.
Now if only I could break my addiction to sweet, sugary drinks. Like lemonade. And juice. And root beer. Ah, root beer...you hold the key to my heart.
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