The one with the survey schedule
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kim @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.
News at Home
Sunday
Today I really did very little – since I’m going to be working from home (WFH) most days, I’m feeling like I can schedule in chores during the week instead of leaving them entirely for the weekend. I hope I don’t regret that decision, but I’m thinking that it will mean I can have a little more relaxing weekends. So today I picked up groceries, but that was really it besides relaxing and playing with Dante. I should have done some blogging, but I’m still pulling myself out of my funk. Thank you to everyone who continues to visit and leave kind, supportive comments. They mean so much and I promise I’ll get back to visiting and replying soon.
Before I forget – update on my brother and his partner: They are doing MUCH better. The only lingering symptom at this point is distorted taste and smell. Zach is very bothered by this symptom, but Phil is hoping it will help him with weight loss (we’re so siblings lol!). Thank you for all the healing thoughts, prayers, etc for them!
Monday
We have a survey coming up, we know it will be in the next couple weeks BUT we don’t know exactly when. I will find out the morning of, around 7:15 (7:30 at the latest) and I will need to be at work by 8 a.m. if that happens. So I’m just waking up and getting ready, with the exception of work clothes and then I’m doing my morning routine and, if I haven’t heard anything at 7:30 I put on my WFH clothes and proceed to get ready. It’s hard because I’m trying to plan my week and I don’t really know which two days I’ll be on campus. Right now, I’m planning on Thursday and Friday, so that I don’t go in on a day earlier in the week and then they show up on Friday.
Today I did my meal prep during the day and that worked out really well, instead of squeezing it in on the weekend. It also meant I had a fresh lunch and dinner on Monday, which is nice (as opposed to precooked like I’ve normally had). The rest of the week will be reheating, but I think I’ll plan next week’s meals around the idea that I can cook 3 days during the week now.
I also cleaned out a lot of my closet – 3 bags worth of donations! – and it feels good to get rid of some things and just get it better organized. We’re moving again (did I mention that yet?) at the end of the month to another apartment in this complex – bigger, better location, etc – and I’m already stressing about it. I hate moving, but I love the fresh start at a new place.
Tuesday
As I was finishing my makeup this morning we got the call, TJC was coming today! So I scrambled around, got Dante up early, and rushed to drop him at daycare. I made it to work at 7:59, so just on time. The survey went well and was finished by 12. I was proud of myself, because surveys usually mean eating poorly – they order us food – but I resisted pastries, cookies, and chips! I had yogurt and fruit for breakfast, a wrap and some nuts for lunch. And I keep snacks in my desk, so I grabbed a BUILT bar instead of a cookie. Total win.
I spent the afternoon doing some printing for my schoolteacher friend. Manged to print out about 45 pages worth for her, which I laminated and cut. I plan to see her this weekend for a playdate, so she’ll have them by the first full week of school (school starts tomorrow for her).
Dante continues to refuse to nap at daycare and tonight we payed for it with an INCREDIBLY fussy toddler. On like the 3rd meltdown over dinner – took too long, why did you give me milk, and I have no idea what the problem was – I finally, calmly, took him to his crib with his elephant lovey and said, “calm down and then you can come have dinner.” I have no idea if this was the “right” thing to do, but it worked. He calmed down within 10 minutes and we had a nice dinner and he played well the rest of the evening. Maybe we’re getting started on the infamous terrible twos?
Wednesday
Today as another day on campus. It was a rainy day, so not a bad day to be in a room with no windows. I had a few meetings and did some blog work in my down time (I brought my Chromebook – I don’t want to do it on a work computer). I also had a therapy session today and I feel like I just need to learn to accept things I don’t have power over – like this pandemic. But omg it’s hard.
I got an unexpected phone call from a work friend – she heard about a position back in the university that she thought I might like and she was curious if I’d like her to initiate an introduction. I decided it couldn’t hurt to learn more, so she sent an email introduction and I replied expressing my interest to learn more.
Dante was less fussy tonight, yay! After dinner we played a bit and he did one of the sign language gestures we’ve been working on through therapy, so that was a win.
I stayed up way too late reading The Nightengale by Kristen Hannah (My TBR List pick from July – I’m behind). It’s so good and a great reminder that while this pandemic sucks, at least I don’t live in occupied France during WWII.
Thursday
Oh I’ve spent a good portion of today crying. Things are just so effing hard right now.
Dante had therapy this morning and he was super fussy. At one point, the therapist decided to try singing If You’re Happy and You Know It – a song I’ve been trying to do with him a lot over the past 6+ months because of all the gestures. He loves it, but never actually joins in. I have to clap his hands, stomp his feet, etc. Well, she started singing it and all the kids – EVERY SINGLE ONE – ran over and started doing it with her. Except Dante. I had to clap his hands, stomp his feet, etc. It was like a punch in the gut. I know he’s behind. I see it and feel it regularly. But this was just like overload.
So yeah I went home and cried. And when I thought I was doing better I called Michelle and before I could even tell her the whole thing I was sobbing. Ugly loud awful sobs. And later I called Phil and Zach to talk to them about something else, but ended up talking about Dante’s therapy and started crying again. I KNOW that this isn’t my fault, that I’m a good mom, that he’s getting the help he needs, it’s incredibly common to have delays, etc… but I FEEL the opposite. I won’t gloss over it – I’m devastated and feel responsible. So many “what ifs?”
On the positive, this morning the hiring manager replied about the job. We had a nice chat this afternoon and I’m considering applying for the job. It is a lower pay grade level (it’s a 19, I’m a 20) than my current position, but because of the pay range for each grade there’s is actually potential for a significant pay raise because of how qualified I am for the position. So if I could get another 12-15k a year, it might be worth the transition. The first thing she said to me was “I’m afraid I might not be able to afford you” but she asked me to send my resume so she could see what was the max she could get approved. I am keeping in mind that I start school next week and I did that based on the idea that my current workload is so light that I can do my classes while working.
This evening we had a breakthrough with Dante! He did the sign for “again” multiple times and seems to understand what it means! Yay! This was what I needed after this morning.
Friday
Dante was up an hour early today. I think the not napping at daycare is just messing up his sleep thoroughly. So I brought in his white noise machine – it’s super portable – and they agreed it can’t hurt to try during nap time. It didn’t work today, but we can keep trying.
Since Dante was up so early, we ended up reading a story and I was pleasantly surprised that he asked me to read it again and again, by doing the sign! So excited.
Work wasn’t too busy today, a couple meetings was all. I did some meal planning for next week and took care of some chores around the house. I also ran out to buy Kiko some beer to say thanks to the guys for working on our new apartment (some modifications that aren’t standard) and got carded! That was nice, seeing as I’m almost 40 lol.
The new apartment is basically ready, so we took a family walk tonight to check it out. Dante was super nervous going in, hugged my leg really cute. But once we started telling him things like, “this will be your room,” he got super excited and started running around. He loves the bigger balcony. Can’t wait to get moved in 🙂
Saturday
Today was a playdate day and boy did I need it. My friend is a teacher and just finished her first, very rough, week of 2nd grade, so she needed it too. Dante had a blast, we relaxed, munched all day, and had a few drinks. I also brought her a truckload full of baby / young toddler things for a friend of hers that has a baby due next month. Dante was born in September, so the clothes should be on the same schedule for her baby.
It was a long day though – we were there from before 11 am until about 9 pm. Dante fell asleep as soon as I we got in the car. Thankfully I had expected that and had him in his PJs already for bed. So I just took off his sandals and put him in the crib when we got home. And now I’m ready for bed too!
Blog News
Last week on Because Reading
- [19 Aug] Beguiled by Darynda Jones ★★★★½
- [20 Aug] Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon ★★★★
- [20 Aug] Better Homes and Hauntings by Molly Harper ★★★★★
- [20 Aug] Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven ★★★★½
- [21 Aug] Our Pick for Can You Read a Series in a Month? September Challenge
- [22 Aug] Sunday Post with Berls | The one with the survey schedule
Challenge update
This week I finished:
I’m participating in 4 reading challenges this year. Here’s how I’m doing:
Backlist Reader hosted by Lark @ Bookwyrms Hoard: 29 books
Library Love hosted by Books of My Heart & Angel’s Guilty Pleasures: 6 books
New Release hosted by (un)Conventional Bookworms: 5 books
COYER (Summer) hosted by Because Reading: 13 books
FitReaders (hosted by Jen @ That’s What I’m Talking About & Felicia The Geeky Blogger)
My big goal for 2021 is to get down to my goal weight. It means losing 70 pounds this year.
Here are my goals for the month of August and how I’m doing:
- Take a walk on WFH days. Use Cubii (under desk elliptical) for 1 hour on Campus days.
- Took a walk Monday
- 1 hour Cubii on Tuesday
- 1 hour Cubii on Wednesday
- I was rained out Thursday & Friday. But in the evenings I got in some casual walks with Dante and Kiko.
- Intermittent fasting – 8 hours on, 16 hours off.
- I struggle in the evening, but my late night snacking is gradually going away. It’s a process, but moving in the right direction.
- No eating out for the month.
- No eating out this week!
- No snacking.
- I struggled with this a lot this week, especially when I’m on campus. When I’m WFH it’s easier to be busy with things that distract me from snacks.
- No drinking 30 minutes before/after meals
- Meh. This is a bariatric goal I’m trying to resume but keep forgetting about. Not sure its worth it.
- Only water to drink, Sunday – Friday.
- This is a big change, but I’m doing it!
- No scale until September 1.
- I think this goal has been the most beneficial one. I’m learning to pay attention to how food/drinks make me feel instead of the scale.
Added to My Shelf
I haven’t shared this for the past few weeks – so these are 3 weeks worth of books 🙂
Hey friend… it’s a been a week for you! First – I’m so happy you’ve started to see Dante respond – using his signs; I know it’s not where you want him to be and seeing him not participate was difficult, but I’m glad he’s getting therapy. *HUGS*
How exciting to have a new place – moving is a pain, but that is awesome that you like the new apartment and get to start fresh.
I got an email from my boss last week – I’m WFH indefinitely now. I’m glad, I like it and there are huge benefits. But I was disappointed in how the news what delivered (via email). Other than my boss, I’ve been there the longest – but I’m only pt and I get it. I’m not part of the core business.
I am listening to Goodbye’s a Witch right now – I can’t believe the series is ending!
I hope the week ahead is a good one.
I’m so sorry you’re having a hard time believing you’re a good mom, Berls! It’s definitely both the hardest and the best job in the world. You are doing everything possible to help Dante, though, and I hope that in time you will see that as well! *hugs*
How exciting about the possible new job. I hope everything works out in a way that works well for you.
Ugh – moving… I hate moving, too, but sometimes, it feels like it’s the only way to get rid of stuff that’s just somehow accumulating.
Have a wonderful week, Berls. I miss you so much! *big hugs*
You are doing the best you can and that’s really amazing. None of us knows everything. My daughter needed extra help for confidence and focus, especially for reading. I hate moving but love organizing after I am moved if that makes sense. I’m glad it’s a better place. You seem to move every year. I’m so glad to hear Phil and Zach are better. It’s great that work is flexible enough for some work from home and time to do your classes. Lots of great new reads – enjoy!
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
😂 Yeah we do seem to move every year. In the 16 years Kiko and I have been together we’ve moved at least 20 times. We stayed in one apartment for 4 years, and that’s the longest we’ve ever stayed in a place. The shortest was 2 months. So yeah we’re like nomads. But OMG I cannot wait for the day we buy a house and finally settle down. I absolutely love unpacking and getting rid of clutter thanks to moving though.
And thanks for your kind words about mothering and Dante. I appreciate it. Being a parent is the hardest, best thing I’ll ever do. ❤️
Having a fussy toddler who doesn’t want to nap is really stressful. I remember those days. All you can do is hang on.
Looks like you are on it with the challenge setting up your WFH and private life schedule and great that you have a nice apartment move soon. Tough with Dante not napping and my heart goes out that you are tender about how you are as a mother. It’s quite obvious from your posts just how hard you unselfishly work at mothering. 🙂 Neat about the new job possibility more in your field. Nice haul of books you’ve got to look forward to.
Have a good week, Berls!
You are doing such a great job mothering Dante! I love to purge stuff, it’s refreshing. I hope the move is easy, I hate moving!