Thursday, December 15, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Oh Utah, the Honeymoon is Over
Stats for this week:
Number of attempted new friendships: 5
Number of rejections to invitations: 5
Number of activities attended alone: 2
Number of days it was too cold to go outside: all of them
Terrific.
Number of attempted new friendships: 5
Number of rejections to invitations: 5
Number of activities attended alone: 2
Number of days it was too cold to go outside: all of them
Terrific.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Why I Blog
As world 2.0 evolves and we head into what we may perhaps label 3.0 social interaction online, I had a unique opportunity to appreciate what blogging has done for me.
I have been blogging now for close to 8 years (remember the xanga days?) and I maintained this blog pretty faithfully for the last 5. My blog has meant many things to me starting with a place for private social interaction among other cynics who were there to essentially mock one another and any newcomers too, to its most recent public iteration with caution regarding anything potentially mean-spirited. It has meant a place to learn about my friends, to cohabitate online with people who I wish I lived near in real life. It has served as a reunion to help me connect with those who I used to know and wish to know again and sometimes a place to meet new interesting people to fill in the crevices of my friendships with interesting and diverse mortar.
But as 3.0 existence may push out my own blog in favor of those that are specialized and provide valuable resources to like-minded people, I discover that the real value of my blog lay in secret, a latent purpose waiting for a need and point in time: a record of my life. I discovered this when a co-worker asked me about my work at the charter school in California, you know the one where I spent all of my waking hours in Santa Barbara? And I was able to piece together the journey using my blog. I walked down memory lane as I pondered the timeline:
I have been blogging now for close to 8 years (remember the xanga days?) and I maintained this blog pretty faithfully for the last 5. My blog has meant many things to me starting with a place for private social interaction among other cynics who were there to essentially mock one another and any newcomers too, to its most recent public iteration with caution regarding anything potentially mean-spirited. It has meant a place to learn about my friends, to cohabitate online with people who I wish I lived near in real life. It has served as a reunion to help me connect with those who I used to know and wish to know again and sometimes a place to meet new interesting people to fill in the crevices of my friendships with interesting and diverse mortar.
But as 3.0 existence may push out my own blog in favor of those that are specialized and provide valuable resources to like-minded people, I discover that the real value of my blog lay in secret, a latent purpose waiting for a need and point in time: a record of my life. I discovered this when a co-worker asked me about my work at the charter school in California, you know the one where I spent all of my waking hours in Santa Barbara? And I was able to piece together the journey using my blog. I walked down memory lane as I pondered the timeline:
My first post and explanation
One of my angry moments before they let us speak up
Newspaper article midpoint
I hate the superintendent (not anymore)
Our heartwarming activist moment (article is linked to blog)
Wait I still do hate this guy!! Nevermind. Here is the video where he they show us and then him. I have a cute haircut and way better skin, I think I need to move back to California.
The stay of execution (we won! Wait, what did we win?)
My lamentations of public information laws
My better-late-than-never resignation
The final newspaper article which is kind of my swan song, has disappeared. School was saved, got a 3 year charter, blah blah blah.
And I realized how lucky I was to have this blog. The memory of that great work has already faded from my mind and I only remember the tragedy and heartache. But if you look at some of those moments in time, I got to be part of a real movement, a local movement, a community-led fight against the man and the system. Who would I be today without this experience? And the record of it is all here in this neat little web application. And there are other strands, years of halloween costumes, Catholic cigar box tributes to my deceased relatives, art shows, farewell parties, travels coast-to-coast, and my disheveled first day of school photos. I have recorded the life and love I experienced over the years and my only wish is that I had blogged the first 30 years of my life to go back and verify my charmed existence in html.
If you don't blog, I sure hope you keep a journal because, well... how sweet it is to be reminded of the gifts of our years.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
As My Children Age...
...life gets more complicated.
When your children are very small, you put on their clothes, they don't tell you they don't like the outfit, and you put them in the car. They don't ask who is going to be there, if there are children of the same age, or if they are going to be traveling on a Sunday. They just go.
And sure they cry, sure they don't sleep, they might even have an explosive diaper situation. But they don't tell you "hey you are ruining my life by dragging me around."
Enter adolescence.
My children now insist on picking their own clothing. Don't you think this dress is delightful?
Wouldn't it be cute to see your girls dressed together in this dress?
Well too bad for you. Because they want this one:
Do they care that it is unflattering? Do they care that it is more expensive? Do they? Huh?
No. They do not.
And there are other things they care about now like dinner. Food they have eaten for years and loved they suddenly are suspicious of, like many other things that their parents do.
They want to stay up late.
They want to argue a point for the sake of their point (like their father).
They watch the debates and have an opinion. Nothing of consequence, it might be about an outfit or a funny word that someone says but still it is an opinion in the making.
They stop me every 15 seconds while we are reading a book aloud together and want to make a commentary.
They want to tell each other what to do even when I don't care (things like "mom told you to put that cup back on the counter, do it!!" or "why are you reading such a stupid book? you should read something better." ) Really? Really? Aren't two parents enough? Aren't my rules stringent enough, you are now making new stupid rules?
In short, my children have become people.
And living with more people is always more complicated.
But lest you think this post is a complaint, let me reassure you that there are some side benefits to this.
My children now feed themselves. They even occasionally help me while I make food for them. It has even become a phenomenon for one of my children to look up a recipe, make a dish, and share with others unprompted.
When Steve and I want to go to the movies, we can assign them simple tasks like "keep the house clean and we will pay you an extra dollar."
They defend me against their siblings who may be trying to break my will.
They bring in groceries, do chores, and can once in while, volunteer to help. Once in a long while.
While I may despise their taste in clothing, each of my children is developing their own sense of style and I am starting to see that they are actually better at dressing themselves than I am.
But the single greatest change that has occurred in the chaos of this aging, hormonal, frustrating phase is that I finally feel like I was meant to be a mother.
Some of you out there may like the babies, and I will admit there is a certain yumminess in our house gone forever. But after the dust of infancy and toddlerhood begins to clear, I look at my offspring and I think to myself that it was a truly worthy investment for the joy I will experience for the rest of my life.
When your children are very small, you put on their clothes, they don't tell you they don't like the outfit, and you put them in the car. They don't ask who is going to be there, if there are children of the same age, or if they are going to be traveling on a Sunday. They just go.
And sure they cry, sure they don't sleep, they might even have an explosive diaper situation. But they don't tell you "hey you are ruining my life by dragging me around."
Enter adolescence.
My children now insist on picking their own clothing. Don't you think this dress is delightful?
Wouldn't it be cute to see your girls dressed together in this dress?
Well too bad for you. Because they want this one:
Do they care that it is unflattering? Do they care that it is more expensive? Do they? Huh?
No. They do not.
And there are other things they care about now like dinner. Food they have eaten for years and loved they suddenly are suspicious of, like many other things that their parents do.
They want to stay up late.
They want to argue a point for the sake of their point (like their father).
They watch the debates and have an opinion. Nothing of consequence, it might be about an outfit or a funny word that someone says but still it is an opinion in the making.
They stop me every 15 seconds while we are reading a book aloud together and want to make a commentary.
They want to tell each other what to do even when I don't care (things like "mom told you to put that cup back on the counter, do it!!" or "why are you reading such a stupid book? you should read something better." ) Really? Really? Aren't two parents enough? Aren't my rules stringent enough, you are now making new stupid rules?
In short, my children have become people.
And living with more people is always more complicated.
But lest you think this post is a complaint, let me reassure you that there are some side benefits to this.
My children now feed themselves. They even occasionally help me while I make food for them. It has even become a phenomenon for one of my children to look up a recipe, make a dish, and share with others unprompted.
When Steve and I want to go to the movies, we can assign them simple tasks like "keep the house clean and we will pay you an extra dollar."
They defend me against their siblings who may be trying to break my will.
They bring in groceries, do chores, and can once in while, volunteer to help. Once in a long while.
While I may despise their taste in clothing, each of my children is developing their own sense of style and I am starting to see that they are actually better at dressing themselves than I am.
But the single greatest change that has occurred in the chaos of this aging, hormonal, frustrating phase is that I finally feel like I was meant to be a mother.
Some of you out there may like the babies, and I will admit there is a certain yumminess in our house gone forever. But after the dust of infancy and toddlerhood begins to clear, I look at my offspring and I think to myself that it was a truly worthy investment for the joy I will experience for the rest of my life.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
In Preparation for Gratitude
In general, I feel like I am a person who feels thankful for things. I am not always positive, optimistic and happy but in general I do feel like I have some predisposition towards gratitude.
I have heard that it is a good practice to periodically pray JUST in gratitude instead of always asking--for me, that is my default prayer. I remember to pray when I am thankful more than when I need things (this is related to an area I do struggle with, humility).
I think one explanation for my particular penchant towards the proverbial thank you is that I have been surrounded my entire life by amazing people. I know that all my personal strengths, gifts, and confidence come from a charmed life.
This year I can only say, if you are reading this blog, I am thankful for you. I hope that you have a phenomenal Thanksgiving and please, for the love of all that is holy, do not eat canned cranberry sauce.
I have heard that it is a good practice to periodically pray JUST in gratitude instead of always asking--for me, that is my default prayer. I remember to pray when I am thankful more than when I need things (this is related to an area I do struggle with, humility).
I think one explanation for my particular penchant towards the proverbial thank you is that I have been surrounded my entire life by amazing people. I know that all my personal strengths, gifts, and confidence come from a charmed life.
This year I can only say, if you are reading this blog, I am thankful for you. I hope that you have a phenomenal Thanksgiving and please, for the love of all that is holy, do not eat canned cranberry sauce.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
How to Stay Healthy on the Road
I was home for fewer than 24 hours before traipsing across the country and I have a lot of crap to do to catch up with both my home and work lives.
So rather than catch up on said work, I am going to do a quick blog to record this moment of my life and the energy I spend trying to be healthy. I hope I stick with these practices, it has been months so I am thinking they should be habits, no?
A couple of shoutouts first:
1) To Amanda for sending me a link to greensmoothiegirl.
2) To my co-worker Jude who has made needing to eat healthy a group event
3) To my friend Tiff for mocking the sprout sandwich I pinned. And other yummy treats on my pinterest boards.
Here are my current practices, I would love for feedback if you think these are bad things:
1) NO SUGAR. Seriously. If I pick up a bag of almonds and it has sugar, corn syrup, or aspartame, I skip it. This is the top one because I notice that after awhile, I no longer crave it. One bite and all the memories of desserts on the road come flooding into my brain and I can. Not. Resist. So sadly and tragically, no sugar.
2) No refined flour. This one is almost moot because hardly any flour-based products are sugar free. However, pasta and other non-complex flour items are on my no-no list.
3) Get Naked at Starbucks. Naked Juice makes some incredible smoothies that are comprised of healthy ingredients, they have a variety of flavors at almost every Starbucks. I probably eat 2 green smoothies a day while traveling, sometimes I get stuck with the fruit-only ones which are highly tasty. They are $4.31 each, but if you compare that with an average breakfast, lunch, or dinner price, that is pretty steenking cheap. I should buy stock in Naked Juice. PS Berry Veggie is gross, all other flavors are rockin.
4) Take the stairs. Everywhere. If there are one hundred stairs in the subway right next to an extremely steep escalator, I take them anyway. There are so few opportunities to take stairs that you should do it when you can. I sometimes request a high floor in a hotel if I know I have a few extra minutes to get out the door and back in at night and then I take the stairs. Not convenient for 6 hour hotel stays. Alternatively this section could be entitled "Dance as long as you can" but not everyone likes dancing and it may disturb you to know I dance in the bathroom, in front of the TV, and out with colleagues a few times a year if possible. It is way more fun than stairs.
5) Preparation for potential exercise. I always pack a sports bra and an extra pair of workout underwear. Then if an opportunity presents itself, I put in a DVD or youtube vids and get jiggy with zumba or Tracy. I have found that packing tennis shoes takes up space and then makes me regret that I couldn't commit to leaving my room. But in my room if I say "okay just five minutes" then even while exhausted I can come up with something in my stockinged feet.
6) Drink herbal tea Hardly any hotels carry them in the room so if I do find one, I raid the supply and take it with me. I like a peppermint for the morning and a chamomile for evening. These energize and relax me alternatively and fill me up with necessary liquids. Plus I can hang out at the coffee/dessert crowd and feel like I am partaking without filling my body with sugars and well, you already know I don't do coffee.
5) Scout out room service healthy options immediately. When I get into my hotel room, I look at all the options and tell myself how unhealthy they are and then pick something relatively harmless. Then, if I do get a temptation to eat, I have already selected the healthiest item and don't slip back to a bad choice. Most hotels have some kind of yogurt thing or a tomato salad. I don't usually order them, but it is a safe guard to pick right away and then be prepared if you give in to the call of the brownie with ice cream and chocolate sauce.
These may seem like simple things or maybe stuff you have always done, but I have struggled with weight gain and I finally, finally have brought myself to a place where not only do I not gain, but I often lose a pound or two if I am away for a long time.
If I had better self-control I would add one more thing to my repetoire:
Eat alone. When I eat alone, I eat less and I pick healthier items. However, since the purpose of life is to be good and right and to simultaneously find joy, I would find eating alone sad and a waste of an opportunity so I sacrifice a few extra calories in order to spend time with people I enjoy.
Don't worry, if you ever want to join me on one of my trips, you will find there are plenty of yummy foods out there that are not on my taboo list.
So rather than catch up on said work, I am going to do a quick blog to record this moment of my life and the energy I spend trying to be healthy. I hope I stick with these practices, it has been months so I am thinking they should be habits, no?
A couple of shoutouts first:
1) To Amanda for sending me a link to greensmoothiegirl.
2) To my co-worker Jude who has made needing to eat healthy a group event
3) To my friend Tiff for mocking the sprout sandwich I pinned. And other yummy treats on my pinterest boards.
Here are my current practices, I would love for feedback if you think these are bad things:
1) NO SUGAR. Seriously. If I pick up a bag of almonds and it has sugar, corn syrup, or aspartame, I skip it. This is the top one because I notice that after awhile, I no longer crave it. One bite and all the memories of desserts on the road come flooding into my brain and I can. Not. Resist. So sadly and tragically, no sugar.
2) No refined flour. This one is almost moot because hardly any flour-based products are sugar free. However, pasta and other non-complex flour items are on my no-no list.
3) Get Naked at Starbucks. Naked Juice makes some incredible smoothies that are comprised of healthy ingredients, they have a variety of flavors at almost every Starbucks. I probably eat 2 green smoothies a day while traveling, sometimes I get stuck with the fruit-only ones which are highly tasty. They are $4.31 each, but if you compare that with an average breakfast, lunch, or dinner price, that is pretty steenking cheap. I should buy stock in Naked Juice. PS Berry Veggie is gross, all other flavors are rockin.
4) Take the stairs. Everywhere. If there are one hundred stairs in the subway right next to an extremely steep escalator, I take them anyway. There are so few opportunities to take stairs that you should do it when you can. I sometimes request a high floor in a hotel if I know I have a few extra minutes to get out the door and back in at night and then I take the stairs. Not convenient for 6 hour hotel stays. Alternatively this section could be entitled "Dance as long as you can" but not everyone likes dancing and it may disturb you to know I dance in the bathroom, in front of the TV, and out with colleagues a few times a year if possible. It is way more fun than stairs.
5) Preparation for potential exercise. I always pack a sports bra and an extra pair of workout underwear. Then if an opportunity presents itself, I put in a DVD or youtube vids and get jiggy with zumba or Tracy. I have found that packing tennis shoes takes up space and then makes me regret that I couldn't commit to leaving my room. But in my room if I say "okay just five minutes" then even while exhausted I can come up with something in my stockinged feet.
6) Drink herbal tea Hardly any hotels carry them in the room so if I do find one, I raid the supply and take it with me. I like a peppermint for the morning and a chamomile for evening. These energize and relax me alternatively and fill me up with necessary liquids. Plus I can hang out at the coffee/dessert crowd and feel like I am partaking without filling my body with sugars and well, you already know I don't do coffee.
5) Scout out room service healthy options immediately. When I get into my hotel room, I look at all the options and tell myself how unhealthy they are and then pick something relatively harmless. Then, if I do get a temptation to eat, I have already selected the healthiest item and don't slip back to a bad choice. Most hotels have some kind of yogurt thing or a tomato salad. I don't usually order them, but it is a safe guard to pick right away and then be prepared if you give in to the call of the brownie with ice cream and chocolate sauce.
These may seem like simple things or maybe stuff you have always done, but I have struggled with weight gain and I finally, finally have brought myself to a place where not only do I not gain, but I often lose a pound or two if I am away for a long time.
If I had better self-control I would add one more thing to my repetoire:
Eat alone. When I eat alone, I eat less and I pick healthier items. However, since the purpose of life is to be good and right and to simultaneously find joy, I would find eating alone sad and a waste of an opportunity so I sacrifice a few extra calories in order to spend time with people I enjoy.
Don't worry, if you ever want to join me on one of my trips, you will find there are plenty of yummy foods out there that are not on my taboo list.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Why I Love Halloween
I never was allowed to Trick-or-Treat as a kid. My parents did not like the concept of sugar, I grew up in a small mountain town where it was a pain to go house-to-house, and I think my parents used the excuse that people were tampering with candy and putting razor blades in apples. Considering I was highly unmonitored as a child, the last excuse seems particularly flimsy.
Regardless of the reason, I have never actually gone door-to-door as a kid and as a result saw no point in dressing up and someone sadly, I do not recall a single costume I wore as a child. Not one.
As a teacher I did dress in various historical costumes to play along. I dressed as Rosie the Riveter, Lara Croft, Marie Antoinette, and a handful of others but I just never really liked dressing up.
My children have changed my mind on Halloween for the following reasons:
1) Bridget has alerted me to the joy that can be had in costume construction and the fun in planning elaborate schemes for dressing up. Each year we go to the fabric store, look over the patterns, check out beautiful fabrics, and spend way too much money sewing something that a small child in Asia could make for 1/18th the price. But we have such a fun time with the project, sitting together in the living room and talking while measuring, stitching and then using the seam ripper because I sewed something backwards, and then restitching. This year it was the Red Queen:
2) Trick-or-Treat? FUN. It isn't about candy for me, it is about walking around your neighborhood and seeing people you love! Gillian took Meg's hand and "trained" her on how to Trick-or-Treat. They held hands, they ran together, and in general there was glee abounding.
3) Even my son, who like his mother does not enjoy dressing up, gets into the craftiness of it all and we were able to construct a hat together. Great geometric thinking came with it, we talked through the two dimension turning into the 3, we calculated diameter, and problem-solved together in generating this velvet top hat. He of course refused to turn it to the side so the ribbon would be properly viewed.
I never wanted to have a bunch of kids, but days like Halloween I reflect and wonder how sad it would be to live a life childless. The wonders of surburbia could never be unearthed.
4.
Regardless of the reason, I have never actually gone door-to-door as a kid and as a result saw no point in dressing up and someone sadly, I do not recall a single costume I wore as a child. Not one.
As a teacher I did dress in various historical costumes to play along. I dressed as Rosie the Riveter, Lara Croft, Marie Antoinette, and a handful of others but I just never really liked dressing up.
My children have changed my mind on Halloween for the following reasons:
1) Bridget has alerted me to the joy that can be had in costume construction and the fun in planning elaborate schemes for dressing up. Each year we go to the fabric store, look over the patterns, check out beautiful fabrics, and spend way too much money sewing something that a small child in Asia could make for 1/18th the price. But we have such a fun time with the project, sitting together in the living room and talking while measuring, stitching and then using the seam ripper because I sewed something backwards, and then restitching. This year it was the Red Queen:
2) Trick-or-Treat? FUN. It isn't about candy for me, it is about walking around your neighborhood and seeing people you love! Gillian took Meg's hand and "trained" her on how to Trick-or-Treat. They held hands, they ran together, and in general there was glee abounding.
3) Even my son, who like his mother does not enjoy dressing up, gets into the craftiness of it all and we were able to construct a hat together. Great geometric thinking came with it, we talked through the two dimension turning into the 3, we calculated diameter, and problem-solved together in generating this velvet top hat. He of course refused to turn it to the side so the ribbon would be properly viewed.
I never wanted to have a bunch of kids, but days like Halloween I reflect and wonder how sad it would be to live a life childless. The wonders of surburbia could never be unearthed.
4.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Defining Beauty
Since I got a little promotion it seemed meet that I should splurge and get myself something to celebrate.
So I bought myself this dress today:
Except it is an electric blue and I couldn't find the picture online. I took a picture of myself in it, but this lovely morena looks much better in it so you can appreciate the dress for what it is.
I bought it because I was already in the store buying some makeup. Why was I buying makeup? Because of this article a colleague sent to prompt critical thinking among students about gender role construction.
I can't tell you why I am so disappointed in my own actions today but I will share them with you in an attempt to have you explain them to me.
1) I bought the makeup so I would look more competent. Collaborative, but competent. I asked the 19-year old girl working the make up counter (who knows nothing about me) what looked good on me and trusted her instinct. I did NOT buy the very heavy black eyeliner she put on me, but I did buy the other stuff. I walked around wondering if people thought I looked more competent.
I went upstairs and asked if they had any wrap dresses. I so love them, but they are hard to find and expensivo. The cute little 19-year old who worked there was thrilled with herself when she showed it to me. I put on the dress and fell in love with it. It is a sleek fit, perfectly tailored, and has such a nice karma about it. It feels like a lovely dress and plus, the Nordy mirror! It is such a divine mirror, I wish I had one of my own. And the dress was 50% off!! How could I have such luck??!! But when I got home this is what I got:
Oh. I have never seen that color on you before.
2) And then I read the reviews here on the site where people said they thought the fabric looked cheap and I was going to take it back.
WHAT ON EARTH would motivate a 36-year old supposedly confident woman to take back a dress I fell so perfectly in love with an hour previously? The unenthusiastic response of a man who loves everything about me and doesn't care a thing for clothing? A review of a snobby woman who probably thinks everything in my closet looks cheap?
And why would I buy makeup so other people would think I look more competent? Shouldn't my actions speak for themselves?
Save me from myself, advice needed (but seriously, isn't it a beautiful dress?)
So I bought myself this dress today:
Except it is an electric blue and I couldn't find the picture online. I took a picture of myself in it, but this lovely morena looks much better in it so you can appreciate the dress for what it is.
I bought it because I was already in the store buying some makeup. Why was I buying makeup? Because of this article a colleague sent to prompt critical thinking among students about gender role construction.
I can't tell you why I am so disappointed in my own actions today but I will share them with you in an attempt to have you explain them to me.
1) I bought the makeup so I would look more competent. Collaborative, but competent. I asked the 19-year old girl working the make up counter (who knows nothing about me) what looked good on me and trusted her instinct. I did NOT buy the very heavy black eyeliner she put on me, but I did buy the other stuff. I walked around wondering if people thought I looked more competent.
I went upstairs and asked if they had any wrap dresses. I so love them, but they are hard to find and expensivo. The cute little 19-year old who worked there was thrilled with herself when she showed it to me. I put on the dress and fell in love with it. It is a sleek fit, perfectly tailored, and has such a nice karma about it. It feels like a lovely dress and plus, the Nordy mirror! It is such a divine mirror, I wish I had one of my own. And the dress was 50% off!! How could I have such luck??!! But when I got home this is what I got:
Oh. I have never seen that color on you before.
2) And then I read the reviews here on the site where people said they thought the fabric looked cheap and I was going to take it back.
WHAT ON EARTH would motivate a 36-year old supposedly confident woman to take back a dress I fell so perfectly in love with an hour previously? The unenthusiastic response of a man who loves everything about me and doesn't care a thing for clothing? A review of a snobby woman who probably thinks everything in my closet looks cheap?
And why would I buy makeup so other people would think I look more competent? Shouldn't my actions speak for themselves?
Save me from myself, advice needed (but seriously, isn't it a beautiful dress?)
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Opinion please
My beautiful and delightful friend Chellese took some profile pictures for me that I can use in my professional world (I have a new position at work, thank you very much!)
I like all of them, but these two are the ones I am considering. I would like to solicit some opinions about which one I should use.
Hint: I want to look sincere, not intimidating or annoying.
Option A:
Option B:
I like all of them, but these two are the ones I am considering. I would like to solicit some opinions about which one I should use.
Hint: I want to look sincere, not intimidating or annoying.
Option A:
Option B:
Monday, October 10, 2011
Halloween Costume
These days it isn't really cost effective to sew. It isn't. There is some upcycling going on, but I haven't gotten into it quite yet. But to buy fabric, the pattern, and all the notions, you are looking at way more money for, in my case, a lower quality product.
However, I do make a costume each year for halloween for my eldest daughter who is really the only one to appreciate my antics. I have to say it has turned into an annual event which I enjoy tremendously.
This year I have actually finished the costume prior to Halloween which apparently gives me enough time to make one for Gillian.
Don't look too closely of course, but it was a fun costume to put together. My aunt Judy contributed the petticoat which really makes the whole thing anyway.
However, I do make a costume each year for halloween for my eldest daughter who is really the only one to appreciate my antics. I have to say it has turned into an annual event which I enjoy tremendously.
This year I have actually finished the costume prior to Halloween which apparently gives me enough time to make one for Gillian.
Don't look too closely of course, but it was a fun costume to put together. My aunt Judy contributed the petticoat which really makes the whole thing anyway.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Maturity Hits
I now know why people refer to this age as "middle-aged." Sure, people live longer and middle age is more like mid 40s, but I have hit middle age, I am certain of it. My evidence:
- Making fun of people seems mean and not fun. I wish I could go back, but it is forever gone.
- I feel fine with my weight and body. WHAT?? This is wrong. I care about my health, but I just don't care if I look skinnier anymore. This disturbs me.
- I don't want to eat anything packaged. It seems like poison and gross. This is particularly tragic considering that is 90% of what I can eat on the road and buy in grocery stores.
- In July at our annual conference there was exactly ONE opportunity to go out dancing with my co-workers at the dueling piano bar. I have done this several years and loved it. But this year? I just went to bed instead. I even got a text at midnight asking "where the @#$% are you?" and I just rolled over and went back to sleep.
- I stopped texting and driving because I believe I can actually die now.
- I stopped speeding (though I might just be on hiatus for 1 more year until my record clears from the last violation)
- I now seek opportunities to hang out with nuns.
- 6 hours and 19 minutes of sleep used to buy me extraordinary energy. Now I need about 6 hrs 30. Lame.
- I read news.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Sleeping Fairies
This weekend my youngest child turned 3.
For the first time I have the youngest child potty trained (mostly) and no thoughts of one coming down the pipeline.
We have diapers that we may never use.
We have 4 children who can articulate anger, frustration, happiness, and joy using words.
And how do I feel?
I know I am biased, but you can ask around--she brings joy to everyone she meets. She hugs people, she laughs, she smiles, and when she flounces into a room, it feels like there is actually just a little more light.
She refused to change her clothes and is in fact still donning the fairy gear now. I suppose she really is magical, why not dress the part?
For the first time I have the youngest child potty trained (mostly) and no thoughts of one coming down the pipeline.
We have diapers that we may never use.
We have 4 children who can articulate anger, frustration, happiness, and joy using words.
And how do I feel?
I know I am biased, but you can ask around--she brings joy to everyone she meets. She hugs people, she laughs, she smiles, and when she flounces into a room, it feels like there is actually just a little more light.
She refused to change her clothes and is in fact still donning the fairy gear now. I suppose she really is magical, why not dress the part?
Monday, August 29, 2011
First Day of School
The first day of school I happily packed my children off to school in their perfectly coordinated outfits, new backpacks, and polished shoes.
Just kidding. I missed the first day of school for my kids. All of them. So I have no photographic evidence of my son's major ascension to junior high school.
However, I did some parental duty this weekend and bought them all overpriced binders and helped them organize their schoolwork. I also purchased for Casey a high quality trombone (well, rented) and bought a bunch of little unnecessary school supplies in an attempt to buy my children's love as I realized I was going to miss the first band concert due to work travel.
I honestly wish I didn't love the work I do so much because it would be a NO brainer to quit this deal. Every single Sunday I brainstorm alternative ways to work in education, like going back into the classroom, trying to find a job with the school district, or a volunteer position like school board member or some other no-travel position. But then Monday hits, I get an email on brainstorming ideas for a project, I have a conference call scheduled to save the world and WHAM I am sucked back into national work.
In an attempt to save my aforementioned neglect, I did snap a photo of my eldest this morning, his first day with the new trombone and I have to say that I am so happy with his school right now. He is happy, the teachers seem to be exciting and fun, and so far, it is living up to my newly found Utah standards.
Isn't he lovely?
Just kidding. I missed the first day of school for my kids. All of them. So I have no photographic evidence of my son's major ascension to junior high school.
However, I did some parental duty this weekend and bought them all overpriced binders and helped them organize their schoolwork. I also purchased for Casey a high quality trombone (well, rented) and bought a bunch of little unnecessary school supplies in an attempt to buy my children's love as I realized I was going to miss the first band concert due to work travel.
I honestly wish I didn't love the work I do so much because it would be a NO brainer to quit this deal. Every single Sunday I brainstorm alternative ways to work in education, like going back into the classroom, trying to find a job with the school district, or a volunteer position like school board member or some other no-travel position. But then Monday hits, I get an email on brainstorming ideas for a project, I have a conference call scheduled to save the world and WHAM I am sucked back into national work.
In an attempt to save my aforementioned neglect, I did snap a photo of my eldest this morning, his first day with the new trombone and I have to say that I am so happy with his school right now. He is happy, the teachers seem to be exciting and fun, and so far, it is living up to my newly found Utah standards.
Isn't he lovely?
Friday, August 26, 2011
Almost Thou Persuadeth Me
I have to say that I simply love nuns. I have never had an occasion to get to know them, but the ones I worked with in Spain were a delight. Like, a REAL delight.
I can't really summarize an entire day of combining my three favorite things in the world:
A few points of interest:
1) This particular order of nuns is focused on changing and improving families through education. Isn't that awesome? Yes it is.
So first they were really excited about that message. Here they are, excited
2) They had great sense of humor and were so fun to be around. They had a ton of questions and, did you know...that nuns call each other by their first name?? So it was like Monika, Edith, etc.
3) They were happy, beautiful, and really focused on doing good. I mean, I felt like they were doing some really special work in the world and it was a privilege to be a part of it:
I am going to start looking for nuns to hang out with them more. Do you think there are any in Utah?
I can't really summarize an entire day of combining my three favorite things in the world:
- Progressive education
- Spanish
- Do gooder religious types
A few points of interest:
1) This particular order of nuns is focused on changing and improving families through education. Isn't that awesome? Yes it is.
So first they were really excited about that message. Here they are, excited
2) They had great sense of humor and were so fun to be around. They had a ton of questions and, did you know...that nuns call each other by their first name?? So it was like Monika, Edith, etc.
3) They were happy, beautiful, and really focused on doing good. I mean, I felt like they were doing some really special work in the world and it was a privilege to be a part of it:
I am going to start looking for nuns to hang out with them more. Do you think there are any in Utah?
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Detalles
So I had an awesome day with nuns but I am a few posts behind and I have to stay in order.
Fact: Barcelona is totally awesome. Fountains mmm:
Fact: If you drink from the fountain in La Rambla, you always return. Also a fact: The water tastes disgusting. Since I have gone to that fountain several times, the desire to return courses like poison in my veins, no need to feed the best. I did get a foto taken by it though.
Fact: The official language of Barcelona and the entire region surrounding is Catalán. For those who don't know the deep roots of a very long battle, the region of Catalunya wants to be separate--not like tejas that jokes about it, but for reals for reals Catalunya doesn't want to be part of Spain and in fact does not consider what we consider "Spanish" to be Spanish, rather Castellano. Though I have used the term before, I had forgotten that some Catalanes consider it an insult to call it Spanish (even though they don't want to be Spanish, so, weird.) Anywho, linguists know that if a language isn't useful, it declines so they require it for everything these days to protect the language from extinction and to resurge as a great language of art and culture. The sign below is in Catalán and is the one found at the base of said fountain:
Fact: Spaniards love motorcyles. Harleys, really, but they don't drive them, they drive little motos. Here is a sampling of moto love:
Fact: El Barça has the best soccer team in the world right now. My friend (well, her husband to be exact) es, like many other in his city, un fanático. Their entire family dressed up and of course bought me un original shirt. They were very happy to see me in the shirt, I hope I actually wear it again in my life. Maybe Halloween?
I have many other pictures, but at least I got these up for now. Next post: Mucha marcha en Madrid and Flamenco.
Fact: Barcelona is totally awesome. Fountains mmm:
Fact: If you drink from the fountain in La Rambla, you always return. Also a fact: The water tastes disgusting. Since I have gone to that fountain several times, the desire to return courses like poison in my veins, no need to feed the best. I did get a foto taken by it though.
Fact: Awesome architecture due largely to Gaudí. More on that guy later, but everywhere you see his influence:
Fact: El Barça has the best soccer team in the world right now. My friend (well, her husband to be exact) es, like many other in his city, un fanático. Their entire family dressed up and of course bought me un original shirt. They were very happy to see me in the shirt, I hope I actually wear it again in my life. Maybe Halloween?
I have many other pictures, but at least I got these up for now. Next post: Mucha marcha en Madrid and Flamenco.
Monday, August 22, 2011
The Spanish Beso
I was planning to do a post on detalles--all the details of Barcelona which focused on hundreds of pictures of roof tops. Be thankful for lousy internet that all you get is this post until my pictures finish downloading.
Since I mentioned the Spanish beso in my last post I thought I would help out those of you who have no knowledge of the beso.
In Spain, you give a kiss (beso) to people on each cheek under the following circumstances:
1) You are being introduced to someone new
2) You see someone you know after a long time (a month, a year, 5 years, etc.)
3) You see someone you know really well after a shorter time period
It is a very sweet tradition, people seem to do it in place of a hug and there is an indicator that you are going to get a beso when the person leans in towards you--not really any awkwardness, a nice simple expression of kindness and caring.
Not surprisingly for those of you know about missionary policies in the Mormon church (which are basically guidelines similar to what a nun or priest might follow), the missionaries are discouraged from giving besos to the opposite sex. It goes hand in hand with a strict no-opposite sex general policy which precludes missionaries from being alone in a room, or even at a 1/1 ratio with members of the opposite gender. It is a really important guideline that helps missionaries really focus on spiritual work instead of on their more tangible and very alert hormones at that age.
Anyway, as a person who is a bit of a hugger (not like, lingering huggy and hang all over you hugger, just a normal I care about you hugger) I had a hard time with the "no beso" rule when I was on my mission.
See in Spain, a beso is a gesture of friendliness, not attraction, and by making it taboo, it actually elevates the level of the beso to feel like it IS related to attraction. So... I admit a few times when someone was already leaning in, I let it slide. Mostly we used the line "no damos besos" (we don't give kisses) but it was such an awkward moment if the person was already moving in for the kiss.
Fortunately, we could beso the ladies all we liked which were mainly the people we kept company with anyway, so I didn't miss out on the tradition entirely.
Now that I am in Spain as a post-missionary girl, it is enjoyable to not stress about that awkwardness of "no damos besos" and instead meet and greet whomever I like in a platonic kiss.
I highly recommend both Spain and the beso.
Today I splurged and got myself tickets for a dinner and flamenco show at what is apparently the premier restaurant of Madrid, Corral de la Morería which is featured in the Book "1000 Places to See Before You Die." Hopefully I can get a few snapshots without looking too touristy.
Since I mentioned the Spanish beso in my last post I thought I would help out those of you who have no knowledge of the beso.
In Spain, you give a kiss (beso) to people on each cheek under the following circumstances:
1) You are being introduced to someone new
2) You see someone you know after a long time (a month, a year, 5 years, etc.)
3) You see someone you know really well after a shorter time period
It is a very sweet tradition, people seem to do it in place of a hug and there is an indicator that you are going to get a beso when the person leans in towards you--not really any awkwardness, a nice simple expression of kindness and caring.
Not surprisingly for those of you know about missionary policies in the Mormon church (which are basically guidelines similar to what a nun or priest might follow), the missionaries are discouraged from giving besos to the opposite sex. It goes hand in hand with a strict no-opposite sex general policy which precludes missionaries from being alone in a room, or even at a 1/1 ratio with members of the opposite gender. It is a really important guideline that helps missionaries really focus on spiritual work instead of on their more tangible and very alert hormones at that age.
Anyway, as a person who is a bit of a hugger (not like, lingering huggy and hang all over you hugger, just a normal I care about you hugger) I had a hard time with the "no beso" rule when I was on my mission.
See in Spain, a beso is a gesture of friendliness, not attraction, and by making it taboo, it actually elevates the level of the beso to feel like it IS related to attraction. So... I admit a few times when someone was already leaning in, I let it slide. Mostly we used the line "no damos besos" (we don't give kisses) but it was such an awkward moment if the person was already moving in for the kiss.
Fortunately, we could beso the ladies all we liked which were mainly the people we kept company with anyway, so I didn't miss out on the tradition entirely.
Now that I am in Spain as a post-missionary girl, it is enjoyable to not stress about that awkwardness of "no damos besos" and instead meet and greet whomever I like in a platonic kiss.
I highly recommend both Spain and the beso.
Today I splurged and got myself tickets for a dinner and flamenco show at what is apparently the premier restaurant of Madrid, Corral de la Morería which is featured in the Book "1000 Places to See Before You Die." Hopefully I can get a few snapshots without looking too touristy.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
La vida quotidiana parte II
I am taking a different kind of vacation in Spain. My former mission companion, Cristina, refers to it as la vida quotidiana--the daily life. I am in a suburb an hour outside of Barcelona and we are doing a lot of things that Spanish people do, and I am loving it. I almost think everyone should do a vacation where you go to a non-touristy spot and you stay in a humble living space to really, really experience what people do. It reminds me of the mission except I can kiss attractive men.
So... what do Spanish people do?
Well... they go shopping. I personally LOVE grocery stores in other countries. In fact, I would love to do a grocery tour across Europe. If you ever travel to another country, make SURE to go to a local market (skip the touristy stores) so you can get a sense of what the average Joe eats. Fascinating, really and truly. Even within the United States I find the comparison interesting.
One thing they do, which seems super smart to me, is they have a security system for their carts! You pay a Euro, click the button and take the cart, but if you return it to the place, you get your Euro back when you click it in!! Smart, no?
Spaniards eat mainly fresh food. They eat bread of the day, they eat fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, and other vegetables they might sneak into a fritura with olive oil for some tasty dish or other. Here below you can see the fabulous, well-priced produce in the plaza of the city. Doesn't it look beautiful?
One thing I found totally different was in the appliance store. Check out how narrow the fridges are!
Maybe you couldn't tell, so here is a point of reference:
We also went to a birthday party where I happened upon a woman whose husband was in my mission. The kid looks JUST like his dad. I mean, seriously!!
Here I am eating way too much chorizo with my former companion and wonderful friend Cristina Colomo who I love to bits and pieces. She is a REAL Catalán.
Tomorrow: Church and then a nun.
So... what do Spanish people do?
Well... they go shopping. I personally LOVE grocery stores in other countries. In fact, I would love to do a grocery tour across Europe. If you ever travel to another country, make SURE to go to a local market (skip the touristy stores) so you can get a sense of what the average Joe eats. Fascinating, really and truly. Even within the United States I find the comparison interesting.
One thing they do, which seems super smart to me, is they have a security system for their carts! You pay a Euro, click the button and take the cart, but if you return it to the place, you get your Euro back when you click it in!! Smart, no?
Spaniards eat mainly fresh food. They eat bread of the day, they eat fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, and other vegetables they might sneak into a fritura with olive oil for some tasty dish or other. Here below you can see the fabulous, well-priced produce in the plaza of the city. Doesn't it look beautiful?
One thing I found totally different was in the appliance store. Check out how narrow the fridges are!
Maybe you couldn't tell, so here is a point of reference:
We also went to a birthday party where I happened upon a woman whose husband was in my mission. The kid looks JUST like his dad. I mean, seriously!!
Here I am eating way too much chorizo with my former companion and wonderful friend Cristina Colomo who I love to bits and pieces. She is a REAL Catalán.
Tomorrow: Church and then a nun.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
To Spain
In 8 hours I will land in the city of Barcelona where I will be embraced by the Mediterranean. She has called my name for years and I could not answer but today is the day my friends. The day I will return to the land where my adult life began.
And it has been sweet my friends. While I had a happy youth and a reasonably average level of self-loathing during adolescence, my life markedly, decidedly improved as I aged and it seems to still be in on upswing and I attribute so much of my happiness to the formative experience I had as a missionary while in Spain.
My only wish for this trip is that my family were with me to enjoy it.
So... what will I be doing?
A little bit of this:
A little bit of that:
And of course my primary responsibility:
Working with a group of nuns on Tuesday.
I would ask you to pray for me but I need you to send your luck and prayers to the following individuals who have a lot of "firsts" to go through without me around.
And it has been sweet my friends. While I had a happy youth and a reasonably average level of self-loathing during adolescence, my life markedly, decidedly improved as I aged and it seems to still be in on upswing and I attribute so much of my happiness to the formative experience I had as a missionary while in Spain.
My only wish for this trip is that my family were with me to enjoy it.
So... what will I be doing?
A little bit of this:
A little bit of that:
And of course my primary responsibility:
Working with a group of nuns on Tuesday.
I would ask you to pray for me but I need you to send your luck and prayers to the following individuals who have a lot of "firsts" to go through without me around.
- Steve. Who I love more than life and who I already miss so that he can get the routine started for back-to-school week
- Gillian. Has her first soccer practice and game (ever!) this week. She is also starting up the Spanish immersion this year (she had to take a hiatus because the program here doesn't start until 2nd grade)
- Casey. Starting Junior High (gulp!) as a big 7th grader.
- Meghan. Potty Training.
- Bridget. That she can adjust to going to bed before 3 am.
Hasta luego chicos!!
Friday, August 12, 2011
A Tragic Affair
Dear Sugar,
I think we need to reevaluate our relationship. I thought I was clear with you about wanting to be just friends, but every time I go on a trip for work, you call me and want to get together. A lot. You aren't satisfied with the regular 3 or 4 times a week, you call me constantly and then make an appearance wearing that chocolate outfit you know I love so much.
Yesterday I saw you across the room and tried to make it clear that Protein and I are trying to get to know each other, but there you were, spending time with Protein just to get close to me.
This morning, Veggies and I were hanging out and then you randomly showed up on my plate. I guess here in the Midwest you let yourself get around a little more than usual hidden in a yellow corn cloak, which frankly should embarrass you.
I know I have said this before, but I need you to stop calling me. Stop showing up wherever you know I will be and please, for the love of all that is holy, stop sneaking around my hotels. If I see your face at check in or in my room waiting to take advantage of me because I am tired, it will push me over the edge. If you really and truly love me, please let me go.
I am going to take a break from you over the next few months and when I go to Spain next week and ignore you, please understand that it isn't you, it is me. I need to get these feelings under control and plan on a torrid affair with Dairy for a few weeks just to stop myself from thinking about you.
I hope you can forget me though truly, I will never forget you.
PS Please tell your cousin Aspartame to quit hitting on me, he is such a sleaze bag.
From el iPad
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Now Hiring: A New Tooth Fairy
Isn't it cute when your children get so excited when they lose a tooth? And the promise of a fair payment in exchange for the maturation process, the loss, bit by bit, of childhood and the mourning of the creeping threat of braces and root canals?
But in our house, the sight of a loose tooth inspires fear among the adults, a fear unlike any other you experience as a parent: the inevitable disappointment your children will experience the next morning knowing that no matter how hard you try, the tooth fairy is going to let you down.
The tooth fairy that visits our house is, alas, a mess. She has failed to come on several occasions and in fact has leveraged a few excuses to allay the tears of a child:
--The tooth fairy doesn't come on Sundays
--The tooth fairy is giving you three stickers instead of money
This morning, however, the tooth fairy topped even her own track record with a new excuse:
--The tooth fairy placed your money under your sister's pillow.
To be honest, I think the tooth fairy did it on purpose because he doesn't believe in propagating myths of fantastical beings.
But in our house, the sight of a loose tooth inspires fear among the adults, a fear unlike any other you experience as a parent: the inevitable disappointment your children will experience the next morning knowing that no matter how hard you try, the tooth fairy is going to let you down.
The tooth fairy that visits our house is, alas, a mess. She has failed to come on several occasions and in fact has leveraged a few excuses to allay the tears of a child:
--The tooth fairy doesn't come on Sundays
--The tooth fairy is giving you three stickers instead of money
This morning, however, the tooth fairy topped even her own track record with a new excuse:
--The tooth fairy placed your money under your sister's pillow.
To be honest, I think the tooth fairy did it on purpose because he doesn't believe in propagating myths of fantastical beings.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
On Mortality
My mother-in-law was diagnosed with Endometrial Cancer last week and I am still reeling from it.
Her prognosis is good, she will be having a hysterectomy on Monday and they will determine her stage and phase of cancer. Apparently this kind of cancer has a high survival rate because you can remove the part of the body it has attacked fairly easily and comprehensively. Any prayers or good energy you can spare on her behalf would be deeply appreciated.
Her prognosis is good, she will be having a hysterectomy on Monday and they will determine her stage and phase of cancer. Apparently this kind of cancer has a high survival rate because you can remove the part of the body it has attacked fairly easily and comprehensively. Any prayers or good energy you can spare on her behalf would be deeply appreciated.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Up the Canyon
Living near the mountains is much like living near the beach: you have to make a concerted effort to enjoy it and actually schedule time so you can build memories like these:
Saturday, July 23, 2011
My Conferenceness
The last picture I posted was of me on stage prior to starting a conference which I co-chaired the last few years. It was a ton of work, all life-consuming really, and those of you who have had the misfortune of being in my presence during the month of July the last three years, you know just how little else I do during that planning time. We had 1000 participants but even more challenging, we had five difference groups running completely different conferences all in the same building. Herding cats to submit agendas and logistical details in a timely fashion simply wasn't possible so we were running last minute on everything, of course. However, it is finished and I feel a deep sense of satisfaction on behalf of my wonderful organization and all the people who contributed to the success of the conference.
Those of you who have noted my absence during the summer (mental if not physical) will be pleased to hear that I am passing the baton to a co-worker who will chair it next year and I will be merely and advisor.
I am both thrilled and sad to be finished with that work but surely the time will be sucked away by some other event.
In other news, I will be traveling to Madrid in August to provide some professional development to a group of nuns interested in authentic assessment. You read that correctly, nuns. They are principals of 40 schools as part of a network. I am going to be doing this work in Spanish and I am very nervous about how that will go, but I figure anyone else would have done it in Spanish and if they are nuns than they ought to be more forgiving of my errors, no?
My only regret is that I am going alone. If anyone has some spare time I would love a little company.
Oh and last piece of news, I am writing this from my new iPad which I love to bits and pieces. If you don't have one, trés sad.
Those of you who have noted my absence during the summer (mental if not physical) will be pleased to hear that I am passing the baton to a co-worker who will chair it next year and I will be merely and advisor.
I am both thrilled and sad to be finished with that work but surely the time will be sucked away by some other event.
In other news, I will be traveling to Madrid in August to provide some professional development to a group of nuns interested in authentic assessment. You read that correctly, nuns. They are principals of 40 schools as part of a network. I am going to be doing this work in Spanish and I am very nervous about how that will go, but I figure anyone else would have done it in Spanish and if they are nuns than they ought to be more forgiving of my errors, no?
My only regret is that I am going alone. If anyone has some spare time I would love a little company.
Oh and last piece of news, I am writing this from my new iPad which I love to bits and pieces. If you don't have one, trés sad.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Day of the Sardines
In Spain, Ash Wednesday is a very sad event in which the partying comes to an end and they bury the sardines. Or something like that, to be honest I can't remember how the sardines fit in.
But I do know that it is associated with the end of a party and great weeping of the Spaniards and I know how they feel because the end of Grandpa camp is marked with great sadness for our family. Here is a commemorative film highlighting some of the great moments:
But I do know that it is associated with the end of a party and great weeping of the Spaniards and I know how they feel because the end of Grandpa camp is marked with great sadness for our family. Here is a commemorative film highlighting some of the great moments:
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Grandpa Camp II (III)
Sorry for my dearth of posting, I am in heaven (aside from the weather, ahem) at the lakeside North Carolina Grandpa Camp.
For those who do not recall this little gem of an experience from last year, it is a combination of working hard and playing hard, my favorite mix in life.
Working hard: Making meals for 20 people 3 x a day:
I am actually just taking a break from my paid job, the real chef is Aunt Jenny with the fab legs. I show up to be her sous or provide periodic dishwashing support along with a few others not pictured.
Playing hard: Intertubing children
Working hard: Kids' nightly chores to keep those shoes in line
Playing hard: No explanation required
Working hard: Preparing for the annual conference day and night (no picture but you can imagine me sitting at the computer and staring really hard)
Playing hard: Eating delicious gourmet meal after delicious gourmet meal.
I have some other pictures but Aunt Abby so kindly posted them on the Caboodle so I was able to borrow them for this post. Stay tuned for today's events...
Working hard: Making Harry's Hogwart's Haystacks for a crowd
Playing hard: Eating red velvet cake pops and a treasure hunt for Hidden Harry Handouts
For those who do not recall this little gem of an experience from last year, it is a combination of working hard and playing hard, my favorite mix in life.
Working hard: Making meals for 20 people 3 x a day:
I am actually just taking a break from my paid job, the real chef is Aunt Jenny with the fab legs. I show up to be her sous or provide periodic dishwashing support along with a few others not pictured.
Playing hard: Intertubing children
Working hard: Kids' nightly chores to keep those shoes in line
Playing hard: No explanation required
Working hard: Preparing for the annual conference day and night (no picture but you can imagine me sitting at the computer and staring really hard)
Playing hard: Eating delicious gourmet meal after delicious gourmet meal.
I have some other pictures but Aunt Abby so kindly posted them on the Caboodle so I was able to borrow them for this post. Stay tuned for today's events...
Working hard: Making Harry's Hogwart's Haystacks for a crowd
Playing hard: Eating red velvet cake pops and a treasure hunt for Hidden Harry Handouts
Saturday, July 2, 2011
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