I figured that it's time to admit this blog is on hiatus.
I am just doing too much living these days and we're about to go on our first family vacation, so I leave you with the promise of pictures upon my return.
Best,
Epiphany Alone
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
Bad Meme Monday
I stole this from Dad. This time, I am not giving it back.
1. What time is it? 10:06 AM
2. What is your full name? Heather AKA Epiphany Alone.
3. From whom did you get your last e-mail? It was from Lancome. I deleted it unread.
4. What is the most recent movie that you have seen in a theater? It's been a long time since I saw a movie in the theater. It was either Cars with Lauren, or Lucky Number Slevin with Alec. They were both good movies.
5. Have you ever seen a ghost? No. Occasionally I am visited by dead people in dreams.
6. Where were you born? Hartford.
7. Ever been to Alaska? No. I can't say it's on the list of places I want to go.
8. Ever been toilet papering? No. I've also never put a bag of flaming doggie do do on someone's porch. Or egged anything.
9. Loved someone so much it made you cry? Yes, and that's usually a pretty good indication that the relationship is Not Good.
10. Been in a serious car accident? No.
11. Do you plan to have any more children? How long have you been beating your wife?
12. Favorite day of the week? It's always been Thursday. I have no idea why.
13. Favorite Restaurant? The Tasting Room in New York City, Nova Terra in New Brunswick.
14. Favorite Flower? Daffodils.
15. Favorite Holiday? Martin Luther King's birthday.
16. Favorite sport to watch? Baseball.
17. Favorite Drink? Red wine.
18. Favorite Ice Cream? Chocolate chip.
19. Favorite fast food restaurant? McDonalds.
20. What color is your bedroom carpet? I have no carpet in my bedroom.
21. How many times did you fail your driver's test? Zero.
22. What are you most afraid of? When superheros reveal their weaknesses, don't the supervillians exploit them?
23. What do you do when you are bored? I blog. Lucky you.
24. Bedtime? Is that a question?
25. Who will respond to this meme the quickest? I don't tag my memes.
26. Who is the person you sent this to that is least likely to respond? See 25.
27. Who is the person that you are most curious to see their answers? See 25.
28. Favorite TV shows? House, Lost, Medium, and The Amazing Race.
29. What are you listening to right now? Dora is singing "Get on the Beat".
30. How many pets do you have? Two. The other animals that live here are their nemesis.
31. Which came first the chicken or the egg? The egg.
32. What would you like to accomplish before you die? I'd like to see my grandchildren's children.
33. Time now? 10:28 AM.
1. What time is it? 10:06 AM
2. What is your full name? Heather AKA Epiphany Alone.
3. From whom did you get your last e-mail? It was from Lancome. I deleted it unread.
4. What is the most recent movie that you have seen in a theater? It's been a long time since I saw a movie in the theater. It was either Cars with Lauren, or Lucky Number Slevin with Alec. They were both good movies.
5. Have you ever seen a ghost? No. Occasionally I am visited by dead people in dreams.
6. Where were you born? Hartford.
7. Ever been to Alaska? No. I can't say it's on the list of places I want to go.
8. Ever been toilet papering? No. I've also never put a bag of flaming doggie do do on someone's porch. Or egged anything.
9. Loved someone so much it made you cry? Yes, and that's usually a pretty good indication that the relationship is Not Good.
10. Been in a serious car accident? No.
11. Do you plan to have any more children? How long have you been beating your wife?
12. Favorite day of the week? It's always been Thursday. I have no idea why.
13. Favorite Restaurant? The Tasting Room in New York City, Nova Terra in New Brunswick.
14. Favorite Flower? Daffodils.
15. Favorite Holiday? Martin Luther King's birthday.
16. Favorite sport to watch? Baseball.
17. Favorite Drink? Red wine.
18. Favorite Ice Cream? Chocolate chip.
19. Favorite fast food restaurant? McDonalds.
20. What color is your bedroom carpet? I have no carpet in my bedroom.
21. How many times did you fail your driver's test? Zero.
22. What are you most afraid of? When superheros reveal their weaknesses, don't the supervillians exploit them?
23. What do you do when you are bored? I blog. Lucky you.
24. Bedtime? Is that a question?
25. Who will respond to this meme the quickest? I don't tag my memes.
26. Who is the person you sent this to that is least likely to respond? See 25.
27. Who is the person that you are most curious to see their answers? See 25.
28. Favorite TV shows? House, Lost, Medium, and The Amazing Race.
29. What are you listening to right now? Dora is singing "Get on the Beat".
30. How many pets do you have? Two. The other animals that live here are their nemesis.
31. Which came first the chicken or the egg? The egg.
32. What would you like to accomplish before you die? I'd like to see my grandchildren's children.
33. Time now? 10:28 AM.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Lindsay and Lauren and their babies
Lindsay has a baby boy and Lauren has a baby girl. Lauren feeds her daughter a bottle.
Lindsay decides to show Lauren how it's done.
Lauren loses it. Lindsay quietly wonders why.Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Not quite a cup of coffee yet, but nice
We arrived first, and I worried a bit that no one else was going to show up. We selected a book from the children's stack and settled down at a round table a few feet from our parkas and bags, nestled in an arm chair. Lin on my lap, Lauren beside, we started read a book, and then another. I thought, well if no one shows in another 15 minutes, I guess I will just let Lauren select some books and head home.
But then they arrived, one after the other. In total, 2 moms, a dad, 4 four and five-year-olds, and a 9-month-old boy. We let the kids play in the play area in the back of the library, vacated by the story-time tots and sat on the carpet and chatted about the school. We talked about our town and construction, living in old houses. Our conversations wandered to our favorite restaurants, and it was just nice. Our kids played well together (even Lindsay and the little boy) and we agreed to do it again soon. The dad suggested that the park might be fun when the snow melts at last, and we all concurred. An hour before school was to start, we went our separate ways.
So it wasn't quite the conversation over coffee I'd hoped for, but it was casual and not at all awkward or forced. I am smiling a little as that Etta James tune flutters through my mind...
But then they arrived, one after the other. In total, 2 moms, a dad, 4 four and five-year-olds, and a 9-month-old boy. We let the kids play in the play area in the back of the library, vacated by the story-time tots and sat on the carpet and chatted about the school. We talked about our town and construction, living in old houses. Our conversations wandered to our favorite restaurants, and it was just nice. Our kids played well together (even Lindsay and the little boy) and we agreed to do it again soon. The dad suggested that the park might be fun when the snow melts at last, and we all concurred. An hour before school was to start, we went our separate ways.
So it wasn't quite the conversation over coffee I'd hoped for, but it was casual and not at all awkward or forced. I am smiling a little as that Etta James tune flutters through my mind...
Monday, March 19, 2007
Real moms
...don't shy from photographing unflattering pictures of their own bodies if it means getting that cute shot...
I got tagged by Karen on this one. Real moms also count fruit eaten (even if smothered with chocolate sauce and whipped cream, or honey and cinnamon) a small victory...
Oh and tag, you're it, Lisa...
I got tagged by Karen on this one. Real moms also count fruit eaten (even if smothered with chocolate sauce and whipped cream, or honey and cinnamon) a small victory...
Oh and tag, you're it, Lisa...
Sunday, March 18, 2007
What I did for Saint Paddy's
We've been taking a "date night" every other Saturday for the past couple of weeks where we hire a babysitter and go out. We decided this week that we were going to go clothes shopping since there were a few items that we both needed, and it's really difficult to try on clothes with the kids even with both of us there.
We headed to Nordstrom at the mall. I can't say enough about the shopping experience there. We paid more, sure, but wow the sales people are attentive. The woman helping Alec had literally every pair of pants in the department matching his search specifications in a matter of a few minutes.
The saleswoman helping me knew precisely which size would fit in each line her department carried - which ones ran smaller or larger, and just had a sense of what was going to work. Nearly everything she chose fit impeccably and was flattering. The hardest part was whittling down to the few items necessary for my day-to-day momma wear and a couple of special items for some upcoming family events. I noticed she was bringing a lot of clothes with the same label. As I got dressed, I realized that it was the same label as the top I wore into the store, a Marshalls purchase. Very clever.
After we finished shopping, we decided to have a drink before heading home, so we stopped at Charlie Brown's. I was excited to see they had Harp on tap - they may regularly, but it was a great treat for the holiday.
Definitely a top notch date night.
We headed to Nordstrom at the mall. I can't say enough about the shopping experience there. We paid more, sure, but wow the sales people are attentive. The woman helping Alec had literally every pair of pants in the department matching his search specifications in a matter of a few minutes.
The saleswoman helping me knew precisely which size would fit in each line her department carried - which ones ran smaller or larger, and just had a sense of what was going to work. Nearly everything she chose fit impeccably and was flattering. The hardest part was whittling down to the few items necessary for my day-to-day momma wear and a couple of special items for some upcoming family events. I noticed she was bringing a lot of clothes with the same label. As I got dressed, I realized that it was the same label as the top I wore into the store, a Marshalls purchase. Very clever.
After we finished shopping, we decided to have a drink before heading home, so we stopped at Charlie Brown's. I was excited to see they had Harp on tap - they may regularly, but it was a great treat for the holiday.
Definitely a top notch date night.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Girly giggles
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
The chuppah square
We've been working on a quilt square for Alec's stepbrother's chuppah, the tent under which the ceremony takes place in a Jewish wedding. It's been about a 2 week process. Lauren and I painted the background (with some touch-up by Alec). Alec designed and cut out the felt figures. Lauren chose the material and selected for each figure. I stitched the figures and fabrics to the square, and embroidered the hair. The result is really amazing.
The Stolls, July 2007
The Stolls, July 2007The natives are [bad word]
Lauren (to someone's mom who just arrived): Will your son play with me?
Someone's Mom (in a thick accent): Yes.
Lauren: May I touch your baby?
Baby smiles and coos at Lauren.
Someone's Mom: No. The baby is sleeping.
Lauren: Uhhh. Ok.
Someone's Mom sidles up next to me. "You go to church?"
"Uh, no."
"You have a babysitter?"
Oh yeah, right, lady. You already lied to my kid in front of me. "Uh, yes. Thanks. You enjoy your day!"
Someone's Mom (in a thick accent): Yes.
Lauren: May I touch your baby?
Baby smiles and coos at Lauren.
Someone's Mom: No. The baby is sleeping.
Lauren: Uhhh. Ok.
Someone's Mom sidles up next to me. "You go to church?"
"Uh, no."
"You have a babysitter?"
Oh yeah, right, lady. You already lied to my kid in front of me. "Uh, yes. Thanks. You enjoy your day!"
A year
A year ago today, Abandon Hope was born. I've been told more than once that I named my blog badly, and in fact, I notice several links here are to Epiphany Alone rather than the blog title. I've thought before about changing it, but Dante's line just rang true for me years ago when it became the title for my personal web page.
A year has passed, and about 450 posts written. I look back on them, and there are great little vignettes of 3-year-old Lauren, who was a cute, funny little kid. Four-and-a-half year old Lauren is also quite charming, but very different. And I couldn't have imagined a year ago what Lindsay would be like, and yet, it makes perfect sense she is who she is.
A year. Wow.
A year has passed, and about 450 posts written. I look back on them, and there are great little vignettes of 3-year-old Lauren, who was a cute, funny little kid. Four-and-a-half year old Lauren is also quite charming, but very different. And I couldn't have imagined a year ago what Lindsay would be like, and yet, it makes perfect sense she is who she is.
A year. Wow.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
For Tutu
Laurie BerknerWe've been singing this song for weeks, and every time they play the music video on Noggin, we talk about Hawaii. The iTunes sample for this song is here. And these are the lyrics:
Mahalo to the urchin
Mahalo to the sea
Mahalo to the skies above
Mahalo to you and me
Sing Mahalo Mahalo Mahalo for everything
Mahalo, that means thank you
Mahalo Mahalo Mahalo
Mahalo for the air I breathe
Mahalo for my dad and my mom
My sisters and my brothers and my good friends
Mahalo for sharing my song
Sing Mahalo Mahalo Mahalo for everything
Mahalo, that means thank you
Mahalo Mahalo Mahalo
Sing Mahalo Mahalo Mahalo for everything
Mahalo, that means thank you
Mahalo Mahalo Mahalo
Mahalo, that means thank you
Mahalo Mahalo Mahalo
Revisiting those 50 cent words
About visiting Nanny and Poppy: "Honestly? I was a little apprehensive when we arrived. There's always so much fuss. It makes me feel nervous."
About school: "Sometimes it's just ridiculous. I mean, how many times do we have to glue two pieces of paper together before they realize we understand how to do that?"
About friends: "I was flabbergasted. She just couldn't seem to stop talking and she kept getting me in trouble!"
About school: "Sometimes it's just ridiculous. I mean, how many times do we have to glue two pieces of paper together before they realize we understand how to do that?"
About friends: "I was flabbergasted. She just couldn't seem to stop talking and she kept getting me in trouble!"
Monday, March 12, 2007
Bad meme Monday
Dad's running a new feature called Sunday Stealing. I stole it from him. It's ok. I'll give it back if he asks...
1. The phone rings. Who is it?
It's one of Lauren's friends' moms looking for a play date. Oh, and by the way, "kind of a fussy eater" and "sometimes has accidents" means "won't eat anything" and "will pee on every flat surface of your home"...just in case you were wondering.
2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart?
No. I will only return it if I'm standing next to the cart return. Otherwise, they pay people to do that.
3. In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener?
It depends on the social setting. I'm awkward in social situations mostly.
4 Do you take compliments well?
No. And I take criticism worse.
5. Do you play Sudoku?
I have. It isn't very challenging.
6. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive?
Probably not.
7. Did you ever go to camp as a kid?
My dad had a very bad camp experience, so we weren't sent.
8. What was your favorite game as a kid?
Four square.
9. If a sexy person was pursuing you, but you knew he/she was married, would you?
I'm married, and frankly oblivious.
10. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you?
I married someone with different religious beliefs than me.
11. Do you like to pursue or be pursued?
Pursued.
12. Use three words to describe yourself?
Smart, friendly, and a little boring.
13. Do any songs make you cry?
Yes.
14. Are you continuing your education?
Yes.
15. Do you know how to shoot a gun?
I have shot a gun before. I could probably do it again.
16. If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed?
My family. Everything else can be replaced.
17. How often do you read books?
Not as often as I'd like.
18. Do you think more about the past, present or future?
The present. Kids have a way of keeping you there.
19. What is your favorite children’s book?
You are my "I Love You"
20.What color are your eyes?
Blue.
21. How tall are you?
I am just short of 5 feet.
22. Where is your dream house located?
On the shore.
23. Have you ever taken pictures in a photo booth?
Sure.
24. When was the last time you were at Olive Garden?
I have no idea. It must've been when we lived in Green Bay, so sometime between June 1996 and August 1998.
25. Where was the furthest place you traveled today?
To Lauren's school, about a mile from the house.
26. Do you like mustard?
Yes.
27. Do you prefer to sleep or eat?
That's a stupid question. I need to do both.
28. Do you look like your mom or dad?
I look enough like my dad that people think we're related, but I look most like my mom.
29. How long does it take you in the shower?
Does it take me to do what?
30. Can you do the splits?
Is that English?
31. What movie do you want to see right now?
There aren't any.
32. What did you do for New Year’s?
You can read about it here.
33. Do you think The Grudge was scary?
I have no idea what that is.
34. Do you own a camera phone?
Yes.
35. Was your mom a cheerleader?
No.
36. What’s the last letter of your middle name?
E.
37. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
Consecutive hours? About 4 usually. Cumulatively around 7.
38. Do you like Care Bears?
I didn't like them when I was 6. I don't really consider them now.
39. What do you buy at the movies?
Popcorn and Diet Coke. I don't share popcorn well.
40. Do you know how to play poker?
Yes. It's the winning part that eludes me.
41. Do you wear your seat belt?
Always.
42. What do you wear to sleep?
A white t-shirt and pajama bottoms.
43. Anything big ever happen in your hometown?
A doctor murdered his wife when I was in high school.
44. How many meals do you eat a day?
Three.
45. Is your tongue pierced?
No.
46. Do you always read MySpace bulletins?
I've never read a MySpace bulletin.
47. Do you like funny or serious people better?
My friends are multi-dimensional people and capable of both.
48. Ever been to L.A.?
Only in the airport.
49. Did you eat a cookie today?
I tried one of Lindsay's arrow root cookies before I gave it to her because I was worried it might be too hard. I needn't have worried. It was gone in 6 seconds flat.
50. Do you use cuss words in other languages?
I know some, but I don't use them regularly.
51. Do you steal or pay for your music downloads?
I use iTunes.
52. Do you hate chocolate?
No.
53. What do you and your parents fight about the most?
I'm not apt to fight with them.
54. Are you a gullible person?
No.
55. Do you need a boyfriend/girlfriend to be happy?
No.
56. If you could have any job (assuming you have the skills) what would it be?
I would be a forensic pathologist.
57. Are you easy to get along with?
No.
58. What is your favorite time of day?
I have a lot of those. I love waking up with both girls in the bed. I love chatting over breakfast. I also look forward to nap/school time and quiet to work out or blog...
1. The phone rings. Who is it?
It's one of Lauren's friends' moms looking for a play date. Oh, and by the way, "kind of a fussy eater" and "sometimes has accidents" means "won't eat anything" and "will pee on every flat surface of your home"...just in case you were wondering.
2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart?
No. I will only return it if I'm standing next to the cart return. Otherwise, they pay people to do that.
3. In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener?
It depends on the social setting. I'm awkward in social situations mostly.
4 Do you take compliments well?
No. And I take criticism worse.
5. Do you play Sudoku?
I have. It isn't very challenging.
6. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive?
Probably not.
7. Did you ever go to camp as a kid?
My dad had a very bad camp experience, so we weren't sent.
8. What was your favorite game as a kid?
Four square.
9. If a sexy person was pursuing you, but you knew he/she was married, would you?
I'm married, and frankly oblivious.
10. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you?
I married someone with different religious beliefs than me.
11. Do you like to pursue or be pursued?
Pursued.
12. Use three words to describe yourself?
Smart, friendly, and a little boring.
13. Do any songs make you cry?
Yes.
14. Are you continuing your education?
Yes.
15. Do you know how to shoot a gun?
I have shot a gun before. I could probably do it again.
16. If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed?
My family. Everything else can be replaced.
17. How often do you read books?
Not as often as I'd like.
18. Do you think more about the past, present or future?
The present. Kids have a way of keeping you there.
19. What is your favorite children’s book?
You are my "I Love You"
20.What color are your eyes?
Blue.
21. How tall are you?
I am just short of 5 feet.
22. Where is your dream house located?
On the shore.
23. Have you ever taken pictures in a photo booth?
Sure.
24. When was the last time you were at Olive Garden?
I have no idea. It must've been when we lived in Green Bay, so sometime between June 1996 and August 1998.
25. Where was the furthest place you traveled today?
To Lauren's school, about a mile from the house.
26. Do you like mustard?
Yes.
27. Do you prefer to sleep or eat?
That's a stupid question. I need to do both.
28. Do you look like your mom or dad?
I look enough like my dad that people think we're related, but I look most like my mom.
29. How long does it take you in the shower?
Does it take me to do what?
30. Can you do the splits?
Is that English?
31. What movie do you want to see right now?
There aren't any.
32. What did you do for New Year’s?
You can read about it here.
33. Do you think The Grudge was scary?
I have no idea what that is.
34. Do you own a camera phone?
Yes.
35. Was your mom a cheerleader?
No.
36. What’s the last letter of your middle name?
E.
37. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
Consecutive hours? About 4 usually. Cumulatively around 7.
38. Do you like Care Bears?
I didn't like them when I was 6. I don't really consider them now.
39. What do you buy at the movies?
Popcorn and Diet Coke. I don't share popcorn well.
40. Do you know how to play poker?
Yes. It's the winning part that eludes me.
41. Do you wear your seat belt?
Always.
42. What do you wear to sleep?
A white t-shirt and pajama bottoms.
43. Anything big ever happen in your hometown?
A doctor murdered his wife when I was in high school.
44. How many meals do you eat a day?
Three.
45. Is your tongue pierced?
No.
46. Do you always read MySpace bulletins?
I've never read a MySpace bulletin.
47. Do you like funny or serious people better?
My friends are multi-dimensional people and capable of both.
48. Ever been to L.A.?
Only in the airport.
49. Did you eat a cookie today?
I tried one of Lindsay's arrow root cookies before I gave it to her because I was worried it might be too hard. I needn't have worried. It was gone in 6 seconds flat.
50. Do you use cuss words in other languages?
I know some, but I don't use them regularly.
51. Do you steal or pay for your music downloads?
I use iTunes.
52. Do you hate chocolate?
No.
53. What do you and your parents fight about the most?
I'm not apt to fight with them.
54. Are you a gullible person?
No.
55. Do you need a boyfriend/girlfriend to be happy?
No.
56. If you could have any job (assuming you have the skills) what would it be?
I would be a forensic pathologist.
57. Are you easy to get along with?
No.
58. What is your favorite time of day?
I have a lot of those. I love waking up with both girls in the bed. I love chatting over breakfast. I also look forward to nap/school time and quiet to work out or blog...
Sunday, March 11, 2007
If I lived here, I might be home by now, but I'd be really scared...
Somewhere in Staten IslandPlease, someone tell them it's the middle of March.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
A MoMA-ent
Epiphany Alone hanging out with Rodin's Monument to Balzac at the Museum of Modern Art.When I got dressed today I thought this outfit looked a little too 80's with all the denim and the chartreuse t-shirt, but it wasn't too bad when I was wearing the sweater. Of course, it was 110 degrees inside the museum, so I tied the sweater around my waist. Niiiice look, right? And I have no idea why my stylist gave me my mother's haircut...
Friday, March 09, 2007
Something inside screams, "Nooooo!"
Tomorrow, I have to go into the city to work on a paper for my art history class. I'm traveling in with a classmate who I know from chatting a few times. She said today on the phone, "...where we get off of the ferry is only a few blocks south of Ground Zero. You should bring a camera if you want to take some pictures..."
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Meditation for today
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change
courage to change the things I can
and wisdom to know the difference.
From the Serenity Prayer
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Nasty epiphany of the day
I still remember how to stop an infant from choking from the babysitting course I took when I was 12.
If you mix table food with 9 1/2-month old, sooner or later, she will try to stuff more in her mouth than she can actually eat. Lindsay chose sooner. She stopped breathing. She turned blue. I picked her up and gave 5 sharp blows between her shoulders, and the offending piece of sweet potato cartoonishly flew across the room.
If you mix table food with 9 1/2-month old, sooner or later, she will try to stuff more in her mouth than she can actually eat. Lindsay chose sooner. She stopped breathing. She turned blue. I picked her up and gave 5 sharp blows between her shoulders, and the offending piece of sweet potato cartoonishly flew across the room.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Mimi's meme
I got tagged. From page 123, skipped 5 sentences. The next 3 are:
We should not interpret this as meaning that her features actually transform. Rather, it seems to indicate the power of Seikichi's obsession. He looks at the young woman's face and sees what he wants to see.
Ahhh
Yesterday, I spent the day in bed with a stomach bug. I can pretty much work through anything except tummy troubles. By dinner time, I was feeling up to eating. By morning, I wasn't quite feeling myself, but infinitely better than yesterday.
It was a relief to be able to do the cleaning today after barely being able to move yesterday. I usually dread Tuesdays, known around Chez Stoll as clean sheet day. I hate stripping beds. I hate folding sheets. But today, it didn't seem so bad. I even found myself humming while chasing the garbage can down the street, taking out trash, and washing the kitchen floor.
The midyear parent-teacher conferences are next Monday, which will result in a half day for Lauren. A pain because she has to be dropped off at school at 8:30 AM, which is usually around when we're sitting to breakfast, but fortunately, we got a pass. I got a note that just said "Your child is progressing well. A conference is not necessary at this time."
Lindsay just went down for her afternoon nap and I am enjoying a few minutes of quiet before I have to retrieve Lauren at the bus. I have my fingers crossed that she will let me get through at least the short workout while she is having snack. My 2 days off sneaked into 3 with the tummy troubles.
It was a relief to be able to do the cleaning today after barely being able to move yesterday. I usually dread Tuesdays, known around Chez Stoll as clean sheet day. I hate stripping beds. I hate folding sheets. But today, it didn't seem so bad. I even found myself humming while chasing the garbage can down the street, taking out trash, and washing the kitchen floor.
The midyear parent-teacher conferences are next Monday, which will result in a half day for Lauren. A pain because she has to be dropped off at school at 8:30 AM, which is usually around when we're sitting to breakfast, but fortunately, we got a pass. I got a note that just said "Your child is progressing well. A conference is not necessary at this time."
Lindsay just went down for her afternoon nap and I am enjoying a few minutes of quiet before I have to retrieve Lauren at the bus. I have my fingers crossed that she will let me get through at least the short workout while she is having snack. My 2 days off sneaked into 3 with the tummy troubles.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Deep thoughts
Fraukow asked:
Or maybe it's part of the adjustment that happens after we become parents when we realize that there isn't a single aspect of our lives that's effected. The single best piece of advice I received was from my friend Mandie, who said, "If you realize you've made the wrong choice going back to work, you change it. Or if you decide not to go back now, you can always go back later. There is no right decision. There's just the best one you make for you and your family at that moment." It's really stuck with me, and reflects the fluidity necessary as a parent to adapt.
About three months before I found out I was pregnant with Lindsay, I had an ectopic pregnancy that resulted in emergency surgery to remove my left fallopian tube. It's pretty common to make negotiations with God when you think you're going to die. I believed I was, and that Lauren would have no recollection of Mommy who worked all the time. In the week I was home recovering from surgery, I realized all of it had to change. I had to be with Lauren. I needed to start settling into the community.
A trip out to Arizona last February also had a major impact on my life as I confronted some old fears. I decided out there that I was going to start my own blog (after months of not doing it because who the heck cared what I thought) and to apply to college. I got in, registered for a class, and went to it. (That makes it sound a lot easier than it was.)
In November, my assessment of the past year led me to the conclusion that I had some retooling to do. I felt I was constantly behind with keeping up with the house and never had time to exercise. I began a household schedule for chores, bought a cookbook that put together a week of recipes and a shopping list to simplify that and to save money. Once those changes stuck, I added an exercise program in January.
Those are all a lot of positive changes, but as you imagine, real life sometimes derails schedules, routines, and menus. In the thick of it, I get frustrated that I haven't lost weight, which isn't surprising, I haven't been dieting. I am frustrated that I haven't made more connections here. Although I know people here now, but I don't really have a friend to grab a cup of coffee or take a walk with while Lauren's at school. That's all part of the seeing how far I've come versus how far I have to go...
I love your other question, because it's not something I had thought about. I'm better at college than I thought I would be. I've been tenacious about going to storytime at the library, playgroup, and other local activities even though it's been hard to do so. I've really stuck with these changes and made them good habits.
Thanks for the questions!
what [made] you start this journey? what is something good you've learned about yourself along the way?I believe we all seek some sort of ideal in our lives. Maybe it's more a universal, "I'm in my thirties and not a kid any more" because certainly the consequences of what we do, good and bad, have different effects than they did when we were in our twenties.
Or maybe it's part of the adjustment that happens after we become parents when we realize that there isn't a single aspect of our lives that's effected. The single best piece of advice I received was from my friend Mandie, who said, "If you realize you've made the wrong choice going back to work, you change it. Or if you decide not to go back now, you can always go back later. There is no right decision. There's just the best one you make for you and your family at that moment." It's really stuck with me, and reflects the fluidity necessary as a parent to adapt.
About three months before I found out I was pregnant with Lindsay, I had an ectopic pregnancy that resulted in emergency surgery to remove my left fallopian tube. It's pretty common to make negotiations with God when you think you're going to die. I believed I was, and that Lauren would have no recollection of Mommy who worked all the time. In the week I was home recovering from surgery, I realized all of it had to change. I had to be with Lauren. I needed to start settling into the community.
A trip out to Arizona last February also had a major impact on my life as I confronted some old fears. I decided out there that I was going to start my own blog (after months of not doing it because who the heck cared what I thought) and to apply to college. I got in, registered for a class, and went to it. (That makes it sound a lot easier than it was.)
In November, my assessment of the past year led me to the conclusion that I had some retooling to do. I felt I was constantly behind with keeping up with the house and never had time to exercise. I began a household schedule for chores, bought a cookbook that put together a week of recipes and a shopping list to simplify that and to save money. Once those changes stuck, I added an exercise program in January.
Those are all a lot of positive changes, but as you imagine, real life sometimes derails schedules, routines, and menus. In the thick of it, I get frustrated that I haven't lost weight, which isn't surprising, I haven't been dieting. I am frustrated that I haven't made more connections here. Although I know people here now, but I don't really have a friend to grab a cup of coffee or take a walk with while Lauren's at school. That's all part of the seeing how far I've come versus how far I have to go...
I love your other question, because it's not something I had thought about. I'm better at college than I thought I would be. I've been tenacious about going to storytime at the library, playgroup, and other local activities even though it's been hard to do so. I've really stuck with these changes and made them good habits.
Thanks for the questions!
Friday, March 02, 2007
What we did today
Lauren and I made a loaf of banana bread with some overripe bananas. I'm embarrassed to say I didn't think this up, I read it in a magazine. I felt so silly. Anyway, this is nut-free because we wanted Lindsay to be able to have some. It made the house smell wonderful, and it looks remarkably like bread. Lauren agrees it tastes pretty good also.
Lindsay decided yesterday that she was done with baby food. She wants table food. We made an emergency run to the grocery store to pick up some canned fruits and vegetables. She enjoyed some "institutional vegetables" (peas and cubed carrots) along with some pasta with tomato sauce for lunch...
...with peaches and pears for dessert. If she could talk beyond "uh oh" and "duhk" she would say, "Don't help me. I can do it myself".
Lindsay decided yesterday that she was done with baby food. She wants table food. We made an emergency run to the grocery store to pick up some canned fruits and vegetables. She enjoyed some "institutional vegetables" (peas and cubed carrots) along with some pasta with tomato sauce for lunch...
...with peaches and pears for dessert. If she could talk beyond "uh oh" and "duhk" she would say, "Don't help me. I can do it myself".
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Keeping it real, or something similar
I have been on a journey of self for over a year now. Occasionally, I have to step back and just observe the changes that have stuck, because in the middle of a journey, your focus is where you're going and how far you need to go to get there.
I've resisted boring you about how hard I've been working on getting fit partly because it really is such a struggle to stick with it. I have now for 6 weeks. It's hard. A lot of the time I hate it. I am still doing it. It's harder than all of the changes I've made in the last few months - establishing routines, setting household schedules, getting out to do Mommy socializing, and shopping for cooking specific meals to order in only once a week have all been easier. And they have not been easy.
I've had a few different brushes with friends lately. A friend who I love dearly at a crossroads. Another who I realize isn't my friend - simply, I wouldn't want to be friends with someone too stupid to know nothing is private on the Internet. Wistful that the idea of a gathering of friends we'd clamor to see for dinner or drinks a few times a month five years ago weren't able to put plans together for a reunion. We all have different lives now, different priorities. In the face of trying to meet new people I share commonalities with, it is sad to feel distance grow. But it's just life.
I've slowed a bit on my path today. Is it really a path I'm on so much as just putting one foot in front of the other some days...I can't say. I just keep moving.
I've resisted boring you about how hard I've been working on getting fit partly because it really is such a struggle to stick with it. I have now for 6 weeks. It's hard. A lot of the time I hate it. I am still doing it. It's harder than all of the changes I've made in the last few months - establishing routines, setting household schedules, getting out to do Mommy socializing, and shopping for cooking specific meals to order in only once a week have all been easier. And they have not been easy.
I've had a few different brushes with friends lately. A friend who I love dearly at a crossroads. Another who I realize isn't my friend - simply, I wouldn't want to be friends with someone too stupid to know nothing is private on the Internet. Wistful that the idea of a gathering of friends we'd clamor to see for dinner or drinks a few times a month five years ago weren't able to put plans together for a reunion. We all have different lives now, different priorities. In the face of trying to meet new people I share commonalities with, it is sad to feel distance grow. But it's just life.
I've slowed a bit on my path today. Is it really a path I'm on so much as just putting one foot in front of the other some days...I can't say. I just keep moving.
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