We’ve had yet another rough week. Last Sunday, my daughter succumbed to the H1N1 virus, and by Tuesday had developed a minor case of pneumonia. Meanwhile, I ended up with bronchitis, a sinus infection and an ear infection. By Wednesday, we were sick, sick of each other and sick of this house. I don’t know which is worse — the illnesses or cabin fever.

Kids amaze me. They’re able to watch a movie or a show repeatedly; not just once or twice, but dozens of times in a row. We’ve been through all the stages, from The Wiggles to Disney movies and iCarly. Now, we’re on to Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean. This week alone we’ve watched “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” at least five times and “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” at least six. I shouldn’t complain — at least it’s not The Wiggles. That darn “Fruit Salad” song still gets stuck in my head. I’ll take Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom over four middle-aged Aussies any day!

It’s hard taking care of a six kiddo when you’re sick, too. We’ve played Webkinz online together, napped, eaten ice cream, coughed and sneezed for hours.  (For the record, Puffs Plus with the Scent of Vicks? You rock.) Unfortuntely, it’s been gorgeous outside, and we’ve all looked out the window longingly as our neighbors played ball, took walks and hung out in the cul-de-sac.

I think we’re on the mend, but we’re definitely sick of being indoors. Anyone got any tips on what to do this weekend? As long as it doesn’t involve the television, I’m game!

I know absolutely nothing about retail practices, so when I see that some item I really like is being discontinued, I take it personally. It never occurs to me that there may be more complicated issues at hand. “Supply and demand” to me means basically that I like something that virtually no one else does.

It all started with my favorite brand and make of jeans. I had finally gotten to that glorious Shangri-la that men reside in where I could just go into a store, pick up my side from the racks and check out without having to try them on.  These jeans were classic Levi’s that hit just below the belly button and had a straight leg.

But then came the explosion of the low-rise elephant bell jeans and my jeans were fazed out. You couldn’t find them anywhere and if you asked a salesperson he or she would look at you like you just asked where they’re corsets were located.  …CONTINUE READING »

My family has been urging me to get the H1N1 flu shot for a couple weeks now, and I have yet to give in. Actually, I’ve been playing dumb.

“I don’t even know where I can get it,” I told my dad when he called to recite the long list of reasons why I should get vaccinated.

“But you have asthma,” he said, “And you’re under 24. That’s two of the risk groups! Look on the Internet and find a doctor!”

True, I own a blue inhaler (though I have no idea where it is) and I will not be able to rent a car until January, but I would hardly say I am at “high-risk” for the Swine. Knock on wood!

Lately I’ve been hearing and seeing some ridiculously scary things about flu shots, from a cheerleader contracting dystonia (a nerve disease) after receiving a shot and can now only walk backwards, to some letter leaked by the Health Protection Agency in the UK. I’m not saying I believe all this hoaxy-sounding stuff, but there was one reported line I’ve heard that has stuck with me. It refers to the use of a similar swine flu vaccine in the US in 1976:
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Every year, for at least the past seven years, the company I work for has celebrated Oktoberfest with a chili cook-off. Not only is this a great excuse to eat and drink beer at work, but all of the proceeds go to a charitable organization.

Here’s how it works. All of the people who want to participate in the chili cook-off put their name on a list. People who want to bring other types of food — such as crackers, cheese, and desserts — sign the sheet as well. However, only the chili and soup recipes are eligible for the 1st and 2nd place prizes.

Our company also orders Oktoberfest glasses, which are available for $5 apiece. If you want to drink beer during lunch, this glass is essential. And for another $5, you get to sample and vote on all of the different varieties of chili and soup (yes, even if you brought food… but hey, it’s for a good cause).

As an additional fundraising effort, we shoot crumpled up newspaper into a garbage can – five balls for $1. There’s typically a 1st and 2nd place prize for this contest, and it’s fun to see how competitive some people get “shooting hoops” after a couple of beers. …CONTINUE READING »

I have finally learned the meaning of the statement ‘Do the thing you think you cannot do’. This statement is printed on a magnet that resided on our fridge for more than ten years. I would pass by and catch a glimpse of this powerful statement as I reached for eggs for breakfast, or got a glass of milk in the evening.  The statement always resonated with me, as I’m by nature a scaredy cat who tests very high for risk aversion.  Fear is a normal part of my life.

However, even after 10 years mulling over this statement, I never really got it. Until now that is. You see, I always thought the statement was about the ‘thing’ – you focus on the thing you are afraid of and force your way through to the outcome.  Recent events here at work have shown me a rather different, and much more comforting and workable viewpoint.

A recent re-organization meant I changed my job here at Kudzu, and it changed drastically. I was scared witless, thinking I did not have the skills or aptitude to manage the work required of me.  I was very much outside my comfort zone, forced there by circumstances not of my own making. That’s a scary place to be and I’ll admit I shed some tears over my imagined ineptitude.  Over the last several months I have had to face my fear and walk with it every day. I could not barrel through to the ‘thing’ on the other side, because there was no ‘thing’, there was just ‘do’.  DO the thing you think you cannot do. …CONTINUE READING »

Well, I’m not going to win “Mother of the Year.” At least, that’s how my microwave makes me feel. It quit working this week, and I am lost without it. I never realized how much I depended on it. But, now that it’s gone, I don’t know what to do. I guess that’s how it is with most appliances.

We’re definitely buying a new microwave this weekend. However, I can’t help but wonder, how did we ever manage without one? It’s become as important as a refrigerator to me. I know, you’re yelling at your computer screen as you read this, “Hello? Have you heard of an oven?” Yes, I know about the oven and I use my stovetop a lot, but I use it for defrosting, quick “nuking” and instant oatmeal – which my daughter loves and eats almost every day. The oven is just not a match for my need for speed and instant food – a need easily met by my microwave. …CONTINUE READING »

Every once in a while, we try to have some fun here at Kudzu. About once a month, we remove our busy selves from our bland but highly productive cubicles and offices, and come together as a team to eat, laugh and be merry! Hear, hear!

Last month, Annie and Laura organized a potluck and trivia lunch, and all Kudzuvians were encouraged to show off their culinary skills, dig up their random knowledge and fill their bellies with scrumptious, homemade food.

Click on for pictures!

If I earned a dime for each time I heard a friend or relative tell me, “I don’t know how you did it with twins,” well, I would have a lot of dimes. I heard the best variation of that statement from a friend who just had a baby last week, “How did you make it with twins? You deserve an award plus a million dollars.” Ah, if only.

The funny thing is, I don’t remember how we did it. I know we had a lot of sleepless nights, Excel spreadsheets and pre-made bottles. And, we had help for the first month. After that, we were left to our own devices. So, now that my friend is struggling to care for her newborn, I can’t help but think back to my own sleepless nights. It seems like it took forever to get the kids to the scene you see in this photo: playful, rested, not screaming at us for a bottle or a diaper change. …CONTINUE READING »