Chicago Chick

Up With the Chickens

God forbid anyone ask me to do any work my last week on the job - never mind that I have yet to give notice.  * snarky smile *  I'm being sarcastic.  I actually do like to work especially since I like doing what I do.  I suppose if you don't get paid oodles and oodles of money (we're talking like millions) that liking what you do is not a bad thing to have.

What I don't enjoy about my job is fixing things that someone else screwed up or that someone else was assigned to do, but cannot do.  Let me clarify.  If the company I work for screws something up because either (a) the wrong person was assigned to do the job or (b) the person who did the job is sloppy, then it bugs me.  This is because (a) we have a stable full of good consultants on the bench that should have been assigned to do the job but were passed over and (b) I hate when people do half-a$$ed jobs.

I suppose in the end, I should be thankful because if someone didn't screw something up then I wouldn't be needed.  It just irked me that it was someone from my own company who really should have known better.  So, because something got screwed up, I am up at the crack-a$$ of dawn instead of in my cozy bed.  To top it off, the reason that I am up is to do screen shots of something so simple that connecting to the instance and logging in is much more of a hassle.

What does it matter anyway?  I'm giving notice soon anyway.

It's All Downhill from Here

I hope everyone had a good and restful Memorial Day.  Today is the week that I will finally give notice at my old company and my stomach is in knots.  I know that the new company I am going to work at will give me lots of new challenges (and lots of new things to bitch about) and I'm looking forward to that.  But, for whatever reason I cannot seem to get all excited about the new job - at least not like when I started past new jobs.  Maybe it's because I've done this at least a zillion times before and I'm older (and tired).

Whatever the case, I am spending my last week of true freedom enjoying my boys and getting ready for the new job.  I'm hoping that the weather will cooperate this week since I've scheduled 2 play dates for Nick at my sister's.  My nephew is 2 months younger than Nick, but they are so different.

Nick is loud and H is more quiet.  Nick is messy and H is more detailed and exacting - he has to put the rubber super balls (at least a million of them) in a particular place and if there is one out of place he knows exactly where it is.  H started talking later while Nick started talking earlier.  It's amazing the differences between the 2 of them.  I find it difficult to understand how one can point out developmental delays unless there are STARK delays.  That's probably why that isn't my job.

So this week it will be full of on line shopping (for shoes and clothes), play dates, and hopefully trips to the museums.  It should be quite an interesting time and one that I hope distracts me from any apprehension I have about the new job.

Feelings, Nothing More Than Feelings

This weekend we've learned more lessons on selling our place.  This past Friday we received an offer for our home - it was ridiculously low.  David and I decided to counter offer with a price that was lower than our original asking price, but not a lot lower.  When our real estate agent told the buyer's real estate agent our counter offer, he was not happy but he relayed the message back to the buyer.  The buyer responded (or so we were told) by saying that, "we hurt her feelings."

This isn't the first time that "feelings" have been brought into the picture.  The first time David and I heard such a response was when we were bidding on the first house - the bungalow with $60K worth of repairs.  When we first made an offer, the seller told us (again through their real estate agent) that they were "insulted" and "who did we think we were."

I cannot understand why "feelings" come into play and why people would be insulted if an offer given is low.  When David and I were told of the offer on our home we thought, "Eh, it's low." but we decided that we would counter offer with something a tiny bit lower than our asking price as a show of good faith.  The way David and I see it, the whole thing is a business transaction.  We as sellers don't personally know the potential buyer - they're not our friends or anything.  For God's sake, we haven't even spoken to each other - wait until I buy you a drink or vice versa before anyone's "feelings" get hurt.

This entire real estate thing is really a shocker - who would have thought it could be this "heart-wrenching"?  The only thing that's making my heart twist is the fact that we're leaving the city I love, but honestly, I'm over it.

Anxious Little Bugger, I am I am

I was all set to enjoy today and even planned to go to the crazy Kohl Children's Museum.  If you think about it, it really was a crazy stupid idea because it's raining outside and it's a weekend.  All of this adds up to a very crowded museum with tons of toddlers with sticky hands and oodles of very tired and exasperated parents.

Even so, I was willing to give it a try in order to get the boys to run out of energy.  Instead, I ended up singing up that "Clean Up" song and encouraging Nick to pick up some toys and put them away (and believe it or not he actually did).  Then I pushed the coffee table to the side, turned on the CD player, and chased the kids around the living room.

There's no accounting for taste because what was on the CD player was The Flying Lizards' The Mandalay Song.  If you've never heard it before, it sounds like an Indian woman on helium singing a traditional Indian song.  Nick loved it and demanded that we play it over and over and over.

Finally after a round of building blocks which entailed me asking Nick to "share with Alex.  No, I said share, SHARE, SHARE.  Thank you." they both went to take their naps.  Suddenly, I was left with a little time to myself and I started thinking.  Thinking is not such a good thing for me.

My mind was racing with all the things I needed to do like pay the bills, balance the checkbook, fold laundry, clean up for yet ANOTHER open house on Sunday, and on and on and on.  So, after running around like a maniac with the boys, my heart is racing with anxiety.  I ask you, why is it that I just cannot enjoy the silence for an hour or so?  Is everyone like this or is it just me?  Maybe it's just that stupid Mandalay Song. . .

Summertime, Sum, Sum, Summertime

Because I'm not a fan of summer, I don't have a sign that makes it obvious to me that it's summer.  Okay, maybe the humidity and hot weather and the fact that I can no longer wear my sweaters, but other than that I don't have an obvious sign.

I really need to get in the swing of summer because this is the first time the boys are old enough to really enjoy summer.  I cannot remember what I did last summer.  I know it had to do with a new job and being unhappy but other than that and planning Nick's 2nd birthday party, I don't remember much of last summer.

So, this coming week I am going to try to plan the summer for the boys.  The problem is that I have to plan limited stuff for the weekdays and maximum activities for the weekend.  David can't handle both boys at major events by himself and I don't want to miss the big events.  If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.  We are already planning on going to the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Kohl Children's Museum - we have memberships.

New Adventures Ahead

Today I received a package from the company that I will be working for.  The company is in California while my office will be - well - wherever it is that I am.  The fall out from the last time I left my company (June, 2006) is that I have become extremely gun shy about leaving.  Yeah, yeah I know that nothing is a sure thing and I know that there are no guarantees, but I've become pretty complacent at my old company.

Normally, this lazy feeling would make me nervous but after 15 years of working full time as an adult I am exhausted!  Part of me would love for someone to take care of me (and my family).  It would be nice to win the lotto and not have to work to support a family.  But, then again this is me and I would find something to piss and moan about.

In reality, I am extremely excited to start this new adventure.  I started talking to this company about this position in January, 2005.  It's been a long time coming and I know that I won't be sorry that I joined.  If anything it will give me experience in an area I have little to no experience in.

I am thankful that I have the opportunities that I have.  Nobody is more aware of how lucky I am in my career than I am.

Yuppie Redneck Pool Party

The kids were getting squirrelly today and I can't say that I blame them.  It took until 11:00 this morning to get both kids dressed and by 11:30 I was finally showered and somewhat dressed.  But then, Alex had gone down for his very long morning nap.

David decided that a small, inflatable pool would be the ticket to entertaining the kids.  By 4:00 this afternoon, the pool had been inflated and filled with about a foot of water.  I came home just in time to see the kids getting into the pool and start splashing.

The boys were in their pool with plastic food containers dumping water on each other and laughing.  It was quite a sight and it reminded me of the time when I was working in the deep south one summer.  There was a house across the street from where I was working that had a couch and car with its motor hanging out in the front lawn.

One hot summer day, the people who lived there put out a plastic pool and the kids were it in with empty Cool Whip containers splashing around.  The parents were sitting on the couch with their tasty adult beverages watching the kids.  I think that today we achieved the "Yuppie" version of this on our balcony.

I could hear my mother's voice in my head, "What will the neighbors think?" to which I responded out loud, "Who the FREAK cares?"  The boys were having the time of their lives and for once, we were enjoying the balcony before we move.

Women Are So Helpful

My husband, David, is the greatest.  Last night he decided that he needed to go on a late night run to Walgreens.  I asked him to pick up a prescription and *gasp* a box of maxi-pads.  Let me tell you, he did not even wince and instead asked me what kind.

The last time I asked a guy to pick up some feminine hygiene product was when I was 12 and asked my dad to grab some.  Can I just tell you how how annoyed he got?  To be fair, he comes from an era where men did not do things like change babies diapers, put their careers on hold to become stay at home dads, and definitely did not - and I mean did NOT - go pick up feminine hygiene products for anyone!

A few minutes after David left for the store, I get a phone call from him telling me that he's standing in the "ladies only" isle telling me which products they have.  Then, I hear some giggling in the background.  There were a couple of women who were trying to help him out and spare his embarrassment.  What can I say?  My man is the tops!

Busy Body Book

I need the Busy Body Book and if I'm the first 5 per this post here, then I get one for free.  And, if it's F-R-Double E then it's for me!

Actually, it's for David because putting schedules on something electronic and actually getting the time to log into the Internet with 2 kids is near IMPOSSIBLE!

When Losing Isn't So Bad

Today I learned that our contact for the house that we bid on in a northern Illinois suburb will go back on the market.  Actually, the house never left the market, but had a contingent status on it.  We had until May 15th to get a contract on our place - stupid since that only gave our Realtor 6 weeks to sell our place (this was at our realtor's behest) - in order to make the contract on the suburban home "ours".

When our attorney told us that the sellers decided to kick us out, I think he was surprised that I was happy.  I think my exact words were, "That's awesome news!"  I don't think anyone understood our reasoning for being so happy.  Yes, we spent money on the inspection and on the loan fee.  And, yes we spent time and energy on negotiating the contract as did our attorney.

But, when we bid on the house it was a March 2007 prices and the selling prices on homes have come down in the past 2 months.  So much so that the price that we did bid on the house seemed to be a little - okay ridiculously - high.  For God's sake - the house said it was a 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath when in reality it was was a 2 bedroom, very tiny 1 bath, and a closet that held a toilet (this was supposed to be the .5 bath).

Our home will still be on the market until our contract with our Realtor runs out.  All told we've spent about $2,000.00 on this home buying endeavor, but we've learned some valuable lessons.  If it turns out that we decided to stay in our place, I will be okay with that.  Don't get me wrong, I wince that we would have spent $2,000.00 to stay in the same place, but I will think twice before I use a Realtor and I am wiser about negotiating prices.

Learning to Like Summer

I just came in from a pathetic 1.5 mile walk with the boys and David.  There was a nice breeze blowing and it wasn't THAT hot, but for whatever reason the 1.5 miles seemed like a lot.  David is still out there with the boys pushing them around in the stroller.

It's hard for me to believe that this time last year, I was running 5Ks (okay, so maybe I wasn't running ALL of the 5K, but still).  But now I have become the mushy, sweaty, summer-hating person that I swore I wouldn't become.  I suppose I could blame it on the fact that I'm retaining water and it's that dreaded time of the month.

But, I have to take responsibility for the fact that I'm all jiggly and puffy because of what I'm stuffing into my face and not just the fact that I may be retaining water.  I've tried to set my alarm to get up to run, but I just sleep through it.  I cannot seem to find a way to motivate myself and as usual, summer has come around and I feel just "bleh".

Like it or not, I need to learn to like - or at least tolerate - the summer.  The kids are becoming more mobile and Nick loves to run around.  I don't want to be that "fat mom" that huffs and puffs next to the stroller.  I would hate to become a cliche.

In Good Company

Earlier this week, I received an e-mail from Jill at Silicon Valley Mom's Blog asking if I'd be interested in contributing to the Chicago Mom's Blog.  How could I refuse?  I'm excited and flattered to be asked to participate.

So, go check the Chicago Mom's Blog.  They're also looking for contributors so if you're a Chicago Mom and have a blog (yeah, I'm talking to you - Eat Misery and Mamazilla), contact Jill.

Things That Make Me Go Hmmmm

Nick loves to ride in the car or "Ride the white beige car." as he would say.  And because we like to keep his whining down to a minimum, we put him and Alex in the car and drive around.  For some reason, his need to "ride the white beige car" always coincides with Chicago rush hour.

So in a rare moment of silence I hear this:

"Lately my farts smell like potato chips.  Do ya think that's because I've been eating them all day?"

The topic of passing gas is a normal occurrence in my life now that I live with 3 guys.  However, that phrase was uttered by me.  Moi.

After hearing myself say that I decided to keep my thoughts to myself.  But, other strange things kept popping into my head like:

• How many licks DOES it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop?
• Do chickens fly?  I cannot remember if chickens fly.  I know they hop.
• Is our contract with the seller null and void or do we need written notice from him?  God, is he an idiot or what?  Like I care that he's "upset" that our place hasn't sold and that it's part of the contingency for us buying his place.
• Hey!  Who farted in the car?  Can I tell who it is from the smell?  Never mind, Alex is giggling so it must be him.
• I don't think we'll do the road trip route if we ever take the kids to Disneyland.

Clearly, I need to stop going on the car rides.

Maybe Not?

When we wrote our contract for the purchase of the house in Niles, we exercised the "contingency" section of the boilerplate contract.  So, if couldn't sell our place within a specified period of time then we wouldn't be obligated to buy the house and carry 2 mortgages.  A couple of years ago this would not have happened because the market was so good.  But, it's a buyer's market and homes are staying on the market for longer than a week.  I think the last report I saw it was anywhere from 90 to 120 days.

So the specified period of time to sell our condo was up a day or so ago.  To be fair, I wanted the date to extend to June but our real estate agent - who I am not really liking lately - said that she could sell it by mid May.  Mid May would be a 45 day window to sell our place which is WAAAAY aggressive and half the time that the average home is on the market.

Our attorney sent the seller's attorney a letter asking to extend the time to June 30th but the seller's attorney called our attorney and said that the sellers did not want to extend and that the seller (the husband) was "upset" that our place hadn't sold yet.  Mind you, this is the same guy who thinks that there is no real estate downturn and that he should get full price for his house.  Okay, to be fair, he does believe that there is a real estate downturn - just not in Niles.  Ahem, ahem, *cough* - stupida$$ - *cough* *cough*

We haven't lost the house yet because our attorney (if anyone needs a good real estate attorney, let me know) has not been faxed written confirmation that the house was lost.  Would I be upset if we lost the house?  Kind of.  But, I know that there are better and roomier houses to be had especially since I am changing jobs and received a substantial raise in the process.

I know that David wants to move to the 'burbs and it's inevitable, but my time in the city may extended past what I originally thought.  So given this second chance, I am taking the boys to every museum, park, and event that I can think of before we have to go.

Change is Inevitable

Last Friday my boss called me and told me that he had received 2 job offers.  My boss and I are like brother and sister close and the reason that I've stayed at this job longer than any other (2 1/2 years) is because we are very close.  My boss, O, wanted to talk about the difference between the 2 offers and wanted my opinion.

Today he called me to tell me that he gave notice yesterday.  He ended up taking the job with the company that had the better reputation and less money.  The job would be more rewarding with more potential which was a great trade for less pay.  I haven't really been able to talk to O in length about the new job - he's been on the phone with all the people who report to him.

But, I have some news for him.  The job offer that I have been waiting for has come through.  One of my old friends who I used to work with in my audit days, contacted me about a pre-sales manager position about a week ago.  I was able to speak to a sales person and a technical pre-sales manager to find out about the job, the company, and the other standard stuff.

Today I've been given the verbal offer and am waiting for the written one.  It's an exciting time, but I think because I'm older (read: much more tired), I'm not jumping for joy as I had with new jobs in the past.  It was about this time last year that I left my current company for a new job.  I was only at the new company for 7 weeks, but still I left.

There is some real fear that it will be the same way with this company, but if I wanted to return I couldn't.  O will no longer be working at my current company willing to take me back.  In reality, I need to move past the "U-turn" job changes.  We'll see what happens - everything is subject to change.

Living a Contradictory Life

Last night I just could NOT sleep.  My schedule is cram-packed today with Nick having a play date (first one) with my grad school gal pal, N, and her son; a brow waxing (yech) for me; and a long-awaited dentist appointment.  Never mind that the realtor called last night letting us know that someone wanted to see our place at 9:30 tomorrow morning and I hadn't cleaned since oh, Sunday morning when she scheduled an open house.  Who the H-E-Double Hockey Sticks schedules an open house on Mother's Day?

Since I had some time to myself, I caught up on some e-mail and some online journal reading (because everyone else's drama is much more interesting than my own).  I came across Self Made Mom's post on Power Struggles and how women polled in a study felt that the only place they felt they had any decision making power was at home.

For those of you who don't know, my husband is pretty much a stay at home dad.  He worked from home at one point as a sales and marketing manager but when baby #2 came along, it became clear that someone would have to stay home.  It didn't feel right to ask my parents to watch BOTH the kids.  So, David decided that he would give up his career to go on the "Daddy Track".

I know that there are days when he longs for the travel and the business lunches and I definitely long for the days when I can go buy a new pair of shoes without worrying about what it will do to the budget.  But, in the end it's the best thing.  Yeah, it has taken a loooong (try almost 2 years) to get our crazy life in sync.  We work better as a team now and even though we still have disagreements, we're better with each other.

David is the one who changes 90% of the diapers and is the one that is (and has always) been the one to get up and take care of the boys if when they wake up in the middle of the night.  He is the one that makes sure that they're fed and they've got clean clothes.  He is the one that also makes appointments for oil changes and maintains the cars and any major appliance.  He paints the walls, installs the new thermostat, and takes care of anything that may go amiss in the house.

I am the one who cuddles the boys, folds the laundry (sometimes), pays the bills, and makes sure that we have insurance.  He is the one that budgets and I am the one that balances the checkbook.  It's only fair that he is the one that makes the major buying decisions.  I am lucky because at work, I feel like I have the freedom to make decisions that impact my career.  I'm not at the level where my decisions have company-wide impact.

So my life (as usual) is opposite the norm.  There were times that I would cry that I was the bread-winner or that I couldn't be the stay at home mom.  But, in the end it works itself out - it always seems to.  I am glad that this time my life is opposite the norm.

Ah, The Smell of Summer

It turns out that I didn't need to go out to visit a potential new client with my boss and a co-worker.  I can think of at least a million other things to do besides squeezing myself into a suit jacket and skirt in 85 degree weather and walking around a manufacturing plant.  So, instead I joined David, Nick, and Alex on their weekly visit to my in-laws house.

We actually had a good time and I was able to get some work done.  Yes, these are the same in-laws that I bitch about and this is the same woman who pretty much told me to suck it up when I she asked me about being pregnant with Nick and I told her that I disliked being pregnant.  But, after the incident, I have realized grown up a lot.  My mother in-law is just a product of her generation - one that is old enough to be my grandmother (David's 10 years older than me) and she see things completely different that I do.

I know that one day I will be the dreaded mother in-law and I am certain that I will say things that will cause my daughters in-law to want to strangle me dead.  I am sure that I will say those things in a well meaning, caring way but because of my way of thinking I will be constantly putting my foot in my mouth.

But, I digress.  David took Nick and Alex to his parents' house to play in the blow-up blue pool that we got from the local Wal-Mart.  Nick has been waiting all year for this event and this morning when David announce that it was warm enough for the pool, Nick sat up in bed and smiled this HUGE smile.  All through breakfast Nick said, "I want to ride the white beige car." and all through the car ride and up until he reached the steps of the house said, "Let's go in the blue pool, the soft blue pool."  Uh, Autistic my A$$!

So this evening, my boys are tucked into their beds and they smell of waterproof sunscreen and that Banana Boat after sun stuff.  I'm happy; they're happy; and my in-laws are happy.  Now if I can get the smell of sunscreen, aftersun care stuff, and sweat, as well as the feeling of stickiness off of ME, I would be even happier!

Happy Mother's Day To . . .

Happy Mother's Day To:

• Everyone who is a mother (man or woman) to a child, adult, or animal.
• Everyone who has babysat a niece or nephew or close friend's child.
• Anyone who is a mother who cannot be with their children.
• Anyone who is a mother who has made mistakes along the way.
• Everyone who is a roll model.

Let's remember all of those people who have been mothers at one point in their lives.  I know that I feel very fortunate to be a mother to my 2 sons.  It's the most challenging and the most rewarding job that I have and will ever have.  God give me the strength and wisdom to not screw it up!

I Heart Chicago

Last night as I was coming home from seeing Michael McDermott with my college gal-pal Debbie, I was reminded how beautiful the city of Chicago is.  I drove through Lincoln Park, past my old apartment and down Lake Shore Drive on my way to the Chicago Historical Society (now being re-branded as the Chicago History Museum).

It was the first time that I realized that when we close on our house in Niles I will no longer be a Chicago resident.  Some people would think, "Big deal!".  But, to me it IS a big deal.  I grew up in the city - except for the years I spent in a northern suburb during high school - and a big piece of who I am is the city.  It's hard for me to feel comfortable anywhere else.

Even after all my travels all over the world (mainly for work), I never feel totally myself as I do when I'm in the city.  Niles is only a hop over the Chicago city border, but still - it's the suburbs.  So even when I leave, I'll still be "Chicago Chick" - no my URL is not going to change and it isn't for sale.  I will just have to live vicariously through some of my favorite Chicago blogs (Chicago Moms Blog, Strollerderby, Eat Misery, Mamazilla, and all my cousins sites).

I hope that once I've moved over into the "dark side" that I won't be removed from the "Chicago" blog lists.  I'm moving unhappily (kicking and screaming all the way) but I refuse to give up the places where I get facials or haircuts or manicures.  Maybe I should rent a studio apartment so that when things get tough for me, because I am a drama queen, I can escape.

In truth I know that moving to the suburbs isn't the end of the world and it may be the best thing for David and the kids.  But, seriously - I don't want to go.  There are plenty of good homes to be had in Chicago.  I just cannot seem to find one or at least one that I can afford.  So, as I sit on my balcony and write this and cry into my beer, a terrible thought crosses my mind, "Is a mini van next!?!?"

My Mama Said There'd Be Days Like These

I was up at 4:00 this morning - 5:00 am NYC time - in the event that the person taking my place at the sales call had questions.  When you fall asleep at midnight, it's REALLY hard to get up at 4:00 the next morning.  But, I was up and I was logged onto my e-mail and IM just in case there were any questions.  I think I sat like that holding my breath until 11:30 (my time) when the meeting was officially supposed to be over.

By noon, I was exhausted but the boys wanted to enjoy the beautiful day.  Since I officially started work at 4:00 am and put in a 7.5 hour day I figured it was okay for me to join David and the boys on a short romp to the Chicago Botanic Gardens.  Nicholas had a great time running through one of the fountains and made a new friend at the gardens.

Nick and I climbed to the top of the waterfall garden - not an easy climb for a little boy with very short legs - and ran through the "English Oak Meadow" through to the "Dwarf Conifer Garden."  We even went up and down a steep (steep enough to give you a good tushy workout) hill 3 times.  I was pleasantly surprised that my rambunctious kid actually held my hand while we were running and listened to me when I told him not to go into the water.

I thought for sure he would be exhausted.  But while I was napping in the car on the way home, he was pointing out the different trucks he saw on the tollway.  Alex was quite exhausted too and didn't even flinch when David took him out of the car and put him into his crib.  David and Nick are finally napping - I know that because I can hear the snoring of the eldest boy (David).

Now, I'm off to spend some time with a friend this evening and I can honestly say that it was a great afternoon.  I had an excellent time with my boys this afternoon and the guilt and stress related to NYC has melted away.