Mark woke up last night with a crazy dance with acid reflux.  Poor guy.  It didn’t sound fun.  End result was him calling in sick.  Which meant that he was taking the day to chill… and I thought this would be the perfect chance for him to bond with his daughter while Mom enjoyed free hands to get some things done.  Oh yah baby, I scrubbed the kitchen floor.  I vacuumed.  I did laundry (which reminds me, I need to put in a new load…).  Really – it was lovely.

I’m PM’g a new development project.  It’s stright forward, we’re implementing a custom appplication for site B, which we just finished designing for site A through the same company.  That’s a good thing, it means they liked the application.   In the mean time, I’ve got some work to do.  I need to sort out the additional license needed to install another instance of Expression Engine and cut up site A into proper css/html (it’s a horrible mess of html and tables right now).  It’ll keep me busy for the next couple of days.

AO finally got back to me.  Looks like we’ll be starting her Cafe Press project soon.  I need to refresh on that one since it’s been several weeks since I looked at it.  I also need to finish with GM’s gallery skin.

Even with these guys to keep things going for the next few weeks, work is quite a bit slower than it used to be.  I’m currently looking for work-from-home part-time positions that can bring in some supplimental income.

About time for bed.  I love bed time.

 

taking a break

I’m taking a short break from work.  I need to use a different side of my brain.  Well, any part of my brain, really.  At the moment I’m doing tedious data entry.  It’s great – we need the money.  It’s something I don’t know that I’d trust very many people with since it’s for my client.  One of those tasks that takes some level of intelligence, but little to no skill.

*yawn*

We are launching this thing tomorrow.  So I have to finish everything off by tomorrow morning.  Its about freakin’ time!  It was supposed to launch November, but due to the usual delays it’s now January.  I’m sure the client will have additional tweeks after launch.  He always does, heh.

Today was our last birthing class.  I don’t know that I’m ready to part with my classes.  I have my notes.  We’ll be practicing our breathing and communication, etc etc.  I know.  We’ll be fine.  I’ll be fine.  I’m just not ready for them to be over.

Tomorrow we have an ultrasound.  Next Saturday a hopsital tour.  The Saturday after is the shower.  The following week is our new parents class.  Then it’s the end of January and Feburary will be here.  She’ll be here in Feburary … well, unless she’s late!

 

Website Release

Gospel Messenger’s website is up.  I still need to skin Gallery (or comperable) for them and then we’ll be finished with the site.  All in all, I’m happy with the finished product.

 

Well, today was rather productive.  I made some headway in getting the books sorted and/or stored.  There’s a couple more boxes that came out of my trunk… other than that, I’m finished!  Wohoo!  I entered everything that’s in storage into a spreadsheet so we can easily locate them.  Next I need to enter the “active” books which will give us a full overview of what we have on hand.  Next is to find homes for the HUGE stack that we’re getting rid of.  I’m hoping the school will take most of the tech books.

One of my clients has been a good source of residual work.  I have enjoyed working with them, overall.  One of the frustrations of a company in their particular position is to identify the corporate look that is going to be pursued.  So there was a lot of back and forth and a lot of changes as too many “cooks” inputted their vision.  I was concerned about the cost of all these changes, but they understood the hows and whys.  With economic concerns they are now looking for ways to cut back cost, and I’m it!  Ah well, thus is life.  Turns out a friend of the family is a designer on the side and offered them a 30% cut over my rates.  He’s local to them as well.  It’s been wonderful working with the to date and I hope everything works out well with the new guy.

Freecycle is wonderful.  If you haven’t heard of it or don’t use it – you should google it and start using it.  It’s a great way to keep items out of landfils, and find items that you need/want/are looking for.

 

in the cradle

I woke up the middle of the night and laid my hand on my belly.  It woke me up more.  I was startled by how BIG it’s getting!  The transision from my belly to my lower pelvis is smooth and curved when I’m laying down.  It was – weird.  Great and all that, but weird!  According to Baby Center the kid is going through a growth spurt this week and the next few weeks.  So we should see some more interesting changes.

I just put the connection together between Shiela’s part yand the baby.  It’ll be a fun night, as always.  This time there will be a whole bunch of family touching my belly.  Am I ready for that? ha ha.  It’ll be lovely.

I’m 18 weeks (give or take a few days).  EIGHT-TEEN-WEEKS!  Oh my gosh.  This is going so quickly already.  How is it that something can go so slow, and so fast at the same time?  We have so much work to do.  This weekend has to be commited to homework (outside of garage sales this morning and Sheila’s party this evening!).  I have a section of my Speech project due Monday – that’s the biggest and first due.  After that is some items for CSCI.  Enough listing… this weekend is homework, next week I have to buckle down and focus on getting that garge either cleaned out or better originzed.  We are going to have to store Mark’s studio equiptment for the time being.

Oh Kogent.  I have Kogent work to do this weekend as well.  Right.  Enough listing.  I’ll have a panic attack.

I can’t sleep.  I generally wake up anytime after 1 or 2am.  The night before last I worke up at 2:40am and couldn’t get back to sleep until 5am.  This morning I was off and on all morning until I gave up at 5:16am and got up.  What the heck is up with this?

To buy the bedding now or wait?  It’s only a few months until the shower, but what if the design is no longer available then?  I wouldn’t be so concerned except I haven’t found another set that I like as much as this one.  What should I do?

 

i love family

Today I attended Freelance Bootcamp in Santa Cruz.  It was a good event for it’s type.  BarCamp style it provided an opportunity for local freelancers to interface with each other and discuss the issues that we all run into.  What I took away from it was the reminder that a lot of business people are in difficult places of “lost” when it comes to thinks that I am accustomed to.

I have recently been working with non profits and am stunned (although not surprised, because I suppose I already knew it) how confused they are, railroaded, and walked on when it comes to “technology”.  This includes their office networking all the way to website and print work.  I’m mulling over developing a branch of Kogent to reach out to these non profits and help in this difficult area.  First I’d like to do some research… calling a few NP and seeing if what I’m experiencing is true across the board or only in certian size or organizations.  I recieved positive responses from the NP’s I discussed this with today.

It would make my work more fullfilling.  Which is always a good thing.

In baby news – our lil’ one is growing.  According to BabyCenter’s weekly emails, we now have a lime. A LIME!  I’m not sure how I feel about this.  Not even born yet and already growing too fast!

Friday Mom and I went to Babies R Us to start the shopping.  I found a funiture set that I adore.  Mom was ready to write a check on the spot, but I told her wait – breathe.  We need to shop around and make sure this is the right one and the best price.

On a side note, Mark and I had an icky fight about some design differences for the nursery.  It makes me happy that we resolved it the same day and we did it pretty well.  He’s a good guy.  I wish I could remember that when I dislike him so.

Some time ago I was “adopted” by my friend’s family.  It’s been years and I don’t see them nearly as much as I would like, but they are still my extended family and I love them dearly.  “Mom” wants grandkids badly… so she’s quite happy that I’m workin’ on one for her.  I knew she would be, but after some email exchanges this evening I am amused and reminded how much I adore her.  I sent the baby news to them via email with a picture of the ultrasound (as many of you were informed the same way).  Her first words?  “Congratulations.  When do I get to hold the baby?”.  I couldn’t stop laughing.

 

sing unto the lord a new song

Oakley home prices have tanked.  I’d be curious to see how many of these “cheap” houses are foreclosures or short sales.  Looking at that area, I’m getting a better understanding of how all of this is effecting the economy on a large scale.  I suppose I needed to see something a bit closer to home than just reading about it.

Yesterday I was witness to Madison’s birth.  Wow – that’s all I can sum it up as.  Intense, amazing, beautiful.  Those all work as well, but do not capture the entirety of the experience.  It was -

 

a blessing.  <em>She</em> is a blessing.

 

Reminded me how well I do with “blood and guts” and put another notch on the pro side of pursuing nursing.  I made an appointment to speak with a different counselor.  If she’s anything like the last woman, I will stop her and force her to slow down and talk to me!  My first appointment was a whirl wind where she shoved papers in my arms and kicked me out the door.  The gal I’m meeting with next week heads up the “Women in Transition” classes, so she should be perfect.

I am almost finished registering for the Fall semester.  I have 12 credits/units registered and am considering adding one more.  Fifteen may be too much.  Intro to computer programming, ASL 2, English 1A, and intercultural communications.

My latest yearnings are leaning towards nursing or education.  While design and programming interest me.. I just don’t know that I want to go that route.  I could take some course work in those fields to see if I have a knack for them or not.  That’s the beauty of a JC.

I spoke with a client today who is too large for us to handle with his current needs.  I thought I could manage the project and run it through independent developers, but it’s just not working out.  With their particular situation it makes more sense to have a team of developers and/or an in-house guy.  My perfect setup for them is an in-house “lead” who can then coordinate resources as needed to complete the project.  So we’re doing that.  We will develop a job description, post it, and interview for them.  Once we narrow down the canidates I will send them to my client for the final selection.  From there we will work with the newbie to get him/her settled, do an info drop.  Wahla.  I will still be on board for graphic design, but let someone else take the lead on development.

It’s difficult for me to go this route.  I’m learning how to accept my limitations and to recognize the areas I need growth in.  Whether that be in my skills or in my resources.  Even in personal growth.  The latter is always difficult. Mirrors are painful.

Two weeks and one day.  I will be finished with the semester and on a plane to Portland.  I will try not to burry my nose in a book for the entire trip, but New Moon and Eclipse (Stephanie Meyer) are calling my name.  I finished Twilight within 24 hours… I could pull a marathon and read these two stright through.. and still have two days to enjoy the Pacific Northwest.  Very tempting.

Seeing my family is always enjoyable.  There is a peace there.  A beauty in relationships that are safe.

Relationships.  I learned some interesting things from Mr. Campbell this evening about relationships and Christ.  Things I need to chew on for a bit.

hum.

 

launch

Just launched my first site as Kogent.  Wohoo!

Mono Restaurant & Wine Bar

Now, I know at a fancy place like this I should have had a meal that sounded incredibly impressive.  I couldn’t resist.  I went for the grilled cheese

Grilled Cheese Panini | Gruyere | Fontina | Aged Cheddar | Oven Roasted Tomatoes | on Sourdough | Served with Cream of Tomato Soup

You can’t tell me that doesn’t sound fantastic?  Not to mention comfy and suddenly you miss Mom.

Lovely.

 

weekend end

It’s 7pm.  Sunday.  Is 7pm too early for bed?   The past 7 days have been exhausting – in a good way.   I walked up stairs and just laid on the landing.  It felt so good.

Not yet.  Soon, but not yet.

In celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day, I’m making a Beef & Guinness Stew with Brown Soda Bread.   So far it smells lovely.  This is my first stew, so I am a bit anxious.   If it turns out well, I will post the recipe.

Tomorrow evening we’ll be heading up north to Berkeley to celebrate proper with some friends – in a bar.  Oh yes.   Prepare to be smashed in with a ton of other people on the day everyone wishes they were Irish.   If for nothing else, just so they could hold their beer and have just one more.   I don’t know if I’ve ever gone out on the actual holiday.  Either a week night or the crowds have always kept me a way.   It’ll be an experience and I’m looking forward to the social time.

I’m enjoying this new peer group.   A Godsend to be sure, they are diverse and full of color.   Some glitter, some shine, some melt into loveliness.   I am feeling more comfortable around Angela, probably because I interact with her more often.   I wish it didn’t take me so long to open up to people and – chill -  But I am what I am and it is all for God’s glory.

Speaking of God – church was great.  Tyler did a bang up job talking about being plugged into Jesus.   A dozen people gave their life to Christ in the service we attended – I imagine there were more in first service.  It’s all so wonderful.   I peeked during the “raise your hand” part.  There was a guy sitting in the lower level.  Older.  Orange colored shirt.   Seeing him raise his hand – he held it high and kept it up.   Such a blessing.   So amazing.  He’s my brother and tho I’ve never met him, one day we’ll get to remember today together.  I will know him and share his experience.  It will be beautiful.

Tomorrow.  I might grab coffee with Lydia before she leaves town.   Work, of course.  Hopefully all’s well with TLP and my developer has been kicking ass over the weekend.   Mark should be finishing up Monkey and Imperial, which means I can launch their sites.   I need to get homework done and go to the gym.  That should pretty much fill my day.

You make everything glorious.

 

I figured out how to do something with CSS.  This makes me happy.  It’s simple… really.   Happy nonetheless.  Now that I’ve figured it out… I want to redo the class designations.   Must.resist.the.urge.  At least for now.  The important thing is to get the site up.. then I can fool around with the fine tuning.  Since it’s not something that effects the functionality of the site, I can address it at a later time.

Two projects are wrapping up at the same time.  They were supposed to be staggered out, but had client-related delays.  Now, I’ve got a lot on my plate for this week.  All in all, it’s going well and I’m feeling quite productive.