What am I thinking about today?  Hmmmm…. let’s see…

1.   Today.com is making some changes because Entrecard.com made some changes and all this means, I have to make some changes…. So, after April 7th, I will be removing the Entrecard widget from this site.  I’ve really enjoyed the traffic from Entrecard.com, but I’d like to maintain my blog here on Today.com– therein lays the conflict.  I am hoping my regular visiting-bloggers will exchange links with me (if we haven’t already) so that we can still continue to visit and support each other’s blogs.

2.  Instead of cramming my love for movies into a few posts per month on this blog, I’ve started another blog that is exclusively dedicated to my movie reviews:  Movie Connoisseur.

3.  I’d like to thank Jodapoet for sending Sony’s jazz CD to me in the mail.  She included a beautiful magnet in the package just because she’s sweet like that.  Visit her blog for daily-living tips and inspiration.  Click on Sony Holland’s link if you love smooth jazz and would like to learn more about this artist.

4.  My boy, Adam Lambert, is JAMMING on American Idol!  He gives a rock-solid performance every week.  Click here to see him perform “The Track Of My Tears” by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles.  I wish I could sign him up on my nonexistent record label today… heck, he makes me want to start a record label.  Of course, I think most of the contestants left are extremely talented.  It’s time for Megan Joy to go though… sorry.

5.  Lastly– I really, really, REALLY need a vacation.  If I don’t plan one soon, I might just leave one day and never come back.  I’ll keep you posted…

For more Random Tuesday Thoughts, visit the UnMom:

I’ve seen other bloggers participate in Random Tuesday and it seemed fun.  This will be my first attempt.  I believe the UnMom gets credit for starting this phenomenon.  So here goes…

1.  I particularly look forward to “American Idol“, which happens to be on tonight.  What I’m really irritated about this season is that fourth judge, Kara DioGuardi.  I mean, what’s the point?  Now, we have two women to ignore.  Just kidding… sort of.  At least Paula is tolerably sweet and we’ve grown used to her.  I have yet to see how this second woman adds anything of value to the show.  She repeats what either Randy or Simon says and that’s just wasting time.

As far as the contestants go, David Cook, from last season, set the bar.  He tore  “Billie Jean” up!  Who can fill his shoes?  So far, it looks as if another man is going to win.  I admire all the performers who have the guts to get on that stage and display their talent to the world and withstand the criticism.

2.  My usually independent daughter was extremely clingy today.  All day.  It was annoying.  I LOVE spending time with her.  After all, she’s the reason I work from home.  Today, however, she wasn’t pleased unless I was holding her… and she’s heavy.  I couldn’t take one more minute so I put her to bed fifteen minutes early.  I hope tomorrow’s better for both of us.

3.  My neighbor’s dogs won’t stop barking.  Urgh!

4.  My husband and I are ready to have another baby.  Since I’ll be thirty-five this year and had a pretty miserable pregnancy the last go-round, I’m seeing my gyno tomorrow for a well woman/ preconception check-up.  I didn’t have any medical problems, just every other preggo symptom you can imagine.  I’m just now starting to feel like myself again (at 15-mos post-partum).  I haven’t completely gotten back to my pre-preggo weight, but I’ve lost a lot and am exercising regularly.  I’m pretty nervous about going through it all again, but hope and pray the next time will be different.

5.  I, or my husband, drop 300 Entrecards daily.  While I enjoy visiting other sites, it’s the “work” part of maintaining this blog.  The things we must do to get traffic… Anywho, I’m starting to wonder just how serious being a “drop master” is.  I very competitively like to keep my Entrecard rank high, but I’ve noticed that I have yet to receive 300 drops back in a day.  I’ve only occasionally reached over 300 visits total and that’s along with visits generated from my Entrecard adverts showing and my non-blogger friends.

I was thinking of asking for 300 people to commit to return drops and we kind of help each other with the daily-drop thing.  Then, I thought–well, that’s ridiculous.  I should be focusing on the content of my blog.  If it’s good, people will come… I guess.  Maybe I’m getting too wrapped up in drops.

So, this is what’s on my mind today.  What are your random thoughts?

   I don’t know when it happened.  Was it after I got married or when my daughter was born?

I’m not sure when or why it happened, but I know how– My husband and daughter drained all the pizazz from me!

I am no longer glamorous (yes, I used to be! ).  I no longer style my hair in the most fashionable way.  I am lucky if I remember to shave my legs and tweeze my eyebrows.  I no longer wear the sexiest, matching undergarments… and maybe worst of all–I no longer do anything for myself.  When was the last time I actually went out alone (without my husband or daughter) or just hung out with a friend?

The realization of my transformation hit me while I was going through some pre-marital/ pre-preggo photos (looking for something to post on my blog, of course).  It really was a sad half hour, perusing through images of the old me.  So, I said to myself, “Self, you have to get out of here and do something for YOURSELF”.

Some may call putting your family ahead of yourself mature and selfless.  Great.  I’m sure it is.  But, at what point does it all become unhealthy?  When will it burn us out?  Shouldn’t moms take time for ourselves and just BE ourselves?… and, that’s if you can even remember who that is… I sure don’t.

I may not remember when I traded in my 5- inch heels for tacky, yet comfortable flip-flops, but I know the moment I decided to not just be Danny’s wife or Dasha’s mother.  Sure, I am those people, but I am also DAVIDA.  I have likes and dislikes… wants and needs.  I enjoy… uh… um… oh yes, that’s right… I remember now.  I enjoy sitting on the sandy beach, eating at cozy restaurants, reading a good book, listening to soothing music, getting my hair done, and going to the movie theater.

So, that’s what we did.  Tasha and I went to the movies (Read what I have to say about “Seven Pounds “).  We left our darlings with their daddies and went out.  We talked, reminisced of old days, laughed at the silly little boys on the corner trying to make a pass at us… and hurried home to see our babies and husbands.

Yes, only a few hours was all it took to re-center ourselves, remember who we are as individuals, enjoy those moments, and go back to our wonderful new lives of diapers, milk bottles, and gassy smiles.  Nothing like a “Girls Day Out” to make us both realize we have new lives… but, they are good ones.

Go out with your girls, ladies, or just spend some quality time alone.  Enjoy YOURSELF.  Your husband and children will be there to love on when you get back.  You’ll be glad you did.

The featured picture is of us in 2006.

  Ok.  I did it.  Today, I went to court for the first time since my daughter was born over a year ago.  And, it felt good.  I worked hard to get that bar card, and I enjoyed putting it to use today.  The great thing about solo practice is that after a short while, I was reunited with my daughter.  I dropped her off at my husband’s job at 9:30 am (still trying to work out the babysitter thing), went before the judge at 10:00 am, was done by 10:10 am, hung around with my client until 10:30 am, and was back with my little stinky-dinky before 11 am.  It was a good day.  What was I so afraid of?  Maybe returning to work really is like riding a bike.  Isn’t it amazing how we I make mountains out of mole hills!

If you’re reading this blog for the first time and actually give a hoot about what I’m referring to, click here for a previous post about my fears in returning to work.

The featured picture is of the two peas in a pod hanging out at Daddy’s job.

  I have a confession to make…one that won’t make me Attorney-of-the-Year…but holds true to my honesty-above-all-else-in-blogging policy.  I return to the courtroom this Friday for the first time in over a year and…well…uh…maybe I shouldn’t tell you…but…I’m scared.

There.  I wrote it.  Attacking this monster will hopefully minimalize it.  Yes, that’s right (a little more boldly now)… I’M SCARED to shuck my milk-stained jumpsuit, don a black suit, step into the big downtown courtroom, and announce “Present with Counsel, your Honor.” 

I’ve been licensed since I graduated law school in 2005.  So, I’ve already been through this stage.  I think everyone’s a little nervous when they start a new job.  Will I know what I’m doing?  Will I screw up?  Will the Judge humiliate me?  Will the Clerk?  Will my client be satisfied with my representation?  But, I got over it.  I practiced and I got good.  That’s why they call it “practicing law”, right?

Well, shortly before my daughter was born, I went on maternity leave.  That leave became extended after she was born and I’ve been home with her ever since.  She’ll be thirteen months next week.  Although I’ve done a little administrative legal work from home, I have not stepped into the courtroom at all during this time…except to attend my husband’s swearing-in ceremony.  That doesn’t really count.

I’m wondering if it’ll all come back to me–like riding a bike.  Do you ever forget what you’re supposed to do once you get it?  I’ve been mentally preparing myself for about two weeks now…just because I’m weird like that.  I’m sure it’s over-kill, but I rather be overly prepared than under.

Wish me well.  It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that person pictured above (yes, that’s me).  Hopefully, I won’t look too much out of place.  Don’t worry, I won’t be doing it full-time.  Being home with my daughter still comes first.  It’ll only be a few times a month.  I’ll keep you posted.