Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Belonging
I am really lucky to have met my wife at nineteen.
Rarely, at various moments over the years, I have wondered what it would have been like to have had more time for dating, for total freedom and independence, for trying on different relationship identities, and growing alone. But the truth is, when I met G, I knew within months that I wanted to marry HER and have children with HER.
G and I have been really different people from the start. We shared a complimentary sense of humor, some common core values, and a few similar interests (a love of water perhaps the most critical), but our families of origin, our life experiences, our theological understandings, our educational interests and histories, our hobbies and likes, our approaches to everything from money to goal setting, and even the music we listened to most were vastly different.
Over the years, we've had many jokes about how different we were when we met. We used to say that if we had met just a few years earlier, we might not have even liked one another, let alone fallen in love. For a while, I joked that my family must be paying G to date me.
Now, over a decade later, G and I have found that while we've grown together in many ways, we've also grown in very different directions. We share more in common now, but this is largely because we've built a life together. As individuals, sometimes we have wondered if now we have less in common than when we met.
I no longer see many commonalities as necessary to a deeply fulfilling marriage. Not a day has gone by since the day I met G when she hasn't helped me in some way to grow as a human being. I am a very different person than I was at nineteen, not in spite of my marriage, but because of it.
More than anything, what I find in my marriage, is a "deep knowing." G knows me as fully as a human being as probably anyone ever will, and she chooses love. There is something that is deeply fulfilling in receiving true-knowing followed by true, authentic, willing love. In my marriage, in my home, in the family G and I have created together, I belong. That's a feeling unlike any other...belonging.
I am starting to think most people spend their lives in various emotional and mental states that relate to belonging. And starting to think that one of our spiritual tasks is finding a sense of peace in an eternal belonging.
Rarely, at various moments over the years, I have wondered what it would have been like to have had more time for dating, for total freedom and independence, for trying on different relationship identities, and growing alone. But the truth is, when I met G, I knew within months that I wanted to marry HER and have children with HER.
G and I have been really different people from the start. We shared a complimentary sense of humor, some common core values, and a few similar interests (a love of water perhaps the most critical), but our families of origin, our life experiences, our theological understandings, our educational interests and histories, our hobbies and likes, our approaches to everything from money to goal setting, and even the music we listened to most were vastly different.
Over the years, we've had many jokes about how different we were when we met. We used to say that if we had met just a few years earlier, we might not have even liked one another, let alone fallen in love. For a while, I joked that my family must be paying G to date me.
Now, over a decade later, G and I have found that while we've grown together in many ways, we've also grown in very different directions. We share more in common now, but this is largely because we've built a life together. As individuals, sometimes we have wondered if now we have less in common than when we met.
I no longer see many commonalities as necessary to a deeply fulfilling marriage. Not a day has gone by since the day I met G when she hasn't helped me in some way to grow as a human being. I am a very different person than I was at nineteen, not in spite of my marriage, but because of it.
More than anything, what I find in my marriage, is a "deep knowing." G knows me as fully as a human being as probably anyone ever will, and she chooses love. There is something that is deeply fulfilling in receiving true-knowing followed by true, authentic, willing love. In my marriage, in my home, in the family G and I have created together, I belong. That's a feeling unlike any other...belonging.
I am starting to think most people spend their lives in various emotional and mental states that relate to belonging. And starting to think that one of our spiritual tasks is finding a sense of peace in an eternal belonging.
Monday, July 6, 2009
"Here come the boogie boards!"
I finally had a chance to tag along with my family on one of G's regular trips with the kids to the beach.
I have been missing way too many (read: all) beach trips this summer, and it feels like I am working all the time yet getting nothing done. I can't get this time back with my family, so while the beach will always be there (though goodness knows there is no where I'd rather be than at the beach) I really need to prioritize these beach days higher.
The Fourth of July was a good day to go ahead and play hookie because, well, it's a friggin' holiday and that is what people do! We got a little bit of absolutely heavenly beach time in that afternoon. It was AWESOME! G had been telling me how great it is there with the kids now, and I agree.
G's sister loaned us some boards, thus I found out the kids are starting to boogie board! We could have easily spent the whole day there if only we hadn't needed to fit in a nap! And with G's sister there to watch the kids for a few minutes at a time, G and I fit in a little body surfing.
When I think of the Fourth of July this year, I'll think of M and K running to the water, boogie boards in tow, with K grinning ear to ear and shouting "here come the boogie boards!" I really wish I had photos. It was sooooooo much fun.
That night there was a report that the police were cracking down on fireworks, even though there is no longer a city show, but we went back to the beach anyway, and found that there was quite an impressive number of fireworks. It was incredible to watch, albeit slightly scary.
What a good day.
I have been missing way too many (read: all) beach trips this summer, and it feels like I am working all the time yet getting nothing done. I can't get this time back with my family, so while the beach will always be there (though goodness knows there is no where I'd rather be than at the beach) I really need to prioritize these beach days higher.
The Fourth of July was a good day to go ahead and play hookie because, well, it's a friggin' holiday and that is what people do! We got a little bit of absolutely heavenly beach time in that afternoon. It was AWESOME! G had been telling me how great it is there with the kids now, and I agree.
G's sister loaned us some boards, thus I found out the kids are starting to boogie board! We could have easily spent the whole day there if only we hadn't needed to fit in a nap! And with G's sister there to watch the kids for a few minutes at a time, G and I fit in a little body surfing.
When I think of the Fourth of July this year, I'll think of M and K running to the water, boogie boards in tow, with K grinning ear to ear and shouting "here come the boogie boards!" I really wish I had photos. It was sooooooo much fun.
That night there was a report that the police were cracking down on fireworks, even though there is no longer a city show, but we went back to the beach anyway, and found that there was quite an impressive number of fireworks. It was incredible to watch, albeit slightly scary.
What a good day.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Dreams...
Something I dream of doing with my children is a trip to Africa, perhaps Ghana. I think the cultural exchange aspect of such a trip would be amazing!
There is at least one organization (http://www.globalvolunteers.org/) I have found that has a volunteer program in Ghana for families to do together. Since I have no money at all, I'd have to fundraise it. That's common for folks traveling to volunteer. Adding up the program fee for one (not sure how much they would charge for kids as young as mine) plus a very, very modest assumption about the cost of the flight, it seems like I would need a minimum of about 80 people to donate $50.
I see that and think, "that could be do-able." And then a second later I think, "I'd be crazy to imagine I could do that." Say I could get 25 folks from the church, 5 from my family, 5 from G's family, and 5 friends to do it. That's half of what I would need. The problem would be the other half. Plus, I am assuming there would be naysayers about a trip like that for a young family (including G, who has already said she is not going to come with us...she even hates traveling in the states), so I'd have to address that for fundraising. Hmmm.
There is at least one organization (http://www.globalvolunteers.org/) I have found that has a volunteer program in Ghana for families to do together. Since I have no money at all, I'd have to fundraise it. That's common for folks traveling to volunteer. Adding up the program fee for one (not sure how much they would charge for kids as young as mine) plus a very, very modest assumption about the cost of the flight, it seems like I would need a minimum of about 80 people to donate $50.
I see that and think, "that could be do-able." And then a second later I think, "I'd be crazy to imagine I could do that." Say I could get 25 folks from the church, 5 from my family, 5 from G's family, and 5 friends to do it. That's half of what I would need. The problem would be the other half. Plus, I am assuming there would be naysayers about a trip like that for a young family (including G, who has already said she is not going to come with us...she even hates traveling in the states), so I'd have to address that for fundraising. Hmmm.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Welcome Baby!
I just heard my younger brother and his wife's new little baby made her entry into this world this afternoon. Welcome baby E! We're sure you'll love it here...enjoy the journey!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Sibling Therapy? Who Knew!
A writer contacted me today to ask if she could interview me for an article she is writing on issues in adoption. I've been looking over her other work to decide if I am willing to be interviewed. I found an interesting article:
Cain and Abel, Meet the Couch
One of the things I thought was interesting is looking at sibling relationships as perhaps the longest relationships we'll have in our lives. And although the examples were depressing and about highly dysfunctional families, I did think it was helpful to use the term "historians" for siblings.
Cain and Abel, Meet the Couch
One of the things I thought was interesting is looking at sibling relationships as perhaps the longest relationships we'll have in our lives. And although the examples were depressing and about highly dysfunctional families, I did think it was helpful to use the term "historians" for siblings.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
This is something good to know about
A week or two ago, a mom on one of my internet discussion boards posted that she will be deploying to Iraq shortly. She has a one year old. She was looking for tips and commiseration from folks who have been through such things, and I posted to her about my experiences being separated from my kids a year and a half ago. Then someone else posted this, which I had never seen before:
http://www.hugahero.com/index.php
I thought that this type of concept (maybe the picture blanket squares) would have been another source of comfort for my kids when we were apart. It was truly an incredibly difficult period on both ends. One of the interesting things I heard said about the war in Iraq on NPR a few weeks ago was that this war is an unusual one in that the human toll continues to be great, but that statistically, few of us actually know anyone who is deployed. Still, I think this is a good resource to know about for anyone any of us may come across who is looking for family resources before they deploy (or are facing separations from their kids like I was, for other reasons).
http://www.hugahero.com/index.php
I thought that this type of concept (maybe the picture blanket squares) would have been another source of comfort for my kids when we were apart. It was truly an incredibly difficult period on both ends. One of the interesting things I heard said about the war in Iraq on NPR a few weeks ago was that this war is an unusual one in that the human toll continues to be great, but that statistically, few of us actually know anyone who is deployed. Still, I think this is a good resource to know about for anyone any of us may come across who is looking for family resources before they deploy (or are facing separations from their kids like I was, for other reasons).
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Another Blog I Neglected To Mention
http://zachaboard.blogspot.com/
This blog belongs to a totally brilliant, creative, kind and generous, and all-around awesome houseboat-living mom I know from "elsewhere on the internet."
I also corrected a few blog links from my shout-out post, as they were to specific posts rather than the general blogs. If I missed any incorrect links, let me know.
(Added link to original post 3-10-09)
This blog belongs to a totally brilliant, creative, kind and generous, and all-around awesome houseboat-living mom I know from "elsewhere on the internet."
I also corrected a few blog links from my shout-out post, as they were to specific posts rather than the general blogs. If I missed any incorrect links, let me know.
(Added link to original post 3-10-09)
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
A List of Blogs I've Read (in recent memory) or Read
It's "shout out" time again.
Family of Faith (whose blogs may or may not be "about" faith)
http://bostonunitarian.blogspot.com/
http://www.peacebang.com/ and http://beautytipsforministers.com/
http://learningumbrella.homeschooljournal.net/
http://happycindy.blogspot.com/
http://monkeymindonline.blogspot.com/
http://mskittyssaloonandroadshow.blogspot.com/
http://uuminister.blogspot.com/ and http://www.lovethroughaction.blogspot.com/
http://thehanifblog.blogspot.com/ (at least skimmed)
http://chalicechick.blogspot.com/ (though I have to say because I can't post a link including someone else's endorsement before I've offered mine that I vehemently disagree with the UUA presidential candidate endorsement on this blog...more on that another day)
http://chalicespark.blogspot.com/
http://justgini.blogspot.com/
http://tandik-fueledbyfaith.blogspot.com/ (LOVE it, but not frequently updated)
http://barbsbantering.wordpress.com/
http://www.uumin.org/sam/ (click blog on the left hand side of page)
http://truust.org/
http://unmitigatedbliss.blogspot.com/
http://iminister.blogspot.com/
Guilty Pleasure
http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/
Montessori Mom I Discovered Randomly
http://chasingcheerios.blogspot.com/
Moms I "Know" From Elsewhere on the Internet
http://zachaboard.blogspot.com/
http://isle-of-inisfree.blogspot.com/
http://2undertoo.blogspot.com/
http://truebluexf.blogspot.com/
http://fostermomx2.blogspot.com/
http://rainbowmamajourney.blogspot.com/ (not updated for quite some time)
http://pumpkingirl71.livejournal.com/
http://adventureswithboandboo.blogspot.com/
...I know I am forgetting a number of folks, and I am so sorry but I am getting tired and need to head to bed. Ack! My deepest apologies.
Family Members
http://ragtagsf.blogspot.com/
http://awfulbrothers.blogspot.com/ (updated in periodic spurts)
http://colin-quodlibet.blogspot.com/
http://www.sunthroughleaves.blogspot.com/ (very sporadically updated)
http://www.chickadeescout.blogspot.com/
http://amazingadventuresofdante.blogspot.com/ (very sporadically updated)
http://justsebastian.blogspot.com/ (rarely updated)
...I'm probably forgetting whole other categories of blogs I read and stuff, but that's all I can do right now. Now, bed.
Family of Faith (whose blogs may or may not be "about" faith)
http://bostonunitarian.blogspot.com/
http://www.peacebang.com/ and http://beautytipsforministers.com/
http://learningumbrella.homeschooljournal.net/
http://happycindy.blogspot.com/
http://monkeymindonline.blogspot.com/
http://mskittyssaloonandroadshow.blogspot.com/
http://uuminister.blogspot.com/ and http://www.lovethroughaction.blogspot.com/
http://thehanifblog.blogspot.com/ (at least skimmed)
http://chalicechick.blogspot.com/ (though I have to say because I can't post a link including someone else's endorsement before I've offered mine that I vehemently disagree with the UUA presidential candidate endorsement on this blog...more on that another day)
http://chalicespark.blogspot.com/
http://justgini.blogspot.com/
http://tandik-fueledbyfaith.blogspot.com/ (LOVE it, but not frequently updated)
http://barbsbantering.wordpress.com/
http://www.uumin.org/sam/ (click blog on the left hand side of page)
http://truust.org/
http://unmitigatedbliss.blogspot.com/
http://iminister.blogspot.com/
Guilty Pleasure
http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/
Montessori Mom I Discovered Randomly
http://chasingcheerios.blogspot.com/
Moms I "Know" From Elsewhere on the Internet
http://zachaboard.blogspot.com/
http://isle-of-inisfree.blogspot.com/
http://2undertoo.blogspot.com/
http://truebluexf.blogspot.com/
http://fostermomx2.blogspot.com/
http://rainbowmamajourney.blogspot.com/ (not updated for quite some time)
http://pumpkingirl71.livejournal.com/
http://adventureswithboandboo.blogspot.com/
...I know I am forgetting a number of folks, and I am so sorry but I am getting tired and need to head to bed. Ack! My deepest apologies.
Family Members
http://ragtagsf.blogspot.com/
http://awfulbrothers.blogspot.com/ (updated in periodic spurts)
http://colin-quodlibet.blogspot.com/
http://www.sunthroughleaves.blogspot.com/ (very sporadically updated)
http://www.chickadeescout.blogspot.com/
http://amazingadventuresofdante.blogspot.com/ (very sporadically updated)
http://justsebastian.blogspot.com/ (rarely updated)
...I'm probably forgetting whole other categories of blogs I read and stuff, but that's all I can do right now. Now, bed.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Random Legalizing Our Marriage Ideas
At our renewal of our vows when G. and I get legally hitched, I think we should say a family vow too. I think the kids should be allowed to run freely on the beach during the ceremony, but that we should try to call them back for our family vow. And we should do a blessing of our rings-- perhaps in silence with our hands over them -- a symbol of our love and commitment. And bless sturdy but beautiful anklets we make for the kids too, and give them their anklets as a special gift. We should have four anklets, though, and bless the two for children not yet here. I think we should burn our regrets and send them afloat in the water so that they may be purified and made right again with this crazy wild and big universe.
I think our ceremony/ritual should be relaxed and intimate and follow its own rhythm. I think we should basically just exist in our own little world in those moments.
I keep thinking of the fertility ritual from the movie Chutney Popcorn, and the beauty of just being present with the power of our own hearts.
By the way, if you all haven't seen this yet, you should, because everybody should be so lucky.
I think our ceremony/ritual should be relaxed and intimate and follow its own rhythm. I think we should basically just exist in our own little world in those moments.
I keep thinking of the fertility ritual from the movie Chutney Popcorn, and the beauty of just being present with the power of our own hearts.
By the way, if you all haven't seen this yet, you should, because everybody should be so lucky.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Weekly Horoscope Check-In
As you all know, I am a horoscope skeptic, ironically obsessed with my horoscope since I found the AstroStyle website because their 'scopes always seem so "right on" for me. Anyway, here is my weekly horoscope from that site, with my comments in purple:
Workaholic alert! You may be a little too emotionally wrapped up in your career at the moment.
VERY interesting. I preached on Sunday, and found myself with a renewed vigor by Sunday evening. I was feeling a really intense sense of vocational focus and seriously hammered away on some big projects until after two in the morning! I took Sabbath on Monday, but thought about work throughout the day and returned to work today with a lot of momentum. I am seeing this as very positive, and I will continue to see it as positive, but I guess I also have to be careful not to overdo it.
While it's wonderful to be ambitious, striving too hard for status, fame, or prestige could cause you to forget your values. You don't want to step on people as you climb the ladder to success. That's simply too much bad karma to bring into your life.
I guess it would be nice to have warning if people's feelings could become an issue. I wasn't seeing any danger of stepping on anyone with the projects I'm working on, but I guess I'll keep my eyes out!
Oh, wait, I just thought of something that this could absolutely be about...the current strategic planning and goal development. Oh, yeah. I can definitely see this being an issue if I am not careful. Will try to be even more restrained than I've been lately.
A little detachment is advised.
Whether horoscopes are valid or not, I think this is terrific and very helpful advice for the strategic planning meeting tonight. Will try very hard to keep it in mind.
Your work is important, but don't let it define all of who you are. You may also need to make a few sacrifices in the name of your career growth. Be selective.
Hmmm...have no idea right at the moment what that could mean. Perhaps time will tell.
If there's an opportunity to learn from an industry expert, jump on it--even if you do the work for free.
I'm not sure yet what this means either, but I can see a couple of opportunities to which this *might* apply. Will have to think on it.
An issue with a prominent male relative needs healing. You may have to extend the olive branch this time. Let go of grudges and make peace.
Huh. I wonder if this is true for me or not. The only guy-person with whom my relationship has been shaky (as far as I know) is my brother, and that's been going on for years. I feel like I've been doing my part, but maybe???
Workaholic alert! You may be a little too emotionally wrapped up in your career at the moment.
VERY interesting. I preached on Sunday, and found myself with a renewed vigor by Sunday evening. I was feeling a really intense sense of vocational focus and seriously hammered away on some big projects until after two in the morning! I took Sabbath on Monday, but thought about work throughout the day and returned to work today with a lot of momentum. I am seeing this as very positive, and I will continue to see it as positive, but I guess I also have to be careful not to overdo it.
While it's wonderful to be ambitious, striving too hard for status, fame, or prestige could cause you to forget your values. You don't want to step on people as you climb the ladder to success. That's simply too much bad karma to bring into your life.
I guess it would be nice to have warning if people's feelings could become an issue. I wasn't seeing any danger of stepping on anyone with the projects I'm working on, but I guess I'll keep my eyes out!
Oh, wait, I just thought of something that this could absolutely be about...the current strategic planning and goal development. Oh, yeah. I can definitely see this being an issue if I am not careful. Will try to be even more restrained than I've been lately.
A little detachment is advised.
Whether horoscopes are valid or not, I think this is terrific and very helpful advice for the strategic planning meeting tonight. Will try very hard to keep it in mind.
Your work is important, but don't let it define all of who you are. You may also need to make a few sacrifices in the name of your career growth. Be selective.
Hmmm...have no idea right at the moment what that could mean. Perhaps time will tell.
If there's an opportunity to learn from an industry expert, jump on it--even if you do the work for free.
I'm not sure yet what this means either, but I can see a couple of opportunities to which this *might* apply. Will have to think on it.
An issue with a prominent male relative needs healing. You may have to extend the olive branch this time. Let go of grudges and make peace.
Huh. I wonder if this is true for me or not. The only guy-person with whom my relationship has been shaky (as far as I know) is my brother, and that's been going on for years. I feel like I've been doing my part, but maybe???
Sunday, February 15, 2009
A Valentine's Day Request About My Birthday, To My "True Love"
Over the Christmas season my kids learned the song "12 Days of Christmas" pretty much in its entirety. There is nothing sweeter than hearing my two and three year old belt out, "On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me." So, sometime toward the end of the season, M. asks me, "Mama, who is your true love?"
That is a three year old question to make a heart melt alright. I don't want to forget that one.
I told M. that my beautiful children and my beautiful wife are my "true loves." He liked that answer, but I wonder if he thought I was cheating a bit to name them all. So on this Valentine's Day, I'll choose the romantic meaning of the phrase "true love." Here's a letter to my wife, G. about not a Christmas gift wish, but a birthday wish. (Just in case she reads my blog.)
Dear G.,
My 30th birthday is coming up and you've been asking for ideas of how to make it special. Other than wanting to spend it with you and the kids, there are few things I want or need. Of course I dearly wish we could all go visit Colorado or that our folks there could come visit us, but I know that isn't possible so let me tell you something else that would make my heart sing:
Honey, let's get legal. Ever since we moved here we've put off going to get our marriage legalized, but its a great joy to be able to do so and we really ought to do it for so many reasons. The reason that we've put it off is because you know I want to make it all romantic and renew our vows and all that, and you're afraid I'll invite people and you'll have to talk in front of everyone like at our wedding. So let me make this deal with you. Why don't we do a private renewal of our vows on the beach with the kids, with only the number of witnesses required. We can have a small party with everyone else afterward to celebrate if you want. But otherwise, let's dress up and take pictures, but make it a quiet elopment and a family thing. That would be a great way to celebrate my 30th birthday month. Because sweetie pie, I love you, and nothing would be bliss like being your lawfully wedded wife :-).
Love, S.
That is a three year old question to make a heart melt alright. I don't want to forget that one.
I told M. that my beautiful children and my beautiful wife are my "true loves." He liked that answer, but I wonder if he thought I was cheating a bit to name them all. So on this Valentine's Day, I'll choose the romantic meaning of the phrase "true love." Here's a letter to my wife, G. about not a Christmas gift wish, but a birthday wish. (Just in case she reads my blog.)
Dear G.,
My 30th birthday is coming up and you've been asking for ideas of how to make it special. Other than wanting to spend it with you and the kids, there are few things I want or need. Of course I dearly wish we could all go visit Colorado or that our folks there could come visit us, but I know that isn't possible so let me tell you something else that would make my heart sing:
Honey, let's get legal. Ever since we moved here we've put off going to get our marriage legalized, but its a great joy to be able to do so and we really ought to do it for so many reasons. The reason that we've put it off is because you know I want to make it all romantic and renew our vows and all that, and you're afraid I'll invite people and you'll have to talk in front of everyone like at our wedding. So let me make this deal with you. Why don't we do a private renewal of our vows on the beach with the kids, with only the number of witnesses required. We can have a small party with everyone else afterward to celebrate if you want. But otherwise, let's dress up and take pictures, but make it a quiet elopment and a family thing. That would be a great way to celebrate my 30th birthday month. Because sweetie pie, I love you, and nothing would be bliss like being your lawfully wedded wife :-).
Love, S.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
In Case of Suffering...
Dearest Family and Friends (an open letter),
In case of suffering, please call me.
I don't want any of my family or friends to suffer silently in these hard economic times. I don't know how many of my local family and friends actually read my blog, but just in case, I want to say here and now that I offer the following:
Please don't be prideful. Now is not the time. If you need help, reach out. We're all in this together.
Love,
S.M.G.
In case of suffering, please call me.
I don't want any of my family or friends to suffer silently in these hard economic times. I don't know how many of my local family and friends actually read my blog, but just in case, I want to say here and now that I offer the following:
- Shared housing while you are trying to get back on your feet. G and I are having trouble keeping up with all our bills in this new year. It was tough before, but now I have received a salary cut and G is job hunting when jobs are scarce. Come stay with us for a bit if you need a place. Contribute what you can in rent, even if a small amount. It will help us while helping you. Or simply help us out with home repairs or pool maintenance, or car maintenance, or as of this spring, building small raised garden beds for our urban food garden.
- Dinner. Sharing meals can help us all keep our spirits up and, done right, will ultimately be cheaper. Let's split some costs and enjoy one another's company. Your house or ours. Bring the ingrediants you can scrounge up and we'll bring what we can scrounge up at our house. Then we'll cook and eat together. The "new economy" will at best give us the vehicle to redefine the good American life. Hopefully we will all play more music together, break more bread together, and play more games together.
- And another option for dinner. If you like vegetarian food, when we cook something, every-once-in-a-while, we can make a little extra for you to have fresh or put in your freezer. You can do the same for us when and if you are ever able, but no pressure. We can also get together to share in the task of baking and cooking from scratch, especially those items that can be frozen or stored well. The more we all have in our freezers, the less convienence food we will all buy and the less we will eat out. Also, a full freezer is cheaper to run than an empty one and a full oven is cheaper when on than one that only has one or two things in it.
- Shared heating. If you are worried about your energy and heating bill this winter, let's talk. By turning down the heat (as low as it will go without bursting the pipes) and by keeping the lights out for just a couple of days (or even for a night), you can save money. Come over for a night or two, then catch us on the flipside.
- Bulk memberships. If you need to stock up, let me know so we can schedule to shopping together. We have been given a wonderful gift of a membership to both BJs and Costco. I can tell you when we are headed out there next, and you would be most welcome to join me and share in our membership. I'd also be happy to split items when the cost of buying is cheaper in bulk but neither of us needs quite that much of something (pickles or whatever).
- Gardening, with prep starting in early spring. G and I are entertaining ideas about how to eat locally and in season (redefining our entire diet) and grow more of our own food. Neither of us have a green thumb, nor do we have much space for gardening in our yard. However, if we can get together with folks who have more of a green thumb/more knowledge, as well as someone who has some space, we can offer some of the labor. There are no "community gardens" accessible to the public in our city currently as far as we can tell.
- Clothes and toys for your kids. If you have a child under three, we might be able to help. We are not done having children so would like to keep our items, but if you are willing to keep track of anything with our name on it, we are happy to loan out clothes for little ones who have outgrown their wardrobes as well as toys for little ones who have reached a new developmental phase and need some new toys.
- Women's clothing exchanges. Sizes change, tastes change. If you are needing or craving something new to wear and are around my size or a bit smaller, call me. I'd be happy for you to rummage through my pile of clothes I've sadly outgrown, etc. Maybe I'll have a thing or two of interest to you. (And if you have anything you think might interest me, let me know that too.)
- Make cleaners in bulk with us. If we buy the supplies together in bulk, we can make cheap and healthier (than store bought...also more ecologically sound) household cleaners including laundry deteregent. By doing it together, we'll also have more fun. We'd have to learn how, but I'd also entertain making soaps and shampoos and other personal care goods together.
- If it feels like your home is falling apart around you, but you can't afford the work and don't have the man-power to do it yourself, let's talk. We can come help you at your house for some number of hours if you come help us at ours. By sharing the work, we make it more likely that we can "do it ourselves" which will save money.
- I'm open to other ideas to about how we can help each other out.
Please don't be prideful. Now is not the time. If you need help, reach out. We're all in this together.
Love,
S.M.G.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
We Have a Date
I'm being vague, I know, but I think you all will know what I am talking about...and I am in my "superstitious mode" that always comes around these things, so I am not going to be more specific at this time.
We have a court date. It is soon...no more than a month away.
That is all!
We have a court date. It is soon...no more than a month away.
That is all!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Hi "Mindy"!
So I have this really good friend, who I love dearly. She lives back in my old state. I miss her dearly. Anyway, she keeps trying to call me on her way in to work every morning, and keeps missing me by a hair. I can't find her cell phone number, and I know her best time to chat is on her way to and from work.
This time when she called she said she was going to check my blog to see what is up in my life recently. So this is my shout out to her.
What's been going on in my life lately?
Hmm...
The kids are both doing well. M is doing a one day per week Montessori program at a center for otherwise homeschooled children, and we are doing Montessori-based homeschooling the rest of the time. He is absolutely thriving! It is wonderful. I'm thinking of pulling him out of all his public-school based therapies. They are poor quality (private would be so much better) and really not the direction we are wanting to head. So many things he does in the public schools undermines the great stuff happening in Montessori for him. In any case, he is talking up a storm and wants to know about everything right now. His favorite subjects at the moment are (1) what exists "behind the walls" and (2) what exists "underneath the floor." He wants to know about wires and electricity, and pipes and plumbing. He also asks the question, "What is in that?" about everything until we get down to talking about "invisible" science, like atoms. He is such a curious, thougtful boy. I really need to brush up on my science.
K. can't wait to turn three and start going to the Montessori center too. She is super interested in letters. She loves for me to write words on her magnadoodle, and then she takes letters from her alphabet puzzle and moves them on top of my letters until she's spelled out the word. The first thing she asks for me to do every morning and the last thing she asks for me to do every night is to read to her. She is all about books, books, books all day long, though make no mistake about it...she is also on the go! Even when we read, she is twisting and turning and squirming. Even more than the average two year old, she is not one to sit still. She is a mover and a shaker! I'm thinking she might want to take dance. Actually, both kids would probably enjoy gymnastics or dance classes. K's favorite song is a "babywipe" song M made up. It's too hilarious, and she sings it nonstop. It's only words are "babywipe, babywipe," but it is sung with such a tender, sweet voice that even the word "babywipe" is no endearing.
We're getting closer to K's adoption. Not there yet, but things are looking pretty good. We really wanted to fly back for it. We owe M's birthfamily a visit so we're going to have to fork over the money at some point...but right now we just don't have it. I would have liked to visit you, and G's brother and his family while we were at it. Looks like we'll be doing the proceedings by phone and notary/certified mail though.
I had my 72 hour EEG but don't have the results yet. I think I am supposed to go see the epileptologist some time this month, but I forget when. G is looking for part-time work. She definitely doesn't want to teach preK again until the kids are older. She is looking for work that she can keep at work, rather than take home, and something she can do without a lot of thought. Something like bartending. I think that kind of adult time will be good for G too. My work is going okay. Not shortage of challenges to keep me hopping and of course everyone is worried about budgets for the upcoming year, especially since we (1) we have already used all of our heating oil money for the budget year through January and we just had to turn on the heat at the start of October, and (2) we are about to begin a capital campaign, just now as the economy hits the fan. But so much of my world is filled with graces and blessings, and dare I say that God is present. The work is good. So good.
I hope we'll talk soon. I can't wait to hear how you and A. and B. are doing.
Love,
Your Friend S.
P.S. Both kids have decided to be firefighters for Halloween!
This time when she called she said she was going to check my blog to see what is up in my life recently. So this is my shout out to her.
What's been going on in my life lately?
Hmm...
The kids are both doing well. M is doing a one day per week Montessori program at a center for otherwise homeschooled children, and we are doing Montessori-based homeschooling the rest of the time. He is absolutely thriving! It is wonderful. I'm thinking of pulling him out of all his public-school based therapies. They are poor quality (private would be so much better) and really not the direction we are wanting to head. So many things he does in the public schools undermines the great stuff happening in Montessori for him. In any case, he is talking up a storm and wants to know about everything right now. His favorite subjects at the moment are (1) what exists "behind the walls" and (2) what exists "underneath the floor." He wants to know about wires and electricity, and pipes and plumbing. He also asks the question, "What is in that?" about everything until we get down to talking about "invisible" science, like atoms. He is such a curious, thougtful boy. I really need to brush up on my science.
K. can't wait to turn three and start going to the Montessori center too. She is super interested in letters. She loves for me to write words on her magnadoodle, and then she takes letters from her alphabet puzzle and moves them on top of my letters until she's spelled out the word. The first thing she asks for me to do every morning and the last thing she asks for me to do every night is to read to her. She is all about books, books, books all day long, though make no mistake about it...she is also on the go! Even when we read, she is twisting and turning and squirming. Even more than the average two year old, she is not one to sit still. She is a mover and a shaker! I'm thinking she might want to take dance. Actually, both kids would probably enjoy gymnastics or dance classes. K's favorite song is a "babywipe" song M made up. It's too hilarious, and she sings it nonstop. It's only words are "babywipe, babywipe," but it is sung with such a tender, sweet voice that even the word "babywipe" is no endearing.
We're getting closer to K's adoption. Not there yet, but things are looking pretty good. We really wanted to fly back for it. We owe M's birthfamily a visit so we're going to have to fork over the money at some point...but right now we just don't have it. I would have liked to visit you, and G's brother and his family while we were at it. Looks like we'll be doing the proceedings by phone and notary/certified mail though.
I had my 72 hour EEG but don't have the results yet. I think I am supposed to go see the epileptologist some time this month, but I forget when. G is looking for part-time work. She definitely doesn't want to teach preK again until the kids are older. She is looking for work that she can keep at work, rather than take home, and something she can do without a lot of thought. Something like bartending. I think that kind of adult time will be good for G too. My work is going okay. Not shortage of challenges to keep me hopping and of course everyone is worried about budgets for the upcoming year, especially since we (1) we have already used all of our heating oil money for the budget year through January and we just had to turn on the heat at the start of October, and (2) we are about to begin a capital campaign, just now as the economy hits the fan. But so much of my world is filled with graces and blessings, and dare I say that God is present. The work is good. So good.
I hope we'll talk soon. I can't wait to hear how you and A. and B. are doing.
Love,
Your Friend S.
P.S. Both kids have decided to be firefighters for Halloween!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
By Request
What makes us love or hate television characters? Sure, their charm and general appeal has something to do with it, but if we're going to buy into a whole character story, we have to relate.
G. and I were asked to which L-Word character we most relate ("Which one is most like you?"). We later decided that neither of us related fully to one character a great deal more than the others.
So just for fun (taking a break from a thought intensive, serious project currently), here is what makes the following selected characters--past and present-- relate-able for us, according to me (G. has yet to see my final analysis).
BETTE
Me: Bette's a workaholic perfectionist, like me. The big difference is that so far I haven't been able to achieve tv-level perfection ;-), and often I have to give up altogether. Bette is articulate (I like to think of myself as being so), driven, and has a vision for what she wants, and like me, she has difficulty asking for and accepting help. She admires art more than she is an artist, like me, but I'd still bet that she's more of an artist than me too. Lastly, Bette is a highly cognitive person, but every once in a while just does something completely irrational for emotional reasons, and risks it all. I feel like I verge on that on occasion too.
My Love G: Bette is super tight with her sister, like G. Bette had a strained relationship with her difficult-to-get-along-with father, but loved him deeply, like G loves her dad. G. previously really related to Bette's fairly rigid moralistic code, though of course Bette soon found many shades of gray. And although she doesn't look like Bette, out of all the characters, G. has the most physical resemblance to Bette because they have slightly dark skin and brown, curly hair, expressive eyes, and a face shaped more similarly than different in my opinion. Plus, they're both more on the athletic side. Oh yeah, and I just was reminded that Bette and G. also share in common that they find public displays of emotion embarrassing.
KIT
Me: Kit is a creative go-getter who enjoys being around people and wants people to enjoy themselves more than anything. Kit has a great deal of compassion, and tries hard to be a shoulder to cry on for her friends and family. She is warm and loving. Kit has done many things she regrets.
G: One can maintain a rigid moralistic code in many facets of life, like on the issues of cheating and lying, but still maintain a very open mind about others. That's how G. is, and nobody illustrates it better than compassionate, loving, and demanding Kit. Kit knows how to "lay down the law," but she also knows how to forgive and how to accept forgiveness.
ALICE
Me: Half the time, Alice acts first, thinks later. Um. Yeah. She is a talker, she meddles with others (with loads of good intent), and she can get obsessive. She's outspoken, she's bi, she is a complete extrovert, and she is highly curious. She has compassion but still gets annoyed with things like otherwise successful people hiding in the closet. She has a low b.s. tolerance.
G: Alice is equally loyal to all her friends. Also, she usually knows what is up in pop culture and lesbian stuff too. But although G adores Alice as a character, she can't relate to much else about her.
TINA
Me: Tina at the core is a family-focused person. She is interested in doing something meaningful in the world. When angry, she can be toxic. Out of all the characters, I suppose I look most like her in terms of very pale skin and often straight, blonde hair. Also, the overall look, though of course I am curvier ;-). Our facial features are very different, however.
G: Tina can be quiet and shy. She can also tolerate and put up with misbehavior among her friends and loved ones if it seems to her that putting up with it is for the greater good. She doesn't feel she needs to always call people out, and she's not hungry for control.
JENNY
We think Jenny is mentally ill. Additionally, it has been really hard to like her overall. In terms of relating to her, neither of us feel we really can. The strongest resemblance is that both she and I write, and neither of us are as good at it as we like to think we are.
JODI
Neither of us really relate to Jodi, either. We admire that she is unapologetic for who she is and what she values, but she also seems selfish, which is annoying to us both.
Me: Jodi is driven to challenge herself. The more she fears something, the harder she goes after it. Jodi can also attack pointedly when hurt.
G: In comparison to the other characters, Jodi may be one of the more emotionally healthy?? G is emotionally healthy, so there is some resemblance there. She's also an independent thinker.
SHANE
Me: Shane can see beauty in all types of people. She isn't into just one type of woman. She is sensitive to others, but she can't figure out how to keep her self-destructo button turned completely off. Shane sometimes struggles with how to say "no" when situations turn bad.
G: Shane and G are so super different in many ways, but somehow when asked which character most resembles G, I thought of Shane first. Here is why. One of my main qualities is reflected in Alice. I have to control myself big time to keep from meddling. In sharp contrast, G-- like the character Shane-- does not have the impulse to meddle and actually finds it disturbing when others get involved in anything having to do with anyone else. Also, both are keen observers and fantastic listeners, and both have a subtle shy quality. Neither are planners, and both prefer not to set themselves up for disappointments. Instead, they like to just ride through life with (not low expectations but) no particular expectations or objectives. Yet both somehow seem to live meaningful existences (of different types). Not to mention, they are both into skateboarding and stuff like that.
TASHA
Me: Tasha relatively successfully straddled two worlds for a while. I don't really do that because I feel like I live a pretty integrated life. Also, I am totally out and pretty much always have been. *But,* I *think* (and I could be way off base) that sometimes when people know me from only one of the two main roles I play in life, they are sort of shocked when they finally see me in the opposite. Sort of like I "clean up nice" for my vocation and I also get way more goofy than people expect when not in my professional role. What can I say? "I'm a Gemini," I suppose. The fact is, I am both profoundly serious and also a complete over-the-top goofball. Other than that, the only thing I can think of is that Tasha is a "take charge" kind of girl when called upon to be so. I am too. The character and I don't have much in common, overall.
G: Tasha is described on the L-Word website basically as meticulously honest, "passionate, beautiful, and strong-willed." That would almost be G in a nutshell. Their overall demeanor and personality are very different, and good thing too because G knows how to relax and have a good time, but their basic values and characteristics are about dead on.
MAX
Second to Jenny, Max may be one of the characters with whom we have the most difficult time relating.
Me: I relate to Max's socially inept qualities, but they manifest in such different ways than my own.
G: Max has a strong work ethic, and is hardworking, which is a characteristic G definitely shares and a value she definitely has. I also think Max is pretty loyal, and generally cares for others, even people he doesn't know (it seems like Max's mean streak was indeed primarily the transition stuff, and that this has generally faded).
HELENA
Another toughie (especially when it comes to the type of mom she has been). Let's see...hmm...
Me: She is passionate and can very easily be as creative as she needs to be to get what she wants or needs, or to help her friends (flip side is being manipulative, but I hope that isn't a big trait I have nowadays).
G: Both G and Helena are very generous with their friends, even when they have little or nothing to give.
PHYLLIS
Me: She has a great sense of humor, if dry at times (hmm...hello familiar), and she is a kind, warm, caring, and relatively compassionate person. Well, most of the time. Her prejudice as it manifested in regards to Shane was pretty ugly though, so I hesitated a bit in saying that. She has a good professional life, but that doesn't mean she "has it all together." She can be naive. She tries her best, but she screws things up a lot.
G: These two have nothing in common really, other than sometimes being harsh on others (different others in each case...G is mainly harsh about certain ethical standards) while also being kind and caring, warm and compassionate.
DANA
Me: Slightly neurotic, pretty ditsy, not at all fashion-aware, and just slightly on the naive side. But also very funny (saying stuff even without trying to be funny, and it just cracks everyone up), and super adorable.
G: A good friend, thoughtful, really anxious at first about coming out, and you guessed it...super adorable.
LARA
Me: Playful and funny, but that's all I can think of right now. Oh yeah, and she appreciated the value of good food.
G: According to G, who has a better memory than I do, she too is one of the healthiest characters on the show, er uh, was. She had a fairly healthy balance between self-care and selflessness. She was funny and friendly, but also just a little on the shy and quiet side (G said, "Not shy...she's just normal, honey."). Plus, she had a love of cooking.
CARMEN
Me: I don't share much in common with the Carmen character, at least I don't think I do.
G: Carmen had a big family, like G, and a super similar family situation, attitude, and experience. Carmen demonstrated in a very clear way that she believes people can change and is willing to give people the benefit of the doubt (I'm talking about the marriage thing). G fundamentally believes people can change and is always giving people the benefit of the doubt. Both are tremendously patient, but can be too jealous for their own good.
PAIGE
The character that G and I probably both share the most in common with is Paige. From the little I can remember of her, she was a down to earth (slightly rocker) mom. She adored her son first and foremost and tried to be a good mom to him, and it seemed, mostly succeeded.
Note: But what on earth was the implication in terms of the fire? I think that was from that one receptionist chick Shane had to fire. Remember?
G. and I were asked to which L-Word character we most relate ("Which one is most like you?"). We later decided that neither of us related fully to one character a great deal more than the others.
So just for fun (taking a break from a thought intensive, serious project currently), here is what makes the following selected characters--past and present-- relate-able for us, according to me (G. has yet to see my final analysis).
BETTEMe: Bette's a workaholic perfectionist, like me. The big difference is that so far I haven't been able to achieve tv-level perfection ;-), and often I have to give up altogether. Bette is articulate (I like to think of myself as being so), driven, and has a vision for what she wants, and like me, she has difficulty asking for and accepting help. She admires art more than she is an artist, like me, but I'd still bet that she's more of an artist than me too. Lastly, Bette is a highly cognitive person, but every once in a while just does something completely irrational for emotional reasons, and risks it all. I feel like I verge on that on occasion too.
My Love G: Bette is super tight with her sister, like G. Bette had a strained relationship with her difficult-to-get-along-with father, but loved him deeply, like G loves her dad. G. previously really related to Bette's fairly rigid moralistic code, though of course Bette soon found many shades of gray. And although she doesn't look like Bette, out of all the characters, G. has the most physical resemblance to Bette because they have slightly dark skin and brown, curly hair, expressive eyes, and a face shaped more similarly than different in my opinion. Plus, they're both more on the athletic side. Oh yeah, and I just was reminded that Bette and G. also share in common that they find public displays of emotion embarrassing.
KITMe: Kit is a creative go-getter who enjoys being around people and wants people to enjoy themselves more than anything. Kit has a great deal of compassion, and tries hard to be a shoulder to cry on for her friends and family. She is warm and loving. Kit has done many things she regrets.
G: One can maintain a rigid moralistic code in many facets of life, like on the issues of cheating and lying, but still maintain a very open mind about others. That's how G. is, and nobody illustrates it better than compassionate, loving, and demanding Kit. Kit knows how to "lay down the law," but she also knows how to forgive and how to accept forgiveness.
ALICEMe: Half the time, Alice acts first, thinks later. Um. Yeah. She is a talker, she meddles with others (with loads of good intent), and she can get obsessive. She's outspoken, she's bi, she is a complete extrovert, and she is highly curious. She has compassion but still gets annoyed with things like otherwise successful people hiding in the closet. She has a low b.s. tolerance.
G: Alice is equally loyal to all her friends. Also, she usually knows what is up in pop culture and lesbian stuff too. But although G adores Alice as a character, she can't relate to much else about her.
TINAMe: Tina at the core is a family-focused person. She is interested in doing something meaningful in the world. When angry, she can be toxic. Out of all the characters, I suppose I look most like her in terms of very pale skin and often straight, blonde hair. Also, the overall look, though of course I am curvier ;-). Our facial features are very different, however.
G: Tina can be quiet and shy. She can also tolerate and put up with misbehavior among her friends and loved ones if it seems to her that putting up with it is for the greater good. She doesn't feel she needs to always call people out, and she's not hungry for control.
JENNYWe think Jenny is mentally ill. Additionally, it has been really hard to like her overall. In terms of relating to her, neither of us feel we really can. The strongest resemblance is that both she and I write, and neither of us are as good at it as we like to think we are.
JODINeither of us really relate to Jodi, either. We admire that she is unapologetic for who she is and what she values, but she also seems selfish, which is annoying to us both.
Me: Jodi is driven to challenge herself. The more she fears something, the harder she goes after it. Jodi can also attack pointedly when hurt.
G: In comparison to the other characters, Jodi may be one of the more emotionally healthy?? G is emotionally healthy, so there is some resemblance there. She's also an independent thinker.
SHANEMe: Shane can see beauty in all types of people. She isn't into just one type of woman. She is sensitive to others, but she can't figure out how to keep her self-destructo button turned completely off. Shane sometimes struggles with how to say "no" when situations turn bad.
G: Shane and G are so super different in many ways, but somehow when asked which character most resembles G, I thought of Shane first. Here is why. One of my main qualities is reflected in Alice. I have to control myself big time to keep from meddling. In sharp contrast, G-- like the character Shane-- does not have the impulse to meddle and actually finds it disturbing when others get involved in anything having to do with anyone else. Also, both are keen observers and fantastic listeners, and both have a subtle shy quality. Neither are planners, and both prefer not to set themselves up for disappointments. Instead, they like to just ride through life with (not low expectations but) no particular expectations or objectives. Yet both somehow seem to live meaningful existences (of different types). Not to mention, they are both into skateboarding and stuff like that.
TASHAMe: Tasha relatively successfully straddled two worlds for a while. I don't really do that because I feel like I live a pretty integrated life. Also, I am totally out and pretty much always have been. *But,* I *think* (and I could be way off base) that sometimes when people know me from only one of the two main roles I play in life, they are sort of shocked when they finally see me in the opposite. Sort of like I "clean up nice" for my vocation and I also get way more goofy than people expect when not in my professional role. What can I say? "I'm a Gemini," I suppose. The fact is, I am both profoundly serious and also a complete over-the-top goofball. Other than that, the only thing I can think of is that Tasha is a "take charge" kind of girl when called upon to be so. I am too. The character and I don't have much in common, overall.
G: Tasha is described on the L-Word website basically as meticulously honest, "passionate, beautiful, and strong-willed." That would almost be G in a nutshell. Their overall demeanor and personality are very different, and good thing too because G knows how to relax and have a good time, but their basic values and characteristics are about dead on.
MAXSecond to Jenny, Max may be one of the characters with whom we have the most difficult time relating.
Me: I relate to Max's socially inept qualities, but they manifest in such different ways than my own.
G: Max has a strong work ethic, and is hardworking, which is a characteristic G definitely shares and a value she definitely has. I also think Max is pretty loyal, and generally cares for others, even people he doesn't know (it seems like Max's mean streak was indeed primarily the transition stuff, and that this has generally faded).
HELENAAnother toughie (especially when it comes to the type of mom she has been). Let's see...hmm...
Me: She is passionate and can very easily be as creative as she needs to be to get what she wants or needs, or to help her friends (flip side is being manipulative, but I hope that isn't a big trait I have nowadays).
G: Both G and Helena are very generous with their friends, even when they have little or nothing to give.
PHYLLISMe: She has a great sense of humor, if dry at times (hmm...hello familiar), and she is a kind, warm, caring, and relatively compassionate person. Well, most of the time. Her prejudice as it manifested in regards to Shane was pretty ugly though, so I hesitated a bit in saying that. She has a good professional life, but that doesn't mean she "has it all together." She can be naive. She tries her best, but she screws things up a lot.
G: These two have nothing in common really, other than sometimes being harsh on others (different others in each case...G is mainly harsh about certain ethical standards) while also being kind and caring, warm and compassionate.
DANAMe: Slightly neurotic, pretty ditsy, not at all fashion-aware, and just slightly on the naive side. But also very funny (saying stuff even without trying to be funny, and it just cracks everyone up), and super adorable.
G: A good friend, thoughtful, really anxious at first about coming out, and you guessed it...super adorable.
LARAMe: Playful and funny, but that's all I can think of right now. Oh yeah, and she appreciated the value of good food.
G: According to G, who has a better memory than I do, she too is one of the healthiest characters on the show, er uh, was. She had a fairly healthy balance between self-care and selflessness. She was funny and friendly, but also just a little on the shy and quiet side (G said, "Not shy...she's just normal, honey."). Plus, she had a love of cooking.
CARMENMe: I don't share much in common with the Carmen character, at least I don't think I do.
G: Carmen had a big family, like G, and a super similar family situation, attitude, and experience. Carmen demonstrated in a very clear way that she believes people can change and is willing to give people the benefit of the doubt (I'm talking about the marriage thing). G fundamentally believes people can change and is always giving people the benefit of the doubt. Both are tremendously patient, but can be too jealous for their own good.
PAIGEThe character that G and I probably both share the most in common with is Paige. From the little I can remember of her, she was a down to earth (slightly rocker) mom. She adored her son first and foremost and tried to be a good mom to him, and it seemed, mostly succeeded.
Note: But what on earth was the implication in terms of the fire? I think that was from that one receptionist chick Shane had to fire. Remember?
Who Are Art Collectors?
If when you think of art collectors, images like this come to mind...
(Please under no circumstances feel it is necessary to watch these videos the whole way through unless you really want)
...or this...
...or, hey, even this (from the L Word)...
(The clip cut out...didn't she faint after crying?)
...perhaps you don't see yourself as an art collector, or potential art collector.
Yet, isn't an art collector someone who simply collects art?
It doesn't have to be expensive art. It doesn't have to be art collected as an investment. It doesn't have to be art that is famous, or art from a hundred or more years ago. Collections don't have to be reasoned out. They don't have to be filled with things other people will "get," or fall in love with themselves. Collections can be genre-specific or varied and diverse. They can be big or small.
I like art collections-- whatever they may be-- best when they become a part of a home, become the landscape of a home.
Since I've recently moved, I'm rediscovering the art I've collected here and there. To be honest, one of the main reasons I have art in my home is because my mom is an artist who collects art and also knows how to give it away. Ahem.
I am not someone built for collecting much more than papers (you know junk mail, forms from the doctor, etc. etc.), virtually useless household items I aquired at various times when I couldn't find *exactly* what I needed, and books that could fill a lifetime reading list. I'm working on simplifying and avoiding all but the third habit.
But art is a different matter. I bought art here and there, sure, but in general, I never thought I could afford to purchase art and never thought I had the eye for it either. Don't get me wrong. I have always very much enjoyed art. But I considered myself terrible at finding any kind of treasure, including the art that other people I knew seemed to stumble upon. Not to mention that I worried about having kid-friendly art, and had no clue where to look for real, original art. I gave in to always having mass-produced prints from Target.
Something else has been stirring in me, however. Not long ago, I took some time to check out my mom's shop on Etsy. On the home page of her shop, she quotes from the Cheap Art Manifesto:
"Art is like Good Bread
Art is for Kitchens
Art Sings Hallelujah
It needs to be EVERYWHERE"
I liked it, but it only recently sunk in, sometime after my mom asked me what I wanted for my birthday early this summer, and I named a ring from a jewlery shop on Etsy.
I've just realized that art can be accessible to people like you and me.
Like I said, "It doesn't have to be expensive art. It doesn't have to be art collected as an investment. It doesn't have to be art that is famous, or art from a hundred or more years ago. Collections don't have to be reasoned out. They don't have to be filled with things other people will 'get,' or fall in love with themselves. Collections can be genre-specific or varied and diverse. They can be big or small. I like art collections-- whatever they may be-- best when they become a part of a home, become the landscape of a home."
Go to Etsy today! Be sure to register before you even start to look around. That way if you find an Etsy shop you really love, you can easily save it in your favorites and return when you have a few bucks.
Go to "Categories" on the left side of the page. Click on "art." The look again at the left side of the page, where you will find a list of different types of art. Click on any type, and you will find the list continues below that type, with subcategories. Check it out! And don't think. Just look for art that stirs you. Just pay attention to what draws you in.
Or get on and do a search like I did. Remember to set a particular category, which I did not, and try out other categories (such as "handmade items" instead of "art") if your first search doesn't turn up the kind of thing you are looking for. My first one was for Our Lady of Guadalupe images, and right away, I found an amazing shop with a great Guadalupe pot holder being sold at the even more amazing price of $8.00 (Something I can afford! Just not RIGHT this minute.), plus some other, more expensive items I can drool over until I have a bit more cash and want to splurge on myself just a bit. Many artists will sell small, affordable items of art. And what is great about Etsy, of course, is that like a market, you can get to know the sellers...in other words, this is a great way to start getting to know some wonderful artists.
Imagine how your world might expand!! Imagine how worldly and networked you could become ;). Who knows, you could even make some new friends. You know that shop I just linked to with the great Guadalupe pot holder? The artist, as it so happens, is in my very own state. What a wild and fun coincidence. Maybe when I finally buy that pot holder, I'll get in touch with her.
So in short, if you haven't checked out Etsy, I encourage you to do so.
(Please under no circumstances feel it is necessary to watch these videos the whole way through unless you really want)
...or this...
...or, hey, even this (from the L Word)...
(The clip cut out...didn't she faint after crying?)
...perhaps you don't see yourself as an art collector, or potential art collector.
Yet, isn't an art collector someone who simply collects art?
It doesn't have to be expensive art. It doesn't have to be art collected as an investment. It doesn't have to be art that is famous, or art from a hundred or more years ago. Collections don't have to be reasoned out. They don't have to be filled with things other people will "get," or fall in love with themselves. Collections can be genre-specific or varied and diverse. They can be big or small.
I like art collections-- whatever they may be-- best when they become a part of a home, become the landscape of a home.
Since I've recently moved, I'm rediscovering the art I've collected here and there. To be honest, one of the main reasons I have art in my home is because my mom is an artist who collects art and also knows how to give it away. Ahem.
I am not someone built for collecting much more than papers (you know junk mail, forms from the doctor, etc. etc.), virtually useless household items I aquired at various times when I couldn't find *exactly* what I needed, and books that could fill a lifetime reading list. I'm working on simplifying and avoiding all but the third habit.
But art is a different matter. I bought art here and there, sure, but in general, I never thought I could afford to purchase art and never thought I had the eye for it either. Don't get me wrong. I have always very much enjoyed art. But I considered myself terrible at finding any kind of treasure, including the art that other people I knew seemed to stumble upon. Not to mention that I worried about having kid-friendly art, and had no clue where to look for real, original art. I gave in to always having mass-produced prints from Target.
Something else has been stirring in me, however. Not long ago, I took some time to check out my mom's shop on Etsy. On the home page of her shop, she quotes from the Cheap Art Manifesto:
"Art is like Good Bread
Art is for Kitchens
Art Sings Hallelujah
It needs to be EVERYWHERE"
I liked it, but it only recently sunk in, sometime after my mom asked me what I wanted for my birthday early this summer, and I named a ring from a jewlery shop on Etsy.
I've just realized that art can be accessible to people like you and me.
Like I said, "It doesn't have to be expensive art. It doesn't have to be art collected as an investment. It doesn't have to be art that is famous, or art from a hundred or more years ago. Collections don't have to be reasoned out. They don't have to be filled with things other people will 'get,' or fall in love with themselves. Collections can be genre-specific or varied and diverse. They can be big or small. I like art collections-- whatever they may be-- best when they become a part of a home, become the landscape of a home."
Go to Etsy today! Be sure to register before you even start to look around. That way if you find an Etsy shop you really love, you can easily save it in your favorites and return when you have a few bucks.
Go to "Categories" on the left side of the page. Click on "art." The look again at the left side of the page, where you will find a list of different types of art. Click on any type, and you will find the list continues below that type, with subcategories. Check it out! And don't think. Just look for art that stirs you. Just pay attention to what draws you in.
Or get on and do a search like I did. Remember to set a particular category, which I did not, and try out other categories (such as "handmade items" instead of "art") if your first search doesn't turn up the kind of thing you are looking for. My first one was for Our Lady of Guadalupe images, and right away, I found an amazing shop with a great Guadalupe pot holder being sold at the even more amazing price of $8.00 (Something I can afford! Just not RIGHT this minute.), plus some other, more expensive items I can drool over until I have a bit more cash and want to splurge on myself just a bit. Many artists will sell small, affordable items of art. And what is great about Etsy, of course, is that like a market, you can get to know the sellers...in other words, this is a great way to start getting to know some wonderful artists.
Imagine how your world might expand!! Imagine how worldly and networked you could become ;). Who knows, you could even make some new friends. You know that shop I just linked to with the great Guadalupe pot holder? The artist, as it so happens, is in my very own state. What a wild and fun coincidence. Maybe when I finally buy that pot holder, I'll get in touch with her.
So in short, if you haven't checked out Etsy, I encourage you to do so.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
So I am on a whaling voyage
I am feeling really homesick, so after a phone conversation with my dw and children today, I called my mother to cry on her shoulder. She listened patiently for about twenty minutes, but she had somewhere she needed to go, so she asked my dad to talk to me. Whenever my dad talks to me about the situation I am in, he tells me this:
"Pretend you are on a whaling voyage."
My response today was: "Well, how the heck long does a whaling voyage last exactly?!"
My dad: "It could last TWO YEARS."
Me: "No way. The meat would go bad before you'd ever get back home."
My dad: "The whale oil is really what they were harvesting. It sold for a lot of money and made the voyage worth it."
(My mom, who was getting ready to go in the background but heard the conversation: "It's true. Read _Ahab's Wife_")
Me: "Fine, I'll pretend I am on a whaling voyage."
My dad: "There's no going back home when you are at sea, kid. But you know people have done it before you, so you can too. And lots of those whalers had happy homes, good families."
So I am on a whaling voyage. Ah-hoy! Better start learning some whaling songs.
Friday, August 17, 2007
It arrived!
I said I was on break, but I needed to pop on to write something.
I know anyone who has been in my shoes-- experiencing a lengthy separation from young children-- would understand completely. Today my first package from home arrived. It was a package I put together before I left of stuff I wanted to have with me in my new town, and G mailed it to me the day after I took off (I would have mailed it myself, but ran out of time).
When the postman rang the buzzer on the church door, and announced himself, I raaaaan up three flights of stairs to get to him. I just knew it was one of my packages, and I was bursting with excitement. The first thing I did was dig through it looking for the photos of the kids I had packed, and as soon as I found them, I could have cried. I miss them sooooooo much. Those photos mean the world to me right now.
They aren't recent photos. They're just the photos I could find as I hurried to get things packed up. And I have about six of K and only 2 of M, basically because most of M's were already in frames that had been boxed away by the time I was looking (M is older, so more of his stuff has had a chance to be framed). But I know have a bunch of photos on my desk, and somehow, it is a little easier to feel comfortable in this "strange office" with them sitting there.
I am so homesick. Yesterday I walked into a Staples (office supply) store and nearly burst into tears from the comfort of a familiar smell-- even if that familiar smell was only the plastic binders and printer ink. M is having a hard time too. Today we were talking on the phone and he started sobbing uncontrollably, "Mama....airplane...mama...airplane." My heart is so heavy, I fear it might stop.
I know anyone who has been in my shoes-- experiencing a lengthy separation from young children-- would understand completely. Today my first package from home arrived. It was a package I put together before I left of stuff I wanted to have with me in my new town, and G mailed it to me the day after I took off (I would have mailed it myself, but ran out of time).
When the postman rang the buzzer on the church door, and announced himself, I raaaaan up three flights of stairs to get to him. I just knew it was one of my packages, and I was bursting with excitement. The first thing I did was dig through it looking for the photos of the kids I had packed, and as soon as I found them, I could have cried. I miss them sooooooo much. Those photos mean the world to me right now.
They aren't recent photos. They're just the photos I could find as I hurried to get things packed up. And I have about six of K and only 2 of M, basically because most of M's were already in frames that had been boxed away by the time I was looking (M is older, so more of his stuff has had a chance to be framed). But I know have a bunch of photos on my desk, and somehow, it is a little easier to feel comfortable in this "strange office" with them sitting there.
I am so homesick. Yesterday I walked into a Staples (office supply) store and nearly burst into tears from the comfort of a familiar smell-- even if that familiar smell was only the plastic binders and printer ink. M is having a hard time too. Today we were talking on the phone and he started sobbing uncontrollably, "Mama....airplane...mama...airplane." My heart is so heavy, I fear it might stop.
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