Monday, March 27, 2006
Checking in
What a great weekend. Ain't life grand? We really didn't do much, but it's so nice to see the kids outside riding scooters and bikes and going to the park. Spring really means something to us in these Northern climes.
Got my hair cut on Saturday, a twice-a-year event that never thrills me very much. It takes so long and it's so expensive, and I resent the fact they charge $10 extra for hair that's longer than shoulder-length. Discrimination, I say!! Still, it looks a bit better than it did and I do have to look somewhat presentable for the festival next week. Had a new hairdresser too, to whom I will return. Not that she's fantastic or anything, but we had a good chat and she's cool.
I haven't forgotten that I have a question to answer for my Ask Me Anything! column. It's a good one too. I'll do it in short order, I promise.
Later dudes.
What a great weekend. Ain't life grand? We really didn't do much, but it's so nice to see the kids outside riding scooters and bikes and going to the park. Spring really means something to us in these Northern climes.
Got my hair cut on Saturday, a twice-a-year event that never thrills me very much. It takes so long and it's so expensive, and I resent the fact they charge $10 extra for hair that's longer than shoulder-length. Discrimination, I say!! Still, it looks a bit better than it did and I do have to look somewhat presentable for the festival next week. Had a new hairdresser too, to whom I will return. Not that she's fantastic or anything, but we had a good chat and she's cool.
I haven't forgotten that I have a question to answer for my Ask Me Anything! column. It's a good one too. I'll do it in short order, I promise.
Later dudes.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
In Progress
I have another question in my scintillating series "Ask Me Anything!". Thanks to my pal Linda I have some interesting research to do. And I will do it, very soon.
You may remember that I also wanted to jazz up the blog by adding some "guest blogger" posts. Well, I've asked several people to contribute and all have agreed; I just haven't got their posts yet. But stay tuned, you'll be hearing from a cavalcade of fascinating folks (well, if 3 is a cavalcade. I'm not sure what a cavalcade is, or even how it's spelled) very soon!
The work thing is heating up to a boil. Two weeks until the big event we're working on... Yikes! I'm looking forward to it being over and done with, and returning to my normal life of full-time baby-cuddling. I have to admit, though, that it's a stimulating and interesting job; just not entirely feasible part-time, which is all I can do for the next 2 weeks. I've resolved to do my best and hope that it's good enough. I'll let you know when it's all over whether my best is up to scratch.
I have another question in my scintillating series "Ask Me Anything!". Thanks to my pal Linda I have some interesting research to do. And I will do it, very soon.
You may remember that I also wanted to jazz up the blog by adding some "guest blogger" posts. Well, I've asked several people to contribute and all have agreed; I just haven't got their posts yet. But stay tuned, you'll be hearing from a cavalcade of fascinating folks (well, if 3 is a cavalcade. I'm not sure what a cavalcade is, or even how it's spelled) very soon!
The work thing is heating up to a boil. Two weeks until the big event we're working on... Yikes! I'm looking forward to it being over and done with, and returning to my normal life of full-time baby-cuddling. I have to admit, though, that it's a stimulating and interesting job; just not entirely feasible part-time, which is all I can do for the next 2 weeks. I've resolved to do my best and hope that it's good enough. I'll let you know when it's all over whether my best is up to scratch.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Boots
Last week during March Break my kids (well the 2 older ones) helped me out with a "big clean" by doing special jobs. My son volunteered to clean out the hall closet, a waist high pile of odd boots, shoes, bags and rotting food items that fell out of the aforementioned bags long ago. He's a brave boy and I love him.
About 20 minutes into the job he called out "mommy, can you help me here?" and when I went to see him he was sitting on the floor in the center of what looked like about 50 pairs of boots and shoes, all unmatched and looking scrunched. I explained to him that this was the nadir (worst part) of any cleaning job, when you've tackled the mess but haven't yet started to get rid of it. Then I told him what to do next, i.e., separate stuff into piles for throwing out and putting away upstairs and in the basement, etc. He completed the job with amazing thoroughness and did me quite proud, as always.
All this to explain to you, dear readers, why I haven't been posting much. My work situation is such that I am mentally up to my ass in a pile of unmatched boots.
Last week during March Break my kids (well the 2 older ones) helped me out with a "big clean" by doing special jobs. My son volunteered to clean out the hall closet, a waist high pile of odd boots, shoes, bags and rotting food items that fell out of the aforementioned bags long ago. He's a brave boy and I love him.
About 20 minutes into the job he called out "mommy, can you help me here?" and when I went to see him he was sitting on the floor in the center of what looked like about 50 pairs of boots and shoes, all unmatched and looking scrunched. I explained to him that this was the nadir (worst part) of any cleaning job, when you've tackled the mess but haven't yet started to get rid of it. Then I told him what to do next, i.e., separate stuff into piles for throwing out and putting away upstairs and in the basement, etc. He completed the job with amazing thoroughness and did me quite proud, as always.
All this to explain to you, dear readers, why I haven't been posting much. My work situation is such that I am mentally up to my ass in a pile of unmatched boots.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
March Break
Well, by yesterday afternoon my kids and I had crossed off every item on their March Break Wish List. They made the list on Saturday, putting down 4 or 5 things each that they would like to do on the break. I love that they were small, modest things like playing in the park and going to the bookstore. The 2 bigger things, going to the Aquadome and the movies, were no sweat either, and made them very happy. They even got to go into the movie by themselves while I amused the little one in the mall for an hour and a half.
Despite the fact that I've been trying to work from home this week as well, it's been a very good time. I love spending time with my kids.
Well, by yesterday afternoon my kids and I had crossed off every item on their March Break Wish List. They made the list on Saturday, putting down 4 or 5 things each that they would like to do on the break. I love that they were small, modest things like playing in the park and going to the bookstore. The 2 bigger things, going to the Aquadome and the movies, were no sweat either, and made them very happy. They even got to go into the movie by themselves while I amused the little one in the mall for an hour and a half.
Despite the fact that I've been trying to work from home this week as well, it's been a very good time. I love spending time with my kids.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Going down the road
I think the time is coming soon when my baby -- well, okay, my toddler -- will stop breastfeeding.
I've breastfed all 3 of my babies for as long as it felt possible and right. That's longer than most people but not as long as some, but I don't really care what other people do in this regard; it's a personal thing for me and my family. It's healthy and, beyond the first 8 months or so, it becomes very easy and not very frequent, so I've always felt that it's a free, easy way to protect them against gastro-intestinal upsets etc., and help them to feel loved.
I weaned my first baby when I was trying to get pregnant with the second. In fact I was already pregnant but didn't know it yet. The second one breastfed until he was 2 and a bit, but he only did it for 5-10 minutes before bed, so it was easy and pleasant.
With this one things are a little different: She would -- and did -- nurse 5 or 6 times a day if I agreed to it. She's just much more physical and, well, clingy than the others were. So the time came where she was asking to nurse so often that I thought okay, that's it. So I started telling her no, that we only nurse before bed, and within a week she had virtually stopped asking. Now she nurses once in the morning and once before bed. She's more interested in reading books before bed and sometimes even says no when I ask her if she's ready to nurse because she knows that that's the stage before bed.
So it looks like the end of a good thing is coming. Like every other step in my children's lives it makes me happy for her and frees me up a bit, but also makes me a little bit sad, a little bit nostalgic, a little bit torn. But that's okay. Like most things about being a mother, it's not about me.
I think the time is coming soon when my baby -- well, okay, my toddler -- will stop breastfeeding.
I've breastfed all 3 of my babies for as long as it felt possible and right. That's longer than most people but not as long as some, but I don't really care what other people do in this regard; it's a personal thing for me and my family. It's healthy and, beyond the first 8 months or so, it becomes very easy and not very frequent, so I've always felt that it's a free, easy way to protect them against gastro-intestinal upsets etc., and help them to feel loved.
I weaned my first baby when I was trying to get pregnant with the second. In fact I was already pregnant but didn't know it yet. The second one breastfed until he was 2 and a bit, but he only did it for 5-10 minutes before bed, so it was easy and pleasant.
With this one things are a little different: She would -- and did -- nurse 5 or 6 times a day if I agreed to it. She's just much more physical and, well, clingy than the others were. So the time came where she was asking to nurse so often that I thought okay, that's it. So I started telling her no, that we only nurse before bed, and within a week she had virtually stopped asking. Now she nurses once in the morning and once before bed. She's more interested in reading books before bed and sometimes even says no when I ask her if she's ready to nurse because she knows that that's the stage before bed.
So it looks like the end of a good thing is coming. Like every other step in my children's lives it makes me happy for her and frees me up a bit, but also makes me a little bit sad, a little bit nostalgic, a little bit torn. But that's okay. Like most things about being a mother, it's not about me.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Addendum
One more thing I liked about the Oscars: The way they did they music, especially the song from Crash. I loved that.
I know, I'm the only loser still talking about the Oscars. But my life is a bit stressful at the moment. I'm escapisming.
One more thing I liked about the Oscars: The way they did they music, especially the song from Crash. I loved that.
I know, I'm the only loser still talking about the Oscars. But my life is a bit stressful at the moment. I'm escapisming.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Mandatory Oscar Post
I really enjoyed the Oscars last night. I liked Jon Stewart, laughed very heartily at some of his jokes and especially at the gay cowboy montage. Speaking of montages, I found the various tributes to genres, etc. throughout the night really entertaining and well done, although the "epics" one was lit-tle Spielberg-heavy, no?
I felt that it had some really good moments, like George Clooney's speech (Is he the coolest man this side of Johnny Depp or what?) and Lily Tomlin and Meryl Streep doing the Altmanesque Altman intro. Some of the clothes were just fabulous and I HAVE to get the Obi-like thing that the winner for costume design (for Geisha) wore with a black dress. Could I pull that off? Just try me!
Salma Hayek could definitely make me swing the other way, and Russell Crowe would be welcome to try to swing me back. I'm so glad to see Michelle Williams happy and nominated and gorgeous with her man by her side. (I was a big fan of Dawson's Creek. So sue me!)
The only truly sad, uncomfortable moment: Poor Lauren Bacall! Why oh why didn't she just make a little joke about forgetting her glasses? Why didn't she ad-lib? Why did she have to keep trying to cover up the fact that she was so lost? Showing her so young and strong and sexy in the montage directly after made the whole debacle more sad...
But I liked it. For the first time ever, I think.
I really enjoyed the Oscars last night. I liked Jon Stewart, laughed very heartily at some of his jokes and especially at the gay cowboy montage. Speaking of montages, I found the various tributes to genres, etc. throughout the night really entertaining and well done, although the "epics" one was lit-tle Spielberg-heavy, no?
I felt that it had some really good moments, like George Clooney's speech (Is he the coolest man this side of Johnny Depp or what?) and Lily Tomlin and Meryl Streep doing the Altmanesque Altman intro. Some of the clothes were just fabulous and I HAVE to get the Obi-like thing that the winner for costume design (for Geisha) wore with a black dress. Could I pull that off? Just try me!
Salma Hayek could definitely make me swing the other way, and Russell Crowe would be welcome to try to swing me back. I'm so glad to see Michelle Williams happy and nominated and gorgeous with her man by her side. (I was a big fan of Dawson's Creek. So sue me!)
The only truly sad, uncomfortable moment: Poor Lauren Bacall! Why oh why didn't she just make a little joke about forgetting her glasses? Why didn't she ad-lib? Why did she have to keep trying to cover up the fact that she was so lost? Showing her so young and strong and sexy in the montage directly after made the whole debacle more sad...
But I liked it. For the first time ever, I think.
Misunderstanding, miscommunication, misprision...
Do you ever have times where it seems noone understands what you mean?
Do you ever have times where it seems noone understands what you mean?
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
erratum
The sun is shining, the birds are frozen stiff and falling from the trees... Winter is in the air!
Just to clarify: when I said in an earlier post that I'm a "Winter person" I meant that I'm a "cold-but-not-cold-enough-to-give-a-polar-bear-frostbite Winter" person.
Come on, Spring!
The sun is shining, the birds are frozen stiff and falling from the trees... Winter is in the air!
Just to clarify: when I said in an earlier post that I'm a "Winter person" I meant that I'm a "cold-but-not-cold-enough-to-give-a-polar-bear-frostbite Winter" person.
Come on, Spring!
