Getting a week off of school for T-day. I’m not sure that’s its going to wind up being that much of a vacation. We’re driving to Sulpher Springs (where my folks live) for the holiday. That’s five hours from my house. In a very small car. With a four year old. And YES, I am just enough of a control-freak that I have to be the one who drives the entire way there and back. J’s job will be to provide me conversation and do the gas-ups. We’re leaving on Wednesday morning and coming back Sunday afternoon. I just have a feeling that its gonna be a loooooooong week.
I have a multitude of things to do; both before we leave and after we get back. And very few – indeed, if any – are optional.
I must get the office cleaned out. I must get ALL the laundry done. I must find a bebesitter for the Girlie during my school hours. I must get things packed together. I must, MUST get my computer back from J’s friend. (he’s only had the damn thing for over 2 months now!) I must get the Yule gifts done. I must find more playdates for the Girlie. I must figure out the financial aspect of the trip we’re going to take — this one and the one in December.
Plus, we’re about to have an anatomy quiz and I’ve got to do what’s called a “private teaching session” with one of my instructors. Basically, this is where I do the Swedish routine (from draping to finish) on a teacher. They critique me — WHILE I am doing this, mind. This is a grade-affecting affair. To say that I’m nervous about this is like saying people need air to breathe. I’m a wreck.
Granted this doesn’t go down until Feb but, that only means that I’ve got 3 months to work myself into a fine froth over this.
*froth*

On other fronts, the Girlie is doing well. I think she needs more interaction with other kids though. She plays really well by herself but is such a social butterfly. She’s been trying to keep my hours, poor baby. She likes to play next to me while I am studying or doing homework.
J is also doing pretty good; or at least as far as someone who despises what they do for a living can do. Poor guy – he’s committed to seeing me get through massage school but the stress of being THE income for the house is heavy on him, I know. He’s trying to find more work – and we are looking for ways to cut our expenses. We’ll manage. (*hope*)

M also surprised me the other night. After bellydance, she and I had gone out to dinner (per usual). She bought, (what a sweetie!) and then proceeded to floor me. She wants someone to be her backup doula — someone she can call to do/help with a birth if she can’t make it or needs assistance. And she asked ME to be that person.
*boggle*
well, OK! I had daydreamed about going into business with M but hadn’t said or initiated anything in that direction. I am flabbergasted and so damn honored! She indicated that she thought I would do a fantastic job and that she trusted me. You could of bowled me over. I got all weepy (on the inside) but managed to keep it together and not break down blubbering in the restaurant. *THEN* she told me that she would be willing to *pay* for my training as soon as she is taking paying customers. Doula training does NOT come cheaply, m’friends. I almost did break down then. I feel so completely honored by her trust.
When she laid that info on me, well I must have done a pretty good imitation of a landed fish. Once I got my wits back I of course told her “yes!”. On the condition that it be written up into a contract that I would pay her back within the first year of MY paying clients.

So, I have a lot of work ahead of me for the next couple of years — but its steps towards my goal of being a doula and an RMT. I feel that I’ve stepped into an adventure. Its scary, sometimes frustrating and very hard work. But at the same time, its exhilarating and freeing.