Follow-through

Since my last post, I have:

Disconnected satellite
For the second time in my life, I have bid farewell to premium-grade television in order to save money; we don't even have basic yet, as we are putting off the purchase of an antennae until September, the hope that is a new budget month. And so far, it's not been terrible at all. We prepared appropriately for the loss of Nick, Jr. filling several VHS tapes (remember those?) with favorite episodes of Toot and Puddle, Olivia, Jack's Big Music Show, Oswald, and Max and Ruby, but we are still grieving our SIRIUS music stations. Other than that, though, we are surviving just fine. We were even able to catch the Indianapolis installment of Man vs. Food at Luke's parents' house this weekend, which aired two days before we officially pulled the plug. (Did you think of me, Internet? Did you recall Luke's taking on of the Big Ugly earlier this year?) I'm sure this is part of other decisions Luke and I have made in terms of how to spend our time, but since I called DISH last Monday, life seems quieter somehow, less busy. Plus, now we have an excellent reason to resurrect our beloved collection of situation comedies on DVD. Hello, Scrubs, we have missed you. (But not the Med School spin-off.)

Joined a book club
This thanks to Katy, who I lunched with last Wednesday and who allowed me to sort of finagle an invitation. Reading has been unfortunately sporadic for me since having kids - I used to get through at least one book every couple of months, but now I'm lucky if I make one book a year. My only read for 2010 thus far is Liz Gilbert's Committed, which I tackled back in March. So hopefully this will be the kick in the pants I need to step it up again. It will also be a fun way to mingle with more people in the area and hang out with Katy. From her description, it sounds like a pretty well-read group, but maybe one day over margaritas I can convince them to give a classic Frema staple a try.

Had the bejeezus scared out of me by my innocent toddler daughter
We can thank the big-girl bed for this one, which has enabled Kara to leave her mattress at leisure and at unpredictable times during the night. One evening I was washing my face at the sink in our bathroom after saying good-night for the upteenth time, thinking, How crazy would it be for Kara to just show up here in my face like that girl from The Grudge?, and when I turned my head to reassure myself that no, my child is not a starring character in a low-grade horor film, you guys, THERE SHE WAS. Just standing there, staring, not unlike the zombie-dwellers from Night of the Living Dead. I swear I nearly wet myself. 

Thanks to my instinctual response (which thankfully involved dry under garments), now Kara likes to say, "I scared Mommy!" I'm trying to spin the phrase into something less negative, like, "No, honey, you just surprised her." Though I suppose that is a better description of Nathan.

Abandoned pursuit of another degree
A graduate certificate, actually, in professional and technical editing from a local university that I could have finished in 18 months, taking one class per quarter, no summers, if interested. I visited with the professor in charge of the program this past Monday to get more information, and learned that this track would prepare me for critical editing jobs with a university press or scholarly journal. If I weren't a working mom with two little kids at home, I probably would have gone for it, you know, as sort of a just in case measure, but it's too big a time investment when the target market is so small and my understanding of the discipline can only be described as open-minded at best. It did lead me to realize, though, that as much as I love the idea of going back to school again, now is not the time. As I consider new possibilities for my career and home base, the last thing on my to-do list should be dropping another anchor into the waters of central Indiana. Whether I decide to move on in two years or plant roots here long-term, I want to be open to whatever opportunities come my way. School can wait, for now.

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My mind lately continues to swirl with upcoming activities and previous happenings. Deaths of friends' family members and troops from my brother-in-law's platoon in Afghanistan. The upcoming month of September, which will have my little family out of town four weekends in a row to attend one reunion, two weddings, and visit with my sister Ryan during her brief stay in Chi-town. I will coach my sister Samantha through the labor of her second child, advise my youngest sister Donna on the college decision-making process, and be part of a sorely needed girls' night in honor of Molly's sister's wedding. My father's father, with whom I have never been close, is dying, and it is rippling through his entire family. And in a surprising turn of events, I am serving as "pre-editor" for my ex-boyfriend's memoir. (And I owe it all to Facebook!)

I find myself turning inward, these days, pulling loved ones closer, continually re-evaluating where I need to be, where to focus my energy, and how to make myself available for the next big step. I am also finding my voice again, which has been invaluable.

Comments

[Must Be Motherhood]

So excited about the book club!

So sorry about your grandfather.

[Luke]

Is a zombie-dweller a parasite that resides in the decaying intestines of the undead?

[daddyd]

Darn TV spends more time selling stuff than the programing. The meat of many or really most shows is lost in the ads. Too much time is put in on being sold something, just to watch a program.