In case you are wondering why we are not together, it is because Steve has to have some time for his illustrious blogging career.
So... run on over and vote for Steve now.
In order to protect the integrity of the voting, please read a post or two of his first so that it won't be like sending a bunch of pirates to autovote.
Much thanks.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Reflections at week 1
Cheers
--Chellese. Highlight of my week, I have not followed up to let you know how deeply I appreciate the facetime even if short.
--More square footage. MORE SQUARE FOOTAGE.
--Amenities like dishwasher, washer, dryer, and cable TV.
--Family. Living with my sis and bro-in-law has been really wonderful--like coming home or something.
--New people to get to know at church and at school.
--Hanging out with my kids all the time.
--Savers.
--Target.
--Seeing friends in all directions that we have known for a long time. I have a list to get through but it feels safe and secure knowing how many friends there are around.
--Snow. Beautiful.
--So many Mormons!
Jeers
--Cold. So cold that you just don't want to go places.
--Not knowing anyone on my daily pathway.
--Moving sans husband. Very. Sad. Idea.
--Dry hands. I have to lather on the lotion and it still isn't enough.
--Spending money on "start up" stuff like food basics
--Figuring out how to get new bank account and transfer over all those automatic payments, UGH.
--So many Mormons!
I miss Steve, love my kids, and have really enjoyed the family-friendly status of Utah. I could live here and like it. I just really need to get friends on my daily routine because I keep trying to make all casual encounters with the checkout people at grocery stores more meaningful. Someone please save me from myself.
--Chellese. Highlight of my week, I have not followed up to let you know how deeply I appreciate the facetime even if short.
--More square footage. MORE SQUARE FOOTAGE.
--Amenities like dishwasher, washer, dryer, and cable TV.
--Family. Living with my sis and bro-in-law has been really wonderful--like coming home or something.
--New people to get to know at church and at school.
--Hanging out with my kids all the time.
--Savers.
--Target.
--Seeing friends in all directions that we have known for a long time. I have a list to get through but it feels safe and secure knowing how many friends there are around.
--Snow. Beautiful.
--So many Mormons!
Jeers
--Cold. So cold that you just don't want to go places.
--Not knowing anyone on my daily pathway.
--Moving sans husband. Very. Sad. Idea.
--Dry hands. I have to lather on the lotion and it still isn't enough.
--Spending money on "start up" stuff like food basics
--Figuring out how to get new bank account and transfer over all those automatic payments, UGH.
--So many Mormons!
I miss Steve, love my kids, and have really enjoyed the family-friendly status of Utah. I could live here and like it. I just really need to get friends on my daily routine because I keep trying to make all casual encounters with the checkout people at grocery stores more meaningful. Someone please save me from myself.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Retraction
Okay not really a full retraction, but I have to say two things happened today:
1) K. Cook leaving a very wise comment about our old stomping ground and remembering back to the days that I was really upset at the kids school prior to going through major upheaval with them. And when I left, I cried for real. So the wisdom of perspective was useful, thanks chica!
2) I got a phone call from the school secretary #1 apologizing for this morning and explaining that it was hectic.
I think I overreacted because I am by myself with the kids and that is getting super old. I miss Steve for a million other reasons too.
The other reason I overreacted is because there are two full tracks at this school! I am a small school girl, not a fiddy bejillion kid school girl.
The up news? One of the kids is going to have Alpine School District teacher of the year!
Very exciting and thanks for being my friend and putting up with my rants. You were very helpful.
So, in the immortal words of my bff, "I am reserving judgement" for now.
1) K. Cook leaving a very wise comment about our old stomping ground and remembering back to the days that I was really upset at the kids school prior to going through major upheaval with them. And when I left, I cried for real. So the wisdom of perspective was useful, thanks chica!
2) I got a phone call from the school secretary #1 apologizing for this morning and explaining that it was hectic.
I think I overreacted because I am by myself with the kids and that is getting super old. I miss Steve for a million other reasons too.
The other reason I overreacted is because there are two full tracks at this school! I am a small school girl, not a fiddy bejillion kid school girl.
The up news? One of the kids is going to have Alpine School District teacher of the year!
Very exciting and thanks for being my friend and putting up with my rants. You were very helpful.
So, in the immortal words of my bff, "I am reserving judgement" for now.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
This n That
I have a great post dedicated to myself in my head but first I need to clear off my photos from my phone.
First, since she refuses to update her own blog, a couple of blurries from a divine breakfast we had on a long layover on my last trip to the East Coast. I need more trips there so I can layover in DC. I was going to buy them breakfast but they showed up with their own donuts. So much for the cinnabon they could have had.
I mean, look at the boy's hair? I didn't realize he was going to be so blonde!
And I left this one in so you can see a very teensy pic of that gorgeous curly-haired girl in the background...
Especially when kid #1 says "How about the cookies ARE my Valentines? We can just put their names on the cookies?"
He hates making Valentines.
I forgot to grab a picture of the cute little homemade valentines that the kids made though, maybe later today.
First, since she refuses to update her own blog, a couple of blurries from a divine breakfast we had on a long layover on my last trip to the East Coast. I need more trips there so I can layover in DC. I was going to buy them breakfast but they showed up with their own donuts. So much for the cinnabon they could have had.
I mean, look at the boy's hair? I didn't realize he was going to be so blonde!
And I left this one in so you can see a very teensy pic of that gorgeous curly-haired girl in the background...
Then of course, the two of us, bffing it up in the airport:
It was wonderful, I mean really truly wonderful to see Katie. Some people your DNA requires that you see on a regular basis to be happy inside--there was just a little lighter step in my walk for the rest of the weekend.
Next, obligatory V-day cookies. I actually made two big batches yesterday and thanks to Lisa for helping get the frosting on these little beauties. Why did I make cookies you ask?
1) To support the "no sugar" policy in classroom parties
2) Because this is our last week at school
3) Because who can resist soft heart-shaped cookies?
The problem is, once you have three school-aged children it turns into a major ordeal.
Especially when kid #1 says "How about the cookies ARE my Valentines? We can just put their names on the cookies?"
He hates making Valentines.
I forgot to grab a picture of the cute little homemade valentines that the kids made though, maybe later today.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Maturation
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Dear goodreads friends I met at Borders/new girl at church/facebook friend/neighbor/parent at kids school/Paris,
I am no longer the friendly person that I once was. I used to love to invite people over for dinner and in fact have had epic arguments with my husband about how much time to spend with people who aren't my closest friends. I have always enjoyed spending time with people and for some reason I have always gained energy from being with others--the more the merrier.
Now, I am totally saturated with keeping my kids entertained/working with their school/fixing our computer for them/cleaning my home/moving/national school reform/facebook/staying on top of my finances/maintaining a relationship with those who do care enough to call or email me periodically/playing angry birds with my son/helping make valentines .
As my kids get older they are more fun to be around/want to talk more/more interested in learning/more needy/more angry and I find that they are taking over my social life/fun time/vacation interests/movie choices and I actually LIKE it.
What has happened to me that my favorite people to hang out with are my children? When did I get to the point that the people who give me the most energy are the fruit of my loins?
I finally understand my bff/favorite former freighbor/visiting teachee/friends, who never seemed worried about needing new friends, and why they love their families soo much.
Does this mean I am aging? Have I outgrown the days of wanting to travel abroad/spend time with friends so much that I was willing to leave my children behind? Is this a happy/unhappy side effect of the travel that I do for work?
I apologize that when we talk the only thing I have to say is about schools or my children. But for me, what else is there?
I am wondering if this is a phase or if I am going to be sad and lonely in 4 years when my son gets his driver's license (which, incidentally is not going to be treated like a thing he has to earn, he is getting that sucker on his 16th birthday and he is going to drive everyone everywhere) and will look around and see I don't have any friends left?
I am not happy about this. I want to go to Europe/throw parties/have you over for Sunday dinner/make new friends/keep the old/have a girls night out weekly. But instead I find myself browsing redbox to see what movie my kids would like/planning fancy breakfast treats for fun/volunteering to teach in their classes/making entire family decisions based on their happiness.
I remember this quote from Thomas S. Monson (quoting Ann Campbell) about a mother's view of her children:
You are the trip I did not take;
You are the pearls I cannot buy;
You are my blue Italian lake;
You are my piece of foreign sky.
When I first heard this quote I always thought that it was a sense of sacrifice--that I raised children instead of the travel and luxury of life so they should be thankful.
Now I see that this poem is really about the fact that being with my children is what give me the deepest satisfaction.
But when I do need you again, when I find myself in a phase where I am not utterly consumed by motherhood, will you be there for me? Will I forget how to make new friends? Will I recognize myself when I only want to see my existing friends?
Until then, just know that I fantasize about being my old self, about the kinds of foods I would serve you, the conversations we might have and the books we would talk about. It isn't you, it's me.
Sincerely,
Overbooked
*I am writing this post so that when I find myself friendless and alone in Utah, I will remember that there was a time that I felt that my family was enough.
Dear goodreads friends I met at Borders/new girl at church/facebook friend/neighbor/parent at kids school/Paris,
I am no longer the friendly person that I once was. I used to love to invite people over for dinner and in fact have had epic arguments with my husband about how much time to spend with people who aren't my closest friends. I have always enjoyed spending time with people and for some reason I have always gained energy from being with others--the more the merrier.
Now, I am totally saturated with keeping my kids entertained/working with their school/fixing our computer for them/cleaning my home/moving/national school reform/facebook/staying on top of my finances/maintaining a relationship with those who do care enough to call or email me periodically/playing angry birds with my son/helping make valentines .
As my kids get older they are more fun to be around/want to talk more/more interested in learning/more needy/more angry and I find that they are taking over my social life/fun time/vacation interests/movie choices and I actually LIKE it.
What has happened to me that my favorite people to hang out with are my children? When did I get to the point that the people who give me the most energy are the fruit of my loins?
I finally understand my bff/favorite former freighbor/visiting teachee/friends, who never seemed worried about needing new friends, and why they love their families soo much.
Does this mean I am aging? Have I outgrown the days of wanting to travel abroad/spend time with friends so much that I was willing to leave my children behind? Is this a happy/unhappy side effect of the travel that I do for work?
I apologize that when we talk the only thing I have to say is about schools or my children. But for me, what else is there?
I am wondering if this is a phase or if I am going to be sad and lonely in 4 years when my son gets his driver's license (which, incidentally is not going to be treated like a thing he has to earn, he is getting that sucker on his 16th birthday and he is going to drive everyone everywhere) and will look around and see I don't have any friends left?
I am not happy about this. I want to go to Europe/throw parties/have you over for Sunday dinner/make new friends/keep the old/have a girls night out weekly. But instead I find myself browsing redbox to see what movie my kids would like/planning fancy breakfast treats for fun/volunteering to teach in their classes/making entire family decisions based on their happiness.
I remember this quote from Thomas S. Monson (quoting Ann Campbell) about a mother's view of her children:
You are the trip I did not take;
You are the pearls I cannot buy;
You are my blue Italian lake;
You are my piece of foreign sky.
When I first heard this quote I always thought that it was a sense of sacrifice--that I raised children instead of the travel and luxury of life so they should be thankful.
Now I see that this poem is really about the fact that being with my children is what give me the deepest satisfaction.
But when I do need you again, when I find myself in a phase where I am not utterly consumed by motherhood, will you be there for me? Will I forget how to make new friends? Will I recognize myself when I only want to see my existing friends?
Until then, just know that I fantasize about being my old self, about the kinds of foods I would serve you, the conversations we might have and the books we would talk about. It isn't you, it's me.
Sincerely,
Overbooked
*I am writing this post so that when I find myself friendless and alone in Utah, I will remember that there was a time that I felt that my family was enough.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Schedule update
- Thursday: Santa Barbara--Phoenix--Indianapolis--DC--Albany
- Saturday: Albany--DC--Raleigh
- Wednesday: Raleigh--Phoenix--Santa Barbara
- Thursday: Looking at student work after school with kids teachers
- Friday: Some commitment, can't remember what (Lisa/Steve maybe?)
- Saturday: Dinner with friend, possibly movie
- Sunday: Teach RS
- Monday: Birthday
- Tuesday: Farewell Fiesta
- Thursday-Friday: NYC
- Saturday: Move to Utah
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)