Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Thirty Things My Kids Should Know About Me (and you can too)

In my attempt to find a great writing prompt this morning I stumbled across this post from Jennifer Borget on her blog, Baby Making Machine.  It totally pulled me in and brought up an issue that's been rolling around in my mind a lot lately, "Who I Am! Who Am I?" 

With all three kids in school now I have time for myself on a regular basis for the first time in almost twelve years. That's a big deal.  It's also a tremendous opportunity.  It's a welcome chance to get back to doing things that I really enjoy, things that bring me happiness and also remind me of who I was before I had kids, and who I'd like to be.  Of course being a mother is a large piece of my identity, and I feel very, very blessed to be the mom to my three kiddos.  But, I'm also my own person and it's important to me that the kids know that, and they are able to see me as more than just the lady that takes care of them, but also as a complete person. Being a complete person includes all of the good and bad, the pitfalls of life, the elation of successes and everything in between.  After all, I want them to grow up to be happy, well-adjusted, adults and as their parent, I'm their primary example of what an adult is.  

Then along comes this writing exercise, perfectly timed to get me reacquainted with myself and share my interests, my humor, my embarrassments, my whole person with my kids.  And I'm letting readers in on the fun in the hopes that it'll prompt you to do the same sharing with your family.  You can share anything that you think is relevant.  You could make the entire list about your experiences in school, as a kid, thirty things you did/do well, thirty things that were hard for you, thirty things you want to do...the possibilities are pretty endless.


THIRTY THINGS
1. When I was a teenager I wanted to live in California when I was an adult.
2. I'm scared of porcelain dolls.
3. I had an imaginary friend until I was eight.
4. I really like White Pizza.
5. I used to have long hair.
6. I played Tennis in high school.
7. When I was nine I slammed my thumb in a sliding cooler door at a store and screamed so loud the whole store heard me.  It was embarrassing, and painful.
8. I'm good at catching frogs.
9. I wanted to be a marine biologist until I was 15.
10. I wanted to become a creative writer.
11. I wanted a younger brother or sister for a long time.
12. I like physical comedy.
13. I have trouble whistling.
14. I've never knit anything for myself.
15. I could not understand high school chemistry (or any chemistry).
16. My first dog was named Reddy.
17. I've been deep sea fishing.
18. I love my name.
19. I'd like to go to a Yoga retreat.
20. Burritos are my favorite food.
21. I'd like to go camping in Acadia National Park (with my family)
22. I wish that every day, everyone had to stop what they were doing and read for an hour.  
23. I used to smoke (YUCK!)
24. I never thought I'd own my own house.
25. I used to do a lot of work with my hometown theater, including stage managing and directing.
26. I stink at acting.
27. I would like to learn how to play an instrument.
28. I'd like to spend a whole day at the Boston Public Library.
29. I think being a Librarian would be my dream job.
30. My favorite number is 12. 

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Get Your 'Read' On!


It's January in Maine, and it's proving to be a VERY cold one.  Temperatures have been below zero more often than above it lately.  Needless to say, we're not outside unless we have to be right now. Which is a little sad, since I know the kids would really love to go sledding.  Trick with that is we need snow that's more than a few inches deep and without the ice skating rink underneath it in case we go flying off of our sleds.  Which some of us in this family are known to do. So, we're keeping ourselves amused with indoor activities, and one of my favorites is reading.  I've been to the library twice this week already, and it's only Thursday.  I'm also thoroughly in love with my Kindle Fire and the ability to get eBooks from the Maine Download Library in an instant.  Anyone with a public library card from your local library can access this site.  NH has one too, so there's really no excuse to go without a book.  Even when the temperature makes the prospect of leaving your house seem like crossing the Alaskan tundra.

So here's what I'm reading right now.  I'll do my best to come back with yays or nays when I'm done, but I will say that I'm at least a third of the way through each of these and I'm enjoying them all so far.  Get a cup of tea or cocoa or coffee, grab a book, sit in front of the fire and enjoy the forced hibernation we're experiencing.  




“Suburbia is about to get a lot more scandalous.”  —Closer Weekly  

 “A novel that will turn you into a compulsive book-finisher…Moriarty has produced another gripping, satirical hit.”
Huffington Post

Big Little Lies tolls a warning bell about the big little lies we tell in order to survive. It takes a powerful stand against domestic violence even as it makes us laugh at the adults whose silly costume party seems more reminiscent of a middle-school dance.”—The Washington Post





"Bradbury, all charged up, drunk on life, joyous with writing, puts together nine past essays on writing and creativity and discharges every ounce of zest and gusto in him." -Kirkus Reviews





"In order to practice Buddhism, you have to first know about the mind," begins this labyrinthine journey that is ostensibly aimed at all people, not just Buddhist practitioners.  -Publishers Weekly





"A novel to live in, learn from, and feel bereft over when the last page is turned, Doerr’s magnificently drawn story seems at once spacious and tightly composed." -Booklist