Right now in Eamon's room something amazing is happening, but I want you to know why, so lets back track a bit...
Last week was teacher parent conference. We don't even need to talk about Eden's. Wonderful, wonderful, delightful, couldn't ask for more. Oh, her spelling? Yeah, It blows.
Eamon is a different story, always has been. After three months of not feeling much confidence in his teachers ability to actually teach him, let alone understand him as a person, I sat across from her at a miniature table in a miniature chair tying my hardest to be as objective as possible. And I was, at that moment. But later, each time I went back through the meeting in my head, I started to get more and more anxious about what is happening in his class on a daily basis. His teacher says at times he is frustrated, that he holds his head in anger when he can't come up with an answer or doesn't understand something. He is slow at taking spelling tests and when he misses a word, he can't just skip that word and move on, it's impossible for him. He rarely finishes his work and when asked to draw a picture and write two sentences about it, on a good day, there will be a picture with some words. Only once did he write a sentence. He is quiet and she has to "consciously call on him regularly, because he never raises his hand."
She says she has seen his type before, that she knows he is bright and before long we "will probably have a gifted child on our hands." But what about now? Why can't he thrive in that room right now? Is he not "gifted" now? I tell her that he would benefit greatly from any type of small group situation she could provide. She tells me there is an reading intervention program for kids like him but she can only send three of her children and he is #4 because she is sure that he really understands his letters and sounds, and the others, they are worse off. Other than that, there really was no way she could provide what he needed. Her solution to all this was to send him to an after school test prep program so at least he can do well in the California state standard tests. Well, to me, that's a deal breaker, that's the last thing I am looking for, plus, this sounds nothing like my child.
This school has a top notch reputation, probably LAUSD's finest elementary school and Eden's year has been more than I could ever ask for. So why the disparity?
Two nights ago, I woke up in the middle of the night and started to think about all the things I could do with Eamon if we home schooled. I came up with plan after plan after plan. I thought about writing, and maybe if we wrote comic books together, it would interest him. I thought about all the opportunities for learning in LA, the museums, the zoos, the libraries and how i could turn those things into fantastic lessons. Sometime around 5:45 am I fell back to sleep satisfied that if the administration couldn't help me out with this, we would still be alright.
And as if on cue tonight, Eamon asked for some paper and pencils before bed, he wanted to write a book. He drew his own square for a picture, and his own lines for words. He drew a picture and then wrote a phonetically impeccable story to go along with it. One, two, three sentences on the first page. Two on the second. Then he told me that this story would be much better than the one we read tonight (Not a Box). I told him I thought it would too. I will bring it in for his teacher tomorrow to show her how "gifted" he really is.
Sunday, December 9
Thursday, November 22
Our Thanksgiving Guest
Flat Yaya
Yaya Couldn't make it to Thanksgiving, so Flat Yaya stopped by and helped us out. Check out her Flicker set!
Monday, November 19
Sunday, November 18
Four Days, Four Conversations...
Day 1:
Me: Are you excited about your field trip?
Eamon: Yes, we have to get there at 8, Mom! 8'oclock! We have to get there on time.
Me: Oh, we can get there by 8.
Eamon: We have to because we have to lock all the doors, we will have to lock all the doors if the robbers come. Sometimes robbers come and rob the bank, so we have to lock all the doors.
Day 2:
(just as he has woken)
E: Is Auntie Lauren here?
M: Yeah, she is here.
E: Where is she?
M: In the guest room, sleeping.
E: I want to do something funny to her, I want to put on my Yoda mask and then sunglasses, and I want to wake her up that way.
m: OK, sure.
Day 3:
(again...while walking to school this time.)
M: Are you excited for your field trip today, Eamon?
E: Well, kind of.
M: Why only kind of?
E: Well, there are the pigeons.
M: What about the pigeons?
E: If you don't eat your food fast enough, the pigeons will come and chase you and eat it. So, I'm worried about the pigeons.
Day 4
E: Mom, am I boy or a girl?
M: Well, what do you feel like?
E: A boy. Plus, I have a wiener.
Me: Are you excited about your field trip?
Eamon: Yes, we have to get there at 8, Mom! 8'oclock! We have to get there on time.
Me: Oh, we can get there by 8.
Eamon: We have to because we have to lock all the doors, we will have to lock all the doors if the robbers come. Sometimes robbers come and rob the bank, so we have to lock all the doors.
Day 2:
(just as he has woken)
E: Is Auntie Lauren here?
M: Yeah, she is here.
E: Where is she?
M: In the guest room, sleeping.
E: I want to do something funny to her, I want to put on my Yoda mask and then sunglasses, and I want to wake her up that way.
m: OK, sure.
Day 3:
(again...while walking to school this time.)
M: Are you excited for your field trip today, Eamon?
E: Well, kind of.
M: Why only kind of?
E: Well, there are the pigeons.
M: What about the pigeons?
E: If you don't eat your food fast enough, the pigeons will come and chase you and eat it. So, I'm worried about the pigeons.
Day 4
E: Mom, am I boy or a girl?
M: Well, what do you feel like?
E: A boy. Plus, I have a wiener.
Sunday, September 16
It's been pin-drop quiet for over an hour!
What's going on? I thought I was sure to find a giant mess or one of the children missing.
But no! They found the comic books!
In other news, Eden requested breakfast at the Farmers Market this morning, not unlike going down to Madison's End cafe. I'm starting to feel less like a tourist.
But no! They found the comic books!
In other news, Eden requested breakfast at the Farmers Market this morning, not unlike going down to Madison's End cafe. I'm starting to feel less like a tourist.
Friday, September 14
He did it!
Though I'm not sure what it means when you get all the bonus words right and still get 100. What happens when you get the bonus words wrong? Hopefully, we'll never know :)
Tuesday, September 4
One Day Left.
It's 9:04 am on the very last day of summer and my children are still asleep. This does not bode well for their 8:00 am school start time tomorrow morning. They are officially registered in the nation's largest public school system and all I can really worry about at this point is where and when to park tomorrow morning. I'll let you know how that goes. It's been an unbelievable summer, more adventure than anything else. I had no idea what was to come after the last day of school in Albany, and I feel as though I am standing on a similar ledge right about now. I'm hoping we can make it to October without incident.
We've had a whirlwind of a week (or two maybe? no, three I think.) Starting with a visit from Nell. She had a few work things to do here, also a visit to USC. We are hoping they love her and accept her into their PHD writing program so we can hang out all the time again. After she left, the kids had a visit from an old neighbor from Albany, then we got word that Lakota and family were in town. Corey and Kerriann introduced us to an amazing brunch at their old stomping ground, Cha Cha Cha. It was SO tasty. We can't wait to try the Tapas and Sangria there! We got to hang out and the kids got to play. I think it really put Eden and Eamon at ease to see so many old friends before they started a new and dauntingly large school.
Yesterday was Family Adventure Day with Annika and Will. They took us to The Devil's Punchbowl and the town of Little Rock. We ate lunch at an amazing Mexican diner per Annika and Will's recommendation. Eden wasn't feeling brave enough to try anything but the chicken strips, but after she saw all of our amazing plates, she sampled just about every one. By the time we arrived at the Devil's Punchbowl it was over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The hiking trail that went to the bottom of the bowl and back was about 1 mile. Easy, we thought. No problem, we thought, as long as we had enough water. I had forgotten up to this point that the children's walk to school was about 1/4 of a mile. I would NEVER walk them to school if the temperature was more than 90 degrees. What were we thinking? Suffice it to say at the beginning of the hike I was REALLY worried about running into a rattlesnake. By the end, I had mostly forgotten about them, thinking maybe, if we did run into one, we could squeeze some water out of it or something. Later we recouped at Charlie Brown's Market, Milkshakes for All! I'm excited for another Family Adventure Day.
Check out the latest pictures on my and Tim's Flickr.
We've had a whirlwind of a week (or two maybe? no, three I think.) Starting with a visit from Nell. She had a few work things to do here, also a visit to USC. We are hoping they love her and accept her into their PHD writing program so we can hang out all the time again. After she left, the kids had a visit from an old neighbor from Albany, then we got word that Lakota and family were in town. Corey and Kerriann introduced us to an amazing brunch at their old stomping ground, Cha Cha Cha. It was SO tasty. We can't wait to try the Tapas and Sangria there! We got to hang out and the kids got to play. I think it really put Eden and Eamon at ease to see so many old friends before they started a new and dauntingly large school.
Yesterday was Family Adventure Day with Annika and Will. They took us to The Devil's Punchbowl and the town of Little Rock. We ate lunch at an amazing Mexican diner per Annika and Will's recommendation. Eden wasn't feeling brave enough to try anything but the chicken strips, but after she saw all of our amazing plates, she sampled just about every one. By the time we arrived at the Devil's Punchbowl it was over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The hiking trail that went to the bottom of the bowl and back was about 1 mile. Easy, we thought. No problem, we thought, as long as we had enough water. I had forgotten up to this point that the children's walk to school was about 1/4 of a mile. I would NEVER walk them to school if the temperature was more than 90 degrees. What were we thinking? Suffice it to say at the beginning of the hike I was REALLY worried about running into a rattlesnake. By the end, I had mostly forgotten about them, thinking maybe, if we did run into one, we could squeeze some water out of it or something. Later we recouped at Charlie Brown's Market, Milkshakes for All! I'm excited for another Family Adventure Day.
Check out the latest pictures on my and Tim's Flickr.
Friday, August 24
A few of my Favorite Things
So long since a post! We've been very busy. With what you ask? Check out Annika's Blog and you'll get most of it.
Besides that we've started cozying up the place a bit, and though I wasn't the biggest fan of this house off the bat, it's growing on me. In a big way. There are still some (ok, lots) of design choices the previous owners (or flippers) made that I will never understand. Never the less, here are some of the things I love:
Eden and Eamon have a Jack and Jill Bathroom. It's the best bathroom in the house, accessible only by their bedrooms.
And this cabinet that has doors on the other side of the cabinet that open in the hallway:
The floor in Eamon's room. It looks as though it's the only original floor left in the house. It looks amazing with all of Eamon's furniture, all rustic and cozy
The kids bath and the Master Bath both have these built in laundry hampers. Brilliant.
Plantation Shutters, I'm smitten. They are on all the street side windows, so pretty and easy, what's not to love?
The place where I sit to sew
What will eventually be the Liiibruuury (and music room). We need a big cozy reading chair and to get rid of the ghetto blinds. It will happen soon
Closet space, I have some now
How this chair is equidistant to both the bar and the toys, also brilliant (i put it there).
This seat was salvaged from a friend in Albany. We bought a piece of foam and ordered some Amy Butler fabric for it and I think the result is perfect.
The roses. There are three rose trees and four bushes. I've discovered that in SoCal, if you water them every day, buds will form in about a week. Amazing.
All those red leaves have spouted up in the last week. Most of them have buds on them, Yay!
Also, most things grow like weed here if you remember to water them
Besides that we've started cozying up the place a bit, and though I wasn't the biggest fan of this house off the bat, it's growing on me. In a big way. There are still some (ok, lots) of design choices the previous owners (or flippers) made that I will never understand. Never the less, here are some of the things I love:
Eden and Eamon have a Jack and Jill Bathroom. It's the best bathroom in the house, accessible only by their bedrooms.
And this cabinet that has doors on the other side of the cabinet that open in the hallway:The floor in Eamon's room. It looks as though it's the only original floor left in the house. It looks amazing with all of Eamon's furniture, all rustic and cozyThe kids bath and the Master Bath both have these built in laundry hampers. Brilliant.Plantation Shutters, I'm smitten. They are on all the street side windows, so pretty and easy, what's not to love?The place where I sit to sewWhat will eventually be the Liiibruuury (and music room). We need a big cozy reading chair and to get rid of the ghetto blinds. It will happen soonCloset space, I have some nowHow this chair is equidistant to both the bar and the toys, also brilliant (i put it there).This seat was salvaged from a friend in Albany. We bought a piece of foam and ordered some Amy Butler fabric for it and I think the result is perfect.The roses. There are three rose trees and four bushes. I've discovered that in SoCal, if you water them every day, buds will form in about a week. Amazing.
All those red leaves have spouted up in the last week. Most of them have buds on them, Yay!Also, most things grow like weed here if you remember to water them
Tuesday, August 14
help!
I was busily taking emptied frame boxes out to the side patio when a baby lizard ran into the laundry room. I freaked and clapped at him, thinking , oh i don't know, he'd translate my frantic clapping to, "please don't' go in my house, you terrify me too, please just keep outside, please, please, please?" He's hiding behind the sink now, and i don't know how to cajole lizards out of hiding places because I've only ever seen them in cages, never as common urban wildlife. What should i do?
Bertie Bott's
They ate boogers, vomit, black pepper and dirt. The ones they couldn't stomach? Grass and rotten egg.
Monday, August 6
It always comes back to Crepes.
It's a pretty fuzzy morning this am. Last night, I asked Tim if he would make me some coffee before he left. After I got up, dragging my heels a bit, I went straight to the coffee pot, with a minor detour of filling two cereal bowls. When I made it there, I found only an inch of coffee left. It seemed strange to me, Tim never drinks that much coffee. Plus, there are about a billion places to stop on his way to work. So I lift up the lid, and the grinds are still dry. Whoops, he forgot to empty the old coffee and put in new water. Like I said, a fuzzy morning.
Eden has requested a trip the the Tar Pits today. I'm excited, I've never been. We will meet Annika and Sam there, and possibly Tim for lunch (I promise pictures this time!)
Most of the weekend we spent running house errands, but there were a few trips of interest.
Friday night we decided to go out for some ice cream. Most of the places Tim is familiar with are closer to Santa Monica and Westwood, which is where he usually stayed while here. We decided to check out Diddy Reece near the UCLA campus via Mohulland Drive. Holy wow. I wish I had taken some pictures, but I was much too busy a. checking out the view (on both sides!) and b. making sure Tim didn't kill us with his VERY confident driving (not a comment on Tim's driving, I swear).
We drove back via Santa Monica Blvd passing the boldly lit up Beverly Hills sign. The children broke into a chorus of the Weezer song (thanks, radio Disney - Never again!) and now it's been banned from their repertoire.
Saturday, we met Annika, Will and Sam at the Farmers Market near The Grove. It's an open air market open everyday with about a million kinds of food and wares.
Here we ordered some chickory coffee and beignets (Yaya, gumbo Yaya!)
Eamon's choice for breakfast, after being told he could have anything he wanted, was a powdered donut.
This is how he feels about donuts for breakfast:
Tim and I tried some savory crepes. I have to go back soon for the Nutella crepe.
THEN, Eamon tried the beignets. Two powdered sugar items for one day's breakfast. It doesn't get much better for this guy.
Sunday we drove about a little in the city, then came home for a swim and dinner. There were a bunch of strawberries sitting in the fridge that needed to be used soon. I don't have a lot of baking ingredients here yet, but I did have flour, eggs, milk and butter. Mmm, crepes.
My children have informed me that I have spent FAR too much time on the computer this morning, and soon, I will turn into a very uninteresting BLOB (funny how these things bite you in the butt). I still haven't talked about Stitch N Bitch at the Farmers market (that was Thursday night) but it was great fun, and I plan on going often. Now I have to publish, before things get uglier.
Eden has requested a trip the the Tar Pits today. I'm excited, I've never been. We will meet Annika and Sam there, and possibly Tim for lunch (I promise pictures this time!)
Most of the weekend we spent running house errands, but there were a few trips of interest.
Friday night we decided to go out for some ice cream. Most of the places Tim is familiar with are closer to Santa Monica and Westwood, which is where he usually stayed while here. We decided to check out Diddy Reece near the UCLA campus via Mohulland Drive. Holy wow. I wish I had taken some pictures, but I was much too busy a. checking out the view (on both sides!) and b. making sure Tim didn't kill us with his VERY confident driving (not a comment on Tim's driving, I swear).
We drove back via Santa Monica Blvd passing the boldly lit up Beverly Hills sign. The children broke into a chorus of the Weezer song (thanks, radio Disney - Never again!) and now it's been banned from their repertoire.
Saturday, we met Annika, Will and Sam at the Farmers Market near The Grove. It's an open air market open everyday with about a million kinds of food and wares.
Here we ordered some chickory coffee and beignets (Yaya, gumbo Yaya!)
Eamon's choice for breakfast, after being told he could have anything he wanted, was a powdered donut.
This is how he feels about donuts for breakfast:Tim and I tried some savory crepes. I have to go back soon for the Nutella crepe.
THEN, Eamon tried the beignets. Two powdered sugar items for one day's breakfast. It doesn't get much better for this guy.Sunday we drove about a little in the city, then came home for a swim and dinner. There were a bunch of strawberries sitting in the fridge that needed to be used soon. I don't have a lot of baking ingredients here yet, but I did have flour, eggs, milk and butter. Mmm, crepes.
My children have informed me that I have spent FAR too much time on the computer this morning, and soon, I will turn into a very uninteresting BLOB (funny how these things bite you in the butt). I still haven't talked about Stitch N Bitch at the Farmers market (that was Thursday night) but it was great fun, and I plan on going often. Now I have to publish, before things get uglier.
Wednesday, August 1
We're here for real now.
There is so much to say, I don't' really know where to start.
My mom and I spent the week getting the house in working order with tons of help from Annika, Will and Sam. Most of the boxes are unpacked and we've gotten a lot organized. Not too many things are hanging around because of all the storage space, we just need to figure out what kind of space each room will serve as. Before I arrived, Sam decided that the best space for a playroom was the one with the bar, and I wholeheartedly agree.
While Eamon has been missing friends from our old neighborhood, Will has made up for it in leaps and bounds. He has been a tireless playmate for Eamon, so much that most mornings Eamon asks if Will is coming over. Annika has been a wealth of help and information for us and this move would have been so much closer to impossible without her and her family. We are truly lucky to have them close by.
To my delight, Tim, Eden and Erin Arrived a bit earlier than planned. They decided to skip the Grand Canyon and the extra day on the road, and headed home after visiting Zion National Park. They got in a little after dinnertime on Monday. Annika, Will and Sam were here to welcome them to LA and my mom was spending her last night after helping out for the week. When they arrived, Eden gave me a full arm and leg wrapped 5 minute hug. For the first time, we had a house filled with our family and wonderful friends. It felt good. I love a house full of people, I hope we can keep filling this one (that doesn't mean with more babies, Tim!) After a week of restless nights I slept soundly and I slept in.
The children's rooms are attached by a bathroom and while I thought they were sleeping in because I hadn't heard from them, they were in fact playing together with both doors closed. Today we begin what will become our summer routine. Hurray for normalcy!
(more pictures coming soon, I've been observing so much, I forget to take them!)
My mom and I spent the week getting the house in working order with tons of help from Annika, Will and Sam. Most of the boxes are unpacked and we've gotten a lot organized. Not too many things are hanging around because of all the storage space, we just need to figure out what kind of space each room will serve as. Before I arrived, Sam decided that the best space for a playroom was the one with the bar, and I wholeheartedly agree.
While Eamon has been missing friends from our old neighborhood, Will has made up for it in leaps and bounds. He has been a tireless playmate for Eamon, so much that most mornings Eamon asks if Will is coming over. Annika has been a wealth of help and information for us and this move would have been so much closer to impossible without her and her family. We are truly lucky to have them close by.
To my delight, Tim, Eden and Erin Arrived a bit earlier than planned. They decided to skip the Grand Canyon and the extra day on the road, and headed home after visiting Zion National Park. They got in a little after dinnertime on Monday. Annika, Will and Sam were here to welcome them to LA and my mom was spending her last night after helping out for the week. When they arrived, Eden gave me a full arm and leg wrapped 5 minute hug. For the first time, we had a house filled with our family and wonderful friends. It felt good. I love a house full of people, I hope we can keep filling this one (that doesn't mean with more babies, Tim!) After a week of restless nights I slept soundly and I slept in.
The children's rooms are attached by a bathroom and while I thought they were sleeping in because I hadn't heard from them, they were in fact playing together with both doors closed. Today we begin what will become our summer routine. Hurray for normalcy!
(more pictures coming soon, I've been observing so much, I forget to take them!)
Sunday, July 29
Dinnertime Conversation
At the table with my mom, myself, and Eamon.
Me: Please finish your rice, It's your carbohydrate, you energy food.
E: Can you survive without your head?
Me: Well, no, because your brain tells the rest of your body what to do.
E: What about your face, can you survive with just your face?
Me: No, Your brain fills up most of your head.
E: Can I have a napkin?
Me: Please finish your rice, It's your carbohydrate, you energy food.
E: Can you survive without your head?
Me: Well, no, because your brain tells the rest of your body what to do.
E: What about your face, can you survive with just your face?
Me: No, Your brain fills up most of your head.
E: Can I have a napkin?
Friday, July 27
The Sixth
I just remembered that Eamon came into this world (very!) shortly after we had moved from Vermont to Albany. Last year we were in Cleveland when he turned five. The year before that we were at Lake Vanare. He has almost never spent a birthday at home.
Here we are in California, home now, and I'd have to say this one looks like it will make the top two. First, he gets a new house with a pool. That alone should seal the deal. But then, he gets to go to Toys R Us with a caravan of friends and family to cash in a gift card and some birthday dollars. We get home and he gets a tireless (and such a good sport!) playmate to swim and build playmobil armies with. Then mac and cheese, then cake. There is nothing more this boy needs. It was quite perfect.
I have to say that I had a pretty swell time today too.
Wednesday, July 25
I so owe an update
Again, I am so exhausted this evening. My feet really hurt. We were up at 7am ripping open boxes and organizing the kitchen (not because we set alarms or anything, we were just up. Damn you, jet-lag!)
Notable things about today (in list form because i just have to):
Yesterday was something a little different. It started so wonderfully after we left the airplane, though. From the escalator we spotted Annika and Sam waiting for us with amazing smiles and warm hugs. We were escorted to their car and driven to the house (that i would never had found on my own). We got to hang out a bit and I was feeling so confident and wonderful being shown around by Annika who already saw the house when her and her family helped Tim unload THE WHOLE TRUCK IN ONE DAY. We chatted, the boys played.
But then they left.
and we had to get groceries.
So I packed up the GPS navigation thingy that I've used once and got in the car that I've never driven in a neighborhood that I've never seen and proceed to try and get out of the hood onto Laurel Canyon Blvd. It wasn't going so well when I realize there is NO gas in the car. I tried my best not to panic. Some how we made it there and back (with many wrong turns along the way). It was all worth it because I got to grocery shop at Trader Joe's. Yes, not just pick up a case of wine on my way through Boston. I got to shop. And i am happy, and I am slowly falling in love with this city.
Still many boxes to go. Tomorrow is Eamon's birthday and we'll probably go out and do something fun. I can't believe how cold it gets here in the evening. There's a cool breeze blowing in the window behind me. I almost need a sweatshirt.
Notable things about today (in list form because i just have to):
- The kitchen is completely unpacked and nothing is broken (this is entirely due to Nell and her superb packing skills. I am still in awe)!
- I took my first solo trip on the 101 (including a 4 lane cross to get to a left exit, I'm already feeling better about driving).
- We've discovered that the pool has a light in it that changes color every few minutes. I love the patio at night time. It is like something from my dreams (not the pool light, but sort of).
- The radio station! Oh, the radio station! There is nothing quite like KCRW. After my morning news I heard Bjork, my morning jacket, and the strokes. Not only did I get to hear good music, but I didn't have to listen to Alan Chartok! I am in love.
- There is a leaky spot on the roof hangover outside that right now is causing something like a waterfall onto the patio. I am baffled by this but don't' really care because I'm not the homeowner, and I don't have to fix it!
- I bought wine at Target today!
Yesterday was something a little different. It started so wonderfully after we left the airplane, though. From the escalator we spotted Annika and Sam waiting for us with amazing smiles and warm hugs. We were escorted to their car and driven to the house (that i would never had found on my own). We got to hang out a bit and I was feeling so confident and wonderful being shown around by Annika who already saw the house when her and her family helped Tim unload THE WHOLE TRUCK IN ONE DAY. We chatted, the boys played.
But then they left.
and we had to get groceries.
So I packed up the GPS navigation thingy that I've used once and got in the car that I've never driven in a neighborhood that I've never seen and proceed to try and get out of the hood onto Laurel Canyon Blvd. It wasn't going so well when I realize there is NO gas in the car. I tried my best not to panic. Some how we made it there and back (with many wrong turns along the way). It was all worth it because I got to grocery shop at Trader Joe's. Yes, not just pick up a case of wine on my way through Boston. I got to shop. And i am happy, and I am slowly falling in love with this city.
Still many boxes to go. Tomorrow is Eamon's birthday and we'll probably go out and do something fun. I can't believe how cold it gets here in the evening. There's a cool breeze blowing in the window behind me. I almost need a sweatshirt.
Here we are.
I am sitting at my very own computer for the first time in about four weeks. There is so much to say about what we left and where we are now. So many aching goodbyes and warm cheerful welcomes.
Right now all I can really say about the house is that I hope I can find all the light switches and make my way to my very own bed before my eyes close for the night.
(also, please check out www.edenacadia.com if you want to know where Tim and Eden are.)
Goodnight
Right now all I can really say about the house is that I hope I can find all the light switches and make my way to my very own bed before my eyes close for the night.
(also, please check out www.edenacadia.com if you want to know where Tim and Eden are.)
Goodnight
Tuesday, July 17
A recap, a catchup, a something new...
When I wrote the title of this post, I was sitting on the front porch of the Inn at Silver Bay on a rocking chair, it was just about sunset. Those of you who know what I am talking about know that there are very few things better than that.
Then my power ran out.
Now I am sitting on a couch in the lobby of the Inn, surrounded by teenagers. They are introducing their virtual friends on the computer to the friends on the couch. The boys are trying to figure out which of the friends like them. The girls are craftily maneuvering the conversation so they don't have to answer. Silver Bay never changes (the same set of you would know this, too).
Point is, I have so much to say, but, so little time here, on the couch, when i would rather be rocking, or visiting the ice cream parlor, or playing games. Also, so many distractions. People I haven't talked to in so long, emails to catch up on, and blogs to read so i can say that i know what is going on in my friends lives.
A few thoughts then...
The part that hurt the most of this four week extravaganza, was on week number two, Tim was away and after I thought Eamon was asleep, I heard him call from the top of Nell's stairs. I went to him and stood on the bottom watching him yell "i want to go HOOOOME, I want to go HOOOOME" to me, with tears flooding his face. I had nothing to say to him. It would be two more weeks before he saw anything familiar. I thought he was doing ok. I was so wrong and it broke my heart.
Mostly, while I was in Town (meaning mostly between Pittsfield and Averill Park) I tried not to drive to Albany more than I had to. I thought I would see everyone there once again. The thought of so many long goodbyes are killing me and I am (suprized by myself when I feel like) trying to avoid them.
I still weep when I hear "California Stars". It is clear i am trying to torture myself because I listened to Wilco the whole way up.
I saw a Grey Fox here!
I have a feeling I won' be back to Albany as much as I thought. Maybe Averill Park, maybe Pittsfield, maybe Boston, but right now I'm thinking, not so much Albany. This is all a part of the evolution. We will clear out the last few things that belong to us Saturday, and after that, I will be less attached to the house than I thought I would when this plan went into affect. I am having a hard time letting go. I am being stubborn about other things. I'll keep you updated about how those things are going because right now, it's ugly.
I have fun pictures of us all at archery! It's my favorite thing here a Silver Bay right now (pictures sooon!) I love the thwap of the arrow on the paper. I love when mine hits the yellow. I love my inner Legolas.
I will leave you with that thought, my inner Legolas.
Then my power ran out.
Now I am sitting on a couch in the lobby of the Inn, surrounded by teenagers. They are introducing their virtual friends on the computer to the friends on the couch. The boys are trying to figure out which of the friends like them. The girls are craftily maneuvering the conversation so they don't have to answer. Silver Bay never changes (the same set of you would know this, too).
Point is, I have so much to say, but, so little time here, on the couch, when i would rather be rocking, or visiting the ice cream parlor, or playing games. Also, so many distractions. People I haven't talked to in so long, emails to catch up on, and blogs to read so i can say that i know what is going on in my friends lives.
A few thoughts then...
The part that hurt the most of this four week extravaganza, was on week number two, Tim was away and after I thought Eamon was asleep, I heard him call from the top of Nell's stairs. I went to him and stood on the bottom watching him yell "i want to go HOOOOME, I want to go HOOOOME" to me, with tears flooding his face. I had nothing to say to him. It would be two more weeks before he saw anything familiar. I thought he was doing ok. I was so wrong and it broke my heart.
Mostly, while I was in Town (meaning mostly between Pittsfield and Averill Park) I tried not to drive to Albany more than I had to. I thought I would see everyone there once again. The thought of so many long goodbyes are killing me and I am (suprized by myself when I feel like) trying to avoid them.
I still weep when I hear "California Stars". It is clear i am trying to torture myself because I listened to Wilco the whole way up.
I saw a Grey Fox here!
I have a feeling I won' be back to Albany as much as I thought. Maybe Averill Park, maybe Pittsfield, maybe Boston, but right now I'm thinking, not so much Albany. This is all a part of the evolution. We will clear out the last few things that belong to us Saturday, and after that, I will be less attached to the house than I thought I would when this plan went into affect. I am having a hard time letting go. I am being stubborn about other things. I'll keep you updated about how those things are going because right now, it's ugly.
I have fun pictures of us all at archery! It's my favorite thing here a Silver Bay right now (pictures sooon!) I love the thwap of the arrow on the paper. I love when mine hits the yellow. I love my inner Legolas.
I will leave you with that thought, my inner Legolas.
Wednesday, July 11
power's out.
After a really weird bong sound. Does someone want to look up Pittsfield news and see what the heck in the neck (a term coined by Freya) is going on. Comment, I will get the email.
Of things to come.
conversation from earlier in the week:
Matilda: Eamon, (sigh) I just love you.
Eamon: Would you please stop saying that?
Matilda: (sigh)
My bologna has a front end...
The front end of the Oscar Mayer weiner car (truck? ). We passed it at a pretty high speed, and Tim didnt feel the need to slow down and oogle it like i did, so this is all i got.
Wednesday, July 4
Friday, June 29
It Comes at the Strangest Times
We've finished (I really have nothing else to say about it. it was exhausting and it's over. our stuff is currently sitting in Newburgh waiting to head for Chicago).
To celebrate, I went out to my favorite theater last night to see that movie with multiple vignettes about Paris (a little background, my sister went to see Wilco last night. I was a little sad, but it really was impossible for me to go, so I just ignored it the whole thing). When I got out I had two messages, but I was so tired, I didn't listen to them.
Today I decided it would be best to clean out my purse before heading on vacation. I have been throwing so many random found treasures in there while cleaning up, it was quite huge and unmanageable.
I dumped out my purse on the kitchen island and remembered I had messages to listen to. I put it on speaker phone. There was one from a family member, one from a friend, but the third one was a garbly scratchy one. It took me a while to remember, but usually when my sister goes to see a show I like, she calls me during a favorite song. I didn't quite catch this one, I could make out "i love ... I love" but that was all (What song was it Lauren? It's on the tip of my tounge). Anyway, this is really about the fourth message.
Phone: Next message, Thursday - [garbly, garbly, scratch, scratch] I want to lay a heavy head tonight [garbly] On a bed of California Stars [garble]...
I start to sniffle, Tim enters the kitchen, my eyes are fountains.
T: What is that noise? [his strange contorted face says please turn it off!]
Me: It's a song. sniffle [turn head to avoid eye contact with him]
T: It's a what? That's some crappy quality!
Me: It's a song, ok, it's just a song.
T: Are you crying? what's Wrong?
Me: It's the SONG!
T: OOOHHHH, did your sister leave you that message?
Me: YES [sniffle, sniffle, gasp]
To celebrate, I went out to my favorite theater last night to see that movie with multiple vignettes about Paris (a little background, my sister went to see Wilco last night. I was a little sad, but it really was impossible for me to go, so I just ignored it the whole thing). When I got out I had two messages, but I was so tired, I didn't listen to them.
Today I decided it would be best to clean out my purse before heading on vacation. I have been throwing so many random found treasures in there while cleaning up, it was quite huge and unmanageable.
I dumped out my purse on the kitchen island and remembered I had messages to listen to. I put it on speaker phone. There was one from a family member, one from a friend, but the third one was a garbly scratchy one. It took me a while to remember, but usually when my sister goes to see a show I like, she calls me during a favorite song. I didn't quite catch this one, I could make out "i love ... I love" but that was all (What song was it Lauren? It's on the tip of my tounge). Anyway, this is really about the fourth message.
Phone: Next message, Thursday - [garbly, garbly, scratch, scratch] I want to lay a heavy head tonight [garbly] On a bed of California Stars [garble]...
I start to sniffle, Tim enters the kitchen, my eyes are fountains.
T: What is that noise? [his strange contorted face says please turn it off!]
Me: It's a song. sniffle [turn head to avoid eye contact with him]
T: It's a what? That's some crappy quality!
Me: It's a song, ok, it's just a song.
T: Are you crying? what's Wrong?
Me: It's the SONG!
T: OOOHHHH, did your sister leave you that message?
Me: YES [sniffle, sniffle, gasp]
Thursday, June 28
I Won't Use the Word Nightmare, But...
At this moment in time we aren't really sure where Panny is. This is the ONE THING I should have been on top of. I mean, of all things. We could misplace a few sheets, some dining ware, it would be ok. I would leave furniture to know where she is.
She was last seen around 6 last night on the couch, we were checking out the x-ray radiology took of her when Eden couldn't breathe one night and we had to go to the ER. After that, the kids went across the street for a movie night. Eden is sure she didn't bring her because i made her take the package of Double Stuff Oreos (if left here, i would have eaten them all, with a little help from tim). I told Eden sometimes Panny is tucked under her arm and she doesn't even know. We are waiting for the neighbors to wake up. Please hope for us that she is over there, because if she is not, then she is in that big truck, and there will be three weeks of crying to sleep every night...
She was last seen around 6 last night on the couch, we were checking out the x-ray radiology took of her when Eden couldn't breathe one night and we had to go to the ER. After that, the kids went across the street for a movie night. Eden is sure she didn't bring her because i made her take the package of Double Stuff Oreos (if left here, i would have eaten them all, with a little help from tim). I told Eden sometimes Panny is tucked under her arm and she doesn't even know. We are waiting for the neighbors to wake up. Please hope for us that she is over there, because if she is not, then she is in that big truck, and there will be three weeks of crying to sleep every night...
Wednesday, June 27
Sometimes nosey works.
Yesterday the truck showed up. We didn't have help planned until later today. I was so antsy about getting the piano onto the truck (for the record, i like the piano, but i don't LOVE it, it was just our biggest challenge) that Tim barely got me down to Uhaul for a doly and some blankets before I made him tackle it. He and Charlie rocked that thing, and it was in there safe and sound in no time (did i mention we might not have gotten a ramp? Random, you may get one, you may not, right now I'm feeling like the Moving Gods are with us.)
The rest of Tim's family helped us get the few larger items that we have onto the truck. A couple dressers and our bed. While this was going on, there were cars driving by with necks craning to see what was going on (we live on a dead end street so most everyone why drives by lives here). We went out to dinner to let the humid summertime air cool down a bit and revel in some crisp AC then headed back to the truck.
When we arrived back there were a host neighbors hanging out to see what kind of help we needed. In a flash there were about 15 or 20 people in and out of our front door, in and out of the truck. From a distance we looked like leaf ants taking care of a really great branch. People brought over snacks for the kids. Others labeled and taped with me. I can't believe where we are right now, totally ahead of schedule. To my disbelief, there are so many things still to be boxed, but we will be done tonight, for sure. And if this perfect moving fantasy continues to go my way, we will put in the last box, close up the truck, and the thunder storm will roll through just as we take our first gulp of icy cold beer. Exit truck.
The rest of Tim's family helped us get the few larger items that we have onto the truck. A couple dressers and our bed. While this was going on, there were cars driving by with necks craning to see what was going on (we live on a dead end street so most everyone why drives by lives here). We went out to dinner to let the humid summertime air cool down a bit and revel in some crisp AC then headed back to the truck.
When we arrived back there were a host neighbors hanging out to see what kind of help we needed. In a flash there were about 15 or 20 people in and out of our front door, in and out of the truck. From a distance we looked like leaf ants taking care of a really great branch. People brought over snacks for the kids. Others labeled and taped with me. I can't believe where we are right now, totally ahead of schedule. To my disbelief, there are so many things still to be boxed, but we will be done tonight, for sure. And if this perfect moving fantasy continues to go my way, we will put in the last box, close up the truck, and the thunder storm will roll through just as we take our first gulp of icy cold beer. Exit truck.
Tuesday, June 26
Monday, June 25
breakfast this morning.
Tim was nice enough to ask if i would prefer the pink flamingo fork or the brown dear fork.
Friday, June 22
It's the end.
It's the last day of school (and i haven't been blogging because i have been putting things in boxes during my free time, and if not that then making sure all the good people who teach my children will know they are appreciated, if not that then the dishes, and if not that than the laundry. I've convinced myself that if I don't continue this pattern and instead sit down to do something else, I will fall to pieces completely. There are tiny little bits of OCD in me, and nothing I can do about it.)
Rewind to last night. Or perhaps a week ago. Eden's very best friend of just this year REALLY wanted a play date, and I REALLY wanted them to have one too. Her mother and I have talked on occasion, and very early on I identified her as someone who I really like talking to outside of school. We had dinner at their house last night.
She has four children, and her husband is getting his Phd. Her daughter is in Eden's class and her son is in Eamon's. The other two are boys and both younger. They moved here from Hungary four years ago(with only 4 suitcases!) in order for her husband to go to school. They lived in a suburb nearby for three years (a suburb which many people here are moving to to "get out of the City"). They decided this suburb school wasn't what they wanted for their kids, and moved last October.
We have really connected over discussions about relocating. She told me how she recognizes things in me that she herself did when she moved. She reminded me about how the first month(or more) of any change is the hardest, and never represents what will ultimately be. She told me that her daughter would draw herself in boxes when they first moved because she could not talk to anyone, she didn't know english. This would cause my friend to weep every night about what she thought she had done to her children (this daughter is now reading 4th and 5th grade chapter books in the second grade!). We talked about why she moved from the Suburbs, and i was stunned to find out that she sometimes would park the car far far away from where she would pick up the kids because she was embarrassed by it (she is strong, and in no way self conscious about the woman she is). These are the things that caused them to think about moving, the pressure of the Suburban Dream.
Because it's the end of school, and we are leaving something comfortable, I begin to worry. I will have to weave my way through the PTA madness once again. I will have to know families of children that my kids hang out with, i will have to learn about the school and the teachers without having a friend who's child has already gone through it. I am sick to my stomach because what if it's just not me? What if i find myself amongst many incredibly well groomed children and well groomed parents who "know people". What if my kids don't find any friends right away? What if i find myself in the same situation as my friend, and think "oh god, this is not for me"?
After dinner we went for a walk around the neighborhood. It was dusk and it had just rained, there was stream coming up from the road and we spotted fireflies all over the place. While the kids caught fireflies and made them crawl around on their shirts, we talked about how she rode a greyhound around the United States after working in NY for a summer, the National Park that Eden is named after, how her husband loved her because she would always eat more than him and her dream that he find a university job in Brussels or Portugal. I made a wish on a firefly that, even though there are people I love in LA, I find one mom at the kids school that I like talking to at pickup time.
Rewind to last night. Or perhaps a week ago. Eden's very best friend of just this year REALLY wanted a play date, and I REALLY wanted them to have one too. Her mother and I have talked on occasion, and very early on I identified her as someone who I really like talking to outside of school. We had dinner at their house last night.
She has four children, and her husband is getting his Phd. Her daughter is in Eden's class and her son is in Eamon's. The other two are boys and both younger. They moved here from Hungary four years ago(with only 4 suitcases!) in order for her husband to go to school. They lived in a suburb nearby for three years (a suburb which many people here are moving to to "get out of the City"). They decided this suburb school wasn't what they wanted for their kids, and moved last October.
We have really connected over discussions about relocating. She told me how she recognizes things in me that she herself did when she moved. She reminded me about how the first month(or more) of any change is the hardest, and never represents what will ultimately be. She told me that her daughter would draw herself in boxes when they first moved because she could not talk to anyone, she didn't know english. This would cause my friend to weep every night about what she thought she had done to her children (this daughter is now reading 4th and 5th grade chapter books in the second grade!). We talked about why she moved from the Suburbs, and i was stunned to find out that she sometimes would park the car far far away from where she would pick up the kids because she was embarrassed by it (she is strong, and in no way self conscious about the woman she is). These are the things that caused them to think about moving, the pressure of the Suburban Dream.
Because it's the end of school, and we are leaving something comfortable, I begin to worry. I will have to weave my way through the PTA madness once again. I will have to know families of children that my kids hang out with, i will have to learn about the school and the teachers without having a friend who's child has already gone through it. I am sick to my stomach because what if it's just not me? What if i find myself amongst many incredibly well groomed children and well groomed parents who "know people". What if my kids don't find any friends right away? What if i find myself in the same situation as my friend, and think "oh god, this is not for me"?
After dinner we went for a walk around the neighborhood. It was dusk and it had just rained, there was stream coming up from the road and we spotted fireflies all over the place. While the kids caught fireflies and made them crawl around on their shirts, we talked about how she rode a greyhound around the United States after working in NY for a summer, the National Park that Eden is named after, how her husband loved her because she would always eat more than him and her dream that he find a university job in Brussels or Portugal. I made a wish on a firefly that, even though there are people I love in LA, I find one mom at the kids school that I like talking to at pickup time.
Monday, June 18
On the Island
These chairs sit on a porch in a street not too far from the best coffee and Thai in Maine. You can't quite see the beach from there, but you can smell it, and you can smell Lauren cooking on the grill. You can hear children milling about the house getting ready for a trip to the National Park, maybe a hike atop Bee Hive or perhaps a bike ride that will bring us to the Jordon Pond House were we will sit on the lawn and have a popover with butter and strawberry jam. These chairs are what make it possible for me to brave the zoo with many 8 year olds, attend a graduation, violin recital and multiple Father's Day events, and finish packing the entire house while Tim is away and i have strep without loosing my mind completely. It's because soon, I will be sitting on one of these chairs with a glass of white wine and a crustacean boiling in a pot inside. God I love Maine.
Sunday, June 17
For Tim on Father's Day
Here it is, she did great, i didn't sense a lick of nerves. There were about 75 people watching her. I could tell she was really happy with it when she finished. We love you, Happy Father's Day!
Friday, June 15
Have You heard...
that the Patriot Act is counting how many times you buy sudafed? Seriously, it's true, today I was looking for a little relief from the strep before the antibiotics kicked in, and I picked up a pack of Sudafed Cold & Cough. When the cashier rung it up, the computer wouldn't let her sell it to me unless she also rang in my driver's license.
Yeah.
So while my sister was waiting in line for coffee I asked her, "has this happened to you?" and explained. An employee who was listening behind me said that, in fact it is a result of the Patriot Act that anyone who purchases Sudafed or anything containing (pseudophedrine, but that wasn't in the Sudafed that I bought, because mine was sudafed PE) must have ID with them (because people have been making Meth out of it). The info is sent to the government and placed in a little Sudafed buying database.
So. We should all feel a little safer from terrorism today because our government knows I bought Sudafed.
EDIT: So I was a little off, the actual ingredient in question is pseudophedrine, but I got the "safer" Sudafed, the PE version (with phenylephrine). So the question now is why did they have to card me?
Yeah.
So while my sister was waiting in line for coffee I asked her, "has this happened to you?" and explained. An employee who was listening behind me said that, in fact it is a result of the Patriot Act that anyone who purchases Sudafed or anything containing (pseudophedrine, but that wasn't in the Sudafed that I bought, because mine was sudafed PE) must have ID with them (because people have been making Meth out of it). The info is sent to the government and placed in a little Sudafed buying database.
So. We should all feel a little safer from terrorism today because our government knows I bought Sudafed.
EDIT: So I was a little off, the actual ingredient in question is pseudophedrine, but I got the "safer" Sudafed, the PE version (with phenylephrine). So the question now is why did they have to card me?
Thursday, June 14
It's not the kids, I'm allergic to Tim being out of town.
update on the update: last night after we pulled into school (thank GOD- I know there is an exit that brings you right to the Bronx zoo from the highway. Our bus driver decided to show us the "back way" through the Bronx, past Fordham University. During rush hour traffic. Thank you, sir.) we went directly home and ate some pasta and then went to sleep. All of us. At 8:45 PM. I woke up with a tremendous sore throat, and a headache still. The bus probably seemed so terrible because the migraine was from what looks to be strep so the noise seemed somewhat exaggerated.
This is the second time I have gotten sick while Tim is out of town. I must be allergic.
This is the second time I have gotten sick while Tim is out of town. I must be allergic.
Wednesday, June 13
Update on the bronx zoo trip
The zoo was fun but i want off this bus with 30 second graders who just ate too much candy. I think this is what hell may be like, but that could just be the migrane talking.
Tuesday, June 12
The Dinner Mystery
From my perspective:
From Eamon's:
I guess if I felt my fork were bigger than my head, I would have a hard time eating dinner too.
From Eamon's:
I guess if I felt my fork were bigger than my head, I would have a hard time eating dinner too.
Monday, June 11
Reaction Time
We've gotten to the point in this move where the news has become very public and people we don't even know are putting their two cents in. I know about virtual strangers putting their two cents in, I've been pregnant twice and brought my babies into grocery stores often. You get more advice then you ever need. But now these reactions have become a looking glass into such stranger's personalities more than anything else. Mostly because people have incredibly strong opinions about LA. I know I did. At least I knew that I would always be a northeast girl, but that was because moving was such an unbelievable fantasy. Now that I've accepted the West Coast as a possibility, the things that I choose before to be a con don't really matter anymore.
For example, at the soccer game, a mom of significant affluence in our particular district had this reaction: "oh (sad face), well that is interesting. I moved here from Culver City when I was 13 and it was the best move I ever made in my life. I hope they are making it worth your while. Oh my god, the smog!"
Instead of thinking "OMG, have we made a terrible mistake?" I think "well, clearly this woman hasn't been to LA since the late seventies so she has no idea what she is talking about." I also think, "please don't' let this be the type of mom I run into regularly at the kid's new school" and "well it sounds like your parent's made the move for you, chicka."
Others are excited. Some others are sad. The most common reaction (of the parent's of Eden's classmates) is something like "well, do it while you're young! Heaven knows you can't do it later." (Red the milkman is the exception to this story. I love Red, and he has chosen to wake up before there is even light every morning and deliver hormone free milk, so he can say whatever the hell he likes.)
While lately I have been feeling pretty old, I don't think I would ever get to the point where I would turn down a big exciting change in life because of my age. I know that we had Eden young, and Tim has his hands in projects all over the country, but still. I would, of course, talk with over with the children and see how they felt about the change. But for the most part, people are adaptable and children learn more from experience than protection. This is how I feel right now about it anyway. Ask me again in October.
For example, at the soccer game, a mom of significant affluence in our particular district had this reaction: "oh (sad face), well that is interesting. I moved here from Culver City when I was 13 and it was the best move I ever made in my life. I hope they are making it worth your while. Oh my god, the smog!"
Instead of thinking "OMG, have we made a terrible mistake?" I think "well, clearly this woman hasn't been to LA since the late seventies so she has no idea what she is talking about." I also think, "please don't' let this be the type of mom I run into regularly at the kid's new school" and "well it sounds like your parent's made the move for you, chicka."
Others are excited. Some others are sad. The most common reaction (of the parent's of Eden's classmates) is something like "well, do it while you're young! Heaven knows you can't do it later." (Red the milkman is the exception to this story. I love Red, and he has chosen to wake up before there is even light every morning and deliver hormone free milk, so he can say whatever the hell he likes.)
While lately I have been feeling pretty old, I don't think I would ever get to the point where I would turn down a big exciting change in life because of my age. I know that we had Eden young, and Tim has his hands in projects all over the country, but still. I would, of course, talk with over with the children and see how they felt about the change. But for the most part, people are adaptable and children learn more from experience than protection. This is how I feel right now about it anyway. Ask me again in October.
Tuesday, June 5
My Daughter is the Poster Child for Meadowbrook Dairy
Or, this is why we call it Smallbany.
So I stopped Red the Milk Man this morning to tell him that the last week of June will be our last milk delivery. He was sad, and so are we. He's our favorite thing about Tuesday morning. His reaction to us moving to Los Angeles was the best I've gotten so far. It went something like this- "Well now, why are you going to go and do that? The fault line is about ready to give and there are fires out there every other week, why would you go and do that?" I smiled and said "For the job" and thought, and the weather, and the culture, and well, why wouldn't we? He is really a lovely man, i guess he just has an aversion to the west coast.
Anyway, we got to talking and I mentioned how we'll never find milk as good as his out there, and how he and his Swiss Cows will definitely be missed.
"Well, let me tell you a story" he says. "The other day I get a call from this woman who has five kids and wants to get a delivery, she lives on SM Boulevard, and I give her the details and ask her if she had ever had my milk before. She tells me that ,in fact, the other day a little friend was over for dinner and asked for milk to drink. The woman went to open the fridge and the little friend said "is it Meadowbrook Milk?' the woman said no and the little friend said 'I'll just have water, thank you.'
"Well let me tell you!" Red says, "that's all I need to get me going in the morning. Forget all the write ups in the paper and all deliveries here to Saratoga, A little girl who would rather have water than some other milk than mine is why I do this!"
He continues on his route and I think a little bit about the story he told. Wait a minute. Eden's friend Phoebe lives on SM Boulevard. They have five kids.
I do a little investigating.
When I check this story over with Eden, it seems that she indeed has been declining milk all over the city if it isn't Meadowbrook. I can't wait to tell Red who that little girl was.
So I stopped Red the Milk Man this morning to tell him that the last week of June will be our last milk delivery. He was sad, and so are we. He's our favorite thing about Tuesday morning. His reaction to us moving to Los Angeles was the best I've gotten so far. It went something like this- "Well now, why are you going to go and do that? The fault line is about ready to give and there are fires out there every other week, why would you go and do that?" I smiled and said "For the job" and thought, and the weather, and the culture, and well, why wouldn't we? He is really a lovely man, i guess he just has an aversion to the west coast.
Anyway, we got to talking and I mentioned how we'll never find milk as good as his out there, and how he and his Swiss Cows will definitely be missed.
"Well, let me tell you a story" he says. "The other day I get a call from this woman who has five kids and wants to get a delivery, she lives on SM Boulevard, and I give her the details and ask her if she had ever had my milk before. She tells me that ,in fact, the other day a little friend was over for dinner and asked for milk to drink. The woman went to open the fridge and the little friend said "is it Meadowbrook Milk?' the woman said no and the little friend said 'I'll just have water, thank you.'
"Well let me tell you!" Red says, "that's all I need to get me going in the morning. Forget all the write ups in the paper and all deliveries here to Saratoga, A little girl who would rather have water than some other milk than mine is why I do this!"
He continues on his route and I think a little bit about the story he told. Wait a minute. Eden's friend Phoebe lives on SM Boulevard. They have five kids.
I do a little investigating.
When I check this story over with Eden, it seems that she indeed has been declining milk all over the city if it isn't Meadowbrook. I can't wait to tell Red who that little girl was.
Monday, June 4
Packing Tip # 254
Garbage acquired while sorting through children's rooms during the day while they are at school should be stored in BLACK bags or taken out of the house entirely before said children get back.
Heaven forbid you throw out his "very favorite blue visor" (that sits a little crooked and mostly falls off seconds after you put it on) and then he finds it and looks at you with hairy eyeballs for the rest of the night.
Heaven forbid you throw out his "very favorite blue visor" (that sits a little crooked and mostly falls off seconds after you put it on) and then he finds it and looks at you with hairy eyeballs for the rest of the night.
Sunday, June 3
The importance of frogs.
The previous post was mobile blogged and I wanted to talk a little more about this frog thing.
A long time ago when we lived in Vermont and Eden was about 2 years old, she and I took a walk down to the river at the bottom of our road. We sat and enjoyed the water for a really long time. Then as I glanced to my right, I spotted a frog close enough to catch. I said to Eden "hey, check out that frog." and she looked at it, then she looked at me, and I froze. I realized that this was the moment when I was supposed to teach my daughter how to catch a frog.
But. I didn't know how to catch a frog, and part of me really didn't want to. I stood up and crept over to it real quiet and slow. I put my hands down, but intentionally too slow, and it took about one quick hop away from me. I said to myself, "be brave! Be BRAVE! you do not want your daughter to see you terrified of slimy frog catching!" So I tried again while attempting not to sound nervous while giggling and crying "Silly Frog!" to Eden. I couldn't get up the nerve to be quick enough to catch the bugger, and I walked back to the house feeling defeated and as though I had failed her.
I haven't thought about that moment in years and now here she is in her cousins pond with gianourmous wellies on, slowly creeping up to a slimy green froggy. I flash back to that moment of (what I thought was) poor parenting, and watch her in the present lurching forward and then falling waist deep into the thickest muck this side of Louisiana. She stands up holding her arms up and laughing her pants off.
Photo by Tim
I have to say that was one of my proudest mom moments ever. Proud that she didn't cry or scream (because I would have), and proud because (maybe) through the effort I made trying to catch that frog those 6 years ago, I gave her something to go by. (Of course it occurred to me that her getting into the pond may have had nothing to do with me, but now I know the sulking walk back the the Vermont house was a waste of time, and I didn't in fact scar her for life.)
A long time ago when we lived in Vermont and Eden was about 2 years old, she and I took a walk down to the river at the bottom of our road. We sat and enjoyed the water for a really long time. Then as I glanced to my right, I spotted a frog close enough to catch. I said to Eden "hey, check out that frog." and she looked at it, then she looked at me, and I froze. I realized that this was the moment when I was supposed to teach my daughter how to catch a frog.
But. I didn't know how to catch a frog, and part of me really didn't want to. I stood up and crept over to it real quiet and slow. I put my hands down, but intentionally too slow, and it took about one quick hop away from me. I said to myself, "be brave! Be BRAVE! you do not want your daughter to see you terrified of slimy frog catching!" So I tried again while attempting not to sound nervous while giggling and crying "Silly Frog!" to Eden. I couldn't get up the nerve to be quick enough to catch the bugger, and I walked back to the house feeling defeated and as though I had failed her.
I haven't thought about that moment in years and now here she is in her cousins pond with gianourmous wellies on, slowly creeping up to a slimy green froggy. I flash back to that moment of (what I thought was) poor parenting, and watch her in the present lurching forward and then falling waist deep into the thickest muck this side of Louisiana. She stands up holding her arms up and laughing her pants off.
Photo by TimSaturday, June 2
frog catching.
A few minutes after this, Eden's boot got stuck and she fell chest deep into the muck. Now she is determined to catch a frog.
Friday, June 1
Photo Flashback Friday.
Nell, Silver Bay 199? (you can see my profile behind her)
(Can this girl can pack a kitchen! She is a pro, plus she got Tim and I to tape our noses up and stuff our [well, my] bras and giggle like we were teenagers by then end of the night. Thanks Nell!)
(Can this girl can pack a kitchen! She is a pro, plus she got Tim and I to tape our noses up and stuff our [well, my] bras and giggle like we were teenagers by then end of the night. Thanks Nell!)
Wednesday, May 30
It's not really about the scissors.
I've been really cranky lately. I've been feeling like a big green grouch. So cranky and grouchy in fact that the last time Tim asked me where the scissors were, I snapped back, "Where are they usually?" (sorry Tim). At first I chalked it up to PMS, but I can only do that for so long, and then I have to start figuring out what is really going on. A few days ago I woke up and noticed that during the night I've been doing something similar to chewing on my cheek, there are holes on the insides where my teeth meet. Then, later that day I noticed that I drive around with my teeth clenched, and I have to actively remind myself to relax them. I think this move it affecting me more than I care to admit.
This is not usually how I am about things. Yes, I like order, and I like plans but I could always get by without them. I can ignore the fact that we have a huge piano to get from the dining room to the truck that will be parked on the street (if they can even get it onto our dead end street it's going to be so freaking big) and both doorways have about five steps down and the movers who got the piano in here backed the truck right up to the porch and put their ramp out and rolled the piano into the house. I was always ok without very important plans to solve problems like these in advance. But now my teeth are constantly clenched, i chew on my cheek at night and I snap at my husband about where the scissors are (I would just like to mention here that it is [or at least i thought it was] common knowledge in our household that if you can't find the scissors, you go look in Eden's room. She usually has the tape and the string, too). Anyway, we are so on schedule. Tim has even geeked our move out by (brace yourselves) cataloging each box, entering it's L, W and H into a little gadget that tells us how many cubic inches we have packed. It's pretty cool. and organized. But still- I can't really eat because I feel like my stomach is turned inside out all the time.
So today I decided to not deal with this anxiety yet again by hanging out with a baby and a new mom. Dita, Miles and I had a really great day eating lunch and trying to check out the new show at the Albany Center Galleries. It was closed, but we got a few good peeks in. The show includes works by my uncle, Robert Gullie, my dear friend (and roommate from college) Laura Glazer, and Chris Stain who is a brilliant graffiti artist. It felt pretty cool walking towards the building and seeing larger than life images of Laura's birds. It was also really great to hang out with Dita and Miles. I've forgotten about the rhythmic life of an infant- The eat, sleep, hang, eat, sleep hang of a baby puts a lot of things in perspective and brought me back to thinking about things in the moment while I am there. So today I will stack and put away the CD's that are in our way while walking to the kitchen and tomorrow I will worry about tomorrow.
This is not usually how I am about things. Yes, I like order, and I like plans but I could always get by without them. I can ignore the fact that we have a huge piano to get from the dining room to the truck that will be parked on the street (if they can even get it onto our dead end street it's going to be so freaking big) and both doorways have about five steps down and the movers who got the piano in here backed the truck right up to the porch and put their ramp out and rolled the piano into the house. I was always ok without very important plans to solve problems like these in advance. But now my teeth are constantly clenched, i chew on my cheek at night and I snap at my husband about where the scissors are (I would just like to mention here that it is [or at least i thought it was] common knowledge in our household that if you can't find the scissors, you go look in Eden's room. She usually has the tape and the string, too). Anyway, we are so on schedule. Tim has even geeked our move out by (brace yourselves) cataloging each box, entering it's L, W and H into a little gadget that tells us how many cubic inches we have packed. It's pretty cool. and organized. But still- I can't really eat because I feel like my stomach is turned inside out all the time.
So today I decided to not deal with this anxiety yet again by hanging out with a baby and a new mom. Dita, Miles and I had a really great day eating lunch and trying to check out the new show at the Albany Center Galleries. It was closed, but we got a few good peeks in. The show includes works by my uncle, Robert Gullie, my dear friend (and roommate from college) Laura Glazer, and Chris Stain who is a brilliant graffiti artist. It felt pretty cool walking towards the building and seeing larger than life images of Laura's birds. It was also really great to hang out with Dita and Miles. I've forgotten about the rhythmic life of an infant- The eat, sleep, hang, eat, sleep hang of a baby puts a lot of things in perspective and brought me back to thinking about things in the moment while I am there. So today I will stack and put away the CD's that are in our way while walking to the kitchen and tomorrow I will worry about tomorrow.
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