Birthdays of note.

I just turned 30 and I'm not sure what all the fuss was about.  Maybe it's my perception of the age, given that television tells me hitting my 30's is pushing me one step closer to the grave, and all my fun is over.  Because I know myself, I figured I was unlikely to suffer a breakdown by the change in decade, and I was right.  It was just another birthday (albeit a good one).  There was no crying, no gnashing of teeth and no regrets.  I figure hitting the new decade just means I have 10 shiny new years to fill. 

I don't really know why people have difficulty with the big 3-0.  it's really not that bad.  I suppose it's all mindset though.  If you are prone to the idea that 30 makes you "old", it might be a tough pill to swallow...  but to me, I feel I've lived long enough and experienced enough to be given the honour.   It's the perfect age.  You are old enough that you can be considered a grown up if you so choose, and you can still fall into the "young and stupid" bracket. 

Maybe it's because I have no regrets.  I think all birthdays would be tough if you weren't pleased at the way your life had transpired.  I've crossed enough off my life list to be happy with where I am and recognize that there is still a WHOLE lot of life left to finish the rest. 

Here's hoping I'm around to hit the next 30.

I'm in Perfect Health, Please Don't Worry.

I hope people don't start thinking I'm dying. 

I've just had this urge lately to do all those things that have noodled around in my brain for as long as I can remember.  Perhaps it's because I haven't been gainfully employed in a brain-melting job for so long that I've started to get my inspiration back.  I no longer spend 8 hours of every day doing pointless tasks for someone else, so in that time, my brain is allowed the freedom to be used for me. 

Maybe it's because I want to be an example to Girl.  I want her to know that any dream is worthwhile pursuing, even if it's just to quiet the "what ifs".  I don't want her to settle for my idea of how her life should be... (or anyone else's).

So, I'm going to do it all.  Why not?  Whatever stupid little voices in my head that say it's unrealistic can just tone it down a bit and be drowned out by those other voices that are just SCREAMING at me to get in gear.  I can do whatever I want to do and I'm going to keep doing it. 

So, if you think I'm working on my life list, I suppose you're right (I refuse to call it a "Bucket List" by the way... even if it is a popular phrase right now). 

Unfortunately for every item I cross off, more appear below it.

Diary of an Inventor, Part 14... MAILING DAY!

*Does a little dance for Mailing Day!*

It's true...  I've reached that point where I can throw this little bird out of the nest and get it to do some work for ME for once!  So, much to all your pleasure I'm sure, it is also the point where I figure I can unveil it to the masses.  The Provisional Patent is set and it would be pretty darn hard to beat me to the companies I'm pitching to (and realistically, not that many people read my blog), so here it is!

I'd like to introduce you to MēGō.   For a better look, take a look at my website.

It took longer than I wanted to mail it, mainly because it took me a while to figure out how to send an SASE with it (if anyone thinks I'm letting my prototype float around forever, they have another thing coming!), since the US doesn't accept Canadian postage for parcels originating in the US and you can't buy US postage in Canada.  So, that all got worked out with the nifty little piece of paper called the "international reply coupon".

It's weird, because I'm really excited, really nervous and really calm all at the same time.   I think it's because I'm not THAT emotionally attached.  This product isn't my baby, it's something I needed to serve a purpose in my own life, and based on the reaction of others, would be useful to other moms too.  I just don't want to ever look back at my life and say "I wonder what would have happened if...."  So here I am, giving it a whirl, and if it happens and I get my indoor pool... HURRAY!  and if not, I haven't lost anything (Well, except for the patent money, but I figure that can be the price of the education I gained). 

I really would prefer the indoor pool though.

The Nursing War

I was reading a blog recently, actually, what was in the blog was less interesting than the ensuing "conversation".  I put that in quotations because it's impossible to call it a conversation.  Basically the blog article was about Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution and the lack of good dietary choices.  This, apparently, leads directly into a heated debate about women who feed their children "dangerous, unhealthy formula".

*Sigh*

Haven`t we made it past this yet?

I think it's pretty much a given by now that breastfeeding is the preferred choice.  Why on earth do we have to stomp all over other moms who can't?  This isn't new...  there have been wet nurses since the dawn of time, but for some reason that idea makes us squeamish now, so we came up with a really good solution: formula.  Sure, it's not the ideal, (in an ideal world, babies would feed themselves and never poop) but it's kept probably millions of kids alive who otherwise would have been malnourished and suffered the effects of that. 

I was formula-fed, have no allergies, no health problems, and am not obese.  I do wear glasses, but so do both of my parents (breastfed), while my brother (also formula fed) does not.  Oh, Lactivists!  please run over here and tell me that I'm an anomoly!  I sure am lucky to have made it this far.  Perhaps tomorrow I'll be hit by a bus and you can blame my lack of peripheral vision on my infant diet. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm all over breastfeeding...  it's cheap, convenient and healthy, I nursed Girl for 14 months (longer than I initially thought I would).  I also have ZERO problems with others choosing differently.  I don't see the point. 

I try to feel compassion for the cranky folks.  Maybe they are sleep-deprived or something, but I think overall it comes down to competition.  It's easy to point the finger and look down on someone for something (whether wrong or not) if you haven't had to make that choice. 

Formula moms...  this is for you:  You are wonderful.  You are nourishing your child and there is nothing wrong with it.  Thank you for caring enough for your child to ensure their health and welfare.  Please ignore the snarky moms who have nothing better to do than exalt themselves for their own wonderfulness.  All breastfeeding moms aren't like this.  Forgive me for not standing up for you when I should have. 

To the nursing moms (or just moms in general) who stomp all over others to make themselves feel better: 

Shove it.

Diary of an Inventor, Part 13

It's really convenient that I have a diploma in Public Relations and Marketing.  Sometimes I marvel at how things worked out.  From the day I graduated, I didn't really want to be a PR person, but the skills I learned in those classes are skills I have used over and over.  Graphic design, marketing, website design, etc etc etc.  Man, it's saving me a LOT of money. 

I'm almost ready for my first licensing pitch.  I have a letter, a full-colour brochure, a website and a prototype.  All of which are geared subliminally to the company I'm hitting up first.  I chose that company because I feel my product fits well with their line, I like their style and I think if I lived anywhere close to them I'd be happy working there.  It looks like a fun, young environment.  

I sent my brochure to the printer today and ordered 30, but I hope I end up with 29 leftovers.  I'm not putting all my hopes in this company, but hey, a girl can dream!  It would be a great story to be able to say "the first company I pitched to snapped it up".  Unreal and unlikely, but understandable.

Busy.

I feel like I'm really busy.

I'm not really gainfully employed (and if I ever become so, I hope to leave out the word "employed"), but still there is no end to the to-do list.  There are not enough hours in the day (I do not forfeit beauty sleep, I need every second I can get) or enough caffiene to keep me getting through every task.   The funny thing is, every deadline, every job, and every hour at the computer is 100% self-imposed.  (Well, the personal hygiene parts are imposed upon me by society, but that's ok with me). 

I don't know why I push myself, when others would look at me and say "You know, you don't HAVE to do it".  They don't understand that I DO.  Just because I don't have a boss (other than Girl) nagging me or quotas to fill, my job is being Me.  And Me can't let me have a break.  

I have a strong need to finish things I start.  I'd never be able to live with myself if I don't.  Complacency and laziness aren't qualities in life I'll look back on and think "Hey, that was a good move". 

That said, I also will not sacrifice.  Girl will not live in want of her mom.  Husband will be fed and we'll all sit together and enjoy meals together.   We will be happy, and I will get as much done as I can while they both nap.

I Pee Alone.

I've gotten used to peeing with the sound of wailing coming from the hallway. 

I don't know why Girl is so fascinated by the toilet (or potty as she calls it).  Ok, well, I do know.  It's a fun water table/toy whirlpool that can entertain for hours, or until our septic field turns into a mooshy, squishy mess.  Even though I know WHY she enjoys it so much, I prefer to pee alone.  It's a solitary activity. 

I don't like to talk to people in other stalls of public washrooms.  I don't need entertainment or company.   Even though she's only a year old, I prefer not to have Girl there.  I'm a bad mom and I'm ok with it.

She is deprived of the fun I'm having without her.  I try to make sure she's well distracted before I make my move.  Hopefully she's busy enough that I can get in, and out before she makes it all the way down the hall.  If I'm too slow, or gave her something uninteresting to do, and she catches on, there's not much I can do but call lovingly through the door "I'll be right out honey".  Sorry kid, I don't need backup.

I know it's supposed to be a good idea to get the kids involved in this kind of thing, because it helps them understand the whole potty/toilet thing, thus making for easier potty training.  I think I can just tell her.  She's pretty smart. 

Maybe it's because the sound of peeing makes her laugh and point.