I love Sundays sometimes. But most especially when we don't have anything to do. This morning we're watching Clifford the Big Red Dog, making pancakes, drinking coffee, and blogging. We have nowhere to be.
Just as glorious would be a casual brunch out and a walk through Central Park, but since that's about 3,000 miles from here, I'm very satisfied being in my PJs, at the Isalnd in my kitchen, watching my love make breakfast.
Life is grand.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Time for reflection
Today is Yom Kippur - a time for repentence, forgiving, self-reflection - oh...and fasting. I am not fasting. I think I can handle this without hunger.
But what I think I'll do is take the girls and go for a walk in the park if I can motivate them to leave the house today. Like me, they like to spend the day in PJs playing and reading and relaxing. But since we're not off to synagogue, we'll do our Yom Kippur in nature and appreciate the things we have. And we'll try not to argue with each other and we'll try not to torture each other. Sounds nice, doesn't it?
I'll let you know how it goes.
For those of you reading this who are fasting, I wish you an easy fast. But I somehow think that there's maybe one or two reading this who will fast and the rest of you won't be fasting. Regardless...have a nice day. :-) Enjoy the fall weather.
But what I think I'll do is take the girls and go for a walk in the park if I can motivate them to leave the house today. Like me, they like to spend the day in PJs playing and reading and relaxing. But since we're not off to synagogue, we'll do our Yom Kippur in nature and appreciate the things we have. And we'll try not to argue with each other and we'll try not to torture each other. Sounds nice, doesn't it?
I'll let you know how it goes.
For those of you reading this who are fasting, I wish you an easy fast. But I somehow think that there's maybe one or two reading this who will fast and the rest of you won't be fasting. Regardless...have a nice day. :-) Enjoy the fall weather.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
No Heimlich Required
"Where do you want to go for your birthday dinner?"
"SUSHI" responded my newly 7 year old daughter.
Off we went.
It's not like every 7 year old wants sushi for their birthday. I could see Mac and cheese, pancakes for dinner, hell, even ice cream for dinner. But my child wanted sushi. How could I argue with that? I applaud her for her sophisticated palate. Plus, the honey and I, we love us some sushi too.
We ordered a lovely selection of spicy and spicier rolls. This kid is unafraid of tasting new things.
TWO bites in to the dinner, she turns beet red, and then, I realize, is completely choking on the beloved sushi. By the time we realized what was happening and were out of our seats to help her, she cleared it herself somehow.
We all sat and rested for a moment while we absorbed this lovely experience and I did my best to calm her while I was completely freaking out. She didn't really know what had just happened and asked some questions about what choking is and how we could have stopped it from happening if she didn't.
We told her about the heimlich maneuver.
She paused to think about it for a half a second, and then back to birthday sushi.
Why linger over trauma that didn't happen?
Versus me, lingering over the trauma that COULD have happened. Which is why I woke up at 5:30 this morning and am starting my day by blogging about it.
Anyway, crisis averted, THANK GOD.
We all ate a little more slowly and chewed a lot more during the rest of dinner. We could stand to do that more often.
My babies are 7 and 4 now. Hard to believe.
These two babies preceded to kick off their shoes and play on the grass in the amphitheater type outdoor setting where the restaurant was located. They giggled, and sang, got their feet wet in the fountain, ran on the grass and enjoyed themselves.
"SUSHI" responded my newly 7 year old daughter.
Off we went.
It's not like every 7 year old wants sushi for their birthday. I could see Mac and cheese, pancakes for dinner, hell, even ice cream for dinner. But my child wanted sushi. How could I argue with that? I applaud her for her sophisticated palate. Plus, the honey and I, we love us some sushi too.
We ordered a lovely selection of spicy and spicier rolls. This kid is unafraid of tasting new things.
TWO bites in to the dinner, she turns beet red, and then, I realize, is completely choking on the beloved sushi. By the time we realized what was happening and were out of our seats to help her, she cleared it herself somehow.
We all sat and rested for a moment while we absorbed this lovely experience and I did my best to calm her while I was completely freaking out. She didn't really know what had just happened and asked some questions about what choking is and how we could have stopped it from happening if she didn't.
We told her about the heimlich maneuver.
She paused to think about it for a half a second, and then back to birthday sushi.
Why linger over trauma that didn't happen?
Versus me, lingering over the trauma that COULD have happened. Which is why I woke up at 5:30 this morning and am starting my day by blogging about it.
Anyway, crisis averted, THANK GOD.
We all ate a little more slowly and chewed a lot more during the rest of dinner. We could stand to do that more often.
My babies are 7 and 4 now. Hard to believe.
Look at the gorgeousness:
These two babies preceded to kick off their shoes and play on the grass in the amphitheater type outdoor setting where the restaurant was located. They giggled, and sang, got their feet wet in the fountain, ran on the grass and enjoyed themselves.
I remember being that age. And the feeling of freedom while playing. It's simply amazing to watch it in my own children.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Out with the old and in with the new
Perhaps I can start anew here. I mean it's been more than 4 months since I last blogged. And since I started this blog, "mommy blogging" has become a big thing. Which means, really, that I was a little ahead of the curve though I don't really consider this a mommy blog.
Since I have a life with a full time job, I can't spend my days finding the best coffee house that entertains my kids while I sip and gossip. I already send my girls to a wonderful school so I have no alternative opinions worth sharing (and I am NOT objective), I am not researching the best possible family vacation, I can't tell you the best free kids activities in town, and frankly, my friends who aren't working full time don't have time to do those things either. I guess we're all underachievers. :-)
But what I do know is that I enjoy writing when I get the chance, am not on deadline, and am not pretending to be something I'm not. And so...in this free moment, I decided to get some thoughts down on "paper".
We have just returned from a magical short week in Black Butte outisde of Sisters, OR. Sisters is just over the Santiam Pass, through the mountains from Salem, OR to Bend, OR. It is considered high desert country. The earth is kind of sandy and dusty and dry, the trees are tall and mostly very straight, the land is flat, mostly, between each of the huge mountains that surround the area, the creeks and rivers are clear, litter free, and ICE COLD. Black Butte is a vacation community with condos and houses through winding streets with golf courses, pools, tennis courts, and miles ofd bike paths. It was the ultimate family vacation in a rented house with full kitchen, nice back deck, room for all of us and the wonderful family we traveled with, and we all had a blast, got to relax, got along well, swam, rode bikes, and generally spent a week focused on fun and family time. Would it have been better without the kids? Sure, but then we would have spent the whole time wishing they were there too and feeling guilty so I think it was really all for the best to have been there all together.
What I discovered that week was that my children don't need to spend time in front of the TV, that they are capable of playing on their own when there are friends around or when they aren't. That they can be a little independent, but always round back to check in, that they are interested in nature, love animals (which I knew) and enjoyed the vacation as much as mommy and daddy did. We don't get to do that too often but I'm hoping that will change now since we discovered how nice it could be.
And now we're back home and focused on school beginning in two days. The kids are excited and nervous as are we but we know how much they love it and so we're all looking forward to it in our own way. I'll have a second grader and a preschooler. A SECOND GRADER. That just shocks me because I remember MY second grade year fairly well.
Anyhow, all is well, we are relaxed and are hoping to cling to that for as long as possible. It might just be another 24 hours or so but anything is better than nothing. :-)
I'll check in again next weekend...Labor Day weekend. I should have time to write then and report on the first week of school.
Until then, love to all. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Since I have a life with a full time job, I can't spend my days finding the best coffee house that entertains my kids while I sip and gossip. I already send my girls to a wonderful school so I have no alternative opinions worth sharing (and I am NOT objective), I am not researching the best possible family vacation, I can't tell you the best free kids activities in town, and frankly, my friends who aren't working full time don't have time to do those things either. I guess we're all underachievers. :-)
But what I do know is that I enjoy writing when I get the chance, am not on deadline, and am not pretending to be something I'm not. And so...in this free moment, I decided to get some thoughts down on "paper".
We have just returned from a magical short week in Black Butte outisde of Sisters, OR. Sisters is just over the Santiam Pass, through the mountains from Salem, OR to Bend, OR. It is considered high desert country. The earth is kind of sandy and dusty and dry, the trees are tall and mostly very straight, the land is flat, mostly, between each of the huge mountains that surround the area, the creeks and rivers are clear, litter free, and ICE COLD. Black Butte is a vacation community with condos and houses through winding streets with golf courses, pools, tennis courts, and miles ofd bike paths. It was the ultimate family vacation in a rented house with full kitchen, nice back deck, room for all of us and the wonderful family we traveled with, and we all had a blast, got to relax, got along well, swam, rode bikes, and generally spent a week focused on fun and family time. Would it have been better without the kids? Sure, but then we would have spent the whole time wishing they were there too and feeling guilty so I think it was really all for the best to have been there all together.
What I discovered that week was that my children don't need to spend time in front of the TV, that they are capable of playing on their own when there are friends around or when they aren't. That they can be a little independent, but always round back to check in, that they are interested in nature, love animals (which I knew) and enjoyed the vacation as much as mommy and daddy did. We don't get to do that too often but I'm hoping that will change now since we discovered how nice it could be.
And now we're back home and focused on school beginning in two days. The kids are excited and nervous as are we but we know how much they love it and so we're all looking forward to it in our own way. I'll have a second grader and a preschooler. A SECOND GRADER. That just shocks me because I remember MY second grade year fairly well.
Anyhow, all is well, we are relaxed and are hoping to cling to that for as long as possible. It might just be another 24 hours or so but anything is better than nothing. :-)
I'll check in again next weekend...Labor Day weekend. I should have time to write then and report on the first week of school.
Until then, love to all. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Jabberjaws
Once that term related only to some weird shark cartoon in the 80's we were watching at one point in our lives. Now it's all I can think of. I think that I'll start calling the Bird "Jabberjaws".
I realized today that my three year old must hate the sound of silence because she NEVER stops talking. It is a constant barrage of questions, statements, tunes, and stories fired at me st every waking minute of the day when we're together. Like when she sleeps it's all bottled up waiting to be shared. I often question her hearing because she'll ask me the same question over and over even though I've answered her a million times and then have stopped because she's harrassing me. Then I realize she KNOWS the answer, she just wants to keep the sound active.Mom, where are we going now? Where are we going? Mom...where are we going? Are we going to someone's house? Who's house are we going to?" Seriously...add to that that often if we're not in the car, she's tapping at me or pulling on me or shoving her hands up my shirt. I can take it all to a point but then I just have to tell her to stop talking. For instance, tonight getting her to bed..."mama, can I have that book to look at?", "Yes honey but just for a second and then it's bed time." and then she proceeds to tell the story of the book to herself, and then make up some extra stories and then request my presence and tell me I have to come back and check on her in one minute and then this goes on for ten minutes until finally I have to say "STOP TALKING and go to sleep! I can't check on you if you don't let me leave and you don't attempt to go to bed!"
Whew....I'm so used to it that I don't realize how often this goes on until she's asleep and I can think.
Jabber jabber jabber jabber jabber jabber jabber jaws....nyark, nyark, nyark...
Anyone else remember that show? I know I'm not making this up.
Signing off now so I can rest peacefully this evening before it begins all over again.
Shavuah Tov...A good week to you.
I realized today that my three year old must hate the sound of silence because she NEVER stops talking. It is a constant barrage of questions, statements, tunes, and stories fired at me st every waking minute of the day when we're together. Like when she sleeps it's all bottled up waiting to be shared. I often question her hearing because she'll ask me the same question over and over even though I've answered her a million times and then have stopped because she's harrassing me. Then I realize she KNOWS the answer, she just wants to keep the sound active.Mom, where are we going now? Where are we going? Mom...where are we going? Are we going to someone's house? Who's house are we going to?" Seriously...add to that that often if we're not in the car, she's tapping at me or pulling on me or shoving her hands up my shirt. I can take it all to a point but then I just have to tell her to stop talking. For instance, tonight getting her to bed..."mama, can I have that book to look at?", "Yes honey but just for a second and then it's bed time." and then she proceeds to tell the story of the book to herself, and then make up some extra stories and then request my presence and tell me I have to come back and check on her in one minute and then this goes on for ten minutes until finally I have to say "STOP TALKING and go to sleep! I can't check on you if you don't let me leave and you don't attempt to go to bed!"
Whew....I'm so used to it that I don't realize how often this goes on until she's asleep and I can think.
Jabber jabber jabber jabber jabber jabber jabber jaws....nyark, nyark, nyark...
Anyone else remember that show? I know I'm not making this up.
Signing off now so I can rest peacefully this evening before it begins all over again.
Shavuah Tov...A good week to you.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Back in PDX
The flight home was a friggin' miracle. We got great seats, had well behaved children, had room to stretch, a long delay but only got in 40 minutes late (comared to leaving NYC two hours late). All flights should be that easy.
Getting to JFK sucks though so Continental is the terminal of choice for this family.
New York was absolutely fabulous. There is just NEVER enough time to do things and see people. I would need weeks to fit it all in. I am grateful for the time I could get with those I spent time with and am hoping to make it back soon enough to see everyone again so it's not such a desperate time to cram it all in.
This trip was very special for me. I love Passover and am so excited to have been home for it. Even better was just spending time in the park with my family, letting the girls play with their cousins, shopping around with mine, the visit from Carol, dinners with dad, visiting Mom and Papa Don. Just all of it.
I want to move home. Perhaps now that things out here are a little less stable than usual this might be time to finally consider it? We shall see...
Getting to JFK sucks though so Continental is the terminal of choice for this family.
New York was absolutely fabulous. There is just NEVER enough time to do things and see people. I would need weeks to fit it all in. I am grateful for the time I could get with those I spent time with and am hoping to make it back soon enough to see everyone again so it's not such a desperate time to cram it all in.
This trip was very special for me. I love Passover and am so excited to have been home for it. Even better was just spending time in the park with my family, letting the girls play with their cousins, shopping around with mine, the visit from Carol, dinners with dad, visiting Mom and Papa Don. Just all of it.
I want to move home. Perhaps now that things out here are a little less stable than usual this might be time to finally consider it? We shall see...
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The View From Here
After the initial problem with our hotel room NOT being available to us when we checked in on Tuesday and being DOWNGRADED one night until we could get the right room, we are soundly ensconced in our usual one bedroom two bed, kitchenette "apartment" at the hotel in New York. For the first time we are on an upper floor which means not only windows out the front facing the street but on the sides as well. We can stand in the kitchen and face third avenue looking down 64th street. We can open the window in the bathroom for some fresh air and there's more natural light up here. Quite delightful actually.
With my honey finally in town and the Passover Seders over, it's starting to feel like "vacation" for what it's worth. Tomorrow the Peanut goes with her aunties to see The Lion King on Broadway and we'll all have a big family dinner afterwards which should be wonderful. Last night I had a date with my honey at Rosa Mexicana on the West Side. Quite a loud scene too. We drank sangria, ate yummy food and enjoyed some grown up time while the kids spent a night with Grandma! We walked back to the hotel which was a nice treat, pet a horse attached to a handsome cab, saw the "new" Time Warner center on Columbus Circle, passed the Plaza (now apartments) and enjoyed some night air. It's REALLY good to be in New York. The walking has been great. My feet aren't so happy but my head is. And the girls have kept up nicely when they've been with me/us.
I got the best haircut of my life on Thursday and am still loving it even though it'll never look as great as it did that night. It was quite an experience to have such a meticulous haircut. It's not something I can afford to do that often at all so it was SUCH a treat to go (and it was literally a treat - thank you Arlene, or Dad). My hair is bouncin' and behavin'. Too cool.
Seders were wonderful. Highlights:
With my honey finally in town and the Passover Seders over, it's starting to feel like "vacation" for what it's worth. Tomorrow the Peanut goes with her aunties to see The Lion King on Broadway and we'll all have a big family dinner afterwards which should be wonderful. Last night I had a date with my honey at Rosa Mexicana on the West Side. Quite a loud scene too. We drank sangria, ate yummy food and enjoyed some grown up time while the kids spent a night with Grandma! We walked back to the hotel which was a nice treat, pet a horse attached to a handsome cab, saw the "new" Time Warner center on Columbus Circle, passed the Plaza (now apartments) and enjoyed some night air. It's REALLY good to be in New York. The walking has been great. My feet aren't so happy but my head is. And the girls have kept up nicely when they've been with me/us.
I got the best haircut of my life on Thursday and am still loving it even though it'll never look as great as it did that night. It was quite an experience to have such a meticulous haircut. It's not something I can afford to do that often at all so it was SUCH a treat to go (and it was literally a treat - thank you Arlene, or Dad). My hair is bouncin' and behavin'. Too cool.
Seders were wonderful. Highlights:
- My cousin Daniel watching his cousin sing the Four Questions instead of him for the first time in 38 years.
- My cousin Daniel showing me the hidden frog in his mouth DURING the Seder when it was supposed to be serious.
- Giggling at the Seder table like we always did.
- Hail Renee, Hail Renee
- The Peanut singing the four questions with a little help from the Bird
- Seeing almost all of my cousins at the second Seder (missed you Sammy!)
- Spending time with my family
- GREAT brisket
More to come obviously. Tomorrow is supposed to be a beautiful day. Perhaps some new shoes are in the order for the day. Yippee!!
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Song Poison...Ear Worms...Whatever You want to call it.
It's annoying....
In the silence your brain is singing some song you cannot turn off. No matter what you do or where you go, it follows you the second you're not *specifically* thinking of something else. On the toilet - humming it, washing the dishes - tapping your toes. In dead silence? There it is.
I play this game all the time because nothing amuses me more than planting something so obscure yet SO catchy that it's with someone (else) all day. I, too, have fallen prey more times than I can count. But it's ALWAYS the unintentional song poison that stays with me forever. And it's always the WORST POSSIBLE THING TO BE CAUGHT HUMMING. That thing when people look at you and go with a snarky tone "Huh. Really?" like you're some freak that's diseased.
Well folks, today that is me with HANNAH MONTANA on the brain. No cool, obscure Beatles tune for me. No great Eagles strummer, no random 80's pop, no driving Lynard Skynard, no Boston, no Heart. HANNAH FRICKIN' MONTANA. And a really annoying one too. And of course I don't know all the words so I have to sing the SAME DAMN LINE OVER AND OVER.
Seriously...it's times like this when I think Disney is the devil.
In the silence your brain is singing some song you cannot turn off. No matter what you do or where you go, it follows you the second you're not *specifically* thinking of something else. On the toilet - humming it, washing the dishes - tapping your toes. In dead silence? There it is.
I play this game all the time because nothing amuses me more than planting something so obscure yet SO catchy that it's with someone (else) all day. I, too, have fallen prey more times than I can count. But it's ALWAYS the unintentional song poison that stays with me forever. And it's always the WORST POSSIBLE THING TO BE CAUGHT HUMMING. That thing when people look at you and go with a snarky tone "Huh. Really?" like you're some freak that's diseased.
Well folks, today that is me with HANNAH MONTANA on the brain. No cool, obscure Beatles tune for me. No great Eagles strummer, no random 80's pop, no driving Lynard Skynard, no Boston, no Heart. HANNAH FRICKIN' MONTANA. And a really annoying one too. And of course I don't know all the words so I have to sing the SAME DAMN LINE OVER AND OVER.
Seriously...it's times like this when I think Disney is the devil.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Must....break....free....
On the PC all day, on the phone when not on the PC, on the PC at home when not on phone...at home...when I should be on the BED or the treadmill. Definitely NOT on the PC...again.
What does this say about me? Am I an extraordinary LOSER? I think not.
I recently joined the Twitter revolution and oddly enough, I don't think I spend too much time there, I think STEVE CASE spends too much time there.
This is a man for whom I have great respect. I worked at AOL in a period of tremendous growth, from one million members to 25 million members in the over 2 years I was there. There was a lot going on, some really cool stuff. It whet my appetite for the growth and expansion of the web and all that it had to offer us all. And even, after all these years, I see things online all the time that are just really refined versions of things we did at America Online in 1994 or 1995.
So Steve, now out of the AOL business and heading up a Foundation in his name, is on Twitter. Of course, he is. Lots of techie folks and CEOs and regular joes are on twitter. But Steve Case must keep in touch with his "nearest and dearest" on Twitter because I have a list a mile long FROM TODAY of his many "tweets". Technology tweets and otherwise. And since everything is 140 characters in length or shorter, I am not so sure I am capable of following his cryptic messages. Some, of course, but others? This makes me re-evaluate. As much as I would like to know what he's looking at that's cool, or new, or noteworthy, do I need all the other crap too?
I guess, since I'm new to this, I'll let it go for a while and see how it goes. I might have to cut the man loose.
What do you twitter about? Do you even twitter? Will you tweet for me? Sounds sick doesn't it?
What does this say about me? Am I an extraordinary LOSER? I think not.
I recently joined the Twitter revolution and oddly enough, I don't think I spend too much time there, I think STEVE CASE spends too much time there.
This is a man for whom I have great respect. I worked at AOL in a period of tremendous growth, from one million members to 25 million members in the over 2 years I was there. There was a lot going on, some really cool stuff. It whet my appetite for the growth and expansion of the web and all that it had to offer us all. And even, after all these years, I see things online all the time that are just really refined versions of things we did at America Online in 1994 or 1995.
So Steve, now out of the AOL business and heading up a Foundation in his name, is on Twitter. Of course, he is. Lots of techie folks and CEOs and regular joes are on twitter. But Steve Case must keep in touch with his "nearest and dearest" on Twitter because I have a list a mile long FROM TODAY of his many "tweets". Technology tweets and otherwise. And since everything is 140 characters in length or shorter, I am not so sure I am capable of following his cryptic messages. Some, of course, but others? This makes me re-evaluate. As much as I would like to know what he's looking at that's cool, or new, or noteworthy, do I need all the other crap too?
I guess, since I'm new to this, I'll let it go for a while and see how it goes. I might have to cut the man loose.
What do you twitter about? Do you even twitter? Will you tweet for me? Sounds sick doesn't it?
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Tonight there is a moon
This, in Portland, means the sky is clear enough to see the darn thing. Even if it is just a sliver of that orb. It's still impressive to see it considering what the weather has been like. And even though the day started with pouring rain and blinding hail, we had SUN this afternoon and BOY OH BOY what a difference the sun makes.
The kids got to play outside on their scooters and trikes while mom and dad unloaded groceries. We sat in the family room with the sun blaring in and warming us for more than an hour before adjusting the "blinds" to filter it just a little. Sun is HEALTHY when the intent is not to roast in it, but to lift the spirits and get some fresh air. You don't realize how much you miss it when it's gone so long but it does make a big difference.
I am still not convinced, however, that we have more rain than the average state or city. I believe this to be a fallacy created by our Southern Cali neighbors who are used to drier, warmer, and much more clear weather down there and then move up here and experience what normal is. This is what most of the rest of the country experiences in early spring. Even leftover snow is a possibility right now and frankly, not out of the equation.
But regardless, I DO believe is seasonal affective disorder (SAD...isn't it though?) and think that the folks who created those lamps that mimic sunlight have got a good thing going. Methinks I would like one in my office to counteract the nasty flourescents I have. Maybe I'd be more productive? I heard Costco has them right now so I might have to check them out.
Dude. 8 days til NYC liftoff.
CAN. NOT. WAIT.
The kids got to play outside on their scooters and trikes while mom and dad unloaded groceries. We sat in the family room with the sun blaring in and warming us for more than an hour before adjusting the "blinds" to filter it just a little. Sun is HEALTHY when the intent is not to roast in it, but to lift the spirits and get some fresh air. You don't realize how much you miss it when it's gone so long but it does make a big difference.
I am still not convinced, however, that we have more rain than the average state or city. I believe this to be a fallacy created by our Southern Cali neighbors who are used to drier, warmer, and much more clear weather down there and then move up here and experience what normal is. This is what most of the rest of the country experiences in early spring. Even leftover snow is a possibility right now and frankly, not out of the equation.
But regardless, I DO believe is seasonal affective disorder (SAD...isn't it though?) and think that the folks who created those lamps that mimic sunlight have got a good thing going. Methinks I would like one in my office to counteract the nasty flourescents I have. Maybe I'd be more productive? I heard Costco has them right now so I might have to check them out.
Dude. 8 days til NYC liftoff.
CAN. NOT. WAIT.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The Blogging Bug
I think it's back.
And I think it's my interest in getting my school more accustomed to "Social Media" that has me blogging again. I'm doing a lot of research and realized that pratically EVERYONE ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH has a blog and I do too. If people out there are listening to some of those drones press on, then why not listen to me? I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY!
Just not all the time and with no regularity it seems.
Still, it's worth a shot to resurrect this blog and I'll do my hardest to make it witty and informative.
The Peanut and the Bird have grown a lot this year. The Peanut is 6 going on 16 and the Bird is three going on 9. The perfect "annoying little sister" age. She knows how to press those buttons and do it quite well actually, with all the acumen of a certain brother I have, born of a certain father I also have. She could NOT have gotten this curse directly from me. Or could she have?
Those of you in New York will see this first hand soon enough, though she's already told me that she's going to be shy. We should have no expectations. We'll see about that.
Poll...raise hands....who thinks I need to bring a stroller? Would I really need it?
That is all for now. I need that mini-laptop to keep me connected and writing when it strikes me. I bet I could figure out how to blog from my phone. How pathetic would that be? Um...no offense to those of you blogging from your phones.
OK, that is all.
And I think it's my interest in getting my school more accustomed to "Social Media" that has me blogging again. I'm doing a lot of research and realized that pratically EVERYONE ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH has a blog and I do too. If people out there are listening to some of those drones press on, then why not listen to me? I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY!
Just not all the time and with no regularity it seems.
Still, it's worth a shot to resurrect this blog and I'll do my hardest to make it witty and informative.
The Peanut and the Bird have grown a lot this year. The Peanut is 6 going on 16 and the Bird is three going on 9. The perfect "annoying little sister" age. She knows how to press those buttons and do it quite well actually, with all the acumen of a certain brother I have, born of a certain father I also have. She could NOT have gotten this curse directly from me. Or could she have?
Those of you in New York will see this first hand soon enough, though she's already told me that she's going to be shy. We should have no expectations. We'll see about that.
Poll...raise hands....who thinks I need to bring a stroller? Would I really need it?
That is all for now. I need that mini-laptop to keep me connected and writing when it strikes me. I bet I could figure out how to blog from my phone. How pathetic would that be? Um...no offense to those of you blogging from your phones.
OK, that is all.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Hey, ya know what?
I feel pretty good that I blogged today.
I missed it.
I want to do more.
I mean, Facebook is fun and voyeuristic and all, but this blogging thing...I forgot how fun it is and how good it feels to contribute even if there's only a few of you listening (which is a miracle in and of itself).
And I like to write when I don't HAVE to write.
This could be the beginning (again) of something great (or, you know, so-so).
I missed it.
I want to do more.
I mean, Facebook is fun and voyeuristic and all, but this blogging thing...I forgot how fun it is and how good it feels to contribute even if there's only a few of you listening (which is a miracle in and of itself).
And I like to write when I don't HAVE to write.
This could be the beginning (again) of something great (or, you know, so-so).
I really suck at this...
I mean, MY GOD, why WOULD you come back?
But really...it's because you love me that you're here to begin with.
And may I just say that the beginning of this year BLOWS. I hoping that spring brings with it the renewal it promises in nature and that renewal is inspiring.
It helps that I'll be home for Pesach to be near my people. And by my people, I mean my family. I just need to be...with my people. Even a week will be better than nothing.
There's just something comforting alone in the fact that they've known me my entire life. My history, my personality, my ups, my downs, the things that shaped me into who I am today. And even though I live SO freakin' far away from them, I do my best to keep them updated.
Technology helps that a lot these days.
But it's not enough.
So I venture home with the Peanut and the Bird and my honey joins me later. I can't wait to breathe in the congested air of New York City, sit in a smelly taxi, and WALK. Alot.
I think I'll get myself a small laptop. Maybe that'll help with the blogging? It's all about portability.
But really...it's because you love me that you're here to begin with.
And may I just say that the beginning of this year BLOWS. I hoping that spring brings with it the renewal it promises in nature and that renewal is inspiring.
It helps that I'll be home for Pesach to be near my people. And by my people, I mean my family. I just need to be...with my people. Even a week will be better than nothing.
There's just something comforting alone in the fact that they've known me my entire life. My history, my personality, my ups, my downs, the things that shaped me into who I am today. And even though I live SO freakin' far away from them, I do my best to keep them updated.
Technology helps that a lot these days.
But it's not enough.
So I venture home with the Peanut and the Bird and my honey joins me later. I can't wait to breathe in the congested air of New York City, sit in a smelly taxi, and WALK. Alot.
I think I'll get myself a small laptop. Maybe that'll help with the blogging? It's all about portability.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Happy New Year!
Perhaps 2009 will be a positive uplifting and exciting year. What do you think?
I think we start off fairly well with the inauguration of a (hopefully) wonderful and exciting new President. For sure the rest of the world will have to get better from this point right? Maybe we'll find peace in the middle east? Maybe the world economy will recover? Maybe our country will regain it's position of strength in the world (not militarily necessarily but at least of a willingness to work and not just boss people around). Maybe I'll drop another 40 pounds or so? Maybe my children will enjoy each other instead of constantly bickering? Maybe I'll get home to visit my family?
Maybe, maybe, maybe....
Well, I for one, am willing to do my part as much as I can. Now everyone else has to comply... :-)
In the meantime, I wish you all, my loved ones, peace on earth and of mind, prosperity, good health and happiness.
I made no resolutions this year. Have you?
I think we start off fairly well with the inauguration of a (hopefully) wonderful and exciting new President. For sure the rest of the world will have to get better from this point right? Maybe we'll find peace in the middle east? Maybe the world economy will recover? Maybe our country will regain it's position of strength in the world (not militarily necessarily but at least of a willingness to work and not just boss people around). Maybe I'll drop another 40 pounds or so? Maybe my children will enjoy each other instead of constantly bickering? Maybe I'll get home to visit my family?
Maybe, maybe, maybe....
Well, I for one, am willing to do my part as much as I can. Now everyone else has to comply... :-)
In the meantime, I wish you all, my loved ones, peace on earth and of mind, prosperity, good health and happiness.
I made no resolutions this year. Have you?
Saturday, November 08, 2008
The Big Fat Fuffer in the Sky
Dear Friends and Family,
It is with great sadness and very heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved dog Gracie. Gracie was 11 and 2 months and died this afternoon with pancreatitis, vasculitis, and kidney failure. We have worked very hard over the last 4 days to make her well but it wasn’t happening. She died this afternoon at around 5pm surrounded by love and on her own bed.
You may or may not know that Gracie has been with us since the week after we moved to Oregon in 1997. We weren’t married, didn’t own a home, had no kids, had no jobs really but we had Gracie and we got her when she was 6 weeks old. The hole she leaves in our lives will never be filled…
Thank you all for your friendship and love and patience as we mourn this loss in our family.
She was so beloved. So much a part of our lives. An important part of our family and we will never forget her and we will never stop loving her.
Love,
Marisa and Ron
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Mmmm....meat
I'm home with the girls today (Gut Yuntif) and did some shopping at my favorite market. Crisp fall days like this make me want to cook. And for some reason, today it was beef stew. Do I know how to make beef stew? No. I bought stew beef, I bought a bag of fresh cut up veggies and herbs labeled "Stew Veggies", browned meat, added veggies, added water and turned it on on my Le Creuset about 2 hours ago.
My house smells good so I'm thinking I ought to go and check on it.
On days like this, at home, with the children, I used to bake. That's dangerous territory for me though. At least beef stew is healthier, somewhat, and I can't eat the whole thing by myself.
Anyway, what are you all cooking today? Anything? I made a delicious pasta, squash, asparagus, brothy concoction for dinner over some thin spaghetti this week. And I have some chicken and some butternut squash taking up space in my kitchen which could be tomorrow's dinner.
What do you cook on crisp fall days?
My house smells good so I'm thinking I ought to go and check on it.
On days like this, at home, with the children, I used to bake. That's dangerous territory for me though. At least beef stew is healthier, somewhat, and I can't eat the whole thing by myself.
Anyway, what are you all cooking today? Anything? I made a delicious pasta, squash, asparagus, brothy concoction for dinner over some thin spaghetti this week. And I have some chicken and some butternut squash taking up space in my kitchen which could be tomorrow's dinner.
What do you cook on crisp fall days?
Friday, October 03, 2008
Communication Breakdown...
...In more ways than one, of course, since I haven't blogged here since August.
But in another way too. In my job as a Director of Marketing, I find that I am ALWAYS learning that what I suspect to be true, is frankly NOT true and that no matter how many times I can edit, refine, or determine the correct way to phrase something, I will NEVER reach all the people all the time. Less is more usually, but apparently not always. So how does something stay esthetically pleasing to the eye and also convey the information in a straightforward and concise but detailed way.
It's impossible.
Parents at private school are overwhelmed, especially now with the economy tanking. Regardless of how they personally are doing and what their bank accounts look like, they are nervous, paying a tuition of some kind, and generally reevaluating whether this is a good investment.
To me personally, it's your child's education. It's the BEST investment. But not everyone sees it that way and they're nervous.
So in my job, having to approach parents about giving to the school above and beyond is a tricky sale right about now. And thus the topic of this entry.
What I say and what I mean are the same. What I say and what people hear are two different things. Then what one parent hears and another parent hears are also totally different and thus the breakdown.
Maybe the trick is not to talk at all? Or maybe the trick is to talk to each person individually. Frankly, neither are options and so the game continues. Who hears the right message, how do they need to hear it, what makes it relevant? What do I do about the others who never hear it or hear the wrong thing?
I guess this is why I'm making the big bucks, huh?
:-)
But in another way too. In my job as a Director of Marketing, I find that I am ALWAYS learning that what I suspect to be true, is frankly NOT true and that no matter how many times I can edit, refine, or determine the correct way to phrase something, I will NEVER reach all the people all the time. Less is more usually, but apparently not always. So how does something stay esthetically pleasing to the eye and also convey the information in a straightforward and concise but detailed way.
It's impossible.
Parents at private school are overwhelmed, especially now with the economy tanking. Regardless of how they personally are doing and what their bank accounts look like, they are nervous, paying a tuition of some kind, and generally reevaluating whether this is a good investment.
To me personally, it's your child's education. It's the BEST investment. But not everyone sees it that way and they're nervous.
So in my job, having to approach parents about giving to the school above and beyond is a tricky sale right about now. And thus the topic of this entry.
What I say and what I mean are the same. What I say and what people hear are two different things. Then what one parent hears and another parent hears are also totally different and thus the breakdown.
Maybe the trick is not to talk at all? Or maybe the trick is to talk to each person individually. Frankly, neither are options and so the game continues. Who hears the right message, how do they need to hear it, what makes it relevant? What do I do about the others who never hear it or hear the wrong thing?
I guess this is why I'm making the big bucks, huh?
:-)
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Yountville, Ashland, and 108 degree drives
Hello friends...
Vacation was fabulous. Restful, fun, decompressing - all the things vacation should be. It was over too soon.
I will blog separately about the night at the French Laundry and I'll post some silly photos I have but I wanted you all to know we're back, rested, and happy. We had a blast with our friends, ate well, drank a lot of really excellent wine, and enjoyed our time away without the kids.
We both hope it won't be another 10 years before we take a real vacation.
Vacation was fabulous. Restful, fun, decompressing - all the things vacation should be. It was over too soon.
I will blog separately about the night at the French Laundry and I'll post some silly photos I have but I wanted you all to know we're back, rested, and happy. We had a blast with our friends, ate well, drank a lot of really excellent wine, and enjoyed our time away without the kids.
We both hope it won't be another 10 years before we take a real vacation.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Hello Blog Readers
Are you still there? It's a miracle.
I've spent my summer thus far busier than I have ever been between the kids and the work. The Peanut isn't loving camp. She's "bored" but doesn't want to LEAVE camp. She wants to just be with me. But then, of course, she yells at me if I pick her up too early. Go figure.
The Bird claims every morning that she doesn't want to see her friends at childcare and she sobs when I leave her and then 5 SECONDS later she's playing and happy and doesn't remember me anymore. She's another one that doesn't want to leave when I come to pick her up. "I'm gonna play another minute, 'kay Mama?" NO. I want, no NEED to leave right this minute. Been here all day and I need the mental break from it all. We're going now!
We (meaning my honey and I, sans les enfants) are leaving Wednesday for a week away to celebrate our 10 year Anniverary (first official VACATION since our honeymoon ten years ago) and to celebrate Carol's 40th. It promises to be a WONDERFUL and relaxing trip with lots of wine, food coma, and laughter. I CANNOT WAIT.
Then when I'm back, I need to launch a web site I've been working on all summer. Scary. I have a lot to do before then so I'm hoping I can actually TAKE that vacation, not only in body, but in mind and spirit as well.
Hope you're having a relaxing summer, seeing friends, having fun, getting tan if you still do that sort of thing. I hope you're having SUMMER as it was intended. I might get to that next year. We shall see....
I've spent my summer thus far busier than I have ever been between the kids and the work. The Peanut isn't loving camp. She's "bored" but doesn't want to LEAVE camp. She wants to just be with me. But then, of course, she yells at me if I pick her up too early. Go figure.
The Bird claims every morning that she doesn't want to see her friends at childcare and she sobs when I leave her and then 5 SECONDS later she's playing and happy and doesn't remember me anymore. She's another one that doesn't want to leave when I come to pick her up. "I'm gonna play another minute, 'kay Mama?" NO. I want, no NEED to leave right this minute. Been here all day and I need the mental break from it all. We're going now!
We (meaning my honey and I, sans les enfants) are leaving Wednesday for a week away to celebrate our 10 year Anniverary (first official VACATION since our honeymoon ten years ago) and to celebrate Carol's 40th. It promises to be a WONDERFUL and relaxing trip with lots of wine, food coma, and laughter. I CANNOT WAIT.
Then when I'm back, I need to launch a web site I've been working on all summer. Scary. I have a lot to do before then so I'm hoping I can actually TAKE that vacation, not only in body, but in mind and spirit as well.
Hope you're having a relaxing summer, seeing friends, having fun, getting tan if you still do that sort of thing. I hope you're having SUMMER as it was intended. I might get to that next year. We shall see....