Salary

Now, if you are like me, no current salary level is ever enough. My first job right out of college, had me earning $22,000.00 and I thought it was a LOT of mula. Flash forward 11 years later, earning much more....its still not enough, but on paper, earning more makes one feel more financially secure. 

I managed to negotiate a little raise last fall. Here are some tips:

1. Work harder AND smarter: See the big picture, and stay two steps ahead of your manager. Volunteer to undertake projects you wouldn't otherwise have done. Stay late if you can. Take on roles others will not. Make yourself indispensable. Make your manager take notice of your "stellar" efforts.

2. Ask: This is most obvious, but many people do not, especially women - who might think we might come across as aggressive and desperate. If YOU dont ask, then who will? Make bulleted points, make graphs, a pie chart, present your contributions to the organization in a professional succint manner. Show how your efforts have benefitted your company in a positive way (cashflow, cost savings, efficiency etc.) I place emphasis on the format to be in writing - this gives management something tangible to review. So accompany your speech (that you rehearsed in the bathroom mirror for hours) with your proof on paper.

3. Tout your successes over time: In day to day conversations with management, subltley drop hints of your work, work ethic and accomplishments. Mention that "so and so" project was completed. Someone asked you to work on something that adds value to the company? Tout it. Drop hints so that they have knowledge of it. Self-promote. A coworker called you for assistance, ensure that your manager knows that you ran to the rescue. A client sends you a complimentary note? Respond with a thank you, and cc your manager. These things add up.

4. Negotiate: So your efforts are finally realized and the conversation has begun? Negotiate. Dont just settle for that. Gague the atmosphere, ask for more. Suggest that your job descrip be amended to add "so and so" responsibility, for an additonal 5% increase. They can't do it all at once? Ask that the raise be broken up. Half in this quarter, the rest in the next, after they have observed you in your new capacity. It gives them time to assess their investment, and you more time to show-off.

Its not difficult folks. If you are confident within yourself that you deserve that salary adjustment, go for it. The only person who knows your true worth, is YOU.

Baby Freaking Out? How to calm little one

 Last night, baby M freaked  out on me. After a long day of work, that's the last thing I needed. Got me to thinking about ways in which we can soothe crazed babies, quickly. I bribed her with food, but here are a few other options:


• Peekaboo:  Most babies can't get enough of the big surprise – here's Mommy! Mix it up by hiding behind your hands, a blanket, even a book; for more excitement, pop up above, below, and to the side of your hiding place.

• Song and dance: Pick one or do both, and rest assured that (tone deaf and/or klutzy) amateurs are most certainly welcome. Any old groove will do, as long as you engage your baby by picking her up and helping her join in the fun.

• Silly sounds: Who can resist that plump baby tummy or those pudgy toes -- and why should you even try? Plant a kiss on each adorable digit, or turn a kiss into a sensory sensation by making it a raspberry — a goofy noise, a puff of air, and a smooch from Mom, all rolled into one! (Um, does anyone really know why it's called a raspberry?)

• Distract with food: Milk, purees, anything that baby likes. Watch out for choking episodes though.

• Funny faces: Stick out your tongue, fake an exaggerated sneeze, or give a big wink — any departure from the usual may just grab your baby's attention and even prompt a smile.

Baby Christening

Baby M got christened yesterday. She was well behaved and didnt cry not once. No stranger anxiety there. The highlight of the day was my decor for the repast at home afterward. Turned out beautifully. See pics (once I post them).

Reading Rainbow

Am I telling my age by the fact that I remember this tv show? Is it also horrid that I remember that the host was the "blind" guy from Star Trek and I was throughly CONFUSED by his ability to not only read but also to look directly into the camera????

Anywhoo. Reading to your baby is good. Eating a whole box of girl scout cookies is bad. Here are some tips:

• Types: Sturdy board books that baby can chew on, turn around, and otherwise manipulate. Its gets even better when baby can participate in the process by touching and feeling the pages. Your baby also might like splashing with a vinyl book in the bathtub. Illustrations or photos should be simple (no complicated, overwhelming backgrounds), bright, and familiar: household items, animals, things that go, and especially other babies. How about a photo album of baby? My little girl loves this activity. (Early signs of narcissim? Should I be alarmed?) As for the words, they should be simple, too, so that you can keep the pages turning quickly. Books with lilts and intonations, sing song, rhyming are great also. Babies love that predictability of tone.  

• Talk up a storm:  You can engage baby with lots of ad libs and inserted commentary in an appealing and animated tone. Add silly voices and animal sounds. Yes, you will sound like a dork, but who cares? Baby loves that. Read often, slipping in stories whenever baby alert but calm. Try after meals, before naps, during or after a bath, and at bedtime.

• Set an example:You will show your baby that reading is fun by doing it yourself. Let baby see you enjoying a book or magazine; you can even read aloud from whatever you are reading.  The words aren't as important as your enthusiasm for them. Any exposure to reading helps him learn how books work and builds vocabulary. 

Right now I am reading this book called Animals, by Xavier Deneux to baby M. Its her favorite. Its a simple book of animals with just the names of the animals on the page, as well as clever peep holes. I ad lib a lot, by adding in the animal sounds. She loves it!

Constipated Baby

She no likey. She was miserable and so uncomfortable, and I felt so helpless, because it appeared that I couldn't do anything about it.

What worked: 

*Gerber fruit puree`- prune and pear
*Prune juice - diluted
*Baby suppositories courtesy of my sister-in-law

What would have worked had I the good sense to try it:
*Warm bath and massage
*Thermometer with tip dipped in vaseline to free up goo
* Water substitured for formula

Egads! Five days was a long time. She was relieved and so was I.

Five Quick Home Improvement Tasks You Can Do Now

1. De-clutter
Never underestimate the power of a good clean up. Sort, stack, fold dust, wash, and dispose of. Well I'm already way ahead on this one, because I threw away a bunch of stuff before moving into this house. Plus I'm the "throw it out" expert, in general. However, one can never be too careful. Remember: clutter has a way of sneaking up on you, much like body fat.

2. Paint
Put some color on those blah beige walls in the: bathroom, entrance and dining room. In my case it'll be my dining area (not room- the house is that tiny). Color swatches to follow. You can do one wall, with a bold color if you don't want to commit to an entire room of red walls. That's just plain maddening.

3. Lighting
Go for something whimsical. How about about a yard sale find, or something repurposed like a lamp shade? I'd like to put a pretty girly chandelier in baby M's room. Also, change out that cheesey lighting fixture in the dining area.

4. Hardware
Get rid of those dated buiIder grade finishes. Istarted changing out the brass door handles for more of a rust finish.You can also change the hardware on your kitchen cabinets.


5. Proper Drainage around the house
This spring, how about assessing your home's propensity for flooding? How about adding some simple french drains?

I plan on doing all these things if it ever stops snowing, raining and sleeting.

New World

I feel like Christopher Columbus must have felt. I'm in unchartered waters, following some stars (signs from the universe)...except there is no Queen to scrounge for gold for, I have access to running water, and I'm not getting seasick. Well maybe I'm  not quite like him, but I am a new mom to a four month old, and I DO have to work. I'm also someone's wife.

I don't think I'm particulary good at any of these roles, because I march to the beat of my own drum, and do not follow society's norms. Nevertheless, I will share my experience at navigating these worlds with you. Hang on, you're in for a crazy ride.