Life According to Megan

January 4, 2011

2011-01-04T19:08:00.004-05:00

Today was a busy, busy day at work so I had to clear my head. Despite the fact that it was 29 degrees outside and windy as hell, I thought a short run would be a great idea. Well, while it may have been painful to run in that cold and wind, my time was really fast.

See that time? 29:16 for 3.3 miles! That's under a 9 minute mile! While that's not the best time I have ever gotten, I haven't run consistently since October so that's a plus.

Of course, no day would be complete without a picture of my little man, C.

Here he is in engrossed in Toy Story, his new favorite movie of the moment. Yesterday it was Bolt, today Toy Story. I can only hope he will move on to a new favorite again soon as Mommy and Daddy get tired of watching and reciting these movies over and over. :)

More tomorrow.....

365 Photo Project 2011

2011-01-03T13:45:00.001-05:00

365 Photo Project 2011

I just heard about this project and I think it is a great way to chronicle 2011, especially since I forget to write but I never forget to take a picture. I will begin tomorrow chronicling my year in pictures. Thank you to Danielle for a great idea!

It's Been a Long Time....

2008-06-28T08:21:00.002-04:00

I guess I haven't had time. Or perhaps I have but have filled up that time with other things instead of writing. In any case, because of requests from some of my blog fans (and I swear, I didn't know I had any nor can I understand why they are fans to begin with), I am turning over a new leaf and will chronicle more about my life.

Lets start out with a little update. Since September of last year (I know!!! I have already acknowledged it has been far too long!), Jon and I have almost completed all the work on our new home. With coats of paint, new furniture and more TLC than I care to think about, the house looks completely different. (And thank God because that woman who lived here before us was definately impaired in home decorating...I won't be mean but I could be, really mean.) I have been freed from the clutches of Goodspeed and work at Middlesex Hospital. I love my job; raising money for such a worthy cause is rewarding and the people I work with are a joy to see everyday.

Travel-wise, I have gone to California and Colorado. I have now visited every state in the United States that begins with the letter C. (Random, I know). If you are ever looking for somewhere to go with beautiful scenary, friendly people and tons of activities, visit one of these places. AMAZING. Some of our friends have gotten married, had children, are now expectant parents and bought new homes of their own. It has been a huge year, to say the least.

I promise that while my life is busy, I will write (and often, maybe). I look forward to sharing more and hope all of you who have requested more blogging are appreciative. ; )

Parenting or How Not to Get a Night's Sleep

2007-09-17T16:35:00.000-04:00

I have a new respect for parents, especially those battling the trials and tribulations of an infant. I am sitting at my desk, at work, barely able to keep my eyes open for one more second. The reason: my 1 month old niece Kaylee. Now, you're probably thinking from the picture that she is a little angel, a true bundle of joy. Well, let's just say that at 3:30 am, I would rather be sleeping than staring into those beautiful little eyes...and I can now say this is a fact and no longer speculation.

Jon and I thought it would be a nice gesture to give my brother and his fiance tickets to the Goodspeed Opera House for the night. They are new parents and usually any time away is a much needed solace. The overnight stay was my brilliant idea. I thought Jon and I could get a dose of parenting since we are thinking of starting our own family. I never considered that while I have been around Kaylee for hours, all day long even, I have never played guardian to such a young child overnight and never without her mother within earshot.

Matt and Krystina, Kaylee's parents, dropped Kaylee off around 6 pm and proceeded to bring a parade of equipment into our house. Stroller, car seat, Papasan chair, a bag with four extra outfits, a bag of bottles, a diaper bag, a carrying sling, a co-sleeper, blankets, all of this to care for a tiny baby girl. As the excited parents were ready to make their exit, they realized that while we had every contraption under the sun to transport and clothe the little one, we could not feed her because they forgot the formula. Jon and I told them it was "no big deal" and that we could easily go to Stop and Shop and buy some. With that, the parents were off.

Jon and I were meeting Matt and Jordan at their house for dinner and began to pack Kaylee up to leave after a diaper change. She was content in her car seat and we thought everything was fine. Until I put her car seat in my tiny Mitsubishi and realized that I was destined to have my knees to my chin the entire car ride. Lovely. At least Kaylee was comfortable. After a quick stop at the grocery store, we were on our way to dinner and a relaxing evening with adults (and Kaylee). The dinner and social time was without incident. Kaylee mostly slept and ate, and ate, and ate. I have never seen a child eat so much, which leads to the next topic. The Blowout.

Around 10 pm, Jon and I were home and ready to relax when all of a sudden, this ungodly noise came out of Kaylee. She pushed, she grunted, she cried for approximately twenty minutes, at which time a stench emanated from her that could have gagged a skunk. We had been warned of her affinity for late night poop-fests, but WOW! I was impressed. Needless to say, Jon and I played rock-paper-scissors to see who would have the honors of changing her. We both lost as it took four hands to prevent poop spillage. Gross.

Thinking that Kaylee had consumed her weight in formula, had a fresh diaper and was wearing her adorable pajamas, perhaps she would go to bed. In her pack and play. Not the co-sleeper. Not in our bed. Well, we were wrong, wrong, WRONG! Kaylee had her own ideas. She wanted to be held, for a long time. I rocked her to sleep and thought I could tip-toe into the bedroom and put her in the pack and play. She wanted no part of that. Then I tried to place her in her co-sleeper in the pack and play. No dice. Then I put her in the co-sleeper in our bed. Voila! Quiet baby. For an astounding ten minutes.

Most of the next hour was spent feeding Kaylee, walking around my house rocking and burping her, trying in vain to put her to sleep. Finally, around midnight, I was able to place Kaylee in her co-sleeper where she slumbered soundly...until the cat decided to knock every bottle in the kitchen off the counter, spilling powdered formula everywhere and waking the baby. Jon promptly threw himself out of bed, walked into the kitchen, bowled the cat across the floor, cleaned up the formula and went back to bed. My task, being the lucky one, was to make Kaylee sleep again. You have not lived until you have fed a baby leaning against the wall all the while thinking your back just might give out from the muscle pain and tension. At 12:30 am, after all the failed attempts, Miss Kaylee slept undisturbed until 3:30 am when she awoke for a bottle and then until 7 am when she needed another bottle and a diaper change.

Early Sunday morning, we realized that we were almost out of diaper wipes, which could be attributed to The Blowout. Jon ran to Dunkin' Donuts and Stop and Shop to pick up more baby supplies and caffeine. The minute he left, Kaylee fell asleep. I practically sprinted into the bedroom to lay her down on the bed and within minutes, both she and I were in the Land of Nod. Two hours later, I awoke to the smell of coffee and a bustle of activity in the kitchen. Jon had made breakfast and was rather attentive as long as he didn't need to take care of Kaylee by himself. I never would have guessed such a tiny girl could scare an adult man to such an extent, but apparently, she can.

Everything must have been going well since we again realized we were almost out of diapers. Jon AGAIN had to go to Stop and Shop. Mind you, the parents were supposed to bring all the supplies but Kaylee is known as the PeePee Primadonna. If the diaper gets the slightest bit wet, it must be changed and it needed to be done ten minutes ago. This being said, you can imagine the number of diapers this kid goes through in a day. Far. Too. Many.

After the final trip to the grocery store, Jon painted doors outside, Kaylee fell asleep in her Papasan chair and I stayed inside to take a shower. Occasionally, you hear about the new mothers who are not able to take a shower for days and you wonder how it happens. I know how it happens. It's easy. You are so concerned for the needs of this little being, you will do anything in your power to keep her from crying. Including staying filthy. For days. I know I barely had time to finish my shower and blow dry my hair before she needed another bottle. Bleary-eyed, I cleaned up the house, gathered her things, sat on the floor and dozed while waiting for her parents.

People say that when it is your child, "it's different."And they are absolutely right, it is different. You can't give them back and you get far less sleep. Truly though, Kaylee is a wonderful baby and considering that she was away from her parents for the first time overnight, she did well. But caring for a child gives you appreciation for parents and the sacrifices they make for their children. Parenthood is not for the faint of heart.

My Neema

2007-08-26T00:11:00.000-04:00

I am exhausted. I am sitting here and can't fall asleep. My grandmother died today and I don't know what to say about it. I want to write something beautiful in tribute of her life; something heartwrenching to mourn the loss of such a wonderful woman, but I am at a loss. I just want to sit here and cry.

She had been sick for a long time; she had emphysema for ten years or so. For the past two years, every time she became ill, my family thought this would be her last battle. She fought to come to my wedding (which she didn't make due to a bought of vomiting), she fought to see her grandchildren make milestones like graduate college or become parents and finally, she fought to meet her great granddaughter Kaylee...with her final goal met, she could be at peace.

I received the phone call that she was likely dying this afternoon, almost exactly at noon. My father called my cell phone just as I was sitting down to start my hair appointment. I told him where I was and he said not to hurry, that this had happened so many times before she would probably make it through this too. I considered leaving but he said no, so I stayed.

Around 1:30, my father called my cell phone again. I was still in Glastonbury, finishing up getting my hair colored and cut so I did not hear my phone. I did not hear my phone until I got in my car around 1:50, at which time I checked my messages and heard, "she passed". I called my brother and asked if my father had really said Grandma was dead and he said yes. Of course I did not leave in time, of course I would have to be almost an hour away from her home, of course my husband would have to be white water rafting today of all days. Of course I was planning on visiting her today anyway, before any of this even happened. Of course I felt awful. Of course.

On the way to her house I reflected on all the things this woman was to me. She was the woman who spoke in the Marge Simpson, raspy, "I have smoked a pack of cigarettes one too many times" sort of voice. She was the only person in the world who was allowed to call me Meggie. She never cared how often she saw me, she always made me feel so loved whenever I was there.

Her husband, my grandfather, who died twelve years ago, was my favorite grandparent. When he died, my grandmother easily stepped into his shoes. She was witty, cranky, demanding but a loving and proud woman. My Neema and Pop-Pop gave me my love for Cape Cod, my ability to swim, my love of singing and music, so many things that made me who I am today. I just can't believe I will never hear her speak ever again, never see her crazy "Don King" hair as we referred to it toward the end. I will tell my children about her, I will remind my niece Kaylee how she did meet her great grandmother when she was two days old and how proud she was to hold her.

I hope and pray that she is at peace with her husband at last. I hope that she has been able to find the peace that her last few hours on this Earth did not provide. I know that my tears are selfish because she no longer has to suffer, she no longer has to fight for every breath she takes and for that I am grateful. In the end she gave up the struggle to love, telling my mother that she had to go, and for that I am grateful as well.

I lovc you Neema and I will miss you. Tell Pop Pop that I still miss him and love him dearly and that he would have loved the man I married. I wish you all the love and peace in my heart. Goodbye for now.

Thoughts on friends I have never met....

2007-08-17T09:22:00.000-04:00

I find it strange that certain people are able to make an impact on one's life while being oceans away. Months ago, I received a friend request on Myspace from a woman named Mel. She did not appear to be one of the buxon, porn-like spam girls who pollute the site but I still did not accept her as a friend, being leery of viruses and such. A little while later I received a message from her, saying that she was not a phisher but instead a genuine person who saw my wedding pictures on my page and wanted to be friends. I couldn't resist checking out her site and when I did, I discovered she was from Australia and was in fact a real person.

From the day that I befriended Mel on Myspace, I have found that she is a lovely person. She is a magnificantly talented photographer with a smile that even in pictures, lights up the room. I read her blog and visit her Myspace and Facebook pages often, wanting to find out more about her life. It makes me sad that she lives such a distance away from good old Connecticut. I see her as a person that I could be great friends with. She appears to be a genuinely happy individual of which there seems to be a shortage of in my life. Perhaps I have romanticized her to be something she is not, but I would like to hold onto my image of her. :)

Why all this fuss about a woman who I have never met in person, a woman who I may never meet? Allow me to clarify.

Since the beginning of 2007, my life exploded (and not solely in a negative manner). A family member got arrested and went to jail, my cousin announced she is moving to San Diego, my brother and his fiance became parents, my husband and I bought a house...and the list goes on. Many of my friends do not know about any of these events because they have decided to move into the acquiantance bracket. They do not call, email, text, write...you name it, they don't do it. Over and over I wracked my brain and heart about how awful this made me feel. I wondered why I am the one who must maintain all the relationships in my life. Then it dawned on me...they aren't true friends. They blamed me for not inviting them out, for not calling them, for not emailing and no fault was placed upon their plate. When I needed them the most, I would say perhaps a few of them were concerned but I would not say they were pillars of support. And I allowed myself to go to the dark place of blame and anger; why did my friends disappoint me?

One day, while checking my Myspace mail, I came across a message from Mel. In her message, she asked how the house was coming along, whether we were moving yet. She asked many questions about my life, as a person who actually cares. Like I have said many times over: this is a woman who I have never met and yet she knows what is going on in my life. She has lifted my spirits on some days when no one could break through my doldrums. So, for all this Mel, I say thank you. You have impacted my life in ways I can't explain and all from thousands of miles away. I wish there were more people in the world like you.

Let me introduce myself.....

2007-07-17T15:26:00.000-04:00

So here it is, the first blog I have ever written. I am not much for blogging but since I am out of practice writing, I figured I would brush up on the old composition.

Here are a few facts about me:
I am a 28 year old married woman. I got married last year on June 10 in Glastonbury, CT with a reception at the Goodwin Hotel in Hartford. It was the most amazing day of my life. After a blissful honeymoon in St. Lucia, I returned to live in East Haddam with a wonderful husband, adorable cat named Shortbus and a crazy chinchilla named Loki. I have no children as of yet and as a result, have time to create this blog. : ) I work at Goodspeed Opera House in Development which in essence, is a fancy word for fundraising. Overall, my day to day life is rather weird since I live above a woodshop which my husband and I own. Everyday consists of stumbling blocks, freak outs about things falling, bitching about the wooden shower stall (YES, I said wood shower!!!), and crankiness about our living situation in general. I will post pictures when I have them so you too can appreciate the wood shower and other such woodshop fun.

My husband Jon and I have just purchased a small but cute home in Colchester, CT. (And no matter how small, it beats the woodshop!). We can't move in until the end of August/early September but it is well worth the wait. The house is perfect because it is almost equidistant between my family and his. My family is insane, literally. Each and every time I visit them, there is more drama and excitement. (We will get into them in another post since that deserves way more time than I can devote right now). His family is a large Italian family which has its own drama but since most of his extended family lives in Norwalk, we are rather removed from it all. His family also deserves its own post....therefore, any of you who like a family story....stay tuned. My general interests include going to the gym, spending time with my family, drinking martinis with friends, playing with my cat, going to the theater, traveling and enjoying an occasional cigar and glass of wine with my husband.

As I am at work right now, (and yes, the boss left early which would explain the blogging), I should get back to some work-related activities. More another day on life according to me.