Wednesday, November 29, 2006

My sister sent Thanksgiving photos



And oh man do I wish I had been there! Look at this picture and imagine yourself around that table. Looking at this picture actually makes my heart pound and my eyes well up. Look at my dad, with the Upper Plate Perma Grin, and Brooke next to him, pushing back from what must've been a fantastic meal. Dian is a fabulous cook. So says me, so says we all. Marcia, no slouch in the kitchen herself, is a particularly vocal fan of Dian's cooking. Looks like plenty of leftovers. cold milk. I think this is one of my favorite photos of all time.




My dad looks good, don't you think? I sure do. And mom looks beautiful here. Such a relief to get photos of him and mom. So assuring. I love these two people! I have got to figure out how to get myself out there again.





And here are pictures of my beautiful neice Brooke.

Monday, November 27, 2006

Wha'd I do...

My new girlfriend Lascia gave me tons of craft supplies this weekend. Lots of stuff I don't already have a ton of, like wire edged ribbon, silk flowers, candle making stuff, table centerpiece candles/vases and assorted supplies, glitter spray, etc. She also gave me what appears to be an entire cake decorating supply kit, which I am so excited about already! I just finished trying my hand at piping some frosting out onto waxed paper. Lascia had fooled with all these supplies at one point and was now so done with them all that my willingness to take them off her hands thrilled her to death. It was a real win win situation, as I have always been drawn to craft supplies of this type but had been able to resist investing in them. so now? FREE! free free free. delightful.

our family from Maine stopped by for a night on Saturday night, and we gals had a craft party, breaking in my new supply. What was funny for me is that I was only able to get going with my creation once I gave myself permission to deconstruct the supplies and use their bits and pieces as items not originally intended by the manufacturer. Center bits of silk flowers became eyes and the silk petals and leaves became hair or wings, for example. I plan to make lots of silk flower hair clips for Maggie, and a part of me wants to experiment with covering a swim cap with silk flowers or something. I like to mix it up!

Yesterday Jeff bought a steam cleaner for the house! hooray! my upstairs is drying as we speak. And this weekend we transformed maggie's room into a big girl bedroom, complete with a desk and trundle bed! I'll post pictures soon. This week the fun in store includes preparing a package to mail off to seattle, cleaning the carpets, doing laundry and fooling with my craft supplies. good times in store!

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Weekend pics


NORA comes to visit! Look at how beautiful she is.

Here are a few photos from the rest of the weekend, which has been great! Our family from Maine stopped by for the night on their way home from Phil's family in CT, and we had a craft night! See below. I'll post more later about the rest of the weekend, because it has been great.


This is the dolly that Lanie made.



This is Cassidy's dolly. Intentionally faceless.



And here is my lady.


more later!

Friday, November 24, 2006

Happy day after Thanksgiving

oh boy was yesterday a rip snorter! yowzer.

or, should I say, rip snore-er. SO SO QUIET yesterday. We did the whole thanksgiving dinner thing, even ate nice and early in the day, too. but it was just the four of us, and so quiet. Growing up in a large family, I am familiar with loud, busy turkey days. So I guess on some level nice and quiet holidays feel like a "failure" or something. Even though I know it's not, it's not it's not it's not. It's funny how our 'old brain' works - that part of our brain that stores those assumptions about what something should be like because that's what it was like when we were growing up. when they don't match up, it's tricky to recall that the mismatch doesn't mean the new way is wrong, just different.

I remember when jeff and I first got together and we were still living in seattle and so had one of those holidays of hopping back and forth between his family and my families celebrations. We went over to my sisters house and the place was rocking, full of people and music and shouting and laughing and talking and eating. Then to his folks house and things were so quiet and calm and peaceful. I remember really feeling the difference and being like, "oh man. where's the party?!" Jeff's family was thoroughly enjoying themselves, I had been sort of climbing the walls, looking for excitement. Now I understand and really appreciate that potential for relaxing and enjoying the calm that comes with smaller affiars. but I do love a party also!

anyway. Christmas will be good times, as Jeff's folks are coming for the holiday, and also Lanie and her family, too. It's always so fun to see Maggie and Nora together, last year they had matching nightgowns to wear on christmas eve. I also really love and look forward to hanging out late at night with lanie and phil and jeff, all of us grownups getting everything ready to go for christmas morning. I'm glad Frank and Maxine have decided to brave the winter weather so they can share in that with us this ear. GOOD TIMES ahead.



also, I decided to give the advent calendar to my folks. Of course my parents ought to get it, if I'm going to give it away, right? nobody treasures a handmade craft like it's makers mother. am I right? :-)

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Otherwise, what else is going on...

Not much! We have zero plans for tomorrow, zip zero zilch. I mean, I'll make dinner, and I'll crack the whip on some already agreed upon home improvement efforts, but in terms of guests coming over or invites to go out, nothing. This is fine with me, although it would be nice to have something to do besides finish painting the hallway, and make over Maggie's bedroom. But whatever. That's how it goes sometimes, right? At least Christmas will be busy and exciting.



Yesterday I babysat little Brianna Marie from down at Curtis Farm. What a cutie, my goodness. She's about five months old I think? It was really nice to have her over for the day, made things sort of interesting.

Here's a picture of Henry, and also a typical drawing of his, featuring his favorite drawing subject (spys or war)



Have a good holiday!

This craft is like a sandcastle...



in that as soon as nature has its way with it, it will crumble and be ruined. I just finished this advent calendar that I started last night and boy, am I glad it's over. I'd downloaded some make-your-own envelope templates and became really drawn to the idea of whipping up something that would utilize my favorite envelope, a sort of seed packet shape. So when I went to WalMart last night for last minute thanksgiving day supplies, I spied a big pack of Christmas scrapbooking supplies and it all came together.

I'm pleased with it overall, but being made of paper, it's not going to last forever. I need to keep it out of Maggie's hands, that's for sure. And we already have a couple different advent calendars, so I don't see it living happily ever after here at our house.

Would you like it? Would you enjoy it? Would you try to keep it safe for longer than it has a chance to at my house? Email me and maybe I'll decide to send it to you.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

OMG! Finally!


My goodness! me without my soapbox for, like, days! What was this world coming to for a minute there, huh?!


more later!

Friday, November 17, 2006

Joyce Carol Oates



Goodness sakes can this woman write a novel! My heavens. I'm on page 22 of "Missing Mom", the third novel of hers I've read, and I am just so thrilled to be there! Nothing like being at the beginning of what you know will be an intensely good read. She crafts such interesting characters, and is so perfectly descriptive.


As a girl, already a model of efficiency and frugality for whom sentiment was a secondary matter, Clare had solved the gift problem by buying items with a festive twist on quantity: boxes of gaily colored tissues, mouthwash and toothpaste in unusual flavors, giant boxes of Dad's favorite cereal Wheaties and a full case of Mom's most-used Campbell's soup cream of celery; without any irony or a wish to be cruel, Clare had given me such birthday gifts as flea collars for our cats, a bag of scented Kitty litter, deodorant, a "giant economy" box of Junior Miss Sani-Pads.

and:

After Dad's death, which had been abrupt and unexpected, Mom had lapsed into a phase of showering frequently, washing her hands compulsively until the skin began to wear out, brushing her teeth until the gums bled. She'd dusted herself obsessively with the fragrant talcum powder Dad had given her, even the soles of her feet, so that, when Clare and I dropped by the house we'd be startled by ghostly white powder footprints on the floor outside the bathroom.

Oh, and here's a bit about the narrator:

My slender purple-silk legs were crossed, my waxy-white naked left foot (toenails painted magenta, to match fingernails and mouth) was jiggling in the gold-spangled high-heeled sandal. I'd spoken as if whimsically. I had a way of saying what was serious in a bold-innocent fashion to elicit startled laughs.


it's just delicious. Very good stuff.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

It's like Maggie's new best friend just learned to drive.




maggie just discovered this adorable hippo backpack hanging in her bedroom today. it's a hand me down from her brother, who got it from his great aunt Marie I believe. She likes to fill her arms with her little friends, and then can't make it up or down the stairs. this is the best of both worlds! a friend who can carry all her friends around!


and look at her here. I asked her to smile and got the first picture, then I said, "open your eyes!" and got the second. She has made me laugh a couple times today. Earlier she sat up and said, "look out night night!" and began to swing her bunny around fast and furious. complete with full on rebel yells thru out. I had to laugh.


Here's a sign that Maggie's growing up

She won't nap anymore! Not this week anyway. Today I'm trying not to fight it, going to let her do whatever. Yesterday she screamed and cried, "I'M AWAKE!" over and over again for nearly 45 minutes before I went to get her from her crib. The day before that, same sort of thing. Then at some point this week, I came upon this:


The no napping thing makes the early evening sort of awful at times. She also is not falling asleep until much later in the evening, like 2 hours or so after we've read her stories and put her to bed. Before she finally falls asleep she talks to herself, looks at books, begs to be brought to the potty, begs to brush her teeth once more, cries, wails, bawls, and so on. Until suddenly, it's quiet. And then at some point she'll wake up and cry cry cry until I cave and bring her into our bed. UGH!

Last night Jeff had a planning board meeting and so didn't get home until very late. Tonight he goes to Manchester to play D&D, won't get home until very late. We are missing the pace of life that comes with dad being home at night! Luckily it's not very often, and it's good to see Jeff getting out. I'm only complaining a little...

Anyways, that's about it from here. I put a few more things up for sale at craigslist this morning, I'm doing laundry, and trying to get through the day without Maggie's nap. wish me luck.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Ah, Wednesday

Life is currently going on here in Wilton. My hands are dry, Maggie has a hangnail, and we are waiting for the Library to open at 11am! (I will put on lotion, and Maggie is thrilled with her bandaid.) And then we'll run to Peterborough, to the Ocean State Job Lot.

But right now I'm talking to you and playing Lottso on pogo. My sisters turned me on to Pogo, and Dian specifically taught me how to play Lottso. It's sort of relaxing to play for a few minutes while simultaneously checking out my favorite websites and eating breakfast. (or playing Lottso while blogging.) I definitely feel closer to my sisters while playing at pogo.com. Although after this I will be running the vacuum and then switching the laundry. I feel the blues today, so I am trying to work through rather than lay off.

I'm halfway through "Cry, The Beloved Country" right now. Very interesting. South Africa is interesting to me. I find my reading tastes tend to center around a particular geographic region (China, India, and of course always the good ol USA) -- and now I seem to be turning towards Africa. I picked up Nelson Mandelas autobiography at a garage sale this summer, and I may finally get into that after this one. I have also read two books by Joyce Caol Oates ("The Falls" and "Because it is Bitter, And Because it is My Heart" - both fantastic) and am anxious to check out a couple of hers at the Library later.

I will try to post a picture in every post, but they won't always line up with the content of the post. I think you can handle that. For todays photos I offer up a baby pic of Henry, a baby pic of Maggie at the same age, and then a recent photo of both of them, for comparison. Have a good day!







Sunday, November 12, 2006

A perfect day for laying around

My goodness is the weather just perfect for the type of day I am enjoying. it's been cold seeming and foggy and rainy all day. At least that's been the view from my window, as I haven't stepped foot outside since arriving home from a party late last night. And this morning I got out of bed at nearly 11:30! That doesn't happen more than a few times per year, sleeping in like that. It was fantastic.

My girlfriend Heather had a Wildtree Herb party last night at her house, and let me tell you, it was really fun. I took my new girlfriend Lascia with me, and we had a great time. Wildtree Herbs is a Spice and Herb blend company, very good stuff. What's cool about these parties is that the sales rep lady cooks up a bunch of food and dips from the product line, so you can actually get fed. The stuff is real yummy.

I didn't listen to the pitch, having been lucky enough to seat myself out in the overflow room (there was quite a turnout). But I've heard it all before. Why is it the sales pitch ladies always regale you with stories about how it was that they came to be a sales pitch lady? Or dragging a minor detail about shipping costs or something into a 5 minute presentation filler? Anyways. No biggie. I wasn't really there for the sales pitch lady.

The afterparty was very good times. A family we all grew close to that recently moved to Connecticut were in town and staying at Heathers, so we all got a chance to reconnect. That was the best part. And so terrific to bring Lascia, introduce her to all those folks. Henry had a Cub Scout Pack Meeting last night, so Jeff took he and Maggie to that while I went to this party.

Henry and Jeff are seeing a movie right now. "Flushed Away" it's called. About a mouse who gets flushed down the toilet. Hilarious, I'm sure.


oh, and p.s.! I finally got my haircut on Friday, yahoo! There was a woman at the party, Jill, who raved and raved about the cut. "I'm gonna put you in my blog!" I told her. So there. Thanks Jill!

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Henry shoots, Henry SCORES!




Here is a link to a clip our friend Brian made of some video he shot at his daugher Lily's soccer game. Lily is #6, and Henry is the one in the yellow socks, scoring the goal!

Cute pics of Maggie


This is that new vest I mentioned in yesterdays post. I love the down vests from Lands End. I'm not sure what's going on with that ball of light in Maggie's hair. I do know her hair was wet, and I used a flash for this picture, so it's probably a reflection.


And here is our little princess. Maggie doesn't play with dress up clothes too often at this point, so I took it out of the playroom and washed it all up to hand down to cousin Nora, and of course it was the most fun she'd had in years.

Friday, November 10, 2006

Farewell, our fine feathered friend.



So our parakeet Mary Beth has found a new home. She can look forward to a very full life at her new home. The woman who took her in was thrilled to have her, and she joined many other birds in residence at this womans' apartment. The kids and I took her down to Westminster, MA yesterday and everyone handled the goodbyes wonderfully. Well, Maggie had some confused tears as we were on our way home, and Henry tried to join in on that. But I stopped him quick, pointing out that the only time he ever even mentioned Mary Beth was to willingly get rid of her if it meant he could have a hamster. And then I said that no, he couldn't have a hamster.

Today we drove up to Manchester to have the van looked at by the auto glass shop that replaced it's windshield last year. A leak had developed at the drivers side feet after heavy rains, and we were told by the dealership that the default was with the windshield, the replacement of which they had subcontracted out. The guy at the auto glass place was real nice, although he had a nasty looking plug of tobacco in his lower lip. He pointed out that the drainage holes for rainwater coming off the windshield had been collecting on top of a big pile of leaves. once he blasted the debris out with a airhose, he felt confident that the problem had been solved and we were on our way!

I felt like an idiot though, having not figured it out myself. but then jeff pointed out nevermind my idiocy, what about the dealership that claimed the fault lay in the windshield replacement! it didn't occur to them to check that? it sure was plain as day. big ol pile of leaves and assorted natural debris all jammed in there. anyways. didn't cost anything, so I'm happy.

Then, because we were in the area, we went to the mall. Ahh, the mall. Very crowded, very christmas'd, very "let's get out of here." We did pick up a fuschia colored down vest from lands end at sears for maggie, and a couple of inexpensive craft supplies. And lunch. we ate lunch. And we saw Santa, although he made maggie very nervous. We waved to him from afar.

Henry is in love with legos. my goodness. If you had any questions about what to get him for Christmas, legos would be a good bet. He shows such patience, following the instructions to build the kit he's got. When he eventually gets frustrated and overwhelmed, he creates ships and robots of his own design (I think he likes this best). He was talking about wanting his Batmo-hovercraft to get on tv somehow because it was so awesome. He settled for posting a picture of it on my blog, so look for it soon...

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

You aren't missing anything...

Another day of cleaning house, running errands and whipping up things for bake sales. Worst nightmare or dream come true, depending! Dream come true for me. I'm pretty happy these days.

I voted yesterday, did you? It was nice to wake up this morning to the election results, we were all pleased. I woke Henry up this morning with the good news that Paul Hodes had won the congressional election. "YESSS! Now somebody's going to stand up to George Bush!" He is such a great kid.

Jeff volunteered for the Hodes campaign and managed to get he and Henry seats on the campaign's Labor Day parade float in Milford earlier this year, so Henry has been all about Paul Hodes.
We would be driving down the road and Henry would spy a Paul Hodes sign and it would be impossible for him to keep quiet about it. "Paul Hodes!" he'd shout. I love that Jeff is sharing his interest in political action with all of us, Henry especially. We are all looking forward with great anticipation to the New Hampshire primary in 2008. I actually can conjur butterflies in my stomach when I think about Barack Obama running for president. Keep your fingers crossed!

Jeff took yesterday off from work so he could hold signs in front of our Town Hall for the various Democratic candidates. And he helped with the vote count last night after the polls closed, too! WHAT A PATRIOTIC AMERICAN.

We also had a parent teacher conference with Henry's 1st grade teacher in the afternoon, which went great. Henry is really doing wonderfully in school. She mentioned that he's always there for her when she calls on him in the classroom, the other kids love him, he gives her no trouble, he gives the other kids no trouble, gets along with everyone, etc. etc. etc. "I'd give him 5 tickets a day if I could" she said. (They have a ticket system. good behavior earns tickets, poor behavior costs tickets. 15 tickets equals a trip to the treasure chest.) I thought this was interesting because Henry totally understands and respects the ticket system and feels he needs to work hard to earn them. He was very proud and excited about getting to cash in his tickets for a prize today. (But it was Paul Hodes winning the election that actually got him up and willing to start his day, so go figure!)

Tonight is something called a "Fall Festival" put on by our PTO, and I am going down there to help out in the cafeteria. The after school enrichment program has a Junior First Lego League club, of which Henry is a member and I am a volunteer. The Lego kits that the school bought depleted the enrichment program coffers, so a few of us will be selling baked goods to the kind folks that attend the Fall Festival tonight. In fact, I have brownies and lemon bars to whip up and cupcakes to frost as we speak!

But I figure I can whip those up in no time and anyway, I have to pick up Henry soon, so the timing is off for pulling them out of the oven at the right time. There's time yet. My time is better spent sitting here typing this up, then maybe playing some Lottso on Pogo. Especially since the dishwasher is running, the washer and dryer are going, my bedroom is nearly spotless and my daughter is napping!

Monday, November 06, 2006


Time Out for Parents

Cheri Huber is a Zen meditation teacher and author that I discovered years ago in a bookshop in Cannon Beach, Oregon. The first book of hers I read was called “That Which You Are Seeking Is Causing You To Seek” , and it really blew my mind. Definitely provided many valuable life lessons. I feel like everyone should read that book.

So now I collect Cheri Huber books and press them upon my friends whenever possible. I just got her book about parenting, “Time-Out…for Parents. A Compassionate Approach to Parenting” returned to me, and I am once again struck by her sound wisdom. Check this out:


How do you want your child to be as an adult? Do you want your child to be repressed, to feel anxious and fearful of losing control? If that is the adult you want to produce then be that way with your child.

If you want a child who has the full range of his or her emotions, then you must begin to allow yourself the full range of your emotions. Once you are able to do that, and to knw that emotions are to be welcomed, not rejected, then your child will learn to do the same.



And:

That feeling of about-to-lose-it is actually a gift: it is the self signaling itself that a need is being neglected.

It is sort of like emotional hunger pangs. When you get really hungry, you do not consider that you have “lost it.” You might have learned that it is helpful not to get that hungry, because when you do you tend to gobble your food, eat the wrong things, overeat – it’s not a good system.

But does letting yourself get that hungry make you a bad person? No, of course not. It makes you a person who is out of touch with your body.

When you get to the point of screaming with anger or frustration, does this make you a bad person? No. It makes you a person who is out of touch with your feelings.

Screaming, then, is to emotions as gobbling is to hunger.

When we’ve gone too long without a basic need being met, our reactions become HUGE.

“Losing control” is really about finding feelings that have been neglected and now refuse to be ignored. The crucial information is what happens inside ourselves right before we “lose it.”


The one I think is most powerful is:


Consider that how you are treating your child is probably how you were treated.


Being familiar with Cheri Huber’s books, I can tell you that she’s talking about feelings. For example, if you remember growing up feeling anxious or not a priority or having lots of guilt about stuff you now see as an adult was unwarranted, you might consider in what ways your parenting style creates similar feelings for your kid(s).

Anyways. Just some random ramblings. Here is the book on amazon if you want to pick up her book for yourself. I really recommend it.

Sunday, November 05, 2006

I had a little friend for lunch!


can you see the little face on my lunch from yesterday?

My kids are adorable.


See my handsome son. His two front teeth are beginning to descend! Here he is showing you his lego fighter ships.


Here's a picture of Maggie on our way to a birthday party yesterday. Isn't that a great jacket? She got it from her family in Maine for her birthday. Just fits now!

Ahh Yogi Tea





I love this stuff. You should try it.

Friday, November 03, 2006

A chicken in every pot, and a shoe organizer in every room


This organizer lives in my closet and it holds, wait for it, shoes! I had to screw it into the wall rather than hang it over the door, but I prefer it where it is. Between us, Jeff and I gave away over 35 wal-mart bags of used clothes several weekends ago. That's how you can see the floor. I appreciate most about this organizer the bald undeniable fact about exactly where my shoes belong when they're not on my feet.



Maggie's room. nothing too exciting here. The top row holds shoes that don't fit yet, there are some stuffed animals towards the bottom, and I plan to stuff shoes ready to be passed on to Maggie's cousin Nora. Maggie's room needs work. Soon we will be overhauling her space to include a big girl bed. for now, it's a sea of books strewn about on the floor, and a beautiful mural on the wall. and oh yes, a shoe organizer on the closet!


This is in the utility closet off the kitchen. vaccuum cleaner bags, light bulbs, bug spray, suntan lotion, extention cords, etc. I recently redid this closet, and it is really serving up some value to me now.


And finally we have the pantry. Just picked this one up at Lowes last weekend. $2.25 down from $8.95! I like it because it has two double width pockets under the mirror. And the clear plastic envelope like pockets along the type. At first I wondered what to do with them, but they ended up perfect for collecting soup labels and the like for Henry's school, and holding those individual diet drink mix things.

Now stop for a minute and try to figure out how you ever managed in life without knowing about me and my shoe organizers.

Check out those ears

Hey, I just made seven bucks!


UPDATE: SOLD! for $35 dollars!


I just posted something to new hampshire craigslist and by gum if somebody didn't email me and then drive over here and give me seven dollars to take possession of a giant plastic desk that I was thisclose to bringing to the still good pile!



I just posted a new ad for a baby sling I have laying around! wish me luck!

Kermit gets a haircut


Lookit the hair I took off that dog! My my my. You can probably guess that he didn't enjoy it much. I know you may have another opinion, but I really love Kermit when he's all shorn down like this. it makes his ears so much more expressive, he seeks more cuddling to stay warm, and I can even make him wear a little doggie t shirt for that extra layer! I just love his little shape.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Writers of "The Office" on NPRs Fresh Air

  • Fresh Air from WHYY, November 2, 2006
  • · Greg Daniels and Mindy Kaling work on the hit NBC series The Office, starring Steve Carrell. Kaling also plays Kelly on the show. Daniels has a history of TV comedy writing. He has worked on Saturday Night Live, Seinfeld and The Simpsons. Kaling had a role in Carrell's The 40-Year-Old Virgin and appeared on an episode of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiam

    Breaking eggs to make omelets

    Today is mostly about working in the playroom, and also putting the green sideboard in the living room to smarter use. I was going through the shelves above the desk in the playroom and had to laugh at myself at all the wonderful storage devices put to next to no good use. for example, a beautiful green wicker picinic basket, taking up very valuable space on the shelf, held only three things inside it! and each of those three things have their duplicates (and triplicates) stored in a much more logical place.

    Now that I've been cleaning out and weighing things in my personal inventory on a scale of usesablity vs. storage footprint when not in use, I am finally making some headway. Awhile ago I realized that it is one thing to be the kind of person whose decorative style is to have things out where you can see them, it is another thing entirely to have your things out because your drawers and shelves are cram packed with stuff you've forgotten you owned. Which was me. I'm making my way through each drawer and shelf and closet in my house and now actually storing things I use in them! What a pleasure to open my linen closet and have every single thing in it something I have cleaned and considered and stocked carefully in there. Rather than old stuff I crammed in there because someone was coming over or something.

    My latest organization trick is to use over the door shoe organizers wherever I can. I had one in the pantry, then swapped it out for one of a different design, and put the old one in a utility closet. they just hold all that smaller stuff that clutters. And this is all to say nothing of the shoe organizer I have in my closet. It actually holds shoes! It is such a pleasure to walk into my closet (of which I can see the floor!) and lay my hands on the exact pair of shoes I want, to have a place to put shoes when cleaning up, etc. I guess what I'm saying is the cleaning and deep organizing I've been doing is still working. you really do need to have a specific place for everything if you want to be able to tidy up and be done with it. stacking and creating fresh piles is just smoke and mirrors.

    The other thing I like is that in all this organizing, I'm able to enjoy the house a lot more. If your closets aren't bloated with stuff you don't use, then that space is available for the stuff you DO use! (duh.) Which means it's easier to clean up, easier to put away, easier to delegate or provide direction to others seeking stuff, etc etc etc!

    p.s. today's post compared to yesterdays sounds much more productive, doesn't it? what's my secret? Low carb! isn't that interesting? I think so. it's the high protein breakfast, that's the key. I wish I could whip up my eggs and cheese with the same amount of ease that a bowl of cereal takes. Oh well. I need to just relax into the ritual of my mornings and just make the eggs and cheese and be done with it. Inevitably if I fiddle with my routine, I'm off my feed in one way or another thru-out the day.

    Lily the witch

    Wednesday, November 01, 2006

    This can often be the most trying time of day

    ah five pm... the kids are hungry. if I feed them now, they won't want dinner. if I don't feed them, they (and by they, I mostly mean "she") will make it nearly impossible to fix dinner. note: I'm not looking for solutions, I'm looking to vent. thanks!

    Today was more relaxing than productive, I must admit. SO SLEEPY today. It's cause I'm not on the low carb plan today. I am such a carb junkie. If I start the day with a carbohydrate laden breakfast, I am done for. Chasing the carb monkey for the rest of the day, crashing mid day, no energy, general malaise. blech.

    I started a new book today. "Ursula, Underground" it's called. picked it up from the still good pile at the dump. Goodness sakes do I love the still good pile at the dump. I'm on a good run there. Seems like every time I go by there to check it out, I score bigtime. But I believe in the still-good pile karma, and I believe what goes around comes around. In other words, I leave lots of still good stuf there myself. Keep it local, yocal!

    woo hoo! just got off the phone with the lady who owns the duplex we vacation at on Cape Cod. We're all set for two weeks this July! oh man is that great news. I'll include a few pictures from our last trip there this summer to celebrate.