I am tired
Somehow I never post as often as I would like. I apologize, reader 1 and reader 2 AND READER 3. I'm always busy with some logistical stuff, which is important I guess, but doesn't really amount to anything interesting or surprising.
I recently joined the YMCA in Danbury and am very disappointed after only a few weeks. I should've known, since the membership fee is really low and the staff is really unfriendly and... most of all Veronika REALLY hates the babysitting room. To be honest, I understand. There is this lady "Alba" and Alba is nice but looks a little scary... I don't want to go into details because it would be hurtful although Alba won't read this but still. Let's just say, her eyes are weird and she is big and loud. She considers herself very competent with children and one of her main tricks to calm them down is to pull a big shiny toy and shake it in front of the child's face while she yells in a sing-sang "ooooooh munequita, munequitaaaaaaaaaaaaa... lindaaaaaaa". (Alba speaks only Spanish.) Everytime we enter the room and Veronika sees her she gets all stiff and grabs my clothes and starts crying in panic. And Alba gets all giddy and grabs a toy and starts going towards her with her signature yell. I successfully avoid her and then set Veronika down to distract her with a book or a puzzle. But I have to leave and as Alba picks her up, guiltridden I tell myself Veronika will survive Alba for 20 minutes (I never work out longer, it would be a luxury - a mortal sin for mothers.).
Veronika doesn't like to be held by strangers - until she stops considering them strangers, and until then, she will be fine on her own, thank you. I suggested that to Alba before: "Maybe it's better not to hold her... I think she prefers not to be cuddled..." The first time Alba just gave me a sign to leave quickly and grabbed her in complete disregard of my suggestion. Well, every time I return, the first thing from Alba's mouth is: "She didn't want to be held!" Uh, yeah lady, I told you so. And so, every week, about 2-3 times I leave and mention that my daughter prefers to entertain herself with toys until I come back rather than be held (by scary loud women) and still Alba sets out to hold her as she cries and upon my return exclaims: "She doesn't like to be held!" - while my daughter is quietly eating her cheerios... BY HERSELF.
So, apart from the bad exercising equipment and the bad babysitting conditions I was ready to stick with that particular Y branch (because I'm cheap) only to find out that they are cancelling the babysitting altogether and offering a 90-minute-child-play-class instead, which they want $36 for now. Boughton Street YMCA, I have words for you, which I will not make public here, but they are not friendly. They're just about as friendly as your 19-year-old-receptionist. So now, I will have to switch to the Y in Brookfield... which better not disappoint me. There is another fitness center I love but they want about $100 a month from me, which I don't have and am not really sure they deserve. Even though they really have wonderful treadmills.
In other news... I recently found out there is such a thing as a "night nanny", whose services are used by affluent parents in Manhattan. A night nanny! That means you have a new baby and you sleep through the night on a regular basis, right away. It makes me want to cry for very opposite (from each other) reasons. Several times a day the concept will cross my mind and I'd have to say it whisper "night nanny" to myself... that's how unbelievable it sounds.
Also, did you notice how conspicously I have avoided politics and the upcoming elections? In spite of all the opinions I have? It should all be over tomorrow. Or not.
Posted at 01:16 PM on November 01, 2004
Alba sounds like my mother's neighbor. The kids *run* when they hear her coming.
Hoping the new location is a better fit for you and the baby.
check out www.videofitness.com for days that you can't make it to the gym. Obviously at this point I can't make it at all but I have discovered I can get a pretty good work out with some of the video's I got. I can suggest some good ones if you like. Also they like one kids one that is good for mom and baby called elmocize. I don't have it so I don't know but lots of people gave it great reviews.
I am really loving the firm video's and step reabock as well as one yoga video at this moment. It is a life saver for me since it is rainy here and this is my only activity (sometimes fun activity) for the day.
Also if they have a 24 hour fitness or a Gold's Gymn in your area those often have good rates, and child care. I can't wait to get back to the gym but till then it is video's for me.
This is the third comment, so that must make me Reader #3 ... congratulations! But why wasn't I mentioned - do only readers 1 and 2 matter?? I am faithful and loyal so where is my recognition?
(oy! I better go fix myself some coffee and stop with this sarcastic nonsense before someone thinks I am serious)
oh reader #3! i am POPULAR! ;)
i will go revise, right now!
I miss your observations