27-8-2008 - why does it say paperjam when there is no paperjam

My mood while writing this blog: bored at work

On a light note:

Since finding out that my innards have become a warm baby house I have gained awareness:

1) 1) Families. Whether it be friends or strangers at the store or walking on the street - especially the ones with young infants - observing interactions, discipline and behaviors. In supermarkets, I tend to wave (with both hands) to the infant while making a surprise expression….this is new for me and only after I’ve done it am I aware of what an idiot I look like. I tend to give a warm respectful smile at the mother in hopes she doesn’t think I’m some crazy woman making faces at her kid…and also because I was told that after the baby is born I "no longer exist”. With this new information, I am conscious to always say hello or at least acknowledge the mother’s presence.

2) 2) Pregnant women. I see them everywhere – this culture appeared out of nowhere for me. The first thing I see is clothes…I don’t have a lot of money for a whole closet of maternity clothes, but there are some really cute things out there and I like to see what people are wearing…the second thing I do is guess (in my head) how far long they are – I don’t know why I find this amusing – and afterward I tend to daydream about me at that month and what it's going to feel like to feel the baby strong inside you and the anxiety knowing you are going to give birth at anytime….

3) 3) Baby products. Strollers – some that look heavy duty complicated to put together and convert to two or three different things (?), carseats, toys, pacifiers, carriers – I’ve taken a particular interest in the cloth sash-like carrier that is used to free up mom’s hands and looks super comfy for both mom an baby… --the ideas have become somewhat overwhelming –

4) 4) Jake. I have developed awareness for the way we care for each other. Although we went to high school together, we haven’t really known each other very long, approximately 10 months (according to my calculations). And I’ve been preggo for ~four of them. Our lives have taken a dramatic change in this short amount of time. But I couldn’t ask for a better partner in crime! The countless back rubs, the soft kisses, the tight snuggles, tummy rubs, piggy back rides, the walks he takes with me, all the ice-cream stops, the endless compliments, the excitement in his voice when he talks to the baby, the calm aura he possesses. I have become more aware of all of these because too many people that I talk to lose this due to a new addition to the family – and I don’t want to. I want to make sure that after babe is born we are able to let our relationship grow. Awareness for the things I do for him too – I don’t ever want him to feel forgotten or replaced – and I am aware that I need to show him the affection I feel for him. I know I can be a bit much sometimes (especially right now, with the crying and complaining or grumpiness and irritability) so I’m making an effort to stay positive and happy and loving.

5) 5) Bad drivers. I used to carelessly drive on automatic quite frequently before I found out I was going to be a Mom. Now?! I have to calm myself by breathing deeply almost every time I get in a vehicle. People love to tailgate…no no no, I’m sorry TEENAGERS love to tailgate! Ahhhh, don’t they know how dangerous that is?! And it’s almost just as scary being the car in front of them – a part of me wants to slam on my brakes to teach them a lesson, but I don’t want them to get hurt…so I take a deep breath and make sure to gradually slow down. On the highway? What’s the hurry? – do people not understand that by slowing down just a little they get better gas mileage? And if you are going to pass me on the left, please don’t wait to the last minute to make the lane change – it gives me anxiety – especially if you are talking on your cell phone!

6) 6) Taste & Smell. I finally managed to quit smoking cigarettes. It’s funny, I always said that “when I quit, it’s going to be cold turkey” HA! I couldn’t have been more wrong…it was actually more beneficial for me to slowly cut back. The idea of smoking one last cigarette and then never buying another pack is so stressful, but knowing that I have them and choose not to smoke is really rewarding and I’m really proud of myself. Anyway, along with the absence of nicotine comes a new sense of taste. I don’t know if it’s the hormones or the new taste buds, but boy do I enjoy chocolate these days. I never knew what I was missing out on. I do, however, keep it to a minimum – I would rather not turn into a balloon, but it’s sooooo good. Thank goodness smells don’t make me nauseous…I smell everything these days. From the smell of grilling to the spreading of new asphalt on the street – my sniffer has enhanced 10 fold (except those mornings when I wake up stuffy) It definitely keeps my surroundings in check.

7) 7) SuperNanny. I have been mentally noting some keen advice from this British TV star. Her program airs Wednesdays at 9pm/EST on ABC. She is very creative when it comes to chores and discipline…I’ve visited her website a handful of times and will probably reference it in the future. www.supernanny.com for those of you interested. Plus, it’s a good excuse to cuddle on the couch with cute boy and share a snack!

For those of you still reading….

1) 8) the a-z, from a retail perspective, on why McCain’s idea of a strong economy is lacking...

a. Ann Taylor is closing 117 stores nation wide.

b. Eddie Bauer to close more stores. The company has already closed 27 shops in the first quarter and plans to close-up to two more outlet stores by the end of the year.

c. Cache is closing 20 to 23 stores this year.

d. Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, and Catherine’s are closing 150 stores nationwide.

e. Talbots, and J. Jill are closing all 78 of its kid's and men's stores. Now the company says it will close another 22 underperforming stores. The 22 stores will be a mix of Talbots women's and J.Jill.

f. Gap Inc. will be closing 85 stores.

g. Foot Locker to close 140 stores.

h. Wickes Furniture is going out of business and closing all of its stores.

i. Zales, Piercing Pagoda plans to close 82 stores by July 31. It has also announced that it is closing another 23 underperforming stores.

j. The Walt Disney Company subsidiary Children's Place filed for bankruptcy protection in late March. Disney, in a news release, said it has also obtained the right to close about 98 Disney Stores in the U.S.

k. Home Depot has 15 store closings.

l. CompUSA clarifies details on its store closings. Any extended warranties purchased for products through Comp USA will be honored by a third-party provider, Assurant Solutions.

m. Macy's is closing 9stores.

n. Movie Gallery is closing 160 stores as part of reorganization plan to exit. They plan to close 400 of 3,500 Movie Gallery and Hollywood Video stores in addition to the 520 locations the video rental chain closed last fall.

o. Pacific SunWear is closing 153 Demo stores.

p. Pep Boys is closing 33stores.

q. Sprint Nextel is closing 125 retail locations.

r. J. C. Penney, Lowe's, and Office Depot are scaling back.

s. Ethan Allen Interiors announced plans to close 12 of 300+ stores in an effort to cut costs.

t. Wilsons the Leather Experts is closing 158 stores.

u. Sharper Image: The company recently filed for bankruptcy protection and announced that 90 of its 184 stores are closing.

v. Bombay Company: The company unveiled plans to close all 384 U.S.-based Bombay Company stores.

w. KB Toys posted a list of 356 stores that it is closing around the United States as part of its bankruptcy reorganization.

x. Dillard's plans to close more stores.

y. Steve and Barry’s Clothing, which has 240 stores filed for bankruptcy.

z. Starbucks is in the process of closing 600 stores.

And this is just some of the retail end….Yikes!

2) 9) The DNC this week has been exciting. I was refreshing to hear Michelle Obama speak. She is a lady to look up to; she has earned each one of her accomplishments through dedication and hard work; she is a great role model for any American woman. From the streets of Southside Chicago to Princeton U. to Harvard Law School to a big law firm to motherhood to Not-For-Profit work to the White House – she is the American Dream -and all without losing one ounce of humbleness. Her relate-ability and confidence in her husband is without a doubt going to win the hearts of many voting women. Looking forward to Barack’s acceptance speech on Thursday.

3) 10) Beijing’s closing ceremony of the Olympics was humdrum. Due to the scandals that hit the opening ceremony, it made me wonder how much of what I was watching was “real”. Unfortunately, it made it less enjoyable than I would have expected. As a matter of fact, the Olympics in general were a bit more disappointing than I had expected. I think I’d rather watch the Tigers lose…which I’ve been doing a lot of.

i

I hope everyone is feeling well and babe is growing healthy and strong! Keep on keepin on!