You know how marathon runners talk of the last push to get to the finish line? (I say this like I actually talk to marathoners, which I don't. I'm waaaay too out of shape to hang with them. And I can't imagine running 26 miles. I can imagine eating 26 cookies though. And that, my friends, is a problem for another post.)
Anyway, what was I saying? So you know how they have to dig deep and just pull the energy out of their last reserves? That's where Mr. A and I are right now with the house. We're digging deep into the last reserves.
Moving out of the house to get the paint stripping done was really stressful. Mr. A had a crazy week at work, and the project I've been working on for my job for TWO YEARS finally launched in whirlwind of chaos. We also were dealing with some other stuff that I won't go into here, because believe it or not I do keep some things private. And all the while Audrey was teething and clingy. We didn't have to much wiggle room on scheduling though, so we reached our necks out and stretched for the finish line.
So worth it.
Take a look at the BEFORE:
And now the AFTER:
I want to give a special mention to the wonderful guys who did this work for us. I rarely plug anyone on this site (because you know, its all about ME, ME, ME) but Darrell and his brothers did a really fantastic job. They showed up on time, completed the project on budget, and were communicative and considerate. Their bid was significantly lower than others we got, yet the work was (as you can see) wonderful. They don't write up an elaborate contract or do fancy marketing. They just know their stuff. Which is why I feel compelled to market for them. Chicago Paint Stripping. 312-399-7813. Say Hi from the Andersons.
Ahead: New fence, staining, painting, and decorating!
Almost. There. Almost!!!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Paint Stripping: The Last Mile
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Guest post: My hunt for a good $5 wine
Vanessa from Workaholic Mama seems to think my wine habit is actually healthy. Or she's at least an enabler, because this morning she posted a piece I wrote on finding a decent $5 red wine. Enjoy the reviews, and please note that if you stage an intervention for me I will demand video rights and all broadcast/syndication revenue.
Monday, July 20, 2009
But with a baby you don't get schwag.
My hilarious friend and kinda famous online writer, Wendi Aarons, is coming to town to speak at BlogHer this weekend. I’m excited to see her speak and know she’ll blow the crowd away. If you’re going, make sure to check the community keynote and join me in shouting, “Amen Sistah!” at the top of your lungs when she’s finished. She’ll like that.
Wendi and I bonded years ago when we worked in Hollywood as assistants to some legitimately powerful film execs. She was a seasoned film school type, and I was a scattered rookie. She took me under her wing, and within no time I was schooled in critical skills like untraceably passing highly reliable yet snarky actor gossip, booking personal film screenings for my friends and charging it to the studio, and redirecting expensive agency schwag to my home address. It wasn’t all glamour, though. My boss was, well… she was brilliant, but… a handful. And as I was thinking about Wendi’s visit and remembering old times it occurred to me that being an assistant to a studio exec in la la land was actually very good early training for motherhood. For example:
So when Wendi sees me I fully expect her to say, “You haven’t changed a bit.” Not because I haven’t aged, but because when we last worked together, I wasn’t sleeping much either.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Compartmentalization and Maternal Comfort
On Compartmentalization:
I just got back from my longest business trip since Aud was born. Four days away.
The first 3 days were actually pretty easy. I'm a pretty good compartmentalizer, my work was intense and distracting, the hours were long, plus I knew she was being well cared for by our absolutely-perfect nanny and near-perfect husband, so I actually managed to get through it pretty well. I even enjoyed a little wine and dinner out. Woo hoo!
On that last day though - good lord. My 'strong-working mom compartmentalization' strategy fell apart without warning at the Denver airport where I suddenly developed bionic hearing. Every baby's cry in the terminal sounded uncannily like Audrey. And I could see strollers and children everywhere. Throughout the hour or so I was there I fought the urge to grab random babies from unsuspecting mothers' arms and cuddle the bejesus out of them.
Even though she really didn't need it I snuck into her room that night and gently woke her up to give her an extra bottle. She didn't open her eyes. When she finished I rocked her back to sleep against my shoulder, rubbed her back, stroked her legs and inhaled her peaches and cream skin. In the dark of her room my eyes welled with tears. I don't think I've ever been so truly happy to be home.
The next morning when I went to get her from the crib I fully expected a big grin and flapping arms. Instead I was greeted by stone cold blinks and a pout. She didn't break into a smile all morning.
Until the nanny showed up. Then she giggled and squealed like someone just handed her a puppy.
Ouch.
So I had a pang of jealousy, and the classic guilt. But I shook it off quickly because I know motherhood is a marathon not a sprint. And this shit is going to happen and she's going to be OK. And so am I. And I had work to do.... so I couldn't sit there and feel bad about it.
On Maternal Comfort:
We're staying with my in-laws this week while some rather smelly and toxic work gets done in the house (more on that later.) Aud won't let me put her down for a second. I'm sure its her being out of her routine, or teething, or being in a new environment, but she bawls when any of my in-laws touch her. Or when I put her down to change her. Or when I try to make dinner. I keep wishing it would be so nice if she could just chill out. Both so she could bond with them, and so I could blow dry my hair. But this is the ebb and flow of things. Sometimes you get the silent treatment and sometimes your baby clings to you like Velcro.
I've been missing my mom a lot more this week as well. We're approaching the six month anniversary of her death which has been weighing in my mind lately. The actual time since I last talked to her is beginning to feel so achingly distant. Like an island sinking on the horizon as I float away into a life that moves forward. With the house project, our move out here, travel, and some stuff going on at work, I've been over-tired and overburdened too, which makes me yearn for someone who can just quiet me and make me feel better. A mom, say.
But, alas, my mom is gone. I'm the mom now.
Last night while I was winding down to sleep it occurred to me I was getting annoyed with Aud because she wanted the same thing I did.
Oh baby girl.
If she wants me to hold her this week while we're all out of whack, so be it.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Audball @ 7 mos
Little Audball rarely sits still anymore She's not quite crawling but leaving her for just a second to sit in the chair is a big risk. She'll propel herself right out onto her face without blinking. Here are some other tricks she's picked up lately:
- Rolls every which way and is learning to skooch back and forth a bit on all fours.
- Addicted to bouncing. The more bounce the better. Add music and she's in fits.
- Shows happiness and displeasure easily.
- Loves exploring everything with her hands and mouth.
- Can identify partially hidden objects.
- Only talkative when she's tired.
- Pulls up on our hands to stand. We're trying to discourage this and get her to crawl first, but the girl wants to stand and walk like crazy.
- Tries to kiss herself in mirrors. (Can you blame her? She's irresistible.)
- Just sprouted two teeth. To which Grandpa Rick responded, "Get her a steak!"
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Sisters are Special. Aunts are Scary.
My sister is on day 4 with us and Aud is still screaming every time she picks her up. Not a little whimpery cry either. She does a full blown OH GOD NO! HOW COULD YOU?! howl when Cheryl tries to hold her.
I don't get it. Apparently Aud has stranger danger for all men, plus her aunt. So odd.
Anyway, this minor hiccup hasn't stopped me from taking advantage of C being here. If she just sits on the floor with her and doesn't touch her while she plays, Audball can deal with her for a little while, which is all this momma needs to get a nice shower in without stress. I even shaved my legs people! My child's psychological health be damned.
Apart from the baby's misery, we've managed to have a nice visit. There have been some good laughs and smiles and also some moments where we both miss my mom. Yesterday actually, my sister mentioned how seeing the baby and playing with her makes her wish my mom was with us. It occurred to me I used to think that way a lot too. Your heart and your logical mind go powerfully out of synch when you experience loss. You ache for fantasies of what could have been. But they were never going to be. After all, if she were still alive, mom would be 2000 miles away and wouldn't see the baby regularly. And I wouldn't think twice about it. But instead I miss her every day as if she lived next door and we were best friends.
Deep breath. Change of topic...
In other more classic "sister-moment" news, C also announced that now that mom's gone it's my job to arrange her wedding. At that point I did my best to channel mom when I said, "Yea, really? Get busy trying to land a man, would ya?"
