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Friday 31 August 2007

She's here!

Amelia Rose, born at 8.03am (Australian time), weighing 5 pounds fourteen and a half ounces.

Welcome into the world baby girl!

(And, if you're wondering where your present is, ask your parents. As soon as Aunty has the measurements, she'll go shopping. Promise!! Aunty does, after all, love to shop)

Congratulations Andrew, Ruthie, Kate and Chels.

xo

Cat on a hot tin roof

My niece is on the way (!!!)

My sister-in-law's waters broke late yesterday, so I'm sitting (actually, pacing a hole in the carpet but I'm pretending to be cool, calm and collected) waiting for the call to say that our new little family member is here with us.

Of course, we do hope that if she has the Johnson nose, it's the small version, and that she doesn't pop out with a Leach nose. We really hope that.

Anyway, to pass the time, and bearing in mind that my parents were having collective hysterics when they phoned last night to say it was all on, I waited a couple of hours before texting them and saying ...

"Ha ha! Made you look!" (Yes, yes, evil but so so funny. Dad apparently had to pick Mum up off the floor)

And then, this morning, when my boss text me first thing to say he was off sick today, I had a blimmin heart attack, so I shared the love and gave Mum and Dad another one.

Hehe.

Anyway, I'll have your collective thoughts and prayers for Ruthie who is doing the hard yards at the moment ... trying to cope with my brother who is probably having hysterics as well. Oh, and giving birth, though my guess is that that probably pales in comparison.

I love you both, and I can't wait for news. I'm just sorry that I'm not right there, pacing my hole in the carpet.

Thursday 30 August 2007

And

In case anyone from my immediate team googles my blog ...

I love you guys and our customers. I enjoy coming here every day and I have loads of fun. It's also not just about money, but we are all mercenaries to a point. My job is hard work and getting harder by the week, simply with the volume and responsibility that is coming back on me. I've agonised over resigning, but when it comes down to it, the entire package just doesn't come together.

I'm hoping you'll all start talking to me again at some stage before I leave ...

xo

Tis done

My resignation has been received by all senior management.

I'm unemployed.

And having a panic attack.

Excuse me a minute while I say shit shit shit. I hope I've done the right thing.

So, here we are

Good call for not voting for yesterday, I had it typed and ready to go, but I didn't send it. The end of the week is still in the running though (it doesn't actually make a difference vis a vis my notice period. So long as I send it by the 31st, I still finish at the end of September if I decide to resign).

After chewing on it and giving myself yet another headache, I counter offered to my managers this morning on the salary issue.

The main problem I had with counter offering is that I don't think I actually want them to accept it, but I'm terrified I am going to make the wrong decision. I think I want them to say no, but I'm not sure if that's the right thing to do. If they accept it though, it's a good salary package, and one that I would have to at least try and stick it out for.

I know that where I am at the moment is possibly the best thing vis a vis IVF, time off, holidays, sick leave, relaxed atmosphere, but ... I am so bored. I'm busy, hell yes I'm busy, but I'm bored, and The Ginger and boredom do not a happy combination make. I start to go a bit daffy(er). Plus, it's all very well to stick it out because of IVF, but who knows how long that's going to take, and to be perfectly honest, I am completely pissed off that, yet again, life is on hold over IVF. I know it will be worth it in the end, but you can't imagine how hard it is in the meantime.

Anywho, I'll keep you posted.

Wednesday 29 August 2007

Note to self

If one is getting one's hair cut, one is best advised to either not place one's handbag down beside oneself throughout, or else, alternatively, to ensure when one places one's handbag down beside oneself, that it is zipped shut. Should one fail to observe either of these steps, one will find that one comes home with one's handbag full of chopped ginger hairs, and prior to one getting one's hair cut, one had quite a bit of hair. Now, one still has quite a bit of hair, it's just in one's blimmin handbag.

Tuesday 28 August 2007

Ha! Hahahahaha!!

I've just received a draft proposal from my company, and since I need to give an appearance of actually considering it, I'll say it here (but, on the off-chance that someone from work has googled me and found this blog, you're welcome to pass it on) ...

Hehehehehehe.

Not going to happen.

That was unexpected

The work thing has taken an unexpected turn following a meeting with management last week.

There are some rather intense negotiations going on, as well as a lovely migraine (just as a side thing).

I'll know by Friday how it's all going to lay itself out, because I've put a deadline on it.

In the meantime, I'm archiving and filing. Lots and lots of archiving and filing. Al'll tell you it's my preferred way of dealing with stress. If he walks in to find the contents of the pantry all over the floor, or the linen closet empty and the hallway impassable, he knows to retreat as quickly and quietly as possible.

Bleurg.

Monday 27 August 2007

When your filthy mind tells you how the sentence will end ...

This comes from working with a bunch of blokes in the building industry ...


The husband walked into where I was working on the laptop last night saying "I'm just going to whack off a couple more ..." and that was me.

Apparently the sentence was supposed to end " ...slices of beer bread so you can take the rest into work tomorrow" but I was already in hysterics and that was the end of that.

Yes, I am a filthy, infantile wife, but fair's fair, this is on the back of a conversation that nearly caused me to crash the car yesterday afternoon. We were driving home from having coffee out and the husband was busy examining his hands and explaining to me that his right hand was like leather, he'd built up so many callouses. I was already choking to death when he realised what he'd said and continued to explain that this was from tossing wood all the time.

Ok, ok, he actually said 'tossing sticks for the dogs at the park all the time' but by that stage my mind was firmly lodged in the gutter, and I decided I preferred my version, and damn near swerved into an oncoming car. Very funny stuff.

Friday 24 August 2007

Ooooooo

I have a round table with management today.

Interesting.

Nothing like a good round table on a Friday.

Thursday 23 August 2007

Heavens above

All that anxiety for nothing.

It turns out that when Brookfields stipulated that family law experience was 'essential' they didn't mean 'optional'. Who knew? Not my recruiter apparently.

Still, I'm not all that bothered, which means I guess that while it would have been an experience, it's one I can comfortably live without.

Go me! I think. Should I be patting myself on the back? Ah, why not.

Maybe some shoes to celebrate?

Might be pushing it a bit.

Show me the money. Maybe.

Well, I had a big post, until I deleted it. Or, more accurately, Blogger had a spaz, and post went bye bye. But, what it basically comes down to is this...



I submitted my CV to a major NZ law firm, mostly to see what would happen and because the salary is reeeaaallllyyy nice (and it's in Manukau - just around the corner!!) and to my surprise, they appear to have picked it up and run with it. Oops. Or, not oops I suppose. It depends on whether you suck at making decisions. Which, I do. The thing is that it is an area of law I don't have a clue about, so it was more just an exercise in curiosity. How desperate is the legal community for legal secretaries? Except, now I'm interested. I can't help myself. Plus, it's Manukau ... literally, I'd only have to get up an hour before I start work. No traffic ... (Ooooo ... and it's corporate. That'll mean new shoes.)

And now, I'm scratching my head.

If it goes to the interview stage, and the indications are that it's going to the interview stage, I'm definitely going to follow it through. As I said, curiosity. It's just what I'll do if the job is offered. It's hugely, completely different for me, but is it an opportunity that I shouldn't pass up?

Yes, there is IVF, and that is a major consideration. Believe me, the job thing constantly curls back to that one, and I've thought of little else in relation to jobs. But, the other thing that we really have to remind ourselves, is that IVF could be any amount of time away. We haven't even been advised of when we can expect an orientation appointment. So, why should my and our life continue to be on hold? It's likely that I'm looking at a year plus before IVF becomes an issue.

Ah well. Watch this space. I'll let you know if I get called in for an interview. Apparently there is possibly someone in-house in the running, so you know what that means. There was a job at Meredith Connell I would have given my right arm for, but that went to someone in-house too, before the job was even advertised. Gotta love the big firms! Even HR didn't know about that one, or so they say. They're lawyers. It's just silly to trust them. (You can hear that I'm smiling affectionately as I type that, can't you?)

Wednesday 22 August 2007

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways

Obviously, Elizabeth Barrett Browning was not referring to Xtra.

Grrr.

This new bubble thing is an enormous pain in the arse.


I have a big post brewing on the job thing. My next step is requiring a lot more thought than I thought it would.

Tuesday 21 August 2007

Pondering the meaning of life

Is it wrong that the only reason I eat salad is because it gives me something to put my salad dressing on?

I like salad dressing.

And, while I'm here, why is it that coffee tastes so much better when it's in a paper takeaway cup? Yet, paper takeaway cups are so bad for the environment, so even though the coffee is good, the guilt is worse.

Monday 20 August 2007

What do you think?

It's a revisit of the old format, but with new colours - though the piccies are back.

I kind of like the cream and blue ...

Heh

My brother and sister-in-law do cards better than anyone else I know. I arrived home to this one on Friday, and laugh every time I look at it. Currently, it's hanging out on the fridge, reminding me that life has it's moments, but it aint so bad.
(The card captain says ...)

Making babies with Maggie wasn't as much fun as Ron had anticipated



Heh heh.

(Would you believe me if I told you that there were too many bags from the shopping on Saturday to fit them all in the frame of a photo? Of course you would. Would be believe me if I told you that despite that, I did display a level of self-control whilst collecting said shopping bags ...? I thought not. I did have a legendary shopping day though. It was the stuff of dreams (literally ... I even dreamed about shopping on Friday night. In fact, I was so excited, I dreamed my alarm went off, I woke up, turned it off, went to get up and then saw it was only 4.30am. Oops) ... and Al didn't threaten to divorce me when I got home. OK, he did but he was only joking. I think.)

Friday 17 August 2007

About to do a bad bad thing

It's Friday today, which is fabulous for a couple of reasons.

1. My working week started yesterday.

And, even better ...

2. I'm going on a shopping trip around Auckland with a friend tomorrow (Yay! Excited!!)

Depending on how many bags I bring home (remember the new job plan - most of my work clothes have been wrecked at my current job) I may even post a picture of the happy-pile. Maybe. I'm weighing up how many of you are shopping-savvy enough to possibly add up the potential bill against the pile of shopping bags. Assuming I buy anything of course. It's possible that I could come home empty handed. Unlikely, but possible.

Happy joy.

In relation to the poll, it appears that most of you are upset by the departure of the pictures, so I promise that by the end of the weekend, they'll be back. I'm still wobbling on the pink.

Thursday 16 August 2007

On trying to wriggle out of getting old

The Husband and I, having dinner at a local restaurant last Friday night, were discussing the fact that, despite the restaurant being pretty much booked, they still squeezed us in without a booking. We figured that it pretty much came down to two things ...

1. We rocked up early, getting there not long after 6pm, which meant that they could feed us, take our money and we'd be out the door around 7.30pm, a little before the 8pm crowd started slinking through the door; and

2. That, looking like we're in the vacinity of a thirty something couple with no children and disposable income, it pays to encourage us to come back to their restaurant and spend said disposable income.

... which led The Husband (who is turning 30 this year) and I Into the following conversation ...

The Husband "Do you think that turning 30 means you are in your early thirties, or late twenties?"

The Ginger "There's a '3' in front of it. It's thirties."

The Husband "Very, very late twenties?"

The Ginger "Nope. Thirties. If there's a '3' it's thirties."

The Husband, looking miserable and defeated, "Darn."

Tuesday 14 August 2007

I did a bad bad thing?

What? What?! You're not happy? You don't like the new me? That's not good. Not good at all.

Here's what I'll do ... I'll take it to a poll (assuming I can work out how to put a poll up of course) and if the pink wins, I'll bring back the pink. Promise. No voting five hundred times for the same option either. Be fair. My blog is in your hands!

I'm still on holiday for another day, and let me tell you, it's been fab. There has been much relaxing, drinking of coffee, eating too much food, and, quite literally, stealing candy from a baby (as in, it appears that my 16 month old niece and I have the same deep love of eskimo lollies, but I have a wee advantage ... I can reach the shelves in her Nan's pantry and she can't). I know I said I wouldn't come back till Thursday, but the pink issue had to be addressed.

Oooohhh ... AANNNDDD I bought an interview outfit (no, I'm not telling you what I spent other than to say that it was an investment in a future I nearly didn't have when Al found saw the receipt) so I'm perfectly serious about this getting a new job business. I'll keep you posted.

And now, to the poll!

Saturday 11 August 2007

I thought I'd slip into something a little more comfortable

I've been doing a lot of thinking about life of late, and the hand we've been dealt. It's a funny thing how you can have all the plans in the world, but often, life will take its own course regardless. Six months, a year, two years ago, I was, I think, a very different person to who I am now. I've become very comfortable in my own skin and I've recognised, finally, the person I am.

This blog has been so cathartic for me, and it's such a relief to have finally shed that person who was defined by infertility. Yes, it is and always will be a part of our lives, and we've got a few cabbages to turn over before we see if there is a baby under them, but in the meantime, I'm moving on. Life is for living and it's been on hold a bit too long.

So, I'm trying a new look ... there isn't a thing in the world wrong with having cake for breakfast, but Gingers shouldn't wear pink.

Here's to a new chapter.

Friday 10 August 2007

In case you hadn't noticed, it's Friday

And thank goodness for that. It's been a week and a half and I'm sooo looking forward to the end of play today. We have our nephew arriving (with parents in tow, of course) tonight (we think) and rumour has it there is going to be a trip to the zoo on the cards - I love going to the zoo with my niece and nephew. It's hilarious. We went with my niece a few months ago, and she was just starting to learn words, and sounds and things, and she spent the whole way around the zoo 'woofing' at the animals. Plus, Uncle Al was carrying her on his shoulders and paying no attention whatsoever to the things that were above his head height, but not above hers and spent a goodly amount of time walking her into all manner of tree branches. You could see the look on her face as she was heading towards yet another tree ... it was very much "Ah, crap, here comes another one' and she'd just screw her face up, wear the tree, and then wipe her face off and carry on grinning. There are some very relaxed genes in that kid.

Plus, I have Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off next week (no posts, sorry!) so it's even better - I've taken them as annual leave, but they're very much mental health days.

I've locked horns with my senior managers in a big way in the last few days - they've decided they're onto a good thing with me, and I've decided I'm onto a very bad thing with them, so it's playing out in a rather colourful email war at the moment. Al says I need to ring my manager, but I do so love email and letters because you have all the employment law illegals right there in writing. Watch this space.

And now kiddies, I must go and do some work, as it is coming out my ears.

See you Thursday!!

Thursday 9 August 2007

The Talk

I realised a few weeks ago, that Al and I, heading into IVF and all that it means and implies, hadn't had The Talk.

As in, how far are we willing to take this? What are we prepared to go through? What if it doesn't work? etc etc


The reality of our situation is that modern science means that we have a chance that we otherwise wouldn't have, but it is still only a chance. It's by no means a sure thing, and it's not going to be a walk in the park. We could go through all of this, and still not have a child. So, how far do we go? When do we say enough?

It's a hard thing to talk about, firstly because the thought that we could go through all of this and still be childless is difficult ... I said to him that I just can't not have a child (funny how once upon a time, I wanted 2 children. Now, just one would be a miracle I'd be content with). He said to me that it may just have to be that way.

The pivotal thing though, with The Talk, is that neither of us knows how we're going to cope when it comes down to it, so although we've broached it, we can't really make a call either way. The physical side of IVF may be fine, but the emotional side may be overwhelming, or, emotionally, it could be a walk in the park, but physically, it might be horrendous. I might be fine with it all, Al may not, or the other way around. There's no way to anticipate how it will play out until we're living it.

So, we pretty much agreed that we'd let this thing take us where it will until one or other of us can't carry on, and keep in our minds that if either of us says enough, I'm young enough that we can take a break for a few years and see if we're ready to give it another go.


And, in the meantime, I feel like I'm living life for myself without burden for the first time in a long time, and it's really, really nice.

Wednesday 8 August 2007

Oh, and ...

I hope you noticed my sexy non-clunky linky.

Yay for Stu!

The Ginger and The Concise Oxford Dictionary

soon adv. 1. Not long after the present time ...in a short time ...

which leads me to:

short a., adv., n., & v.t. 1. a. Measuring little from end to end in space or time, soon traversed or finished.

and of course all of this relates to:

The letter

and a lack of:

patience (-shens) n. 1. Calm endurance of ...any provocation; perseverance; forbearance; quiet and self-possessed waiting for something; have no ~ with ..."

Tuesday 7 August 2007

Apparently ...

Injuries sustained while trying to knee your husband in the bollocks* do not constitute wife beating.

Who knew?



* No bollocks were harmed in the making of this blog post.

Monday 6 August 2007

How do I ...?

Make a proper linky?

I want my linkies to look spiffy. As in I say, 'Have a look at CNN today' and the CNN is underlined and you click on it and it takes you to CNN, instead of me putting a clunky hyperlink which displays the entire damn path.

There has to be a way, because other (less technologically challenged) people do it just fine.

Go on, tell me how. You know you want to.

On the perfect weekend

Life has been chaos the last few weeks, mostly courtesy of work, and I've been exhausted. You know that kind of tired where no matter how much sleep you get, or how little you do, everything still hurts and you just can't seem to catch up? Exactly.

Next weekend we've got family visiting and then we're heading away for a couple of days, and I really want to make the most of both, so my plan for this weekend just been was to chill, relax and regroup, which I think I did to perfection, or close enough.


Saturday I went for my usual bikini wax and eyebrow thing and then, feeling relaxed and fabulous (funny how getting your pubic hair ripped out by the roots whilst trying to be brave and not yell bad words can leave you feeling so chilled ... or perhaps it's more a state of catatonic horror? Either way, it works) I went and visited a friend and her beautiful new kitty, and we had tea and sticky buns for morning tea, and talked about shopping (heaven), ending the visit with a yet-to-be-designated future date for a shopping trip. Finished the day by walking the dogs, and then making an enormous mess in the kitchen which turned out to be very yummy cannelloni with home-made tomato, basil and ricotta sauce. Go me! And, of course, a good nights sleep.

Sunday was bliss ... I crawled out of bed at about 9, made myself a fresh coffee and a cream cheese and strawbery jam bagel, and then sat down and went through a great pile of Cuisine and House & Garden magazines, collecting recipes, and writing others that I've had lying about into my recipe book. I think it was about 11 before I finally climbed out of my PJs. I was taking the cat's lead ... she spent the morning blissfully stretched out on the kitchen table in the streaming sun, snoozing (I didn't have the heart to turf her off she looked so happy and cute - I'll just wash the tablecloth).


The rest of the day was spent baking chocolate brownies, walking dogs, house ordering, cleaning and examining the (much improved) household budget. I even thought about weeding the front garden. Thought, mind.

All in all, it's the stuff that great weekends are made of and I feel sooo much better.

The only problem with any weekend is that Sunday leads into Monday, and Mondays shouldn't be allowed.

Friday 3 August 2007

And the winner is ...

Neither. I've been ruined.

Six months ago, I bought a new handbag for a quick $369.99 or something around that mark. Maybe $359.99? Anyway, I bought it without blinking.

Today, I stand before you a different woman in a budgety frame of mind.

I can't bring myself to spend $500.00, or even $400.00 on an overnight bag (helped along by the fact that I arrived home last night to a rates bill and a water bill, due one day apart). It's just an overnight bag. It's also $500.00 that we may need towards IVF.

But, on the bright side, because it's Friday and we're all about the bright side on Friday, Al's cousin flew up to Shanghai last night, and bless him, armed with pictures and guidelines, he is going shopping for my overnight bag. YAY for Al's cousin and his willingness to shop. We love that in a cousin. It's almost better than shopping myself because it's pretty much going to be a surprise, and, because it's China, it's probably only going to cost about 50 cents.

So, one for happy skippy joy!

Have a good weekend people! xo

Thursday 2 August 2007

Dilemmas, dilemmas (it's a tough life)

I mentioned the overnight bag dilemma on Tuesday (I think). I quite like both of these, though my preference is probably the Coast bag based on price. Buuuttt ... how cool is the Swannie one (in red and black check, of course)? Honestly, it's my favourite, but cheaper is better ... argh. So, I'm taking it to the vote. The husband prefers the Swannie one on the basis that the Coast one is too plain, and doesn't 'match' me.

Sooo ... Swannie one ($500.00)



( I should never have gone onto that website - they have the coolest tees, and there's a ranger jacket on there that I really like as well. And the hooded jersey ... Crap. Crap. Crap.)



Coast one ($414.00) ...





(http://www.coast.co.nz/Modules/Product/Product_Display.aspx?ID=10)




Thoughts? Anyone?

Wednesday 1 August 2007

A picture speaks a thousand words

Two baths in two days does not a happy Jessie make.





What's a puppy to do though? Roll in lovely, stinky, disgusting things at the park and risk a bath, or not? Decisions, decisions.
The husband at least has learned a valuable lesson about puppy bathing. Or, more particularly, puppy drying after bathing ...

Day one

Me "Can you lift her out for me, and I'll towel her off?"

Him "Na. She'll be right. I'll just call her outside and she'll shake all the water off outside. Then we don't have to wash the towels"

Me "Uh, no, she won't. She'll jump out, shake it all over the bathroom, the hallway, me, soak the carpet, and then go and rub herself dry on the curtains in the lounge and then run outside and roll in the mud"

Him "No, she won't. See ..." and calls her outside (or rather, attempts to).

You can pretty much picture the trajectory from there. He calls her, she jumps out the bath, somehow transferring half the bath water onto the floor in the process (missing the towel on the floor completely), shakes off all over the bathroom, the hallway, me, soaks the carpet and then goes and rubs herself dry on the curtains in the lounge while the husband chases her around the house trying, in vain, to get her to go outside to shake off, while I chase him around the house threatening serious bodily injury.


Day two

Me "Can you lift her out for me, and I'll towel her off?"

Him "Ok" and lifts her out of the bath, straight into the waiting towel.