Back Home

I moved back to my apartment last night. The work is not entirely done, but what's left is just finishing touches, like the painting this morning. Nevertheless, much as I appreciated the hospitality and enjoyed the company of my host for the past week, it's good to be back in my own space.

I have a busy evening planned, with shopping and a Meet The Doula's Night in Palo Alto, but after that, I am taking the weekend OFF! I am in dire need of some Tobi Time. :) Just kidding, I don't think it's really a life-or-death situation. :) (See, see, my sense of humor is back!)

I called a potential client this morning and left a message, and I had a call from a fellow doula about another potential client around noon. This is good. Business is starting to pick up.

Now I'd better book that flight I've been talking about for days and take a look at some health insurance plans, too, if I have time.

Moody (What else is new?)

Yesterday's follow-up visit with a postpartum client went well. I feel complete with her, which is a relief. I was concerned that she would try to get me to continue working for her.

Unfortunately, everything else is on the downswing at the moment. Some things, like sleep, good conversation, a good cry, and my favorite music, have helped temporarily, but I'm still waiting on a more dramatic, lasting shift. I'm certainly due for one. :)

My productivity has been fairly low today, too. I did get some necessary reading done in preparation for an event next week, but otherwise, I've been goofing off. I guess a little goofing never hurt . . .

Now I've got 25 min to try to make a decision about flights for my upcoming conference . . . Wish me Luck!

Marbles in my head today

• Left over stuff from a number of interesting, enjoyable, and informative conversations yesterday.
• Work- and school-related projects: LLC, reference list, breastfeeding, back-up, CEU's, setting boundaries
• Flight for March Conference
• Hotel shuttle to and from airport for March Conference
• Food
• Work in apartment dragging out
• Covenant Group
• Money
• Health Insurance

Rain Again

It's drizzling and windy, which made my walk to the library quite invigorating. My prenatal last night went well. It was really good to get back into my business. My schedule is actually filling up quite nicely, which is good, because I tend to get more done when I have a full schedule than when I think I have all the time in the world.

I am getting ready for a conference through my school that will happen in March. It is interesting to be choosing sessions, etc. with my work as a postpartum doula in mind, instead of choosing them as a student midwife. I find myself making very different choices, but I still expect to enjoy the experience. Now I'm looking at flights.

Hugh Grant

I've watched 2 Hugh Grant movies in 2 days, and refreshingly, neither of his characters fit the stereotypical one that I always associate with him. You know what I mean. The diffident guy, with poofy hair and puppy-dog eyes, who is hot, but thinks so poorly of himself that he talks the whole movie to really make a move and so almost loses the girl. Think Sense and Sensibility or Notting Hill. Well, o.k., he was a bit like that in the first one I watched, Love Actually, minus the hair. But he was pretty different in About a Boy. I really enjoy watching actors who manage not to get stuck with being type-cast and do well in a variety of different rolls.

The rest of my life (outside the movies) has been up and down. Not particularly productive, and very moody. Some things have been very nice, but my emotional buttons are all on a hair trigger at the moment. Currently on a small up-swing due to fresh air, exercise, change of scene, etc. Now off to get more exercise and be minorly productive before a prenatal visit this evening.

Thunder by Social Agreement

When I was visiting my Aunts in PG over Christmas, one of them said, "Reality is a Social Agreement." Today, I had an experience of that when there was a loud rumbling overhead. I was under a flight pattern at the time, and wondered aloud whether it was a plane or thunder. The person I was with is also from "back east," and he had no more sense of how "real" the possibility of thunder in CA was than I did, but we agreed it didn't sound like a plane. Then came another rumble--this one distinctly thunder (by our agreement)--but the third rumble was definitely (we agreed) a plane. I wonder how I would have decided the matter if I'd been alone . . . hmm . . . food for thought. But if it was thunder, it's not surprising, as it has been very stormy. I don't even know if my power ever came back on, as I am staying elsewhere during the repairs on my apartment.

On another note, I watched Shreck the Third with my host last night. It's a pretty good movie, although there's not much new in it. It was certainly funny, but I thought Shreck 2 was more creative.

The rain let up long enough for a trip to the Farmer's Market this morning. I just love Farmer's Markets--food looks so much better when it is fresh, local, and out on the street. Blood Oranges are in season, and so are Madjool Dates. Mmmm, Nature's candy!

Anyway, I've got other stuff I ought to be doing, so I'll be logging off now . . . :)

Stormy

It's raining and blowing and my power is out. The last few days have been busy and fun. New Years with BF and Rockey Horror Live; quite funny once I got into the spirit of it. Successful client interview, hired on the spot! Very exciting--first time I've been hired as a birth doula. Now getting apartment ready for repairs in bathroom, which will begin next week. Better get home and back to work before the daylight fades.