On the Street Where You Live

Baby,

You were due yesterday. But apparently you've decided to wait a few more days to arrive (please just a few more days). So in the meantime, I'm thinking about what will happen when you are born. And really, I don't know. And there are plenty of other things I don't know, as well as plenty of things your daddy doesn't know. So, here's a list of things you won't be learning from your parents, which you'll have to learn on the streets - or go through life not knowing, which is fine too (trust me). 

• Pretty much everything about sports - how to play them, things fans say, pretty much anything beyond the basic concept. 
• How to eat without making a mess (seriously, I don't know why we consistently fail at this). 
• Spontaneity (we have our moments, but basically we are planners). 
• Hipster music - we are largely stuck in the musical past (where it is awesome). 
• Advanced fashion sense (but, please, if you emulate one of us make it me instead of your father and his affection for Canadian tuxedos). 
• Exactly what night people do (it's fine if you are one, but beware we like to be up and eating cereal by about 7:00). 

And there's probably more, but this is what comes to mind most quickly. And if you never learn these things, I assure you, you'll be fine. There are plenty of other things you can learn at home, and we'll do our best to make sure you learn them all and enter the world fully equipped for whatever is thrown at you. 

April 2012 - Month -1

To my baby:

It's one month before your/my/our due date. Your room is stocked with baby toys, baby clothes and all manner of baby stuff. Earlier this week, your daddy painted a caterpillar on your wall. We feel prepared - we still need a car seat, but we've done the classes and gotten the stuff, and we're prepared. We may never be ready.

It's getting awkward for me to move around and do everyday things, and I have to pee an obscene number of times per day, but fortunately I've had a pretty easy pregnancy. Right now I'm not really letting myself think about delivery ... I more or less have a birth plan, but mostly I'm willing to go with the flow. Your flow.

We haven't decided your name yet. We've talked about it, and there are definite favorites, but we'll wait to see you before we make the final decision. In fact, we don't know a lot about you. And besides our voices and the fact that I have an incredible sweet tooth, you don't know about us. But we'll be a family in one month. Starting from day one, we'll be your parents. And some days we'll be great at it, and some days we'll probably suck at it. But we'll try. Every day. And we'll love you. Every day. And we'll probably never be able to give you everything you want, but we'll give you everything we can. Every day. And we'll remember that, and with any luck you'll remember that, and we'll be a close, loving family. Every day.

Love you,
Mommy

Why Are People Poor?

I'm filling out a job application this weekend. One of the essay-style questions is "Why Are People Poor?" (The job is providing pre-employment counseling ... I'm barely qualified, but I apply nonetheless.)

And it's a hard question. Answers that obviously disqualify me: laziness, they waste money, addictions, etc.

But there's also: past mistakes, sick kids, disabilities, low skill level, lack of access to jobs, lack of knowing how to keep a job, etc.

But really it's more complicated than that. Sometimes it's a combination of factors. Sometimes it is a past mistake that has lingering consequences or need for money.

And I don't know how to answer the question. I want the job. I don't want to disqualify myself with the essay (which has to be hand-written). Thoughts?

In the Kitchen: Popovers

So tasty ... light, airy, ready for seasonings or of course honey butter. And surprisingly simple to make.

Popovers

1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups milk (whole)

4 eggs

1/4 tsp. salt

3 Tbsp. butter.

Combine all ingredients until only a few lumps remain (seriously - no need to overmix). Pour into 12 well-greased muffin or popover tins. Bake at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes until browned (no peeking). Serve hot.

Blessings

• Taking the only night before Christmas that my hubby and I both have off and making our own Christmas celebration.
• Christmas with his family where all I have to bring is salad.
• Christmas with my family next week.
• Presents that are way too nice.
• Presents we were able to buy people with our limited budget.
• Too many decorations at our house.
• Other people's decorations we can drive by and see.
• Baby coming. Baby getting presents that are practical and adorable.
• Hanging out the next day in my jammies until the nephews come over.

I Can Do It

My mom taught me one simple philosphy when it comes to accomplishing things: How hard can it be? And, sure enough, with a little time/patience/training, it turns out that most things are doable.

Including, it would follow logically, being a stay-at-home mom (really a work-at-home mom). So there must be a way to do this. And I've been thinking about my skills (actual or imagined) and how they could bring in money.

Things I know I can do:

• Write/edit/proofread. This is my current full-time gig, and it can be done from home. I know there's at least some freelance work of this type out there ... I just need to find it.
• General office work. Microsoft Word is basically my bitch, I'm fluent with the other Office products, and I can file and organize with the best of them. It seems like there must be situations out there where I can do this type of work from home ... or during the hours baby is home with Daddy or in an environment where baby could be in a playpen.
• Take surveys. I have opinions. I can share them. I know there is only a small amount of money in this, but it's better than nothing.
• Knit. I admit this would take a little practice, but I've done it before and I can do it again. Fast enough to make plenty of money? Dunno.
• Give plasma. I honestly don't mind doing this, contrary to the stigma it sometimes gets. (I'm not sure how long I have to wait after baby to do this.)
• Clean.
• Baby-sit. But I don't see myself doing this full time. Also house-sit or dog-sit.
• Run errands. Plop the kid in the car seat and go to it.
• Answer phones. I used to be an inbound telemarketer. I have a good phone voice, and I can read scripts smoothly.

And I'm sure there are other things. At this point I'm considering anything that can be done from home, in an environment where baby can hang out, or during the hours hubby is home (which is until noon most days).

Other ideas?

Decisions

So I find myself with child. Which is all good and planned and good news. But it does lend itself to some possibilities, each with pros and cons. And I'm usually pretty decisive, but unfortunately sometimes it's about more than what I just want.

Option 1: Stay with my current job.

• Pros: Stable, I know I can do it, doesn't require any change.
• Cons: With the commute, I'm gone for 12 hours a day. And I really, really don't want to do this.

Option 2: Find another job closer to home.

• Pros: Nice short commute is more conducive to being a working mom. Stable income. Gives me time to be away from the kid.
• Cons: I don't actually have this job. And the job market around here is not fantastic.

Option 3: Stay home with the kid. (Note: Just not working is not actually an option for me. So it's a work-at-home scenario.

• Pros: Plenty of time with the kid. No daycare costs. Time to bake artisan bread and hang my clothes on the line and do indie stuff. The more I think about it, the more I want to do this.
• Cons: I would need to cobble together a fairly significant income, which would be a lot of work. I may get bored/lonely/fat if I am home all day. Loss of insurance/retirement benefits. Hole in my resume.

Help, reader(s). I am leaning toward 3, but I'm pretty risk-averse. And part of me fears that I like the idea of staying home more than I would actually like staying home. I know there's plenty of money out there, but I would need to pretty consistently hustle for it. I may have a few part-time opportunities in the wings, but no sure things. And I like sure things.