Boo to you!

Just a quick post to say Happy Halloween and I hope the spooks and goblins were good to you! I have some photos to post but that will be tomorrow. I don't want to ruin the photo surprises so I'll tell you more about it all when I get the photos posted.

Tonight I had an election day question. I know an election judge (my Girl Scout mentor) so I e-mailed her and got an answer back. (I wanted to know if you show up before polls close and you are still standing in line when they do close what happens. She said as long as you are in line you can vote no matter how long the line is or how long it takes.)

I mention this because I was thinking this is a nice side effect of my Girl Scout volunteering. I've met people. Lots of people. And I know them well enough to ask them things like that. Before I started with the crazy volunteer stuff, even when I was just a leader and not involved at the higher level, I didn't know many people in the area. We moved here after we were married and working full time. Neither of us work locally, our offices are over 30 miles away. We don't have kids in the schools. I was starting to meet a few people through homeschool circles, but most of them live at least 5-10 miles away. We know our immediate neighbors. But all in all we were quite isolated.

I really like the connections I've made with so many others. I was feeling very alone, and still do in some ways, but I really enjoy the friendships (or at least acquaintanceships) I've made as a result. I don't feel quite as left out as I do in so many other situations.

Speaking of Girl Scouts, we added up Violet's Fall Product Sale totals and she sold $670 in candy, nuts and magazines! The sale officially ends tomorrow and Sunday we'll turn in her paperwork. She sold far more than most girls, and in fact more than a lot of troops combined! She'll have decent cookie sales, but the fall sale is always her big one. She's a happy Girl Scout!

I have a headache

I spent much of the afternoon researching all our local election races. I know who I'm voting for in the presidential race, but that was it. Well, I had already decided to vote no for the library referendum that would raise my taxes another $60 or more a year. I love the library, but I'm already paying over $200 a year for it. I don't mind that it is crowded and the selection isn't the best. They'll get me almost everything I want from interlibrary loan. If the schools weren't already sucking out so much of my income in their taxes I'd definitely be for it. So, once again, you can blame the public schools.

Where was I? Yes, local races. I had no idea who to vote for in the local races. I had to first figure out which district I was in, then who was running, and who I liked. I have a nice little cheat sheet to carry in my pocket and a headache to show for it.

The doctor's appointment when very smooth. Homeschool didn't come up. Violet answered questions. The doctor diagnosed her "skinny". But not so skinny that he was worried about it. No shots. There might be one or two next year. She'll be old enough for the cervical cancer one, but I'm holding off on that one for awhile. And the meningitis one. That one I may do, but I'll do some research first. The final one is a new tetanus/whooping cough booster that is currently recommended for 9th grade, that he thinks will be lowered to 5th grade. That one I'd probably do too, if it is lowered. But for today, she wasn't a pin cushion so she's happy!

Tomorrow is Halloween and her costume is ready: we bought her a feather witch outfit. The forecast is for sunny and 65 which is wonderful news. Mr. Incredible and I both remember trick or treating as kids with our winter coats over our costumes.

My supervisors were very pleased with my interview article. It did turn out really good. She made me sound quite coherent. She must be a very good writer indeed! Seriously, they loved the subtle marketing pitches. Little things like that can't hurt my career and paycheck in this economy.

Enough looking at the computer screen for tonight. I really did get a headache from all the congressional this and that and county board who's and what's. Only a few more days and it will be over.

Plugging along

Yesterday we hosted a couple of the homeschool Juliettes for a Try-it day at our house. Violet is working on her Junior Aide patch by helping them earn Try-its. We did the Movers Try-it where they made various things that flew. Some better than others. All were fun. It is a nice group, I think we've found a good mix. It is two other moms that hang out, help out and are really nice and encouraging to Violet. And 3 girls who are really polite and nice and fun, and really look up to Violet. What more could you need?

In the evening I did go to my meeting. I didn't drink more Kool-Aid but I did have the taco dip - yummy! It was hosted at the house of one of the committee members. Her house is much closer than the Council office is, so I was just as happy to go there. We laugh so much on that committee. It really is a fun group. We meet back at her house in early December.

Today we stayed home all day. We really needed to go out and get milk and to pick up our holds at the library, but they are both waiting until tomorrow. It was nice to hang out. I had a busy morning with work. I may have to take a day and drive out to a client's office. I should know by next week. If so, I hope to schedule the week of Thanksgiving, but we'll see.

I was interviewed this morning for an industry publication. I've been interviewed for this one before (and a few others that are published by the same company). It sounds more impressive than it really is. Today's interview was about how to choose a healthcare consultant. Gee, since I work for a big firm, what kind of consultant do you think I said was best? Yep, big firms, lots of depth, I know who butters my bread. The really nice thing is that the reporter will e-mail me the article so I can review my comments before they are published (and have my supervisor look it over too). That way if I stuck my foot in my mouth, they'll fix it.

Tomorrow is Violet's doctor appointment. I looked at the CDC's vaccine recommendation list and I don't think she is due for anything. I know, lots of homeschoolers are anti-vaccine, and I respect that. If you are please respect my position to be pro-vaccine. I've gotten a lot of flack over my choice from local homeschoolers. I've heard your arguments. I can't say for absolute certainty one side is right or wrong. I only know that I believe the benefits outweigh the risks. I'm not changing my mind based on comments (or being ganged up on at homeschool events), so don't bother.

Whew. Where was I? Oh yes, Violet is breathing easier knowing the chance of a shot are really, really slim. I already told the doctor's office that I wasn't getting her a flu shot. (I know, I'm so pro-vaccine why not a flu shot? The only time I've ever gotten one I had the worst case of the flu in my life. I know, it wasn't the shot. I don't care. I'm not getting one. And Violet's not getting one the day before trick-or-treating and a week before vacation.)

After all the errands tomorrow, we will do a light school schedule in the afternoon. If anything at all. I may have her work on more Girl Scout badge stuff. School in disguise. We were looking at the book and we think we can easily finish Story of the World volume 3 before the trip. There isn't much we want to do outside reading the chapters. I don't know if we'll start up volume 4 right when we get back or wait until after the holidays. Violet really likes it, so we'll probably jump right in. One of these days I'll have to decide what to tackle after volume 4. If you have a history recommendation that isn't too writing intensive, let me know.

Busy week already turning annoying

We have a really busy week scheduled. I'm trying to fit a lot of things in before we go on vacation. This afternoon I had my gyne appointment with the new guy who's office is right by our house. Mr. Incredible was working from home, so Violet could just hang out with him while I was off. I wasn't looking forward to getting an exam from a new doctor, but what are you going to do?

I get there, marvel at how close the place is. Find out they even do mammograms on site. Bonus. I check in, pay my co-pay go to sit in the waiting area and fill out my paperwork when I'm asked to go in the back. Turns out the doctor had to race out to do an emergency c-section. How annoying. Reschedule the appointment for next Monday. Get my co-pay back. Come home. They said they tried to call but I had already arrived, he had left just as I got there. I get to wait a week to go through this again.

Tomorrow we are having the homeschool Juliette's over to earn a Try-it badge called Movers, all about things that fly. We're making twirling paper copters and ring gliders. Plus we'll be celebrating Juliette Low's birthday. She's the founder of the Girl Scouts in the U.S. I put together a memory game with objects that represent her life. The girls will get to see what's there, then we'll take something away when they aren't looking and they have to guess what it is. I bought apples and caramel dip for a snack.

I spent this morning cleaning all the rooms they are likely to see when they are here. It is just 3 girls, 2 moms. I'm glad we just planned on doing it at our house, we're supposed to have a high of 40 tomorrow, far too cold to be in the park for a few hours.

Speaking of cold, it was snowing on my way to the doctor's non-appointment. It has been very windy the last two days and now snow. Winter has arrived early. By the end of the week and Halloween it is supposed to be up closer to 60. Nothing stinks like wearing your winter coat over your Halloween costume.

Tomorrow night I have a product sales committee meeting to go to. I'm kind of tempted to not go. They are planning for a training session that will take place while we are on vacation, so I can't help anyway. I guess it will be good to hear how the training will take place as I seem to get asked all sorts of questions. My mentor warned me that when you are registrar they think you know everything about everything. Plus I need to know the cookie sales procedures so I can pass it on to the Juliettes. And I do love this committee, they are a riot. I guess I just talked myself back into going.

Thursday Violet has her doctor's appointment. Her doc doesn't deliver babies so hopefully he won't have an emergency. And Friday we'll be busy all day with Halloween.

I did get some work done when I came home from my canceled appointment, so that was good. Thank goodness I only drove 5 minutes to the office and not farther. My old nurse practitioner was an hour away. That would have been more than just annoying. It would have stunk to high heaven!

I can breathe again

Literally. I went out today and bought 3 new pairs of fat jeans. My skinny jeans can just sit there on the shelf and be jealous for a while. I'll get back in them. But until then, I can move and breathe again. And my blood is circulating properly again. Yippee!

Mr. Incredible keeps saying how he's not buying a bigger size. He's determined to lose weight instead. Well, goodie for him. I will too. But in the meantime, I'm not going to be so uncomfortable. It was making me crabby. And a crabby mama isn't fun to have around.

Did I tell you the jeans were on sale too? Bonus!

So many random thoughts

I have had so many random thoughts since I posted yesterday that I could write 3 or 4 entries. But I think I'll just summarize what I can remember and let you all enjoy your weekend.

My back is feeling much better. It was weird. I don't know how I suddenly hurt it, then it got better. It is still a bit sore, but not like before.

Overall I'm feeling better too. We're making progress. Mr. Incredible and I talked last night and both think it makes more sense to stay where he is for now (at least as long as he can) and not jump from one sinking ship into a ship potentially sinking even faster. He's going to do more with his side gigs of podcasting and such. He thinks he can make a go of some of his projects. I suggested he spend his extra energy (ha, like any of us have that) getting his side business incorporated and expanding.

Even though she's perfectly healthy, in Illinois it is a good idea for homeschool kids to have regular doctor visits and a relationship established with a physician who can vouch that there is no abuse or neglect going on. Illinois has no regulation of homeschoolers at all. No testing, no attendance records, no request form, no meetings with teachers, no portfolios. Nothing. Many times when they want to question homeschool families they go the route of neglect or abuse. Whether it be physical, mental, emotional or social. Our state homeschool organization recommends if a truancy officer ever shows up to go straight to your doctor's office for a full physical of the kid and have the doctor document that there is no sign of abuse or neglect.

Before we go to her doctor's appointment next week I have to coach Violet on the importance of speaking up and answering the doctor's questions. She has a tendency to clam up. They'll ask her name at a reception desk or check in and she won't tell them. She'll be asked a question and she'll clamp her lips shut and refuse to say. Part of the problem is a lot of their questions are skewed to public school kids and she doesn't know how to answer them. Not all though. I want to hit her upside the head sometimes to reset her brain and get her to speak. I understand the overwhelming shyness. Been there. But sometimes she has to get over it and speak.

I keep forgetting to get the Halloween decorations out of the basement and put them up. Violet points some out whenever we drive anywhere and I say I'll get ours out. Then I forget. I guess she isn't in too much of a hurry or she'd be actually reminding me.

I need to breakdown this weekend and buy a bigger sized pair of jeans. I can't cram into my old ones anymore. Last winter I gained weight. I'd hoped to lose it over the summer. Guess I didn't make that deadline. I think I gained more. Sigh. I blame the government. And the banking industry. I'm sure it is their fault.

My horoscope today says I should be productive in the morning because by evening I'll have more to do and won't get anything done. Guess I better get to work.

jobs, appointments and lead weights

Mr. Incredible still has a job. His best friend of 22 years, does not. Four or five other people at his company don't either. His company only had about 30 employees. That's about a 20% workforce cut for those of you playing along at home. This sucks.

His job is safe for now, but it sounds like the whole company is in danger of tanking. Last night we talked about him being more proactive in looking for something new. But then I got to thinking. How do we know new company won't tank? Then he's low man on the totem pole and first to go. This sucks.

Did I tell you I made myself an appointment for next Monday with a new gynecologist? Well, I did. His office is really close. He's in my insurance plan. And he isn't close to retirement age. (My last nurse practitioner retired over the summer on me.) And he's affiliated with the hospital group that has the nearby mammogram center that I really like. (As if you could actually LIKE a mammogram center, but you know what I mean.)

I also made Violet a well-child checkup for next week with her old doctor. I really want to switch her. He isn't very homeschool friendly. His first word every time it comes up (and how you people lie or manage to not have it come up is beyond me. "How's school?" "Do you like your class?" "How's your teacher?" Every time she walks in.) Where was I? Oh yeah, "Socialization". Buggers. We know that means he really doesn't know squat about homeschooling. And he knows a family at his church... Need I go on?

Well, I want to get her into a new doctor. But I'm already almost 5 months overdue with her appointment. Who knows how much longer we'll have health insurance. He's in a group practice and I tried to make it with another guy we saw once when she had pink eye. He's on vacation until a few days before we leave on vacation. (Yep, that's right, we have a big vacation booked. Smart move, huh? It was booked 6 months ago before the economy started tanking quite so badly. This sucks.)

So I bit the bullet and made the appointment with the guy she's been seeing since she was a baby. At least I don't have to have her medical records copied and sent to a new office. What a pain in the butt. They are never helpful about it. I am not counting on mine making it to my new doctor. I don't mind so much for mine, I want Violet's handy.

I've felt like I've had a lead weight on me the last few months. I have the hardest time moving and doing things. I just want to stay home and hibernate. There's so much to do. I can't remember things. I can't make decisions. I know I'm worrying about things way too early, but it is hard not to when these things are in your face on a daily basis. This sucks.

Maybe I do need that vacation after all.