Laura Vegas

"nothing, nothing … absolutely nothing" … i do belive that’s a backyardigans song. kind of sad … but it’s been in my head all day long. which is weird … because the tv has been OFF all week long (except when joe’s around). but it pretty much sums up what i’ve accomplished this week. whenever the girls aren’t here … i like to really take advantage of the alone time and get a lot done. and usually i do. but not this time. i had big plans for myself … all the things i wanted to work on and get started.

i did do a few things. i got a few layouts done for an assignment … and they turned out really good. but i can’t share. and i did do those 4 layouts the other night … but those are more plain, get-em-done type layouts. love them for "why" i did them … but not quite the pretty ones that i like to show off. i am totally caught up on my photo editing. since i shoot in RAW … i literally have to finish the processing on every single photo before it can be shared or printed. and i did them all … every single one. i cleaned out some magazines … sifted through and pulled out the ideas and layouts that i want to hang onto. then i tossed them in my "idea drawer" … and realized how much i had in there. so i cleaned that out today … purged the torn out pages that weren’t inspiring me anymore. nice to clean out that huge stack.

but other than that … nothing. i think i’ve actually worked harder this week because the girls aren’t here. i’m realizing just how much they help out around here. in a way, it’s the noise i miss the most … crazy, right? but when they’re here … they entertain the daycare kids. not that i just hand the kids off … or make them take care of them. but just having them here … it gives the kids someone else to interact with. gives me little, tiny breaks here and there … when i’m cleaning, picking up, or washing bottles. but this week … i have been the one and only source of entertainment for these kids. they look to me for everything. so not only am i taking care of their needs, feeding them, wiping their tushes and cleaning their noses … but i’m also in charge of keeping them busy and having fun. i know, it’s my job … but i usually have a little help. lol! and that means that since i’ve worked harder … i’m more drained at night and all the energy has been sucked out of me by the kids. so i do nothing at night.

i’m actually not trying to gripe about anything. because we all know that i shouldn’t be allowed to say anything "not-so-good" about my job … or to have any "off" days. lol! (by the way … that was said in total sarcasm … those of you that know a little backstory here will get it. lol!). just telling about my week. i’ve had a few days this week that i had to get up earlier than usual … i’m not a morning person. and today, my regular daycare kids (on my regular thursday schedule) left super early in the day … but i had "new kid" come last minute. so what could have actually been an unplanned day off (which never happens) … and i was stuck here with all day with a drop-in kid. nothing against him at all … he’s a good kid. just threw me off all day. i am so overdue for a vacation day … i think the last one i took was back in november … or was in august?

speaking of daycare stuff … and being able to say a few things about the job without upsetting anyone or having anyone taking it too personal. i found this blog a while back … have no idea how i even came across it. but i thought it was hilarious to read … it’s not all mary poppins. such funny stories about her daycare kids … i can totally relate and makes me realize all the stuff here is normal. and to quote her. "a childcare provider is expected to be a superhuman mix of the madonna and mary poppins, ever patient, loving, kind, always delighting in the sweetness of her charges. i don’t do such a bad job, all in all, and it’s far more likely the parents than the children who strain my sanity most days. but i’m here to tell you: it’s not ALL mary poppins". love that. i’m not saying i have issues with the parents … don’t get me wrong. i don’t. i just didn’t want to edit her quote. lol! i’m just saying that i love her outlook. the way she sees the day-to-day job in a funny, sarcastic way. we’re dealing with little itty-bitties … we take our humor where we can find it. lol!

i have only left the house for 2 things this week. one of which was soccer signups last night. just a random thought. why is it that whenever i have to sit and fill out a form on the spot (meaning you don’t get the form until you get there along with a zillion other people) … i suddenly can’t remember my kids middle names, their birthdays, or their mom’s work number??? and yes, i’m the mom … and i work at home … so you’d think that would be easy. it’s like it’s too much pressure to answer everything there … and my mind goes blank. but i did it … and $160 later … the girls are signed up for their 6th year of soccer.

the other place i have gone this week is starbucks. one thing that helps keep me sane … makes my day just a little brighter. sad, but oh so true. and today the dude working the drive-thru said … "would you like an extra shot of expresso added to your drink … for just 55 cents it will make your day THAT much more amazing". and you know what … i almost did it … he was that convincing. and my day was certainly NOT amazing … so the idea that for 55 cents it could GET amazing was tempting. lol! but i was already feeling jittery from not yet having caffiene … and it was already after lunch. so i passed.

i know, i know … this is truely important stuff i’m blogging about tonight! this is what my week has become. i’m so sorry. lol! the girls get back tomorrow from disneyland. maybe having them back will help my creative juices start flowing once again. let’s hope so!!!