Biting my tongue

I am trying to be professional today but I'm having a hard time not going off on a co-worker.  I am a firm believer that it is impolite to discuss religion and politics in certain settings, especially work.  Almost all of us work in cubicle and can decorate the inside of the cubies however we see fit, fine by me.  When you start putting fliers on the outside I feel that then they are directed at other people and thereby open to my opinion.  One man, who already has several political bumper stickers on his car, most of which I find in direct contradiction of his employment, has decided to advertise his pro-gun stance to the entire office.  We work in law enforcement and are all required to carry a department issued firearm as well has legally able to purchase a carry other weapons.  If new,stricter gun laws are passed this would not change, because as I said we are law enforcement, but he firmly believes that his rights are being trampled.   He is something of a gun nut, despite this being a later in life career move. He has really embraced the weapon aspect with gusto, a gusto I find frightening.  I am completely anti-gun, I don't think private citizens should be able to possess handguns or assault rifles.  I somewhat understand hunting, so I can see rifles and shotgun being available with a permit and background check.  My job would be a lot safer if all handguns were illegal, so I have difficulty understanding why someone else in my field can be such a  proponent of unrestricted gun ownership.  What has really gotten under my skin today are the new fliers he posted outside of his cubie stating that more people are killed every year with hammers than with firearms.  The flyer even cites the FBI as the source of it's information.  I looked up the stats, something I assume you would  have done before buying into such an unbelievable statistic, and SHOCKER- it's incorrect.  While the number of homicides committed with "blunt objects" such as hammers or clubs is 496 in 2011, the total number of homicides committed with firearms is 8.583, not 323( http://www.fbi.gov) as this flyer would lead you to believe.  323 is the stat for rifles only in the firearm breakdown. 
This inaccuracies used in these types of arguments make me crazy.  While I may not agree, you are entitled to your opinion, but  I take issue with bending the truth to fit your argument and then forcing it down my throat.  I also take into question how you can properly do your job, working with a lower socio-economic population as well as minorities, when your other propaganda reveals you to be racist, misogynist and extremely anti-government.  Which is ironic because of your and your wife's current employment with the government.  . He has been confronted in the past by co-workers, after which he would leave anonymous Mitt Romney flyers on the chair and avoid future eye contact, proving himself to be cowardly.  It makes me want to scream

test

I'm testing out how to post pictures, this was a picture I took New Years Eve in our living room.

dream killer

My dreams of my yurt vacation were dashed last night.  We got home from work and I was trying to quickly throw together some sweet potato fries when we realized that the oven wasn't preheating.  There was a stronger than normal smell of gas and the temperature wasn't going up.  Luckily, the stove and broiler still work.  I go right into a panic trying to find repair options and warranty info.  We bought our house a little over two years ago and most of the appliances have run out of the warranties.  One of the biggest selling points of the house was that it had been completely remodeled in 2005 with all new high end appliances and other great features.  But now that these things are breaking, I wish the previous owners had cheaper taste.  I can't imagine what this is going to cost to have the oven repaired.  I got a recommendation for an appliance repair company and made an appointment for service.  Even if they fix it for cheap (fingers crossed), the yurt is already booked up for the weekend I was looking at.  The joys of home ownership.

As I sit here writing this at my desk at work, I can't help but wonder, WHO IS POLISHING THEIR NAILS???  I can't throw too many stones because I'm dicking around on the internet but really polishing your nails.  It stinks like paint lacquer in here now.  Who does things like that, we're all in cubicles, I can practically smell your breath let alone your chemically nail polish.  There has to be a better way to live. 

while away the hours

I've been daydreaming of a yurt I saw online.  It's the cutest rental in upstate NY and is an actual yurt, like in Mongolia.  They only have a few opening within the next two months so I'll have to decide soon.  The prospect of travelling with a little one is so daunting.  Having to pack everything, the long car ride, and the sleeping arrangements.  I like to find a place that has either a separate bedroom or a deck so that us adults can still hang out after the baby goes to bed.  He usually falls asleep around 8, so unless there's another place for us to be, we'd have to go to bed too, or sit on the bed whispering in the dark.  We went to Montauk in June and we had a little deck which was perfect.  It was right outside the room, so we could hear him and check in on him, but we were able to get a little hang out time too.  This yurt has a separate bedroom, and most of the space is open so I wouldn't have to worry too much about wandering or stairs.  The only real bugaboo is the weather, I'd hate to book the place then get caught in a snow storm.  As usual with me, I will over think it, then when I want to do it it'll be booked or the price will have doubled.  I love to daydream though. 

One other thing that's been on my mind lately is political campaign bumper stickers.  How long does a person keep them on?  Are there different rules for winners or losers?  I'm not a big fan of bumper stickers to begin with but I would be hesitant to put a political one of my car because I wouldn't want to drive around advertising that I supported the loser in a race.  Every time I drove would be a reminded that my team lost.  If they won, a what point is it gloating to still have your campaign sticker?  Too much to think about, glad it's not a busy day in the office.

Today

Today was one of those days that I haven't been able to accomplish anything.  I've wasted so much time staring into space today, starting a task then finding myself zoning out 5 minutes later.  I overslept, mostly because of a 4:00 am visitor to our bed who flailed around and bit me before finally falling back asleep.  That mad rush in the morning always throws me off.  I didn't have time to make coffee, I forgot my "healthy" snacks and my sneakers.  Luckily I was able to get coffee at work and managed to find some chocolate to snack on.  I've been trying to exercise at lunch, either taking a walk or going to the gym, but I can never get my act together to bring my sneakers or a change of clothes.  I really want to drop some weight before trying to have another baby but I've been having trouble finding time to excercise and when I'm tired all I want to do is eat.  Plus, I don't want to give up wine now knowing that I'll have to give up again through my pregnancies and nursing.  I guess I'm hoping that by some strange chance my wine diet and lack of exercise will make me lose weight.  If I could patent that I'd be a billionaire.

observations

I have no patience for slow driving sports cars.  If you spend that much money for a car made to go that fast, there is no reason a line of cars should be crawling behind you.

The best time to go to Toys R Us or any store for that matter is 2 weeks after Christmas- Holiday shopping and all the returns are done and the store is empty.

A lot of public bathrooms are windowless and have poor ventilation.

I hate Steely Dan.

A school bus shouldn't be able to keep their "stop" sign out for 10 minutes while the driver talks to a mother on the side of the road.  I could never beep at a school bus, so I just end up sitting there banging on my steering wheel like an idiot.

At least 5 times a day I want to scream "STOP TALKING"  at the top of my lungs at various people.

I don't trust people that don't like pizza or have the back window of their car filled with stuffed animals.

looking back

As the new year starts and everyone focuses on beginnings I can't help but look back on the past year.  How my baby boy has turned into this little person, no longer content to lay on his back staring endlessly at the ceiling fan but wanting to jump and climb and roar.  How he has begun to have emotions and express them, whether it's a belly laugh or biting down on target of his frustration.  It's amazing how much happens in that first year and how quickly it goes by.   Time is fleeting and I've really tried to slow it down and focus on what matters.  Spend time building experiences, even it's its just sitting on the couch watching a bad movie.  Taking it in for what it is. 
Those first few weeks with a newborn, where I waited and wished he'd grow faster, stay awake longer, play.  Partly out of my eagerness but mostly out of fear and uncertainty of this little being who seemed so helpless and so dependant on me.  I worried if I was meeting all of his needs.  Looking back those needs seem so basic but felt so monumental at the time.  Was he nursing enough?  Sleeping enough?  Was he getting a flat head?  Was he warm enough?  The nights were I laid awake listening to him breathing across the room, a bundle of nerves ready to jump at any sound.  That all seems so long ago, as I watch this little boy throw his arms back and race across the living room, just for the exhilaration of running.  The new found freedom and independence that comes with mobility.  His never ending curiosity in his surroundings and the joy he finds in everything, whether it be a new toy or old cheerio found on the floor. 
I try to just take it all in and enjoy the moment.  If this past year is any indication, the next one is going to fly by too and I don't want to spend any of it wishing it away.