Lesson #78 - When It Rains, It Pours {Part II}

So, as most of you have read here, I was stricken with DEATH about 2 weeks ago (actually it WAS 2 weeks ago - exactly - today)!! Let me tell you...it was no fun!

I was starting to feel normal again on Sunday - that would be Feb 28th - but I still wasn't myself. I had to be on a plane on Monday morning, though, so off to the office I went (actually, the man drove me there b/c I wasn't sure I could make it on my own) to pick up some things in prep for my trip.

I showed up to the office to find 3 co-workers also in the throngs of paperwork. I showed my face, said a few words, picked up my things and headed on my way. Actually, I put in a good 2 hours of work...on a SUNDAY folks (isn't there a rule about it being a day of rest??)!!

I was up on Monday morning - before the sun - and the man drive me to the airport. My stomach was queasy and I hadn't eaten any REAL food since Wednesday evening...when this whole debacle began! I ignored it, though, and tried to go about my business.

Fast-forward the six hour plane trip (thank GOODNESS it was non-stop) and I have reached my destination. It was warm and sunny and a nice change of pace from the cold and snow that has been plaguing this area (just the cold now - not the snow so much). After picking up the one bag I checked from the carousel, It was off I went to pick up the rental car from Hertz.

Now, Hertz touts itself for being speedy and organized. Well, maybe I picked the wrong rental counter because GOOD GRIEF!! It took me almost 90 minutes to get my SCHWEET Navigator - between standing in lines and finally reaching the counter. I then drove back to the airport to pick up two other folks who were traveling with me - and our luggage.

We get to the hotel in about 20 minutes or so...I was driving cautiously because of my co-workers...otherwise I think I could have gotten there in 10 minutes flat...and I am POOPED beyond belief! I mean, I could barely stand - my stomach was killing me - my head was throbbing - a nap HAD to be in my future - and to top it all off...I only had about 10 minutes to get myself together in my digs before meeting the boss for lunch downstairs...UGH!

After lunch I tried taking a nap (on one of the most comfortable Marriott beds EVER) but I had gotten to the point where I was so tired that I wasn't anymore. So, against my better judgment, I took the rental car and went to find the nearest Target to pick up some essentials (Note: For those of you who travel...I never pack ANY toiletries - it just doesn't make any darn sense...not only that, but it makes your bags MUCH lighter. Make-up, sure...but no shower items...just pick those up when you get to your destination and leave them there...I'm telling you - much easier)!

Which brings us here...my mecca...(rays of sun and angels singing)...

In case any of you want to know what a San Diego Target looks like...the above picture is of just that!

Anywho, I got back to the hotel and felt worse...figures that shopping couldn't cure me. So I took a shower (with my newly purchased products) and headed off to bed. Work would be coming my way at 7am the next morning and I was not ready for it...I knew that much!

My friends, my friends...I wish I could have just called in dead for the week...it only goes down hill from here!

Lesson #75 - When It Rains, It Pours {Part I}

(This lesson was originally supposed to be posted on Friday, February 26th)

Is there some sort of rules that says more than one bad thing must happen at once?? Why is it that the walls are all to crumble at the same time??

Wednesday night I started feeling a little sick. Not sick enough to think about staying home the following day - especially not with a work event coming up on Monday!

So I woke up on Thursday morning and got ready for my day like any other. Picked my lunch out of the fridge, locked the front door, stepped into my car and drove to work. I sat down at my desk around 7a and had to run (RUN) to the bathroom around 9a.

Without giving all of the details, let us just say that I am thrilled each floor of the office has a bathroom. If I was working in a normal office building where I had to run down the hall, around the corner and wait for an elevator in order to get to the loo...well...I wouldn't want to clean up the mess(es) that would have been made.

Try as I might, I just couldn't get through my entire day. I called the man and he agreed to come and pick me up from the office. By the time I got in touch with the man, it was almost time for him to get to work. He called, though, and decided to take a sick day to take care of me (awwwwwwwwwwww..isn't he great?!).

Hopefully a sick day and the weekend will help me recoup enough to make it to my work event next week. Business must go on as usual, I suppose...so off I will be - away on an airplane - to my destination. I really hope I am feeling better in time to catch my flight on Monday. There really is nothing worse than being sick and having to fly. Airplane bathrooms really don't lend themselves to constant trips back and forth to get sick.

Wish me luck!!

Lesson #61 - Being A SAHM Has Advantages

Hello!

It’s me, Dumb Mom, and I’m taking over the Working Mom’s blog, but just for today.

She can have it back shortly, because I don’t think my lounge pants and Isotoners are particularly appropriate for the working world.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if they were though?

If I could just roll outta bed, shower if I want, work my locks into a loose ponytail, and go! Actually, that’s exactly what I do.

But that’s only because as the official Casa de Dummies DOHH! (more on that title below) my audience is just not that picky. They couldn't care less about what I wear as long as I make it happen in the kitchen (and the bathroom, and the bedroom, and the basement, and anywhere else they require my assistance).

And, my life as a problogger (I totally am ‘cause I made like $50 last year), a prophotog (a largely seasonal position that is WAY more busy in the summer), and a freelance writer (very exciting gig that requires more computer time than it does face-to-face time) is pretty flexible when it comes to clothing.

Lucky, right?!

So, I’m dedicating this post to The Working Mommy and to those of you who hold down a full time gig and still manage to be a successful (or semi successful) parent, I salute you.

You women rock because honestly, I don’t think I could cut it.

I mean, as it stands, I run a moderately successful blog and an occasionally successful photography business (pictures good; marketing, client base, and income not so much), I write articles for local publications on a freelance basis, I work part time at the hospital, and I consider myself a mediocre Director of Homeland Happenings, DOHH! (thinking of converting this position into five separate ones since I attempt to do the work of five separate people).

If I had to add full time teacher (my pre-kid title) to my resume, I’m pretty sure I would run away.

I know people are always saying you figure it out, you (and your family) adapt, but I’m not so sure.

I didn’t choose to stay home because I was afraid I couldn’t hack it as a full time employee and a full time mommy. I chose to stay home when I was pregnant with my first, which meant I was still mildly delusional about life with kids. My decision to be a SAHMish person was influenced by numerous factors (not all well thought), none of which were that I didn’t think I could handle my job and my life as a mom. I was 23 when I had my first son, so I was still in the “I can do anything you can do better” phase of my life.

I’m so over that.

Three kids later, I realize that I’m just not cut out for life in the workforce. I’m not sure I could pull myself out of bed each morning, squeeze myself into professional attire, and schlep off to work leaving a happy, healthy household in my wake.

Call me lazy, or unmotivated, or weak.

Call me all of those things if you must, I know my weaknesses.

Let’s not forget, I am the person who breastfed all three kids for a full year each simply because I didn’t want to have to tromp downstairs in the middle of the night to get a bottle.

Some people call my commitment to nursing “an amazing devotion to baby”, I call it being lazy.

So I’m giving a big round of applause to all of those mommies who are out there doing their thing, making money, and growing people.

Because seriously, you rock!

Not that we SAHMs don’t do our share, ‘cause really, we do.

But, at least I get to do it in a muumuu, and that is a huge advantage in my book.

HUGE!

Now, come on over to my blog, parenting BY dummies, and see how this Dumb Mom of 3 handsome boys singlehandedly teaches them that life is not all about sacrifice and responsibility, it’s about awesomeness too! Well, I guess it’s not exactly singlehandedly because I do share this responsibility with my hubby, aka Dumb Dad, but he really doesn’t do much in the way of hands on teaching; he’s more of a what-your-mom-said kinda guy.

Oh, and I’m running a super fun photo contest that just started today so get on over there right now for your chance to enter and win!