The Work-Life Cha Cha

Just Walk

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:15:00 +0000

It was one of those mornings, rushing to get the kids to school. Getting showered and dressed in whatever was clean. When I got to school I realized it was Wednesday, and I wasn't wearing my walking shoes to walk around the block with my PTO mom friends. I compromised and walked in my sandals around the block once then left.

It doesn't always have to be a 30-minutes walk. It doesn't have to be all or nothing.

Walk Around the Block

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:43:00 +0000

So Mondays and Wednesdays, after leaving the kids in their classrooms for the school day, I stayed on campus and walked around the school a few times. It was convenient, fast and easy. It felt good to knock it out and go on with the rest of the day.

That's what I need to ask myself when I have a workout in mind: "Is it convenient, fast and easy?" 'Cause otherwise, I might not workout at all.

10 Minutes of Exercise is Better Than Nothing

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:54:00 +0000

Took the kids to school, got them to their classes, said goodbye. Met up with some other moms near the office on our way out, and we all walked around the school once - it probably took at least 10 minutes, maybe 15.
That's the exercise for today. Easy peasy, weezy.

There's a lot going on today, so I'm glad I got my body moving - at all. Will be going back to school in a bit to watch our 4-year-old ride a pony and pet animals at a petting zoo. It's a rodeo type day today. There's also the usual errands, plus taxes and freelance (web editing) stuff to do. Then there's the possibility of helping at a school book fair this afternoon. So 10 minutes is better than nothing. It is something.

Gone and back - Committing Again to Health

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 15:13:00 +0000

That was quite a break - two years. Don't know if I'm back for good. Life got busy with two kids - now 4 and 6, but the real reason I left was because I had some personal experiences that made me shy away from sharing my ramblings. Criticism, judgment of others.

Some time has passed now, though, and personal blogs are supposed to be about what the writer wants to put out there - for them. Not what I think other people may or may not think of me or my blog. So here goes again. I think.

My last post was about the YMCA, now branded as the Y because it was already branded as the Y by the general public. The Y caught on to "The Y" at last. Cool.

So what I've learned in my time away from the blog (that's Y-related) is this - no matter how busy you are, don't stop taking care of your body. Even if it's just 5 minutes at a time for a walk or stretching or whatever. For me, what I've found is that I need structure. Classes, a place to go to. So I'm using the Y as an anchor of sorts me and for our family.

After I wrote the last post, we kept using the Y. It was awesome. It's newly renovated. Great exercise equipment upstairs for my husband and I. Has an amazing Kid's Zone, awesome yoga/pilates classes a snack bar with the best smoothies, a great new family pool.

A few months after trying it out, we grew more financially challenged (going through savings after the huge loss of income from me quitting my job in November 2008), we had to cut even more expenses. We were having trouble affording groceries. Even visited our local food pantry once. (Thank God for food pantries).

So we cut the Y, and that was not good, but ya gotta eat. We all got really depressed when mom and dad didn't have physical exercise. I'm not a runner and apparently didn't want to walk by myself. But then a bit later, my husband found some extra work to do at his school during the summer, which meant more pay. And we signed up for the Y again - and requested and got accepted for lower monthly dues - a sliding scale. (Thank God for sliding scales too!)

So summer was a blast at the Y. Then school started up, and life got busy again. So we got away from the Y. Then got back to it, and away from it.

It's easy to not have time for yourself. In our busy life our hubby's work as a teacher leaves little room for him or I working out. He's teaching, grading and doing class prep, test prep, test reviews, makeup tests, mandatory teacher meetings. His busyness, in turn, keeps me extra busy with the kids and home responsibilities. It affects me finding time for myself. Not blaming him, just stating the challenge. He works hard.

We've done better lately getting to the gym - he has. I haven't done it as much as I would like. But now that the freezing temps in our city are gone - for the moment - I'm gunna commit to taking care of my body.

I'm committing to me again (for the thousandth time) because when I commit to me I commit to my family. And nothing is more important than that.

An Hour and a Half Just for Myself at the Gym Whenever I Want: Yay!

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 03:58:00 +0000

How does exercise and time alone to exercise elevate the lives of parents?

I don't know yet, but I'm about to find out. Our tax return came in last week, and I signed up our family for a three-month membership (on a sliding-scale, no less) at the YMCA: the totally awesome Y that I wrote about last time.

I signed up then worked out Friday while my kids colored and played in the Y's child care center. They love it there, and I had an hour and a half to myself while stretching, lifting weights and riding an exercise bike. It was so foreign to me and exhilarating at the same time. I used to do this all the time when I was single. Okay, maybe not all the time, but a lot.

It's exciting to be able to invest time into taking better care of myself. I so need it for myself (and my family.)

Every mom I meet seems to have some planned break for herself during the week. I know this is what you are supposed to do, and it's something I want to do. We just haven't been able to swing it now that we're living on one salary.

I met this mom at the park last week who goes to the Y and has her son in a Mother's Day Out program a few times a week. She says it's essential to her NOT going crazy.

That's validating because I can get some-kinda-crazy being at home all day, every day with the youngins - one full of wonderful, creative energy that never ends, the other not quite able to go to the bathroom by herself.

Although we can't do Mother's Day Out right now like I would like, for now there is the Y. And that's a great start.

Yay Y! Yay to better health and happiness in 2009.

Daring to Dream of Living Fit While Someone Babysits

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:24:00 +0000

How do parents make time to work out and who watches the kids?

I have long asked myself this very question because there was no time when I was working full-time or even half-time and now that I'm home with the kids there's even less time.

But then I got a postcard from the YMCA saying it had these great programs to get in shape. I looked at the card and said, "Sounds great, but we can't afford it right now and who's going to watch the kids."

Then a YMCA brochure showed up in the mail, and the programs and classes enticed me again. And they also said they didn't like to turn people away who couldn't afford it. "Right. Sure. Okay, I'll look into it." Then I forgot.

Then, yet another postcard arrived. This one said come try a free week trial membership and (like we said before) we really try to help people join if they can't afford it.

So, I called and found out the closest Y has a daycare center that allows you to leave the kids there for an hour and a half while you work out. I was so psyched.

I packed up our 2 and 4 year old, went to the Y, took a tour and was totally impressed. Thus I began my week of free babysitting and uninterrupted workouts. My week ends tomorrow. It has been awesome. I've stretched, cardio-stepped, weight-lifted, biked in peace, and my kids have loved playing games and being around other kids at the child care center.

On Monday I took the kids to the Y gym for an organized playdate for kids up to 4. They offer this cool event twice a week. They loved it. There were mats and hula hoops and forts for our 2 year old to crawl on. Dash shot hoops with a real basketball on a full-size court.

So, my week has been great, and I started to feel alive again.

There is a sliding scale for new members, and that is helpful. Things are very tight financially since I'm not working, and we still may not be able to swing it now, but at least I know what's possible in 2009 for living a life that's healthier in body, mind and spirit - for me and my kids.

New Year, New Phase of Life

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:15:00 +0000

What's new in your life for 2009? What are you looking forward to for yourself and your family?

I'm looking forward to better health for me and my family and more precious time together to really enjoy each other's company.

Spending the New Year at the beach with family has been a great way to welcome 2009, and I'm hoping to keep all the positive, fresh new energy from this trip with me as much as possible over the next 12 months.

What's new for our family in 2009 is that I'm now staying at home with the kids after resigning from my job in November.

It's financially scary and very tight, but we're taking a leap of faith for the good of our health and well-being. To be able to afford losing my salary, we've cut expenses dramatically (eliminating $1,350/month for daycare helped a lot. We also no longer pay $240/month for weekly housekeeping - although we need it now more than ever. We're washing clothes instead of dry cleaning, shopping at Food-O-Rama (which is good and cheap) instead of Kroger and eating at home more.

We're hoping me being home will be the beginning of a lot of new, positive things for the family, so that's the way I'm looking at 2009. One thing that is already new and positive is that since I left my job, we have been able to get the kids to bed much earlier. Now the kids go to sleep at 7:30 (2yrold) and 8 (4yrold) instead of 8-8:30 and 9 or 9:30. It has made a tremendous difference for everyone.

It gives me the opportunity to get to bed earlier and get more sleep too - probably my number one priority for my health this year, since being diagnosed with sleep apnea and beginning treatment for that this summer.

This new year also will bring a new phase in our 4 year old son's life, as he will be starting kindergarten in the Fall. I'm so grateful for this time home with him before he begins his activity-filled school years. I'm hoping to volunteer at his school and be involved as much as possible, like my mom was when I was in elementary school and junior high. That was so wonderful to have her there as our Girl Scout leader and as one of a handful of mom's who carted us back and forth to activities, sports events, everything and watched us, encouraged us as we performed, competed, played.

And now I'm going to go watch and encourage my children as we continue our celebration of the new year.

Vacations Are Cool

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:16:00 +0000

How often are working parents and their families able to take vacations?

I am on a family vacation right now. Lazing around in a fab, 5-bedroom/5-bath beach house on the shores of Alabama with my hubby, kids, his sister's family and some cool in-laws. I am lovin' the beach, our kids playing with their cousins and having fun, eating well and not having to worry about planning meals and cooking. (Someone in the fam has taken that on gladly).

And it has been free. My in-laws gave us money they would have spent to visit us in February so we could rent a car and afford gas to get here. What a gift.

When I was working (up until last month when I resigned) there was never time for vacations because I used up lots of vacation days to stay home with the kids who were frequently sick from daycare.

Consequently, I have not been on a vacation since our honeymoon in 2003.

How sad that there was never a trip or getaway to look forward to when I was working. There was always this stress and no hope for a break. I wonder how many other working parents have lived like this?

I feel so grateful for this trip and glad I resigned. Having family together has been wonderful.

Two Year Old Finds Keys

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:33:00 +0000

My two year old found our missing car keys. Would love to stay and blog but gotta get us out of the house!!!

She's so smart.

Jane, How Do I Get Off This Crazy Thing?

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:35:00 +0000

Remember the Jetson's during the show's intro song when George is on some conveyer belt contraption and he can't get off? That's how I feel at home with two kids under 5.

It is super busy, lots of chaos, constant interruptions, no time to think, someone's always making a mess, not listening, making the other one cry, the house is a wreck despite all my efforts and I can't find anything including the keys to a car.

Another mom last night said, yeah, that's the way it is as a stay-at-home-mom.

At least I don't have the added stress of also working in an office.

My New Calling - Organize Our House! Entryway First?

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 03:53:00 +0000

How many people are too busy with work, family, their lives to organize their homes, which, in turn, is making their lives unmanageable?

Ever since our first child was born four years ago and our lives became busier, our home has become more and more disorganized, and it has been driving me crazy.

Now that I have resigned from my job (last month) and am staying home with the kids the disorganization is too much too handle. So now my new goal during this new transition from working in an office into Stay-At-Home-Momness is to organize our house - one step at a time.

I guess the first step, after going through all our stuff around the house, is finding homes for everything we need. I love this simple, organized entryway from Coastal Living Magazine.

Dreaming of Decor - EntryWay

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 06:34:00 +0000

What furniture, tools do families use to keep themselves and their homes organized in the entryway?

This is what I would like from PotteryBarn:

Check out all Pottery Barn entryways.

Kids Having Problems Sleeping Away From Home

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 05:57:00 +0000

Our out-of-town Thanksgiving holiday visiting my parents, sister and brother, sister-in-law has been great AND stressful because the kids (4 and almost 2) are not able to get to bed and having nightly meltdowns in the process. How do parents deal?

My mom said, just let 'em do what they're going to do and go do something else. Kickin' it ole school, huh Viva? (my mom's name).

I don't have the energy to write about it here. Just grateful tonight's melodrama is over (hopefully!)

All the best to the other tired, wired parents out there.

Thanksgiving is for Family, Taking Breaks - and Not Having to Cook for Them

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:05:00 +0000

Who else is NOT cooking today? I'm so grateful for Boston Market's Thanksgiving meal so I can spend time with the family and have a little time for myself.

So the quiet time for myself is not working out so well. (A girl can dream) Nap time was a total flop today (although our daughter, I think is now asleep). It began with an hour or two of kids refusing to nap - crying, non-stop talking. I'm still very, very agitated. (Mostly cuz I'm tired too and Needed that nap. Kids had a hard time getting to sleep last night too.) If I were a drinking woman this would be a time when I'd be breaking out the gin and tonic, or whatever, to dull the frustration.

On the bright side, I did have time with my family earlier that was pleasant - went to the park, hung out, etc. Time with my parents. And I don't have to cook. We're all at my parents' house. My brother and sister-in-law from Chicago are in town and they'll be over later with my sister.

We do not get together often, and the kids are having a blast with everyone and vice versa.
__________________________

My mom just told me if I wanted to get away for a while to have some time for myself, she'd watch my 4 year old son (my husband is napping with my daughter.)

Yay! I'm getting in the car ALONE and going somewhere. Now, this is what Thanksgiving is all about. Time for yourself and time for family... and not having to cook.

Later, my fellow exhausted parents.

Kindergarten Magnet School Shopping

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:37:00 +0000

How are other parents out there doing as they begin Magnet school shopping for their soon-to-be kindergartener (Kinder class 2009-2010)?

We began the process this month - looking for a better school than the one we are zoned to. You can put your name in the hat to be accepted to a Magnet school in Houston and see which ones pick you. (It's a lottery system - so not much you can do to make anyone pick ya.) Magnet schools focus on different areas - literature/math and science/fine arts, etc. We're looking at a lot of different one. Fine arts and literature seem to be something we're leaning toward for our 4 year old.

Our schedule now:

November - Tour schools (2 down, several to go)
December - Tour schools, begin filling out applications
January - Meet application deadline
March - Receive word whether we were selected by any of the schools
April - Let schools know which school you picked
August - Kindergarten begins

Very interesting process. Doing a lot of online research and trying to find parents who know anything about the schools.

Ah Time for Myself... at 2 a.m. Yikes.

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 08:22:00 +0000

What time do other parents get to sleep? Do they ever get time to themselves? When do lives truly get more manageable sleep-wise after going through a major life transition like leaving a job?

Since becoming a full-time, stay-at-home mom with the two cuties I have even less time to myself. Hence, it's 2 a.m. and I'm awake. Actually, part of the reason I'm up so late may be that my body is out of whack physically and I'm going through an adjustment period.

I've been trying some new medicine combinations - sleep apnea meds (to keep me awake during the day so I can better asleep at night). And (as if I think I'm a doctor) I decided to quit taking two other meds on my own basically because we're kinda broke on account of me becoming a full-time, stay-at-home mom.

Me and the kids were getting some good sleep there since I resigned but then when my prescriptions ran out a few days ago, I decided to not get a few of them filled. Silly mommy. Then I find out from one of my sleep docs that stopping one of the meds may be what's keeping me up at night. I'm waiting on a bank deposit to go through so I can refill those prescriptions. What was I thinking cutting them off? Oh yeah, I was thinking we don't want a check to bounce. (It'll work out though.)

Some days I get to bed early. Others I don't for whatever reason. My goal is to get as much sleep as possible and build up my strength and health. The adjustment to stay-at-homeness with the kids, though, is a factor for me to remember too - not be so hard on myself: There's a lot of change going on, and I'm not going to be perfect with my daily schedule.

All in all, I'm so grateful for the total elimination of work-related stress and tons of little miracles that have financed this seemingly impossible financial venture of leaving my job. The biggest gift is time to get my health back and time with my kids. I'm now feeling like I'm truly getting to know these little people - both amazing. I think that with God (or whoever, whatever you believe in) anything is possible.

_______________________________

My 4 year old just came in saying he had a bad dream. I took him back to his bed, tucked him in, and he said to me, "Mommy, it's an hour past your bedtime." (Actually it's several hours but I didn't get into that.) Then I told him, "I know. You're right, and I'm going to bed right now."

And with that I say, good night!

And ... Scene: I Quit my Job for My Health and My Family

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:09:00 +0000

Let me hear your success stories: Parents who found balance and happiness after leaving their stress-filled, traditional day jobs to stay home with the kids and perhaps work a little from home.

The work-life cha cha I have been living since our kids were born (2004 and 2006) has not been working for my health, sanity, self esteem and my family, so I resigned from my job on Monday.

Now, I'll be exploring a new version of the work-life cha cha as I stay home with the kids, try to get my health back on track and (if i have the good health, energy and a small amount of time) freelance write and edit for the Web.

Yeah. We can't really afford for me to resign, but my health was at stake, so we're taking a huge leap of faith that things will work out. Now I can let my body get better (from sleep apnea) on it's own schedule without having the pressure and stress from a job.

Just want to say that today was my first full day with the kids at home with me, and, although they are non-stop bundles of energy and they freakin' wear me out, we get to do things on our own schedule with no commitments or expectations from others. And that means WAY less stress and more time together.

I love that I can be here for them and with them. It's all new, a lot to figure out, balance, etc., but it's exciting. And I'm hoping that this new path will lead me and my family to a happier, healthier life.

Lots more to come.

Yay Wii - for Keeping Kids Busy

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:36:00 +0000

How do parents keep their kids busy so they can get a tiny break or get things done around the house for even just a few minutes?

I just want to say thanks to Wii. It keeps our 4-yr-old occupied and having fun. Especially good on rainy days. He is able to turn it on, pick a game, play it, switch to another game - and he can't read. So he can go a long time playing on his own.

Our 20-month-old entertains herself by running back and forth, going through my husbands wallet (he's missing $15, by the way) and looking at books.

Do You Flock to Flock Social Media Browser to Streamline Your Life?

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 03:50:00 +0000

What tech tools to working parents use to simplify/streamline their work/home life?

I have so much to learn in this area, but I started by using Flock, the social media browser, instead of Internet Explorer.

I haven't had a lot of time to explore Flock as much as I'd like, but it makes the basic features pretty simple to understand. There are videos to show you how different aspects of Flock works, and that's good for people short on time, memory and energy.

Right now I'm trying the blog editor feature for the first time, a feature that helps me publish a blog post without ever having to go to my blog site. I can write the post while in my browser.

The video says I can drag and drop photos, so here goes. I'm adding photos from my Flickr account from my July 31 birthday party with my husband, our kids, my sister, and our favorite family friends. Here are some photos of the cuties of the party.

Looks like it works in the Flock blog post window. I'll hit publish and see what it looks like in the actual blog. Oops. Something funky is happnin' with the line under the first photo though, but it's a start.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Getting Things Done - David Allen style

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 04:41:00 +0000

I need a few days off to get things done - outside of work. David Allen describes my feelings of overwhelm perfectly. Just wanted to pass on this link for inspiration on how to get things done and feel less stress. I could use a lot of help with in the whole stress-reduction-getting things done thing.

http://www.fastcompany.tv/video/david-allen-on-getting-things-done

Entertaining Kids, Me Through the Public Library

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 01:02:00 +0000

How do parents use the public library to enrich their kids' lives and their own?

I love the public library. Today, my husband, me and our 4-year-old son and 19-month-old daughter went, and there was something for everyone. Well, maybe not my husband. He was chasing after our youngest most of the time, who was having a blast toddling around. So, he didn't spend any time perusing the books.

A week ago, Dashiell and I went to the library. He loved it. 'Got the biggest kick out of picking out books we could actually take home. We also rented videos last weekend [Princess Diaries, The Tigger Movie and some Thomas the Train vehicle (no pun intended)]. and we really enjoyed the movies during the week. A nice treat. It was great to see movies for free and have new books to read to him and Lorelai at night too.

I found a surprisingly fun book to read that was a great, little escape after a day of working and afternoon/night of caring for and corraling little ones.

Since I had read that book and we'd gone through the videos this week, it was time for another trip. Dashiell was so excited to go, especially to take his very own library card. He was so proud. It was awesome to see him so excited about the library - and his growing autonomy of having his own library card.

This time he picked out a book about cars and a Betty & Veronica comic book. I got a Clifford book and Sarah Boynton book for Lorelai. I just read those to her before bed tonight. I found myself a surprisingly new book about blogging by a blogger who I follow.

I want the kids to read as much as they can and want them to grow to enjoy books. And they're FREE. Yay. I plan to take them to the library as often as we can. It reminds me of when I was a kid in McAllen, Tx. and a teenager in Kingsville, Tx., going to the library with my mom, who is a voracious reader - mostly mysteries.

Back then, the McAllen library was huge in my young eyes. The Kingsville library was small, just like the town, but it had its charm with the library cat, aptly named "Booker" who lounged around near the front desk and wandered around as he/she (can't remember) saw fit. We always looked for Booker when we went (my mom, brother, sister and I), and we'd talk about Booker on the way home sometimes - joking and sharing stories about what Booker was doing during our visit.

While we were at the library, my mom would go to the mystery section and get a stack of books to keep her entertained during the week. I had asked her for some reading recommendations, and she suggested Dick Francis, the British author and former jockey who wrote a series of mysteries about characters involved with horse racing. I read a ton of his books.

I remember I loved going there with my mom and loved how she and I had something in common and something we could do and share together.

I hope my kids can feel the same way about books and me someday.

Speaking of which, it's now time for me to catch up with my husband and son to read our son his new books.

Work-related Stress and Sleep

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:27:00 +0000

How do working parents deal with work-related stress that affects their sleep?

Just want to say I slept 9 hours last night, and I feel great. One reason I was able to get to bed, I think, is that I have been addressing a work-related problem.

The last month has been very stressful at work (the main reason I haven't blogged), and I've been having trouble getting to sleep as a result of that stress.

The problem has involved an ongoing, unrelenting, self-esteem killing and depressing issue that I can't describe here. I've tried to deal with it every way I can think of, and the problem has continued. This month I've been doing some new things to address it, so I can do the best job possible at work and be done with that stress.

I want balance - an ever-shifting degree of good health, happiness, quality time with my husband/kids, productivity at work and quality work. I'll continue to strive for that.

What do other parents do with seemingly insurmountable problems that affect their work/life balance?

I Don't Wanna Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:18:00 +0000

I'm cranky and don't want to blog. Maybe another time.

When Will I Get My Brain Back?

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:19:00 +0000

Really, it feels like it left me.

Is it sleep apnea just taking a while to get fixed or other problems? I'm using my sleep mask (by the way after a month you can get a new mask tube and every couple weeks you get new mask parts - it's a hygiene thing because some people don't clean their breathing machine. They probably don't do that because they're so tired.)

Anywho, the patience thing works for me in the mornings. Then by noon I'm exhausted.

I feel sick, tired and crazy, feel very handicapped at work, so I've made a series of doctor's appointments to make sure everything else is okay. Stress makes the brain drain worse. Lots of stress at work. Stress be gone, I say. Wish it were that easy.

That's my vent for now.

Sleep Apnea Treatment - One Month Later

noreply@blogger.com (Darcy De Leon) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 02:52:00 +0000

Anyone got any stories about how they practiced patience with health problems and their health did indeed improve?

'Cause I'm still freaking tired from sleep apnea, and I need a lot of patience. And I'm highly (embarassingly) emotional (I think: immature, self-centered and drama-queen-like) from sleep deprivation. Don't get me wrong, there have been improvements with my month-long sleep apnea treatment (using a bipap machine). It's just a slow process.

But let me focus on the positive. A lot of great stuff is happening - I'm not claustrophobic with the mask strapped on my face any more. I'm now liking the influx of air up my nose. I'm learning how to prevent air leakage, something that was giving me a really hard time. I wake up refreshed after a night using my sleep mask. I'm able to wake up when the alarm goes off - a big improvement.

The trouble comes a few hours later - anytime between 10 to 11 (sometimes as early as 9) - when I suddenly feel like I need to go to bed for the rest of the day. And my brain shuts down. The good news is that I can take a 20-minute nap at work and my bosses, who know about my sleep apnea, are accommodating me in other ways. That has helped a little, so far. Just done it twice.

How did the naps and other accommodations happen? I asked my sleep doctor to fill out a form through our HR dept. that documents my sleep apnea, because as he said on the form it is affecting major life activities (thinking, concentrating) that greatly affect my work.

So with that form turned in to HR's EEO office, I began a process that entailed meetings with two HR reps and my three bosses talking about what kind of accommodations might be made to help me through the first month of my sleep apnea treatment. I am very grateful for this help. Didn't know if I would actually get any support.

The accommodations include me coming in 30 minutes later to work (I stay 30 minutes later too), napping once during the day in my office, taking frequent breaks (this is challenging for me), closing my door to help me concentrate, and some other things.

I am very glad I went through the HR process to get the accommodations. My brain isn't working well and my bosses need to know why. And I need their support.

I want to write more, but I'm exhausted, and it's late. And sleep is my top priority. Got Dash to bed at 9 something. Lorelai to bed at 8:30. Been catching up on e-mail, etc. But now gotta go to bed.

Wish me luck tonight! And I wish everyone out there pleasant dreams too!