You've probably seen this, but it is new to me. I think it is cool and fun and quite amazing in its technical brilliance. Enjoy...
Time to Get Your Holiday Groove On...
November 26, 2008
How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents
by Julia Alvarez
I was very interested in this book group pick (I read it for The Nook, my beloved online book group) and enjoyed aspects of it very much. It is the story of the Garcia de la Torre family and their journey as immigrants from the Dominican Republic. It is arranged in an unusual way, starting from the present day and going sort of backward in time, but is not really done in flashbacks or dream sequences. It simply reads backwards, with the characters getting younger. It is also unconventional in that the voice changes from third to first person at different times. Sometimes this unusual structure was a little jarring, but I always like to give an author the benefit of the doubt and assume, find or make up good reasons why things are they way they are. This time, I decided that by keeping the reader a little uncomfortable and wondering just what's going on, the author was able to give us a little taste of what it is like to be a whole, intelligent, fully functioning human being who suddenly finds themselves completely undone by their environment. Such is the case with immigrants to another country-I think they must wonder at times (which actually the book comes right out and says) how the heck they got to this moment of confusion and clumsiness. I'll bet they wish they could just flip back a few pages and re-read to get their bearings back.
Having relatives by marriage who are first generation Americans made me look at this book somewhat through their eyes and many things rang true with experiences my family members have shared with me. I really liked the richness of the language and the insight into what life was like before this family moved to the US. I liked the way the complexity of the family dynamic is portrayed. Other readers may think the characters are too predictable, but in my mind they are iconic, representing a lot of cultural truths. For example, the mother adopts the middle ground. She is sort of a translator between the old and new countries. Her husband functions successfully as a doctor in America, but has a hard time accepting that his daughters are more American than Dominican in their behavior and choices. The daughters see the dad as archaic and stuck in the old country at times. The mom keeps pretty busy trying to help the different generations see where the other is coming from. That is usually the situation any mother finds herself in, and to add to the normal complications of family life the difficulties of cultural ambivalence and confusion would be maddening. I thought this mother handled things pretty well.
I'm not sure I'll choose anything else by this author, but this was a good read. It made me think about what it means to be an American, especially since I have immigrant ancestors only 3 generations back. My husband has them 2 generations back. We are a nation of immigrants, and to continue to see these individuals as aliens rather than as symbolic of our own stories does both our brave ancestors and the brave new pioneers all around us a profound disservice.
by Julia Alvarez
I was very interested in this book group pick (I read it for The Nook, my beloved online book group) and enjoyed aspects of it very much. It is the story of the Garcia de la Torre family and their journey as immigrants from the Dominican Republic. It is arranged in an unusual way, starting from the present day and going sort of backward in time, but is not really done in flashbacks or dream sequences. It simply reads backwards, with the characters getting younger. It is also unconventional in that the voice changes from third to first person at different times. Sometimes this unusual structure was a little jarring, but I always like to give an author the benefit of the doubt and assume, find or make up good reasons why things are they way they are. This time, I decided that by keeping the reader a little uncomfortable and wondering just what's going on, the author was able to give us a little taste of what it is like to be a whole, intelligent, fully functioning human being who suddenly finds themselves completely undone by their environment. Such is the case with immigrants to another country-I think they must wonder at times (which actually the book comes right out and says) how the heck they got to this moment of confusion and clumsiness. I'll bet they wish they could just flip back a few pages and re-read to get their bearings back.
Having relatives by marriage who are first generation Americans made me look at this book somewhat through their eyes and many things rang true with experiences my family members have shared with me. I really liked the richness of the language and the insight into what life was like before this family moved to the US. I liked the way the complexity of the family dynamic is portrayed. Other readers may think the characters are too predictable, but in my mind they are iconic, representing a lot of cultural truths. For example, the mother adopts the middle ground. She is sort of a translator between the old and new countries. Her husband functions successfully as a doctor in America, but has a hard time accepting that his daughters are more American than Dominican in their behavior and choices. The daughters see the dad as archaic and stuck in the old country at times. The mom keeps pretty busy trying to help the different generations see where the other is coming from. That is usually the situation any mother finds herself in, and to add to the normal complications of family life the difficulties of cultural ambivalence and confusion would be maddening. I thought this mother handled things pretty well.
I'm not sure I'll choose anything else by this author, but this was a good read. It made me think about what it means to be an American, especially since I have immigrant ancestors only 3 generations back. My husband has them 2 generations back. We are a nation of immigrants, and to continue to see these individuals as aliens rather than as symbolic of our own stories does both our brave ancestors and the brave new pioneers all around us a profound disservice.
On to Chile
November 24, 2008
Right about now, if everything went okay, my second son is boarding a plane in Dallas bound for Chile. I'm not sure which city he's flying into-Santiago or Valparaiso, but no matter. He's in the Lord's hands and he'll be fine. I'm so excited for his adventure to really begin. He's spent the last 8 weeks in training in Utah, and now he goes to his assigned country. His letters have been detailed, tender and full of faith. The letters are my favorite part of the mission. I treasure each and every one from my first son's mission experience, and look forward to the same marvelous anticipation each week with this go-round.
He has reported having a really good experience so far, challenges notwithstanding. He's a deep soul, very sensitive, and will work hard to make the most of this opportunity for service and learning. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers for me. He's going a long way away and he'll need the safety that comes from being encircled in love from earth as well as heaven.
He has reported having a really good experience so far, challenges notwithstanding. He's a deep soul, very sensitive, and will work hard to make the most of this opportunity for service and learning. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers for me. He's going a long way away and he'll need the safety that comes from being encircled in love from earth as well as heaven.
Sick Days
November 23, 2008
The cough came on a week ago, with little surprise, as Sara and Sam are just barely finished with their two weeks of coughing. It is one of those insidious viruses that leaves one feeling mostly okay, but sounding awful and not fit for human society. It also makes it hard to run in the cold, as I already suffer from a bit of exercise-induced asthma. Consequently, this week has been an odd mix of acting sick in certain situations and not so much in other situations. (Being around kids? Sick. Lunch with friends? Not sick. Running in 23 degree blustery weather? Sick. You get the picture.) Yesterday, I was going to try running again after taking the week off but woke up actually feeling really yucky-the coughing was starting to hurt and be more productive and the aches and pains were real, not imagined.
Yesterday I rested and knitted on a project for next Tuesday's class while watching Survivorman and bits of several movies on TV that I happened upon. I did get up to make waffles for dinner and helped Evan with his project, but it was a pretty easy day. The rotten thing about a virus is that often one's actions have no effect upon the course the illness will take. Thus, rest notwithstanding, today, the coughing continues toward its zenith before the downward glide, and I feel yucky again. So, as I did on Tuesday for Photog group, I decided to quarentine myself rather than impose myself on everyone at church. Finally, I can catch up on blogs, do some reading that I've fallen behind on and sort of get a handle on my vision of the upcoming holiday season. I've started addressing cards, which is usual for me-my goal is always by Thanksgiving, but then I lose momentum. This time, I have the addresses mostly gathered and have set a goal to send out only 5 a day. So, wish me luck. Here is the card I designed. It is simple, but I like it. Brushes are my new favorite toy in Photoshop. Such fun.
Yesterday I rested and knitted on a project for next Tuesday's class while watching Survivorman and bits of several movies on TV that I happened upon. I did get up to make waffles for dinner and helped Evan with his project, but it was a pretty easy day. The rotten thing about a virus is that often one's actions have no effect upon the course the illness will take. Thus, rest notwithstanding, today, the coughing continues toward its zenith before the downward glide, and I feel yucky again. So, as I did on Tuesday for Photog group, I decided to quarentine myself rather than impose myself on everyone at church. Finally, I can catch up on blogs, do some reading that I've fallen behind on and sort of get a handle on my vision of the upcoming holiday season. I've started addressing cards, which is usual for me-my goal is always by Thanksgiving, but then I lose momentum. This time, I have the addresses mostly gathered and have set a goal to send out only 5 a day. So, wish me luck. Here is the card I designed. It is simple, but I like it. Brushes are my new favorite toy in Photoshop. Such fun.
Recent Fun Times
November 16, 2008
Mixed in among the anti-procrastination efforts and the drooling over Daniel Craig, this last week has been chock full of fun times with friends. Here is a quick run-down:
This week, wrestling season starts and we are down a car , so I'll be experimenting with not having a car 2-3 days a week. It will be interesting to see if I can remember how we did it 20 years ago. I'm kind of excited about the challenge of finding out if we could actually break our dependence on three cars. In romantic theory, I like the idea of being independent and creative by walking and riding my bike a little more and moving the boundaries of my world a little closer to home. People all over the world do it all the time. Even better will be to plan more efficiently and modulate my expectations so that I'm just home sometimes. Oh, that sounds lovely. Probably what will actually happen is that I'll just do a lot more internet shopping. I really hope though, that we can figure out a hybrid plan that will allow everyone to be where they need to be.
- So You Think You Can Dance Concert: This was so fun. I am a poser of a fan of this show-only seen a few episodes-but I love dance, and Sara loves dance, so we spent a little mom & daughter time together watching these incredibly talented young people dazzle up the stage in downtown Baltimore. I'm glad we will have this memory together. The fun was greatly enhanced by spending time with friends along the way.
- Shopping Adventures in Southeastern PA: 7 of us trekked up to York and Lancaster for shopping extraordinaire, girl-talk till 3 am, and wonderful meals together. Memories were made, bank accounts were emptied and personal fashion triumphs were achieved. What a fun time it was. I scored lots of reasonably priced holiday decor, gifts and a few nice additions to my clothing wardrobe. More importantly, I scored strengthened friendships with some truly amazing women.
- Washington Philharmonic Singers: One of my dear pals (who loves music as much as I do) and I went down to this lovely church to hear another of our singing friends perform with an amazing vocal ensemble. They sang sacred music from many traditions and time periods, mostly a Capella, in close harmony and with beautiful, haunting melodies. It was nothing short of magical. I've put an example of the type of music we heard on my player. I was literally in tears at the end. I love that music can transcend time and geography and ideology and fill the heart with a spirit of peace and hope.
This week, wrestling season starts and we are down a car , so I'll be experimenting with not having a car 2-3 days a week. It will be interesting to see if I can remember how we did it 20 years ago. I'm kind of excited about the challenge of finding out if we could actually break our dependence on three cars. In romantic theory, I like the idea of being independent and creative by walking and riding my bike a little more and moving the boundaries of my world a little closer to home. People all over the world do it all the time. Even better will be to plan more efficiently and modulate my expectations so that I'm just home sometimes. Oh, that sounds lovely. Probably what will actually happen is that I'll just do a lot more internet shopping. I really hope though, that we can figure out a hybrid plan that will allow everyone to be where they need to be.
Me and James Bond
November 13, 2008
I love James Bond. And, as if I'm not geeky enough about other stuff, I can tell you way more about the whole Bond Thing than you'd ever want to know. It is one of those shallow, completely useless indulgences that act as the whipped cream on my chocolate cake of life.
I've loved the movie franchise ever since I was a teen watching them when they would occasionally come on TV. I loved the action and the romance. I adored all the exotic locations. I had opinions about which actor was my favorite from early on. It never occurred to me that these were films mostly for men. Who wouldn't want to watch those awesome chases and see Bond get out of those ridiculous scrapes and still look like a million bucks?? I quickly learned that most girls didn't. So, I dreamt of the Ultimate Man all alone. Bond and Han Solo were my crushes from the time I was about 11 years old (it never occurred to me that Bond can be seen as more than a chauvinist, but as an actual misogynist-I never was a very good feminist.)
I had no desire to be a Bond Girl-I knew I wasn't that type. But Oh how I wanted to be Moneypenny. She was the smart one that I always felt secretly that Bond knew was the right woman for him-his intellectual match who would convince him that there was another life for him. Oh the sighs.
Then I got busy with my family and Roger Moore's spoofy, almost campy humor was gone. It was the end of an era. Timothy Dalton didn't do it for me. Pierce Brosnan was gorgeous and elegant and all that, and the movies got better, but there was still something missing. The 4 Bond films that Pierce made were too slick-too dependent on CGI special effects and product placement (although the decision to cast Judi Dench as M was pure genius). So, when 2006 came and there was a new film with a new Bond, it all sort of went past me. I never actually watched Casino Royale in the theaters. I knew nothing about Daniel Craig and was satisfied to occasionlly watch the old classics on TV.
Till now my friends. As part of the build-up to the release of A Quantum of Solace, Showtime has been running Casino Royale. Daniel Craig has completely won me over as the Best Bond Ever. He's a better actor than all the others put together. I have thorougly enjoyed those electric blue eyes and the way he looks in a tux. I think DC plays Bond as so much more multi-faceted than recent attempts: He can take care of 3 bad guys with steely-eyed precision, comfort the poor crying girl so tenderly it breaks your heart, then change his shirt and be back to the poker game in less than an hour looking fabulous and perfectly calm-for a while now I haven't believed that Bond could really do all that, but DC makes it so. The movie also goes back to the spare, understated style (and a little more like the books) of some of the earlier ones-less gadgets, more cleverness.
So, more information than you needed and a really long lead-up to exclaim that I am really looking forward to seeing this new Bond film. Here's an invitation: Come watch this guy save the world instead of pining away for another week until you can watch Edward lurk in the darkness.
I've loved the movie franchise ever since I was a teen watching them when they would occasionally come on TV. I loved the action and the romance. I adored all the exotic locations. I had opinions about which actor was my favorite from early on. It never occurred to me that these were films mostly for men. Who wouldn't want to watch those awesome chases and see Bond get out of those ridiculous scrapes and still look like a million bucks?? I quickly learned that most girls didn't. So, I dreamt of the Ultimate Man all alone. Bond and Han Solo were my crushes from the time I was about 11 years old (it never occurred to me that Bond can be seen as more than a chauvinist, but as an actual misogynist-I never was a very good feminist.)
I had no desire to be a Bond Girl-I knew I wasn't that type. But Oh how I wanted to be Moneypenny. She was the smart one that I always felt secretly that Bond knew was the right woman for him-his intellectual match who would convince him that there was another life for him. Oh the sighs.
Then I got busy with my family and Roger Moore's spoofy, almost campy humor was gone. It was the end of an era. Timothy Dalton didn't do it for me. Pierce Brosnan was gorgeous and elegant and all that, and the movies got better, but there was still something missing. The 4 Bond films that Pierce made were too slick-too dependent on CGI special effects and product placement (although the decision to cast Judi Dench as M was pure genius). So, when 2006 came and there was a new film with a new Bond, it all sort of went past me. I never actually watched Casino Royale in the theaters. I knew nothing about Daniel Craig and was satisfied to occasionlly watch the old classics on TV.
Till now my friends. As part of the build-up to the release of A Quantum of Solace, Showtime has been running Casino Royale. Daniel Craig has completely won me over as the Best Bond Ever. He's a better actor than all the others put together. I have thorougly enjoyed those electric blue eyes and the way he looks in a tux. I think DC plays Bond as so much more multi-faceted than recent attempts: He can take care of 3 bad guys with steely-eyed precision, comfort the poor crying girl so tenderly it breaks your heart, then change his shirt and be back to the poker game in less than an hour looking fabulous and perfectly calm-for a while now I haven't believed that Bond could really do all that, but DC makes it so. The movie also goes back to the spare, understated style (and a little more like the books) of some of the earlier ones-less gadgets, more cleverness.
So, more information than you needed and a really long lead-up to exclaim that I am really looking forward to seeing this new Bond film. Here's an invitation: Come watch this guy save the world instead of pining away for another week until you can watch Edward lurk in the darkness.
4 Mailed Boxes, 3 French Hens, 2 Turtle Doves
November 12, 2008
And a Partridge in a Pear Tree...
Yes! I got the 4 packages out the door. They are currently on my porch awaiting carrier pickup this very day. I used all recycled packaging, so my shelf full of boxes and envelopes in the basement earned its keep. I finished up a roll of packing tape, but fortunately, I had more and here's the miracle, it was in the place where it lives so I could find it!
I love having things NOT hanging over my head.
And, as the title might imply, we have started listening to Christmas music. We decided, after being in Home Depot on October 27 and seeing an entire greenhouse of Christmas decorations, that it was time to just succumb to Early-onset Christmas Season Syndrome and enjoy our favorite music of the year. It is definitely motivating me to get ready.
Yes! I got the 4 packages out the door. They are currently on my porch awaiting carrier pickup this very day. I used all recycled packaging, so my shelf full of boxes and envelopes in the basement earned its keep. I finished up a roll of packing tape, but fortunately, I had more and here's the miracle, it was in the place where it lives so I could find it!I love having things NOT hanging over my head.
And, as the title might imply, we have started listening to Christmas music. We decided, after being in Home Depot on October 27 and seeing an entire greenhouse of Christmas decorations, that it was time to just succumb to Early-onset Christmas Season Syndrome and enjoy our favorite music of the year. It is definitely motivating me to get ready.
Book Review
November 11, 2008
Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith
Adult Fiction
Thriller/Drama/Mystery
This book is about Leo, an MGB (Security Police) officer in Stalinist Russia. The principal action takes place in 1953. While the story is excellent-a thriller about trying to stop a serial killer-what I liked the most was the glimpse this book offers into life in the USSR. As a child of the Cold War, Russia and China were the great, mysterious enemies of my developmental years, so I've always been curious about what it was really like for every day Communists. The writing here is spare and matter of fact, which is exactly how I pictured life under Communism-emotions are subordinate to the requirements of survival. The layout of the book has all the dialog in italics preceeded by a dash and this atypical way of setting off people's words makes them seem somehow whispered, just in case someone is listening.
If you like police-type dramas, you'll probably like this one no matter what. If you don't like thrillers but might want to have your horizons widened about how the limitations and horrors of the Soviet system affected individuals just trying to live their lives, then check this one out. I don't usually reach for books of this type because frankly, I hate suspense, but this story had me captivated from the beginning. It is significant for me that I did not read the end first-I was that engaged.
There is violence and several descriptions of crime scenes and the brutality of the MGB's methods (including torture), but I did not find them gratuitous, instead they helped evoke the needed emotions for the story to have its full impact.
Anti-Procrastination Week
November 9, 2008
I'm back from one of my three weekends a year where I play a working woman. This time, I was just 15 miles up the road in downtown Baltimore, but it is easier to just pretend I'm out of town and stay in the hotel rather than commute to the conference. So, I got to stay in a swanky Marriott, see my fun knitting friends, and make money waving pointy sticks around. It is a pretty good gig. It is really tiring though, so I'm glad I got done a day early so I could reenter life today instead of tomorrow.
Church today was great. Part of the regular worship service format was replaced today by the annual Primary Presentation, which is our children's organization showing off what they've learned throughout the year. This is the first time in 17 years that I haven't had a child participating. It was really fun to look back and remember all the good things my kids did in Primary. I just loved seeing kids that I know and love (or whose parents I know and love) shine. Everyone had a part, and they all did so well, even the little tiny ones. I saw true bravery, because they were standing in front of a congregation of 400 people and they sang and shared so beautifully. When a meeting is particularly satisfying and enjoyable in our church, we say that we felt the spirit there, meaning the spirit of God filling our hearts with good feelings, peace and comfort. Today was definitely one of those meetings.
Coming home always puts into sharp relief what I shoved out of the way to put my focus on getting ready for being gone. This time, the pile is large. One of the habits I've tried to extract from my Flylady experience is the concept of Anti-Procrastination Day. That is a day when one focuses on doing those things that get put off for whatever reason. I have a few tasks that I consistently let drop to the bottom of my list over and over again, so this week, in preparation for the holidays, I am making myself accountable to the entire cyber-universe by telling you what I simply MUST get off my list. I have so many things that I'm giving myself the whole week rather than just one day. I know I'll feel better when I do. I will report my progress throughout the week.
Church today was great. Part of the regular worship service format was replaced today by the annual Primary Presentation, which is our children's organization showing off what they've learned throughout the year. This is the first time in 17 years that I haven't had a child participating. It was really fun to look back and remember all the good things my kids did in Primary. I just loved seeing kids that I know and love (or whose parents I know and love) shine. Everyone had a part, and they all did so well, even the little tiny ones. I saw true bravery, because they were standing in front of a congregation of 400 people and they sang and shared so beautifully. When a meeting is particularly satisfying and enjoyable in our church, we say that we felt the spirit there, meaning the spirit of God filling our hearts with good feelings, peace and comfort. Today was definitely one of those meetings.
Coming home always puts into sharp relief what I shoved out of the way to put my focus on getting ready for being gone. This time, the pile is large. One of the habits I've tried to extract from my Flylady experience is the concept of Anti-Procrastination Day. That is a day when one focuses on doing those things that get put off for whatever reason. I have a few tasks that I consistently let drop to the bottom of my list over and over again, so this week, in preparation for the holidays, I am making myself accountable to the entire cyber-universe by telling you what I simply MUST get off my list. I have so many things that I'm giving myself the whole week rather than just one day. I know I'll feel better when I do. I will report my progress throughout the week.
- Mailing 4 packages. Why oh why is mailing things so hard? It really isn't, but I make it so. I want packages to be just so-especially if they are gifts or care packages for my sons. So, instead of just getting them in the box, I fret about wrapping and making a card rather than just writing or typing a simple note. Oh. My. Goodness. I shoot myself in the foot in so many ways. So, I now have a Click-n-ship account on usps.com (BTW, click-n-ship combined with free carrier pick-up may possibly be the best inventions since, let's say, air and sunlight.), and I have been making improvments in this area.
- Finishing my address list for Christmas Cards. I've failed for the last 3 years to get Christmas cards out to more than the first 10 addresses on my list. This year, my goal is 30 cards. I have the card designed, I just need to upload it and get them ordered. That's not the hard part. I do that every year. The hard part is getting the addresses together, then spreading out the addressing, sealing, and stamping so I'm not stuck doing it all at once and getting overwhelmed. I really like writing our letter and sending out a card-so this is not a crazy-making tradition that needs to be jettisoned, it is one that is meaningful that I want to get better at.
- Getting my brother's wedding photos proofed and online for them to see. I'm embarrassed to say that 6 weeks have passed since the wedding and I'm still fussing. I think I can explain this one with a difficult situation that happened that related to the photography, but sheesh, can I just move on and get it out of my head?
- Filing the last month's mail. Yes, I said "MONTH'S!" Again, I don't know why this one is a hater for me. It takes minutes a day, but I don't like doing it. I can only try to explain it by comparing it to being strapped on an anthill. Now, admittedly, I've never experienced this, but I'm pretty sure it might not be as annoying as filing. My inner therapist says, "I think this one boils down to being afraid I'm doing it wrong. So, either I need to find that out and do it right, or stop imagining some big-brother type analyzing my filing and just be happy my system works for me."
Eagle Project
November 4, 2008
Eagle Project
Originally uploaded by lelliekin
Here's Ev doing his bit for the trees and scouting. It was a hugely successful day with 67 volunteers (a large number of which were members of the Oakland Mills HS JV football team.) 220 trees planted, and beautiful weather to boot. Thanks to all who supported us in any way, whether with a shovel in your hand or simple good wishes in your heart.
Now I've figured out that you can just click on the image and it will take you to flickr where you can see more of the day if you want.
Pentagon Memorial, Nov. 3, 2008
Originally uploaded by lelliekin
Our visit to the Pentagon Memorial was really nice. It is an easy metro ride down-we caught the green line at Greenbelt, then changed to the yellow line at Ft. Totten, which took us all the way to the Pentagon. This is the first of the 9/11 memorials to be completed, so I'm glad we got to go. It is a beautiful place. I look forward to going back in the daylight. Click here to see all the photos.
Catching up
November 3, 2008
I have a lot of post titles with those words in them, apparently. Oh well, that's what I'm doing. Today is November 3rd. The Election is tomorrow. I'm sure many of you didn't know that. We'll be out of limbo one way or the other.
School is out today and tomorrow, and I wish I could say that I have a lovely day out of doors planned for my kids. I don't. We are so busy all the time, that, when a day off comes, we just want to stay home in our jammies and veg out. Don't judge us. I will probably let my kids watch tv and play video games until I just can't stand it any more. I will be madly knitting on the last few rows of my project-for-hire and printing out the rest of my handouts for this weekend. You would think that I would enjoy connecting with my kids. Let me tell you about that. Sometimes, even now, I feel so "connected" to my kids that I wonder if the cord ever really got cut. We spend a lot of time together-and it is usually me trying to get them to DO something. They are very disciplined during the week, with little free time. So, it is a refreshing and restorative break in our routine to have me not trying to move them on to the next thing and them just enjoying life for a few hours. T'was not always thus, so this is just evidence of how seasons of life bring changes and new ways of doing things.
I just spent 1.5 hours catching up on blogs, leaving comments and trying to get back into life. I love my bloggy friends so much. I gain so much by enjoying this priviledged look into their varied and interesting and amazing lives. I love reading everything you write even if I'm speed-blogging and don't leave a comment. If I haven't made it round to comment on your blog for a week or so, I'll be back soon. It means a lot to me.
Before that I went for a seven mile run. Yep, seven miles. I can actually do that. It is making me feel a little proud that on a Monday morning, I can step out for a run and keep going (with only the occasional 30-yard walking break) for the same distance it takes me to drive to the mall. It helped trememdously that I had a good friend to keep me going. That, my friends, is a metaphor for life. I do need to remember to appreciate my body though-sometimes I don't.
Tonight, we are joining up with a friend and her kids to go visit the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial. I think it is a fitting place for my kids to be on the night before election day. It will help us all think about things we need to be thinking about. Hopefully I'll get a few photos to share.
So, now I will get up from the computer, get going on the things I need to get going on at my own pace, and enjoy the sound of people NOT rushing around. Have a lovely day.
School is out today and tomorrow, and I wish I could say that I have a lovely day out of doors planned for my kids. I don't. We are so busy all the time, that, when a day off comes, we just want to stay home in our jammies and veg out. Don't judge us. I will probably let my kids watch tv and play video games until I just can't stand it any more. I will be madly knitting on the last few rows of my project-for-hire and printing out the rest of my handouts for this weekend. You would think that I would enjoy connecting with my kids. Let me tell you about that. Sometimes, even now, I feel so "connected" to my kids that I wonder if the cord ever really got cut. We spend a lot of time together-and it is usually me trying to get them to DO something. They are very disciplined during the week, with little free time. So, it is a refreshing and restorative break in our routine to have me not trying to move them on to the next thing and them just enjoying life for a few hours. T'was not always thus, so this is just evidence of how seasons of life bring changes and new ways of doing things.
I just spent 1.5 hours catching up on blogs, leaving comments and trying to get back into life. I love my bloggy friends so much. I gain so much by enjoying this priviledged look into their varied and interesting and amazing lives. I love reading everything you write even if I'm speed-blogging and don't leave a comment. If I haven't made it round to comment on your blog for a week or so, I'll be back soon. It means a lot to me.
Before that I went for a seven mile run. Yep, seven miles. I can actually do that. It is making me feel a little proud that on a Monday morning, I can step out for a run and keep going (with only the occasional 30-yard walking break) for the same distance it takes me to drive to the mall. It helped trememdously that I had a good friend to keep me going. That, my friends, is a metaphor for life. I do need to remember to appreciate my body though-sometimes I don't.
Tonight, we are joining up with a friend and her kids to go visit the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial. I think it is a fitting place for my kids to be on the night before election day. It will help us all think about things we need to be thinking about. Hopefully I'll get a few photos to share.
So, now I will get up from the computer, get going on the things I need to get going on at my own pace, and enjoy the sound of people NOT rushing around. Have a lovely day.
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