KATHRYN R. BIEL: AUTHOR

So, the last six weeks or so have been pretty stressful around here.  I had a God-awful situation at work that almost cost me my job (well, my big fat mouth almost cost me the job, but I was standing up for what I believed in).  Pat's big fat mouth assisted in him parting ways with his job.  He had another one lined up (phew!), but it is a year-long contract, so he'll be in limbo this time next year (not phew).  The week or so in between Pat's job transition was not smooth sailing and he had some crises about where his life is going, how will he support the family, and what does he really want to be when he grows up.  And the fact that he can't really answer that question in his mid-40's added more stress.  To say he was a little grumpy, irritable and overall unpleasant would be putting it mildly. Pat started the new (old) job, and things calmed down there.  I headed into my busiest weeks at school with annual reviews coming out the wazoo. ...

What a few weeks it's been! Let's rewind.  A few weeks ago, I was dealing with a very stressful and difficult situation at work (on top of the regular work stuff).  While it was resolved, there was a whole lot of stress that didn't need to be there if people had just stepped up and done their jobs.  Seriously, the situation could have been resolved 18 months ago. And while I was I was dealing with that, Pat unexpectedly quit his job.  Things had come to a head there, and he was contacted by a former employer at just the right time.  However, the former (now current) employer is a contract position, which leads to an unsettled feeling in the house, as we are not sure what Pat's job situation will be one year from now.  Pat had a week or so off in between jobs, but he does not do well with downtime. It was a very difficult week during the transition, not knowing if the new (old) job would be a good fit and was a good decision to make. Pat started the ne...

In this day and age, we, as parents are so busy making sure that our kids are well rounded, uber-educated and excel in everything, that sometimes we don't have time to teach our kids the truly important things in life.  There are days where I am so busy going from point A to point B, while reviewing spelling words, working on a book report and beginning sight words that I forget to help my kids become worthwhile people.  Since I suffer terribly from Mommy ADHD (see  this post ), I thought I should write down the things that I really want my kids to know. You will have plenty of friends but only one mother.  This may make you hate me at times, since I am not cool like other kids' moms and I do not let you do what ever it is you want to do.  That is fine with me.  I am setting boundaries and guidelines because it is what's right.  It does not make me a cool parent, but it makes me a good parent. It will not be easy, but always do what is right....

You know how when you're going along, and things seem all peachy, then WHAM!  You get hit and good and you can no longer tell up from down.  That's where I am now. I'm having a crisis of career, which, in turn, is leading to a crisis of conscience. I sooooooo want to quit my job right now.  However, this is not feasible.  On the first front, I am trying to justify to my husband why I can't work full time.  He just does not understand my need to be home at least some of the time for the kids.  So, being unemployed would not fly.  Secondly (sorry to admit this), but money. I certainly don't make tons, but I do contribute fairly to our household.  Thirdly, benefits.  In order to have health insurance, I have to work. Those are the logistics about it from my end. What is prompting this, you might ask. I'm frustrated and feel impotent.  I keep getting handed situation after situation where someone did not or has not done what he or ...

Things (in no particular order) that make me feel guilty: Eating onion rings (or fried food in general) Not wanting to go to church Wanting to read instead of cleaning Being at work when one of my kids has a school function Being home when there is more I could be doing for the kids at school Going shopping instead of taking care of the house Wanting to read instead of playing with the kids Knowing that I should be writing session notes or evals Wasting time on Facebook Not letting my kids have friends over because the house is a mess Not going to church Ordering take-out because I'm too tired to cook That it matters so much to me how I look Wanting to quit my job just because it's hard Reading really smutty novels Secretly wishing that good players on the opposite team would get hurt Throwing out cat food cans because they're hard to clean to recycle The fact that I love gossip Not using coupons because I haven't felt like cutting them Throwing o...

So, that's what the doctor said about my son today.  "He's perfect."  He says it almost every visit.  He's been saying it since Jake was an infant.  I never grow tired of hearing it. I know my son is not perfect.  He never has been, and never will be.  I could list his faults, but I won't.  They are for me to know and no one to find out.  Jake turned 8 yesterday, and I'm still marveling at how this could be.  How could my little boy be so grown up?  Where have the years gone?  Jake is growing into a wonderful young man.  He is so smart.  He has a great sense of humor. He's polite (to others at least), and kind and courteous.  He is honest, painfully so, and cannot tell a lie.  He really should have been born on February 22, to share the day with George Washington.  Jake is such a good kid.  He is that kind of guy. He was delighted with the ipod Pat and I gave him for his birthday.  I even ...

I'm going on a much needed play date.  In 22 minutes.  I have to get through the next 22 minutes.  My husband has to get home.  I have to tune out the kids yelling at each other, and pretend that I don't see them attempting to hit/kick/bite each other.  21 minutes to go. The car is all packed.  I'm going to a friend's house, to scrapbook.  To sit with a bunch of women I don't know, and it will be great.  20 minutes. The children are now attempting to fart on each other.  In addition to being really loud, juvenile and annoying, the room (my bedroom, mind you) is getting smelly.  19 minutes. This week has been one of those overwhelming weeks where I'm just tired and running low on reserves.  I hope that my play date will help recharge the batteries.  18 minutes. Sophia didn't nap, yet again.  But tonight, it's totally not my problem (or, TNMP as Jake likes to say).  It's gonna be a long week home with the kids. ...