She's baaaaaack

While Casper was sick, I sort of forgot how energetic she is. Well, she's better now, and back to grins and mischief. Current concern is the cat, who instead of sensibly running away when Casper clambers over towards her with "must pet kitty" on the brain, turns on her stomach and raises paw in preparation for the bitch-slap. Silly kitty - if you whack the baby it will make the baby cry (loud noise, not pleasant for you) and will make the grownups angry. Learn to run away! You have lots of safe spaces. I suppose they will have to just sort it out. (mr. flea has an irrational fear that kitty will attempt to disembowel baby, or lacerate her eyeball or somesuch, but frankly I think if it came to it the cat is in more danger.)

Still not very interested in eating, perhaps on a lag from the illness? I suppose she is adequately nourished by milk and doesn't look skinny or anything, but she was such a gloriously enthusiastic eater and now it's two bits (or none) and sticking out the tongue in protest.

I read a book last night! Or part of one. Okay, it was a comic book (Doonesbury, The Search for Reagan's Brain, in honor of our late lamented), but still! Yesterday was my first day of taking the afternoon off the stay home with baby - partly to have baby playtime and partly to allow mr. flea more working hours. I had a good nap and feel great today. Sign that a 5 hour day really would be an ideal schedule for me. Some day.

Current fret: mr. flea goes out of town for a week, in 2 weeks (another rassin' frassin' National Laboratory. Stinkin' federales). Backup!nanny is moving back to CA, and we have no backup!backup!nanny. I don't want to stay home the entire time not covered by new!nanny, as that would be a lot (1 to 1.5 hours M, Th, F, plus all day Tues and W am.) What to do? Must scour social network for new backup!nanny.

Busy me - ignoring work

Just got a lovely email from a journal editor - I inetrviewed for the job of book review editor two summers ago. Was second choice. The position is open again and they'd 1) kept my resume and b) hunted me down at my job (which they did not have any info on - must've found me through google) to see if I'm interested. Flattered. Have not checked web site to see what salary is, but unless it's astronomical, no point leaving my current setup. Still, NICE!

Reading a survey of graduate students who need child care (graduate student association is pondering developing a co-op). It's HEARTBREAKING. The crying needs - down to "I had to send my baby home to China to my mother because I couldn't afford to keep her here." Boy does our country have a serious problem in this area.

My grandmother's house will be put on the market in July, unless I can come up with several hundred thousand dollars, or means to borrow same. Sob. Also, my mother called last night wanting money (half-fantasy, half-serious) to buy land her friend is selling on Martha's Vineyard, also in need of several hundred thousand dollars. Why don't we have scads of money??? (How sad is it that my mother wants to borrow money from me??) Actually, hivemind question - can anyone recommend resources (web or print) about researching buying real estate as an investment? The only way I can get my head around saving grandmother's house is to buy it and rent it full time (it is in a desireable/vacation area) to cover the mortgage. But I am not knowledgeable in this area, and don't know where to start to learn if this is feasible.

Places never thought I'd be

Sitting on the edge of the tub, Reagan's funeral playing in the background, singing "rubber ducky", shaving my legs while watching the baby play in her bath.

I got a phone call from another person at that journal later this afternoon. Got more details about job. Pluses: 4 weeks of vacation annually, new building, my own office, cherry furniture. Job upgraded since I applied, so higher salary. Minuses: current director very down on telecommuting (person I spoke to, who would be my boss, not happy with director.) Would have to formally apply and compete with all comers. Stupids: neglected to ask what salary hiring range would be.

Hmmmmm.