So, just because I have been changing diapers for a living doesn’t mean that I have completely resigned in my position as headline news correspondant to the stars. (The Captain never ceases having opinions, sometimes she just resigns to share them entirely with her family…lucky them!)

So, a while back I heard a presentation done by a management consultant. He was attempting to show the aging “Baby Boomers” how to let go and let the next generation lead. Basically, his topic was succession planning. Anyone in the workplace knows that we are about to experience a major managment drain in the next 5 years as the Boomers head to Sunnyhill Manor.

Now, first off, we all know that the Boomer generation has some mad leadership skills that have served this country and many, many companies very well. However, some of them are in their 70’s now and it is time to retire and go fishing/golfing/drinking/whatever. So, as they exit the workplace who are they to leave in charge?

Typically this would be the next generation, which in this case is Generation X. Gen X is usually defined as those born from 1965-1980 (dates vary). The way I like to think of it is Gen Xr’s should know the following: the first video played on MTV, the name of U2’s first hit single, what night the Cosby Show was on, who Alex P Keaton is, why Zach and Kelly broke up, what Grunge is and who the two Corey’s are.

So back to the consultant. Well, Mr. Brilliant had this to say, “Skip Generation X completely, too few of them are management material, and go straight to training Generation Y (the Millenials).”

What?

Did he just say that? Before I could put on my cape and go WWF on this guy, some jokes were made about how he wasn’t entirely serious but basically Gen X was a bunch of overpaid slackers with inappropriate expectations due to the scars left from their parents’ divorces in the 80’s. Well, that and it is mostly Madonna’s fault.

Alight look, we all know that Generation X has its’ flaws. I mean, those of us who watched Reality Bites and said “Hell yes! Fight the Man! Don’t work at the Gap!” have some tendencies toward belief in corporate espionage and tend to be a bit too sarcastic for our own good. But does that mean that an entire generation should be discounted for leading this country and it’s corporations into the next era? Hell no!

After I took a deep breathe and realized this was just another typical Boomer talking I did some self-reflection. What does Generation X stand for and what do we have to offer? Everyone knows the Boomers are smart and motivated by their WW II era work ethic. However, they also tend to be stuck in their ways and unable to see the forest through the trees. They invented the 70-80 hour work week and they think that anything less is proof of non-committment.

So, what does Gen X we bring to the table? (besides a belief that Eddie Vedder is a demi-god and that flannel was a fashion trend worth recognizing?) Here’s what I think (I know you were waiting for this). I think that we haven’t yet shown the world what we have to offer. We haven’t stood as a collective voice and said that we want to be the leaders. We experienced a totally different reality than the Boomers, we saw divorce and MTV and a general lack of commitment from those who were leading us. Because of this, Gen X has an overdeveloped sense of entitlement about what we deserve from the world and highly attuned sense of sarcasm. But we are also smart, really smart. Some of my fellow X’rs are incredibly educated and also really committed to making family life a priority. I think we might be the generation to show the world what a real work-life balance can look like.

Yes, we demand a lot from our employers. We are the generation that saw the Family Leave Act come to fruition and we also have demanded equal rights for domestic partners. We care about the family (no matter what it looks like) because a lot of us were lonely kids. We want more for our kids and sometimes our work life takes a back seat.

However, America I ask you…is that such a bad thing? Does that disqualify us for leadership like that jackass consultant said? Or does it mean that we can show the next generation that you don’t have to work 70 hours a week in order to be the boss? I vote for the latter.

I have to say, as with most things that make me mad - like the scale, or So You Think You Can Dance result show night - this motivated me. This consultant threw down the gauntlet and said our generation wasn’t worth it. I say, not only are we worth it, we can be damn funny and real while we prove that we are. Come on people, show those Boomers’ who is boss (no not the 80’s television show, you Tony Danza lovers).

I don’t know about you, but I just want to make Mr. Huxtable proud.

Update: you must read this article. I found it after I wrote this and it is really great.

I don’t know how to explain my day other than, the children, they won.

The flag is on the field, people.

I actually went to the store and bought a greeting card, jelly and a melon… three items I didn’t really need, just to get the children out of the house. It didn’t help as they proceeded to make an ass out of me and fully prove that they are, in fact, in charge. They pulled crap off the shelves, whined, screamed and actually came to fisticuffs with each other over a steering wheel.

I am calling in sick tomorrow because my bosses are tyrants.

Well, I would write more but I can’t seem to unclasp one or both children from my ankle long enough to have a significant thought, let alone put it in writing. Being at home all day with the children is definitely a mental and physical challenge that leaves me longing for adult interaction and some time for myself. Seriously, I can’t even go to the bathroom without a child witnessing the act.

In other news, we have been frequenting the beach quite a bit. It has been really fun. I don’t particularly like all of the sand in my car and on my floor but I suppose it is worth it. On most days we take the BOB stroller and go for a run on Scenic all the way to the Carmel River State Park sign and back (about 3 miles) and then we stop and play in the waves for a while. Isaac loves this particular outing - I think he shares my awe of the ocean and he seems to be absolutely joyful there. Also, the Carmel beach is famous for all of the dogs on the beach, which Isaac adores. He runs and chases the dogs and he has even made a friend with a labradoodle named Gracie. She seems to be there everytime we are and she is really cute. Joshua is okay with her as long as I am holding him - I think her size is intimidating to my little Peanut.

Thankfully the beach wears the kiddos out and they take good naps upon return, which means I have had some time to read. I think that reading is my favorite thing, I love to get lost in a character and become a part of another world for a while. However, lately I keep thinking about writing a book so as I read I try to figure out if I like the author’s style or if I could write something similar. I have taken a few shots at fiction - none that I have posted here for fear of rejection - I just don’t think I am cut out for fiction. My imagination isn’t thick enough. I honestly think that a fiction writer’s brain must have another layer of curiousity that mine just does not posses. That plus the fact that my life is crazy enough to be fiction makes me think that I should stick to writing about that, or maybe my family history.

Kevin has been working like crazy since we’ve been here. On most days he leaves around 7:15 in the morning and doesn’t get home until after 6pm. Tonight he won’t be home until 9pm or so because he has a City Council meeting. On these days, I struggle to come up with enough activities to keep the kids entertained all day and evening before bedtime. I know that Kevin is transitioning to a new job and working hard because he wants to do well, so I guess this is just the way things are for now. I think if I had some friends here to do stuff with it might be a little easier to make it through some of these long days. I met some people a few weekends ago but all of us have little kids and lives are busy so we haven’t hung out. I know that friends and social outings will come with time, I am just not one for patience.

Isaac starts summer camp next week at St. Dunstans pre-school. He will be going half days for two weeks and then he takes a break from St. Dunstans for a month before actual pre-school starts at the end of August. During the break he and Joshua will be going to a home day care in Salinas since I will be working by then. I am worried about Isaac not liking the home day care since he likes a lot of interaction. However, there is not much else I can do since St. Dunstans has a break for most of August. The school situation is so different here. I loved the school the boys were at in Turlock, it was open all but about 15 days a year and the teachers were awesome. Here, there is a lot more varience in schedules that will be a little challenging for a working mom.

Speaking of working, I start on the 28th, a mere two weeks away. I can’t belive that this time has gone so fast. On my last day of work in Turlock my new job here seemed a little less than real. Yet, as with anything in life the time flew by and now another transition is upon me. I have to say that I have some trepidation about the new job. I was warned ahead of time about office politics and issues between the women in the office. I can’t stand that kind of crap and sometimes in my attempt to stay out of it, I come off as being “above it.” Which I think can make my cause worse when it comes to fitting in. However, I personally believe that women can be their own worst enemies when it comes to promotion in the workplace because of drama. Men don’t get involved in the drama and women just look petty when they do. Anyway, enough on that. I will let you know if the rumors are true about the office politics, maybe I will be pleasantly surprised when I get there. Besides, I am not sure that any workplace could be worse as far as office politics, as the one I spent the last seven years. So, it would take a lot to surprise or offend me.

Well, there is a baby crying which is my cue to go…The next post will have some pictures of my friend Rebecca’s visit. Our kids had way too much fun together and I got some great shots.

It is 68 degrees and sunny outside. Both of my children are sleeping. My refrigerator is full of good food because I just got back from Costco and I have a new book to read. Life is good.

P.S. I really like living here.

Today after church and after naps, I snapped a few pictures in the backyard. I love how everything grows here because of the climate…maybe even me.

These hydrangea’s grow on our back fence. I love them.

Not sure what kind of flower this is but it sure is pretty.

This bird feeder needs a bath.

Ice plant is cool. Ha! Get it?

This scrub oak takes up most of our yard.

 Again, pretty but not sure what it is.

 Just darn cute, he is.

 I think I’ve only seen this plant in dry arrangements at my mother’s house.

Kevin gave Isaac a “roley poley” bug and he was thrilled.

Side note: the Easy Swede has a pretty cool door knocker. I forgot about it until the trip last week when I had a chance to take a better look around.

The door has a brass knocker on it in the shape of a dolphin. There  is no doorbell, just the dolphin. You actually have to pick the body of the dolphin up and bang his poor little bottle-nose on the door in order to knock. This house is shaping up to be full of blog topics.

So, next time you’re in town come on over to the Easy Swede, grab the dolphin and bring cookies.

Yikes, that sounds kinda bad………….

Lessons learned in the past few days:

1. If you put your house on the market, don’t be surprised if someone wants to buy it.

2. Too many sugar-free life savers leads to, well, stomach issues.

3. When you spend a certain amount of money in one day, your credit card company might think someone has stolen your card and they might call your house. They might also frighten your husband.

4. When you return a certain amount of goods purchased on said credit card because you’re a jackass who spent too much money in one day, the people behind the counter might think you have a problem. (you in fact do have a problem called “emo-shopping” it’s real, look it up)

5. A double wide trailer in Monterey costs $699,000. This means the kids will have to get used to a single wide….or the back of the car.

6. When tendering your resignation at work, make sure not to give 8 WEEKS NOTICE. You may spend 7 of them sitting awkwardly in your office, feeling a bit useless and writing on your blog.

7. Did I mention that selling your house often leads to MOVING? Who would have thought?

8. Jessica Simpson is one sadistic B. I am wearing a pair of her shoes right now and my feet are preparing a revolt from my body. May have something to do with the fact that 3 toes on each foot are numb.

9. Don’t sign up for a major race in San Francisco in the same few months that you will be moving 2 children, your giant couches and all of your other “s”. You might not have the time to train appropriately.

10. When applying for jobs in a new county, learn to have thicker skin. Not everyone is going to think you are the “bees knees”. That kind of foolery took you 7 years to accomplish at your current place of employment.

Yeah, the house sold. Wow.

Well, maybe I should change the content and tag line of this blog to be about a “soon to be unemployed mother of two who is moving to the most expensive area of the country and trying not to loose her mind.”

Catchy, right?

Monterey here we come!

 WARNING: Random post

Just wanted to give a shout out to my french “homies” viewing this site. According to my site stat’s, 12% of my viewers are from the lovely, if just a bit snobby, country of France. How crazy is that?

In light of my foreign vistors, I thought I would take a break from regularly scheduled programming to dazzle you with my worldly knowledge.

Just in case you didn’t know, dear french visitor…I took 5 years of French. Could that be why you’ve been drawn to this site? Just knowing, deep inside we have something in common?

Well here we go:

J’mapple Jenn! Ca va bein, et tou? Je parlez vous francais un petit pou.

Other sayings I know:

A quelle heure et til? (what time is it?)

Passez-vous le pommes frites. (pass the french fries)

Bon Anniversaire et toi! (happy birthday to you!)

 Bon chance! (good luck!)

Enchantez-vous!(nice to meet you!)

Bon jour mon amies francais!

I haven’t been writing much lately. It isn’t for lack of material, just the time to put pen to paper…or the computer I should say.

We went to Monterey this weekend and did a little sightseeing. It was wonderful to think about living there sometime soon. I felt like even though we were at the Wharf, the beach and the Aquarium like every other tourist, we weren’t tourists. We were locals just looking like tourists. We had a great time and I took a lot of  pictures. When I have more time I will download them. Tonight I am lazily sitting in bed, sore from my run and exhausted from a severe lack of sleep.

Which brings me to my next topic. I am not sure what size tooth Joshua is about to birth from his little swollen gums but I think it has some serious girth. He is drooling buckets, he won’t stop crying and baby orajel is the only thing that helps. He has never had this much trouble with teething. Needles to say, he hasn’t been sleeping because of the pain…ergo, I am exhausted.

On another note, I got picked in the lottery for the SF Nike Women’s Marathon! I am only running the Half, mostly because I am a chicken but I am nonetheless very excited to participate in this race. In preparation for this event I got a new watch that my sister informed me was “lesbian-ish” as it is of a digital nature. Either way, it helps me time my miles and do intervals. I am running a 10 minute mile right now but I want to get it down to a 9 minute mile before the race. I need some new shoes as mine actually have holes in the inside on the heel. However, we are in major money saving mode right now so they will have to wait

As far as all the excitement with the move….well, no offers on the house yet which is okay. I realized that I am not in a hurry, even though it won’t be fun to have Kevin gone three nights a week for a couple of months. We really can make it a few months with him commuting and it will help save some money in the meantime. So, if the house doesn’t sell until July or August, the sky will not fall upon my head. However, check back for updates on this as I am sure my opinion will change 73 times between now and May 19th (his start date). Good thing I have meds.

All right, you now know what I know. Well, not really everything that I know because I know everything.