Mainely Mama

Tuesday Tunes

2012-02-07T13:45:00.000-08:00

Time Spent in Los Angeles - Dawes

Days Like This

2012-02-06T13:56:00.001-08:00

I'm really thankful for Wilco. Not that some tunes can fix all the world's problems, but they can certainly help with a serious case of the Mondays, and boy am I afflicted. If Wilco's not your thing, (what's wrong with you? Do you know what you're missing?!) there are plenty of other great act to check out via the link, such as: Florence & The Machine, Fleet Foxes, & Arcade Fire. If you don't like any of that, well go look up some tunes you do like. Or learn to love Wilco.

I'm also thankful for PBS and their sharing capabilities.

Tuesday Tunes

2012-01-31T19:14:00.000-08:00

This is one of my all time favorite U2 songs, definitely in the top five. It's now ranking at number 1 because it has put Syda to sleep the last two nights. The song is sung from the point of view of a guardian angel and has always pulled me in for some reason. I stumbled across this great acoustic version from the Boston stop of the Elevation Tour. Got to love when any band strips things down to the basics, and as always, U2 fans know when to sing along.

Don't ever tell me that Zooropa was a crap album.

Stay (Far Away, So Close) - U2

This Moment

2012-01-27T14:39:00.000-08:00

Snow....Glorious Snow

2012-01-25T06:55:00.000-08:00

We've had to wait for snow a bit longer than usual up here this year. Yule was spent with some chilly temps, but no fluffy snow to enjoy. The freak Halloween snow storm that knocked out our power for two days was all we had seen of any precipitation until last week. Thankfully the snow started falling and the spirits of the little boys in this house were restored. We've only got about four inches now, thanks to some mild temps and rain, but it's sticking around. I'm sure we'll get more and be complaining of its intrusive power soon enough. Winter may have gotten off to a slow start in Maine this year, but that's not a problem, considering it has at least three more months to make its mark.

Tuesday Tunes

2012-01-17T13:21:00.001-08:00

Little holiday hiatus there - it's over now. trying to get back on track with some regular posting here to keep track of our days and watch the winter days go by. I'll start slow and easy though, with Tuesday tunes, the good old standby.

Tuesday Tunes

2011-12-06T13:10:00.000-08:00

Lost In My Mind - The Head & The Heart

Put your dreams away for now
I won’t see you for some time
I am lost in my mind
I get lost in my mind

Momma once told me
You’re already home where you feel love
I am lost in my mind
I get lost in my mind

Oh my brother
Your wisdom is all that I need
Oh my brother
Don’t you worry ‘bout me
Don’t you worry
Don’t you worry
Don’t worry about me

How’s that bricklayin’ coming
How’s your engine running
Is that bridge getting built
Are your hands getting filled

Won’t you tell me my brother
Cause there are stars up above
We can start moving forward

How’s that bricklayin’ coming
How’s your engine running
Is that bridge getting built
Are your hands getting filled

Won’t you tell me my brother
Cause there are stars up above
We can start moving forward

Lost in my mind
Lost in my mind
Oh I get Lost in my mind
Lost, I get lost, I get lost in my mind
Lost in my mind
Yes I get lost in my mind
Lost, I get lost, I get lost
Oh I get lost
Oh I get

Tuesday Tunes

2011-11-22T15:50:00.000-08:00

Pick Apart

The Pieces of Your Heart

And Let Me Peer Inside

Hearts A Mess - Gotye

Spaces - May The Force Be With Me

2011-11-21T18:23:00.000-08:00

There are all sorts of special places and items inside a home. I've decided to start trying to do a new "series" here about some of the spaces in our home. I'm going to start with a silly one, because it's Monday, and who doesn't need a little chuckle on a Monday?

Tonight, I was cleaning up after dinner, wiping down the counters and I spotted something behind the soap dispenser. I thought it was a wrapper or a piece of an envelope at first. Oh no, it was not. It was the one and only....Princess Leia! Not Ewok Leia, but the quintessential Hair Buns Leia! I took this as a sign that she was meant to be in my kitchen, why else would one of my children's toys have wound up on the kitchen counter, far away from all the other Star Wars figures?

It's clear she's meant to be here watching over things. Making sure no one puts rubber bands on my sprayer, that there is soap in the pump. I mean, why else does she have that rocking gun? I really wish that the gun was full of compressed air and could take care of the dust on my window sill. Of course, I could do that with a damp cloth too, but it's not nearly as fun as using an action figure. House cleaning action figures? I may be onto something big here... (Or just really overtired from a fun weekend)

Anyway, I did what any geeky mom would do. Instead of returning her, only to be lost again in the overflowing bin of Galactic Heroes, I placed her in a secure location. It happens to have a good visual of the surroundings and high potential to make me laugh when I'm doing the chore I hate most. I think she looks perfect here. It has to beat Jabba's Palace!

And yes, I would SO buy that Galactic Hero version of her too.

This Moment

2011-11-18T14:59:00.001-08:00

A moment from the week that made me smile, laugh, cry - a moment I don't want to forget.
Thanks to SouleMama for the weekly inspiration!

Froggy, biggest brother's bed & a movie - the best medicine in the house evidently. At least for the toddler population.

Just Keep Swimming

2011-11-17T15:51:00.000-08:00

Thanks to a post on Tasty Kitchen I was inspired to try to make our own Goldfish crackers. We made our first batch was a few weeks ago and it turned out pretty well, so I decided to make more this week. This time with the aid of little hands. They're incredibly simple, only four ingredients, no preservatives and we always have the ingredients on hand. Plus, it's one of the few foods the kids can help with and not make a bigger mess.

They're also customizable! We made fish, circles and triangle cracker cutters, and Nate made a few 6s. (Another benefit of homeschooling - see how you can LEARN while doing something? Something fun, with your family? I'll leave that for another post though. ahem)

We made these on a Tuesday, with the idea that we'd have plenty to bring with us to the park the next day. These poor fish didn't swim very far. They barely made it through the afternoon. Guess we'll be making a double batch next time.

Sleepy Syda

2011-11-16T16:26:00.000-08:00

Syda really only has an on/off switch. Which is why she's capable of falling asleep anywhere and generally does fall asleep wherever she happens to be when the fatigue takes hold. For whatever reason, she tends to fall asleep on the rug on the kitchen floor in front of the sink. We are not even attempting to understand this. Cause really - if there is a specific reason she likes to sleep there, I'm not sure I want to know what it is.

She also sleeps curled in a ball on her belly, for security maybe? It makes for a very sad photo because she looks like a defeated 2 year old who has given the most epic, convincing tantrum of her life to no avail. She has given into the exhaustion of the tantrum and fallen asleep where she stood, just moments ago, arguing her point. This is NEVER the case though. She just feels comfy that way. The thing is, it's much easier to believe that when you see her sleeping in her footie jammies in her warm bed - not so much in food stained shirts on the linoleum floor.

Near her brother's shoe - why not? Totoro's there to protect her, no worries.

Strategic placement - she's blocking the trash and the sink in one move. It was a hard afternoon for me, really.

Note her UNused pillow that she brought to the couch herself. Also, how do you sleep sitting up and not get a sore neck?

NOT a tantrum. She slept her peacefully for 90 minutes today.

Office chairs are so versatile!

Even the lollipop in her hand was no match for "The Rug". Maybe it's Lavender scented and doused with opiates?

Tuesday Tunes

2011-11-15T06:41:00.000-08:00

So itʼs storming on the lake

Little waves our bodies break
There’s a fire going out

Calgary - Bon Iver

Don’t you cherish me to sleep
Never keep your eyelids clipped
Hold me for the pops and clicks
I was only for the father’s crib

Hair, old, long along
Your neck onto your shoulder blades
Always keep that message taped
Cross your breasts you won’t erase
I was only for your very space

Hip, under nothing
Propped up by your other one, face ‘way from the sun
Just have to keep a dialogue
Teach our bodies: haunt the cause
I was only trying to spell a loss

Joy, it’s all founded

Pincher with the skin inside
You pinned me with your black sphere eyes
You know that all the rope’s untied
I was only for to die beside

So itʼs storming on the lake
Little waves our bodies break
There’s a fire going out,
But there’s really nothing to the south

Swollen orange and light let through
Your one piece swimmer stuck to you
Sold, I’m Ever
Open ears and open eyes
Wake up to your starboard bride
Who goes in and then stays inside
Oh the demons come, they can subside

Wild Pratts: Garter Snake

2011-11-14T17:16:00.000-08:00

Our boys won't let Martin & Chris have all the fun. It's a happy coincidence that their last names are so similar, and a point of pride for Ben & Nate. The Wild Pratts recently discovered a Garter Snake in the yard and spent a good hour watching him. Very closely. He didn't do much, but that doesn't matter to young boys who are enjoying the new animals that come with having a yard.

(*It looks like Nate is pestering and poking the snake in some pics, but I assure you no snake was harmed in the making of this post)

Wishing

2011-11-12T05:21:00.001-08:00

My little knitting wishlist. All via KnitPicks of course! I cannot recommend them enough if you're a knitter or crocheter. They have beautiful, affordable yarn in so many weights and hues. Their customer service is also the best I've ever encountered at any retailer. The best! I'd like to write more but I really must go get my knit on before kiddos wake up and come looking for breakfast.

This Moment

2011-11-04T14:12:00.000-07:00

Just one photo, no words. A moment from the week that I want to save. Thanks to SouleMama for inspiring such a great Friday tradition.

Tuesday Tunes

2011-11-01T15:12:00.000-07:00

Like Ashes To Fire

Rise Higher

Let It All Be All Right

The Need and Desire

Will Require It to Be All Right

Ashes & Fire - Ryan Adams (Title track of his new album)

Trick Received....Now Where's Our Treat?

2011-10-31T19:44:00.000-07:00

Living in New England, we expect a cold Halloween. We're well versed in layering beneath costumes or having a good, heavy, warm winter coat to wear over your costume - opening it just enough so people can see what you are at each house in exchange for candy. This is when a mask or face paint can really come in handy. Stay warm and earn your loot. But, we don't usually have to prepare for snow. Temperatures that would be conducive to snow? Sure. But snow itself? Nah. The idea of Trick or Treat being postponed because of power outages thanks to snow? Slipping on snowy sidewalks? Getting your toddler's stroller stuck in icy snow? Are you teasing us? It's Maine, not Alaska.

But this year, that's just what happened. Tim had been watching the forecast for a few days during the middle of last week and was concerned about keeping the kids warm enough in their costumes. Legitimate concern and pretty typical for us. Then, as the weekend got closer Tim started worrying about rain and by Friday - he was worried about snow. It took me about five minutes to join him. Sure enough, Saturday afternoon snow started flying. We settled in with some Halloween cartoons and just as the last one was about to finish, the power went out.

Our power came back Sunday night just an hour shy of being out for 24 hours. But the damage had been done. Trick or Treat had been postponed, our children's dreams of bags full of candy were ruined, getting to show off the impressive costumes Tim had spent hours making for ALL of us was gone. But the thing is, none of us seemed too upset. The shear bliss of having heat again put us all over the moon and the promise of rescheduled Trick or Treat eased the boys' fears of a Halloween Without Candy! Really, when you're 8 and 5 that is a pretty terrifying thought.

So, tonight we ventured out in full costumes and got our Halloween Haul. Pics and a post of that to come. For now, a documentation of the first Halloween With Snow, that I can remember in our neck of the woods. Also, to our friends and neighbors who may still be without power, we hope it's back on very soon! This is such a January move, October! Not cool.

The front yard on Tuesday.

The front yard Sunday.

One of the best things about no power is the sight of book lights and lanterns glowing bright while the boys curl up in sleeping bags and take off to distant lands. Currently, Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix and When You Give A Pig A Pancake are very useful to distract from no power and no heat.

Also, we LOVE the Cloud b Constellation Night Lights! They help light up ceilings at bedtime, and are great during a power outage. We turned our living room into a Planetarium with thousands of stars and constellations to seek out. (Thank you Adventure Uncle & Awesome Auntie!)

This Moment

2011-10-28T05:59:00.000-07:00

A picture, no words. A moment from the week that I want to remember.

Snow

2011-10-27T21:06:00.000-07:00

The view from our front door tonight. Leaves, pumpkins, and snow.

Walking

2011-10-25T15:16:00.001-07:00

Fall is certainly here in our little neck of the woods. What better time to get out and explore a bit? Since moving into our home in July we've been consumed by outside chores, like raking, building a pen for the bunnies, cutting down trees, planting bushes...the list goes on. One thing we hadn't done, but kept intending to, was to explore our little patch of woods a bit. On Tuesday, with the sun shining down on us and the autumn wind making our cheeks pink, we set out for a look around.

We're only on an acre of land, which may not be a lot to some and an abundance to others. For us, it's heavenly and is certainly more than the driveway we had at our apartment. Behind our house is a nice section of forest that spreads for a bit before opening onto a neighbor's yard and road. Certainly plenty for my three pioneers to explore. Ben has already declared that he and Nate need to build a fort out here and is waiting for the next sunny day to start collecting branches and pick a site. I think this spot looks ideal.

We found all sorts of interesting specimens, like red berries, deer poop (yay! We have deer!), trees bent from Irene's visit this summer, an old wooden fence and a large variety of mushrooms. Or is that Lichen technically? I really need to get some field guides at the library tomorrow.

The best things we found: enthusiasm, curiosity, fun, adventure and contentment in OUR backyard.

Tuesday Tunes

2011-10-25T15:00:00.000-07:00

We waste time on blame and weak revenge
Waste energy and projections
We're living proof, we gotta let go
And stop looking through the halo

Feist's new album, Metals is out now, I'm waiting patiently to borrow a copy from our library. Patiently....patiently....patiently. In the meantime, I'm so enjoying watching some live performances while she's out promoting the new tunes. She also did a great interview on Morning Edition a few weeks back. (Where I first heard this song and got it stuck in my head)

How Come You Never Go There - Feist
How come you never go there?
How come I'm so alone there?

How come you never go there?
How come I'm so alone there?

I went up to a window
Lightning banging on the cymbals
I ripped into the night
Came storm into your eyes

My horse had worked the fields too long
My bear had lost its innate calm
It's true enough we're not at peace
But peace is never what it seems

Our love is not the light it was
When I walk inside the dark I'm calm
Where we look for where we went
It's only echoes in the melody

How come you never go there?
How come I'm so alone there?

How come you never go there?
How come I'm so alone there?

We waste time on blame and weak revenge
Waste energy and projections
We're living proof, we gotta let go
And stop looking through the halo

We carry on as if our time is through
You carry on as if I don't love you
And so we find the way is out
To cut the heart out of the doubt now

The room's full but hearts are empty
Like the letters never sent me
Words are like a lasso
You're an instrumental tune

How come you never go there?
How come I'm so alone there?

How come you never go there?
How come I'm so alone there?

This Moment

2011-10-01T12:49:00.000-07:00

Two!

2011-09-29T17:37:00.000-07:00

Syda turned 2 today. She's still such a peanut and very much a full fledged toddler at the same time. She's such an adventurous kiddo, more so than either of her brothers at this age. At her checkup a few weeks ago our doctor reminded me that two is the age when most kids start to realize that they are their own person, separate from mom, dad and siblings. It's both exhilarating and terrifying for the two year old. It's the same emotions for this mama of a two year old. There is a part of me that is so excited to see Syda growing, exploring and expressing herself, and there is a part of me that is shocked that she's not a baby anymore.

She's a full fledged toddler now and I'm loving (almost) every minute of it. I know the toddler stage has its share of challenges, but it really is my favorite stage of having a young child. Syda is showing us more and more of her personality and boy is there a lot to see. I'm so looking forward to seeing what this year holds for her and us, as we have the privilege of sharing it with her. Happy Birthday Syda!!!! We love you!!!

Tuesday Tunes

2011-09-27T12:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Syda,

Happy 2nd Birthday! (almost) Let's enjoy the few days of 1 that are left, you're growing up so fast! All parents say that, (especially mamas) but it's really true in your case. I mean it. Slow down, I'm exhausted.

Love,

Mama

We are one and that's wonderful

You are you and there's never gonna be anyone like you

Never gonna be anyone like you

This Moment

2011-09-23T13:16:00.000-07:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo from our week that captures a moment I want to remember. Many thanks for the inspiration to SouleMama.

Tuesday Tunes

2011-09-20T07:14:00.001-07:00

I could only dream of the dreams we'd have

How our hearts would be entwined

If you would let me be the one

To open up your mind

The new album, "The Whole Love" comes out a week from today (the 27th). Pre-order your copy now. Do it! Now!

Open Your Mind - Wilco

This Moment

2011-09-16T13:03:00.001-07:00

Five

2011-09-15T17:50:00.000-07:00

Five. 5! Five! Nate turns five today. With each child's birthday, I'm surprised that another entire year has passed. It feels especially important this year since it's Nate's fifth birthday. There is just something about being five that screams independence and signals growing up. It is the official entrance into 'Big Kid' territory.

Nate seems to know this. The past few weeks he's been very proud of all the big changes headed his way this year. He's thoroughly enjoying being a Kindergartner and he asks to take out his workbooks before he's had any breakfast each day. (and before I've had any tea) He's been making cards for cousins and friends, practicing his letters and taking pride in his ability to share messages with his favorite people. The biggest marker for me as Mama, is seeing his growing independence. He's begun to tag along with Ben and his friends at the playground, he takes great care of Syda and always tries to help her, he seems to go out of his way to make Tim & I laugh each day with a joke or silly face. He's become such a dynamic personality. He's not just the baby brother anymore. He's a kid. A wonderful, funny, kind, loving, fearless, wild, sweet, adorable kid. We're so lucky he's a part of our family. Happy birthday Nate!!!

Tuesday Tunes

2011-09-13T18:09:00.000-07:00

To Nate,

With much love, a bit of shock, a dose of pride and endless gratitude for being born into our family five years ago this week.

Love,

Mama

Before you go to sleep

Say a little prayer

Every day in every way

It's getting better and better

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy

Tuesday Tunes

2011-09-06T16:25:00.001-07:00

For Tim,

With love, on the eve of his --th Birthday.

This Moment

2011-09-04T05:46:00.000-07:00

A weekly ritual. No words, just a picture capturing a moment from our week that I want to remember. Inspired by Soulemama.

Tuesday Tunes

2011-08-23T12:25:00.000-07:00

And when you come back uptown
Remember not to look for me there

I give you one more change to make it better

But you don't seem to care

Ten-Twenty-Ten - Generationals

When I need it so bad
Why do you not come to defend
Is there any way to tell me
That you're gonna be a terrible friend

You remind me of a distant constellation
The way you color it up
But don't let me touch

So now you wanna know
Is that important
Well maybe now
And it just depends
It just depends

And when you come back uptown
Remember not to look for me there
I give you one more chance to make it better
But you don't seem to care

You pretend to be accosted by tradition
And now you cover it up
Tell me you don't
Well now you wanna know
Is nothing sacred?
And I don't wanna have to compare
They don't compare

When I see your friends
They say it's in my head
All my friends seem to think
You might leave me for dead

I don't remember if it's coastal complication
It keeps leaving it out
And color it up
And if you wanna know
I won't confront you
With all the stupid things
That you said

Fair Times

2011-08-22T16:21:00.000-07:00

This weekend our town hosted its annual fair. It's a small town fair, with booths featuring local crafters, businesses, food vendors and games. There was a collection of bounce houses, a rock wall and a huge inflated slide. There was an antique car show, a parade full of sirens and lights and floats. The highlight for us was the kids Doll Carriage and Bike Parade. All kids 8 and under were encouraged to decorate their bikes or doll carriages and participate in the parade.

Nate was more than enthusiastic about being a part of this. He decided he wanted his bike to become a rocket, which is fitting since his bike is actually a Huffy Rock It. Tim outfitted the bike with cardboard, tape and zip ties to secure a great rocket frame and Nate & Ben decorated it. (and the front steps a bit)

The day of the parade was 85, sunny and without a breeze to be felt most of the day. Nate buckled up and rode his bike through it, right to 3rd place!!! The rest of the day was filled with time in bounce houses, obstacle courses, some classic games and cooling off with Sno Cones. I have to say, this small town is really starting to feel like home.

The winners in mid-ride. The Pilot at the top of the picture came in first, then the cowgirl and her horse, and then our astronaut and his rocket!

*Ben was with us. We had a scheduling mishap and Ben & Tim had to join us after the Bike Parade. Ben was disappointed about missing it and the fair itself may have been smaller than he had hoped. The heat sure didn't help generate much enthusiasm either - BUT a visit with friends afterwards and a long afternoon spent swimming in their pool certainly did.

This Moment

2011-08-21T17:06:00.000-07:00

A Friday ritual. (or Sunday, sometimes) A photo - no words. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. (Inspiration thanks to SouleMama.)

Tuesday Tunes

2011-08-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like finding gold

Within the rocks hard and cold

I'm so surprised to find more

Always surprised to find more

Kick Drum Heart - The Avett Brothers

The footprints over the snow

the fabric of all the lonely

C-Covering only

the fables and hands

the rest is out in the cold

holding the last of the season

F-F-F freezin' Yeah

My my my heart like a kick drum

My love like a voice

We're walkin' into the fields

We're walking into the forest

The moon is before us

Up above

We're holdin' hands in the rain

S-sayin' words like I love you

D-d-d'you love me? Yeah

My my my heart like a kick drum

My love like a voice

Mother Mary heard us approaching her door

Although we didn't make a sound

There's nothing like finding gold

Within the rocks hard and cold

I'm so surprised to find more

Always surprised to find more

I won't look back anymore

I left the people that do

It's not the chase I love

It's me following you

Uses For Empty Moving Boxes

2011-08-15T15:12:00.000-07:00

1) Target Practice

This Moment

2011-08-12T17:15:00.000-07:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Thanks, SouleMama.

Tuesday Tunes

2011-08-09T16:36:00.000-07:00

The official video for Pumped Up Kicks is pretty decent, but if I can find the song I want to share via Craig, well then folks, you're seeing Craig! I wish he did a musical number with the puppets every week so I could just use that for Tuesday Tunes.

Pumped Up Kicks - Foster The People

Robert's got a quick hand.
He'll look around the room, he won't tell you his plan.
He's got a rolled cigarette, hanging out his mouth he's a cowboy kid.
Yeah he found a six shooter gun.
In his dads closet hidden in a box of fun things, and I don't even know what.
But he's coming for you, yeah he's coming for you.

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, outrun my gun.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet.

Daddy works a long day.
He be coming home late, yeah he's coming home late.
And he's bringing me a surprise.
'Cause dinner's in the kitchen and it's packed in ice.
I've waited for a long time.
Yeah the slight of my hand is now a quick pull trigger,
I reason with my cigarette,
And say your hair's on fire, you must have lost your wits, yeah.

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, outrun my gun.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet.

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, outrun my gun.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet.

Weekending

2011-08-08T13:24:00.000-07:00

The first fire in the fire pit! While coming home from errands on Saturday, Tim asked me to pull over. "Right here!" Of course I figured he was suddenly feeling sick - not the case. He opened the car door, leaned out, reached for something and quickly got back in and shut the door. He had a rock in his lap. A BIG rock. He quickly answered the question in my mind and apparently on my face.

"For the fire pit. This is the perfect size for the fire pit. Let's see if we can find some more."

So, we continued pulling over during the final miles of our commute home and collected all the rocks necessary to build our very own fire pit. Tim dug out the hole, organized the rocks around it and filled and started the first fire in the backyard.

It seems a silly thing to some I'm sure, but this is one of the things that we wanted while house hunting. Not that we expected a place with a fire pit, but that we would have a yard, and have a little space to call our own and to fill with outdoor kids toys, a compost pile, a fire pit, chickens, a garden and more. Some of these things won't be in the works until next year, seeing as it's already August, but a few key things, like this fire pit, are being enjoyed now and making our first summer in our first home a little sweeter. I really didn't think that was possible.

This Moment

2011-08-05T13:59:00.000-07:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by SouleMama.

*The first pic of all three kiddos at our new home. I know there aren't supposed to be words, but this week called for an exception.

Concert Time

2011-08-04T17:53:00.000-07:00

Syda and I had a blast at The Wailin' Jennys last night. Admittedly, I wasn't able to sit and watch as much of the performance as I would have liked, since Syda felt like exploring and I couldn't blame her. The park is big and it was full of people, birds, the pier, other toddlers, empty strollers, babies, clover, huge flowers and flag fences and...well, a LOT of things that any toddler would want to check out.

The Jennys sounded beautiful, as always! They also have a new Boy Jenny in the lineup who plays a mean fiddle or violin depending on who you ask. The set list was pretty mellow and perfect for a summer night in the park. My only wish is that they had played a few more new tracks from Bright Morning Stars, but it was still a wonderful concert and one of the nicest Wednesday evenings I've had in a while.

Our spot in the crowd.

Eating dinner before the show. There was also a sandwich and watermelon, but really PB is always the fave when available.

Baby likes PB too.

The highlight of Syda's evening - the puddle! This is the beginning of her fun, she spent a good 20 minutes splashing and even sitting in this puddle. This is also how I enjoyed most of the night, hearing one of my favorite bands and my daughter's laughter mixing in the air. (and yes, I had a set of clean, dry clothes for her when she was done.)

Tuesday Tunes

2011-08-02T13:25:00.000-07:00

I have failed you

I''ve closed my heart and I have failed you

But I love you, How I love you

All my days were rearranged to say I Love You

The Wailin' Jennys will be at Prescott Park tomorrow! I'm so excited to see them in person, although I may spend a good deal of the concert chasing after an almost two year old. I don't mind though, I'll still be in listening range and they'll be live in front of me. Yay! I strongly encourage anyone who is local to go check them out. There is only a recommended donation to any of the Wednesday Concerts at PPAF, which is wonderful and generous and well worth the fun nights with great acts. I'm looking forward to a nice night in the park, under the stars with some of my favorite music. Come on Wednesday!

Tuesday Tunes

2011-07-19T17:40:00.000-07:00

Come to me now

And rest your head for just five minutes

Everything is good

Our House - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

I'll light the fire
You put the flowers in the vase
That you bought today

Staring at the fire
For hours and hours
While I listen to you
Play your love songs
All night long for me
Only for me

Come to me now
And rest your head for just five minutes
Everything is good
Such a cosy room
The windows are illuminated
By the sunshine through them
Fiery gems for you
Only for you

Our house is a very, very fine house
With two cats in the yard
Life used to be so hard
Now everything is easy
'Cause of you
And our la,la,la, la,la, la, la, la, la, la, la.....

Our house is a very, very fine house
With two cats in the yard
Life used to be so hard
Now everything is easy
'Cause of you
And Our

I'll light the fire
And you place the flowers in the jar
That you bought today

Tuesday Tunes

2011-06-28T15:52:00.000-07:00

You and I, we're not tied to the ground

Not falling but rising like rolling around

Eyes closed above the rooftops

Eyes closed, we're gonna spin through the stars

Our arms wide as the sky

We gonna ride the blue all the way to the end of the world

To the end of the world

For Tim,

Two years is a house, huh? I hope next year is something easy, like paper.

You and Me - Dave Matthews Band

Wanna pack your bags, Something small
Take what you need and we disappear
Without a trace we'll be gone, gone
The moon and the stars can follow the car
and then when we get to the ocean
We gonna take a boat to the end of the world
All the way to the end of the world

Oh, and when the kids are old enough
We're gonna teach them to fly

You and me together, we could do anything, Baby
You and me together yes, yes

You and me together yes, yes

You and me together yes, yes

You and I, we're not tied to the ground
Not falling but rising like rolling around
Eyes closed above the rooftops
Eyes closed, we're gonna spin through the stars
Our arms wide as the sky
We gonna ride the blue all the way to the end of the world
To the end of the world

Oh, and when the kids are old enough
We're gonna teach them to fly

You and me together, we could do anything, Baby
You and me together yes, yes

We can always look back at what we did
All these memories of you and me baby
But right now it's you and me forever girl
And you know we could do better than anything that we did
You know that you and me, we could do anything

You and me together, we could do anything, Baby
You and me together yeah, yeah
Two of us together, we could do anything, baby
You and me together yeah, yeah
Two of us together yeah, yeah
Two of us together, we could do anything, baby

Till we reach the end of the world

This Moment

2011-06-24T10:53:00.000-07:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by SouleMama .

Charlie Banana - Baby Bums in Cloth!

2011-06-22T13:55:00.000-07:00

If you're in the market for some new cloth diapers, or have been thinking about trying them, why not take a chance to win some? Check out this giveaway from Charlie Banana & Mothering.

Tuesday Tunes

2011-06-21T14:21:00.000-07:00

Summer comes and gravity undoes you

You're happy because of the lovely

way the sunshine bends

This version is from last year's Solid Sound Festival. The big event happens again THIS weekend! So wish we could go, but maybe in another year or so, when littles aren't so little. Happy Solstice!!!

Laminated Cat aka Not For The Season - Wilco

Springtime comes and the leaves are back on the trees again
Snipers are harder to see my friends
Weeding out the weekends

Summer comes and gravity undoes you
You're happy because of the lovely way the sunshine bends
Hiding from your close friends
Weeding out the weekends

Candy left over from Halloween
A unified theory of everything
Love left over from lovers leaving
Books, they all know they're not worth reading
It's not for the season

When autumn comes you sit in your chair and you stare
At the TV square
Hiding in the deep end
Weeding out the weekends

Winter comes and the days all start late
There's motion on the boughs where the dark shapes prowl
Feeling out the feelings
Feeling out the feeling

Candy left over from Halloween
A unified theory of everything
Love left over from lovers leaving
Books, they all know they're not worth reading
They're not worth reading

This Moment

2011-06-17T19:35:00.001-07:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by Soulemama.

Tuesday Tunes

2011-06-14T15:04:00.000-07:00

And if your strife strikes at your sleep

Remember spring swaps snow for leaves

You'll be happy and wholesome again

When the city clears and sun ascends

Winter Winds - Mumford & Sons

As the winter winds litter London with lonely hearts
Oh the warmth in your eyes swept me into your arms
Was it love or fear of the cold that led us through the night?
For every kiss your beauty trumped my doubt

And my head told my heart
"Let love grow"
But my heart told my head
"This time no
This time no"

We'll be washed and buried one day my girl
And the time we were given will be left for the world
The flesh that lived and loved will be eaten by plague
So let the memories be good for those who stay

And my head told my heart
"Let love grow"
But my heart told my head
"This time no"
Yes, my heart told my head
"This time no
This time no"

Oh the shame that sent me off from the God that I once loved
Was the same that sent me into your arms
Oh and pestilence is won when you are lost and I am gone
And no hope, no hope will overcome

And if your strife strikes at your sleep
Remember spring swaps snow for leaves
You'll be happy and wholesome again
When the city clears and sun ascends

And my head told my heart
"Let love grow"
But my heart told my head
"This time no"

And my head told my heart
"Let love grow"
But my heart told my head
"This time no
This time no"

This Moment

2011-06-10T06:11:00.000-07:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by Soulemama .

Tuesday Tunes

2011-06-07T19:01:00.000-07:00

I made it down the coast in seventeen hours
Pickin' me a bouquet of dogwood flowers
And I'm a hopin' for Raleigh
I can see my baby tonight

For Chris & Kara

Wagon Wheel - Old Crow Medicine Show

Headed down south to the land of the pines
And I'm thumbin' my way into North Caroline
Starin' up the road
Pray to God I see headlights

I made it down the coast in seventeen hours
Pickin' me a bouquet of dogwood flowers
And I'm a hopin' for Raleigh
I can see my baby tonight

So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Rock me mama anyway you feel
Hey mama rock me
Rock me mama like the wind and the rain
Rock me mama like a south-bound train
Hey mama rock me

Runnin' from the cold up in New England
I was born to be a fiddler in an old-time stringband
My baby plays the guitar
I pick a banjo now

Oh, the North country winters keep a gettin' me now
Lost my money playin' poker so I had to up and leave
But I ain't a turnin' back
To livin' that old life no more

So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Rock me mama anyway you feel
Hey mama rock me
Rock me mama like the wind and the rain
Rock me mama like a south-bound train
Hey mama rock me

Walkin' to the south out of Roanoke
I caught a trucker out of Philly
Had a nice long toke
But he's a headed west from the Cumberland Gap
To Johnson City, Tennessee

And I gotta get a move on before the sun
I hear my baby callin' my name
And I know that she's the only one
And if I die in Raleigh
At least I will die free

So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Rock me mama anyway you feel
Hey mama rock me
Rock me mama like the wind and the rain
Rock me mama like a south-bound train
Hey mama rock me

*For some reason, this video ends a few seconds short, but there's a great, somewhat extended live version here if you want the entire song.

This Moment

2011-06-03T13:25:00.001-07:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by Soulemama.

Tuesday Tunes

2011-05-31T17:13:00.000-07:00

Pass me the scalpel, I’ll make an incision
I’ll cut off the part of your brain that does the bitching
Put it in formaldehyde and put it in the shelf
And you can show it to your friends and say
“that’s my old self”

Elijah Wood as Ad Rock? Brilliant. Can you figure out who plays MCA and Mike D? What about at the end? This is easily one of the best videos I've seen in a while. See if you can keep track of all the celebrity cameos, I lost count...

Make Some Noise - Beastie Boys

[Ad-Rock]
Yes, here we go again, give you more, nothing lesser
Back on the mic is the anti-depressor
Ad-Rock, no pressure, yes, we need this
The best is yet to come, and yes, believe this

[Mike D]
Leggo my Eggo while I flex my ego
Step off my Seco, dressed up tuxedo
Sipping coffee, playing Keno in the casino
Want a lucky number, ask Mike Dino

[MCA]
I burn the competition like a flamethrower
My rhymes age like wine as I get older
I’m getting bolder, competition is waning
I got the feeling and assume the lane and

We got a party on the left, a party on the right
We gonna party for the motherf-cking right to fight
Make some noise if you’re with me
Make some noise if you’re with me

[Mike D]
Armed insurrection, popular election
Get paid every year like tax collection
Hear my perfection, rotary connection
Taking MCs down by lethal rap injection

[MCA]
I’m like an ornithologist when I get pissed
You must have drank a fizzy-lifting drink and you got lifted
And sifted, I’m just whiffed
And when I catch MCs it’s time for wing-clipping

[Ad-Rock]
I fly like a hawk, or better yet an eagle
A seagull, I sniff suckers out like a beagle
My ego is off and running and gone
Cause I’m about the best and if you diss than that’s wrong

We got a party on the left, a party on the right
We gonna party for the motherf-cking right to fight
Make some noise if you’re with me
Make some noise if you’re with me

[MCA]
Pass me the scalpel, I’ll make an incision
I’ll cut off the part of your brain that does the bitching
Put it in formaldehyde and put it in the shelf
And you can show it to your friends and say “that’s my old self”

[Ad-Rock]
Can’t do me nothing, can’t tell me nada
Don’t quote me now because I’m doing the lambada
The forbidden dance, here’s my chance
To make romance in my B-boy stance

[Mike D]
Parlay romancing into the financing
Opened up a restaurant with Ted Danson
The roaches check in, but they never check out
I set the record straight, no doubt

We got a party on the left, a party on the right
We gonna party for the motherf-cking right to fight
Make some noise if you’re with me
Make some noise if you’re with me

House Buying Chronicles Part 3: The Grass Is Always Greener Over The Leach Field

2011-05-29T20:02:00.000-07:00

(This is not the actual house, but a very close likeness)

To bring you up to speed, we’d put in an offer on three houses at this point, but none of them were successful. Two were basically ignored, the third turned into a painful lesson about getting attached to a home before you should. So, onto house number 4! We ventured out of our preferred price range a bit with this one, thinking that if we could stretch our budget just a bit more we could avoid bank owned houses with challenges.

So again we head out with our agent and look at three houses. We rule out the first as being too small in living space and a bit farther away than we want to be, the second is out because it’s a 2 bedroom dressed up like a 3, and we consider the third house. It’s a raised ranch with a fully finished downstairs, which means 6 bedrooms, 2 full baths and plenty of space for a family of 5. When I say consider I mean I nag Tim relentlessly about it. I try to be subtle, but I have never been good at it. At the end of the week we decide to make an offer on the house. We signed a contract with the sellers on Wednesday and scheduled our home inspection for Thursday.

This was the second home inspection we’d had done on a property but the first one I’d been to. If you ever get the chance to go on a home inspection, I highly recommend it. I mean it! Ok, maybe it’s just because my dad was a carpenter and I grew up around him working, building, visiting job sites, but I still think home inspections are pretty neat. You get to see the real bones of the house in some ways, and discover what really makes up a good home. Also, imagine the stuff you get to see on that job?! I mean some of it you don’t want to see I’m sure, I don’t think our inspector liked opening the attic in the last place and being greeted with piles of bat poop. But you also get to see really beautiful homes, clean new construction with top of the line features, and stunning old New England homes that are like living history.

We arrive and everyone is already there and ready to go. The septic guy has already been out back to make his assessment and he greets us first. Red flag number two! This is the same guy we used on the last house and he recognizes Tim after a minute and then he recalls the other house. Then he apologizes and gets a bit of a grim look on his face. The leach field is shot. He shows us the lush grass in the back yard, the overflowing tank and the clear evidence that this system has not been maintained in the 20 years since the house was built. He fails the system and gives us a rough quote between $7,000-$10,000 to replace the leach field. Not a fun way to start the home inspection.

We move on to look at the rest of the home. Things look ok. Certainly better than the last house, and hey, there are people living in this one, that’s certainly an improvement. The rest of the house comes back without too many concerns. Structurally the house is in good shape. The upstairs bathroom could use a serious makeover, the house just needs some cosmetics (and a new leach field) and she’ll be good to go. We’re still encouraged, we wish everything were perfect of course, but we also know this is our reality and we feel that we can still make this work. So we go back to the sellers and ask them to fix the leach field and then we’ll proceed with buying the house.

We agreed to an extension while the sellers had someone quote them a price for a new leach field. When they got the quote back, they decided that they would rather fix the septic and relist the house at the previous asking price. To them, the house was worth the full asking price because it had a new septic installed. Funny about that – they relisted the house within hours of rejecting our contract and it’s still listed, with no mention of a new septic in the description.

I feel slightly bitter as I write this out and relive it. There was a lot to this house that we really loved and that would have been a great match for our family. Every time I get bitter though, I try to catch myself and think of the downsides. As frustrating as it is to be nine months into this search and still without a house, I have to remember that there is a reason(or two) that this house didn’t work out But we can’t know the whys just yet, so in the meantime I’ve decided to believe that when we find the house that’s meant for us, the reasons will become clear.

This Moment

2011-05-27T09:49:00.000-07:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by SouleMama.

Six Years

2011-05-26T19:51:00.000-07:00

It's been six years today since my Dad died. I’ve never written about his death here on the blog. I’ve never talked much about his death really and I’m not sure why that is. I’m sure there are a number of factors, not the least of which is how we as a society react to death. There seems to be an allotted grieving time immediately following the loss of a loved one and after that point it’s somehow indecent to still be in mourning or to continue talking about the loss. In the days immediately after he passed I kept busy as my brother and I cleaned my parents’ home in preparation of family visiting. The weeks after, I had my own little family to care for, a two year old to keep up with and a full time job that I could let distract me. I kept thinking I’d get to it, I kept expecting to take some Saturday and just let myself feel sad and let it all out. I never got to it.

It does seem acceptable to talk about the deceased lovingly after they are gone, to remember them fondly, to say, “Oh he would have loved this.” But to plainly sit and talk about his dying, about the months leading up to his death, my reaction to his passing, how it affected our family – in many ways I’ve felt like I couldn’t talk about it. To be quite honest, a big part of why I haven’t talked about it is because I feel relief that my Dad is not alive anymore. But that’s certainly not an acceptable statement. I’m not saying I’m glad he’s not here, but I did feel a sense of relief for him. I am glad that he’s not battling the same demons day in and day out. I am glad that he’s no longer in pain in any form.

The day my dad died, was almost exactly like today. Maybe that’s why I’ve felt it’s ok to begin talking about it. It was the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend, May 26^th. It was warm and sunny, everything was green and lush. Quite the juxtaposition to the grimness of death and loss.

My dad had been diagnosed with Brain Cancer just before Christmas and we knew the prognosis was 6 months at most. The fact that he had been able to celebrate his birthday (along with mine and my brother’s) in April had been a small blessing. My mom and I had both felt lucky that he had stayed with us for that long. His actual passing was quiet, calm and really, kind of beautiful, as difficult as it was. My mom, brother and sister and I were able to be in the room with him. He was not in pain, he was sleeping and his breathing slowed and then stopped. He passed just before 6am, which still makes me smile now because he always woke up between 5:30 and 6 every morning. It was just such a “Dad” thing. The man had timing I guess.

We left the hospital after a bit and my brother & I started to clean my parents’ house, knowing that family would be coming on Sunday for a quiet memorial for my Dad. So, logically I went to the store to get supplies. As I drove I was stunned by how beautiful it was outside. It was warm, sunny, a perfect start to a long weekend and the unofficial start of summer. It was horrid. It was the complete contrast to how I was feeling inside and I couldn’t deal with it. I got the supplies I needed and went to check out. The cashier was super friendly (as they always are at this local shop) and greeted me with the common, “How are you?” and for the first time since I was a kid, I actually thought about my response before it came out of my mouth. How was I? Oh, you complete stranger, you really do not want the honest answer to that question. I managed a pleasant enough, “Fine,” and waited as he rang up my items. I knew I could make it through check out and back to the car. I started making lists in my head, where to start cleaning, which pictures mom would like out, what to do for dinner tonight. I was doing fine – until the cashier attempted a conversation.

“Getting some cleaning done before the party this weekend?”
Sir, I’m begging you to stop asking questions.

“Just doing some cleaning.” I had to force each syllable out of my mouth.

“It’s a beautiful day out there, going to be a great weekend!” He handed me my receipt
Finally I could leave. I don’t think I even said “thank you” but just got out of there as fast as I could. How could that man ask me such questions? How could he say it was going to be a great weekend? How could he be in such a good mood? By the time I sat in the car my brain caught up with the rest of me. I looked around and saw happy people, saw unhappy people, saw cars travelling, people buying groceries, pumping gas, going for a walk. I saw life moving along. Logically, I knew that life would continue after my Dad died, I knew I would feel sad, but I understood the nature of life. I wasn’t resentful of our mortality and in fact, I felt very grateful that we had warning about my Dad’s passing so I had time to spend with him before he died. But when it actually happened, it felt impossible to be sitting there watching the world continue on, when someone who had been such a big part of mine was gone.

That’s the beauty of life and death though. The grace in how life does continue, we do move forward. The trick is, to remember the good parts, to think fondly of those we’ve lost and to talk about them, to keep them with us in our way. That’s the great thing about love, it’s not strict about time. I haven’t been able to really process my Dad’s death fully, I’m not sure that I ever will, but I realize now that’s ok. I loved my dad, I can be sad I about his death, I can miss him whenever I want to and I can talk about that when it feels right to me. On the date of his passing, on our birthday, or on a random Tuesday.

Love makes no sense of space or time ~ U2

(Yeah, I quoted U2 in the post about my dead dad. He would have loved it!)

Tuesday Tunes

2011-05-24T15:39:00.000-07:00

For Dad

And these streets
Quiet as a sleeping army
Send their battered dreams to heaven, to heaven
For the mother's restless son
Who is a witness to, who is a warrior
Who denies his urge to break and run
Who says: hard times?
I'm used to them
The speeding planet burns
I'm used to that
My life's so common it disappears

And sometimes even music
Cannot substitute for tears

The Cool, Cool River - Paul Simon

Moves like a fist through the traffic
Anger and no one can heal it
Shoves a little bump into the momentum
It's just a little lump
But you feel it
In the creases and the shadows
With a rattling deep emotion
The cool, cool river
Sweeps the wild, white ocean

Yes boss. the government handshake
Yes boss. the crusher of language
Yes boss. mr. stillwater,
The face at the edge of the banquet
The cool, the cool river
The cool, the cool river

I believe in the future
I may live in my car
My radio tuned to
The voice of a star
Song dogs barking at the break of dawn
Lightning pushes the edge of a thunderstorm
And these old hopes and fears
Still at my side

Anger and no one can heal it
Slides through the metal detector
Lives like a mole in a motel
A slide in a slide projector
The cool, cool river
Sweeps the wild, white ocean
The rage of love turns inward
To prayers of devotion
And these prayers are
The constant road across the wilderness
These prayers are
These prayers are the memory of god
The memory of god

And I believe in the future
We shall suffer no more
Maybe not in my lifetime
But in yours I feel sure
Song dogs barking at the break of dawn
Lightning pushes the edges of a thunderstorm
And these streets
Quiet as a sleeping army
Send their battered dreams to heaven, to heaven
For the mother's restless son
Who is a witness to, who is a warrior
Who denies his urge to break and run

Who says: hard times?
I'm used to them
The speeding planet burns
I'm used to that
My life's so common it disappears
And sometimes even music
Cannot substitute for tears

Tuesday Tunes

2011-05-17T16:09:00.001-07:00

Make me dance, I want to surrender

Your familiar arms, I remember
Everybody's talking about you
Every word's a whisper without you

I Didn't See It Coming - Belle & Sebastian
Make me dance, I want to surrender
Your familiar arms, I remember
We've been going transcontinental
Got no car, we just take a rental

But we don't have the money
(money makes the wheels and the world go round)
Forget about it, honey

Make me dance, I want to surrender
Your familiar arms, I remember
Everybody's talking about you
Every word's a whisper without you

But we don't have the money
(money makes the wheels and the world go round)
Forget about it, honey
Trouble's never far away when you're around

I didn't see it coming
I'm just not in the running

Take me on a train 'cos I'm not flying
I can see the world from a different side
Read about us in the morning papers
When we make it alive

I didn't see it coming
I'm just not in the running

And we don't need a lifetime
We're following the right line

This Moment

2011-05-15T14:38:00.000-07:00

A Friday (or Sunday) ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by SouleMama.

Home Buying Chronicles Part 2

2011-05-11T16:45:00.000-07:00

Almost Our Dream House

As I said in my last recounting of this process, I spend a lot of time checking listings. It’s easy, it’s online, it’s free and I can do it about 12 times a day without neglecting my children. It’s perfect really. This winter, thanks to my obsessive scouring I came across a house that we had liked but thought was gone. Turns out it wasn't, it was re-listed. There was a reason, or twelve for that, and we should have seen that as a red flag. But when you’re new to this and operating on a conservative budget, you don’t rule out potential. Ever.

This was a cute, cozy little house. You can see from some of the pics below, it had a distinctive New England charm. It had some lovely little details that just made it so appealing. Like touches of Victorian architecture on the porch, eaves and angles and, my favorite, a cookstove!!!

So, on the last Friday of 2010, Tim & I went to look at this house. It was pretty wonderful. It was the first house that we walked into and could really picture ourselves living in. We both agreed on the spot that we wanted to make an offer. We did so on Monday and a week later our offer was accepted! Hurrah! Now, we had to deal with acquiring quotes from a few specialists to fix things like the roof, the boiler, the front steps, and the kitchen floor. At the start, this all seemed totally doable. We would be applying for a rehab loan which would give us a thirty thousand dollars dedicated to fixing areas of the house in disrepair. When we made our offer, we didn't think there were many areas of concern. We were proven wrong.

Home inspections are a wonderful thing. The fact that they are not mandatory in some states blows my mind. Also, if you are local and need the name of a great home inspection company, please let me know. We have used this same company twice now, and will at use them least once more since we still don’t own a home. They have been nothing but professional, thorough and sincere.

Our inspection turned up:

Asbestos on the heating pipes in the basement
Mold in the basement
Bat guano in the attic
Ungrounded electric outlets in the kitchen
Questionable leach field

The issues we were already aware of: Needed New Roof

New Front Porch steps
Kitchen floor
Storm window replacements
New front door
New garage doors

I know what you’re thinking, “You wanted to live there?!” Yes, yes we did. After everything was fixed of course. So, we kept on. We lined up our contractors for different aspects of the work, we started pursuing our financing and set up a time to do the water test. Normally, when you do a home inspection you do the water test at the same time. They just take a sample from the sink and send it to the lab. This house was unoccupied though, so the pipes were winterized and it wasn’t so easy to just turn a faucet and get water. We set up another date, after coordinating with the selling agent/bank and the plan was, so long as the water test came back ok, we’d be buying this house. The next step was financing and our mortgage broker was ready to go. We had all of our paper work prepared, our quotes signed and dated, we were chomping at the bit. Just needed that water test.

The day arrives, the “final” hurdle in this part of the process. Tim heads over to the house with Ben in tow. The poor kid has heard us talking about this house for almost two months now, we’ve driven past it, he deserves to check it out. Tim arrives at the house and as he pulls up the road he sees the home inspector’s car and a local Police cruiser. Turns out, someone broke into the house sometime between Friday, when we had the Mold Remediation folks out to do their quote, and Monday. Why would they break into an empty house you ask? Well, it wasn't just any empty house, it was a 110 year old empty house = aka, a home full of copper piping which can really earn you some cash. The lovely person/people, broke in and stole the copper piping and because there wasn't as much as they had hoped, they cut out a bit of electric wiring as well. Tim was hearing all of this from the selling agent while the cop is taking notes and photos. The cop then leaves only to return with a finger dusting kit. Seriously. This is how we roll in Maine people. It’s one of the benefits of a low crime level, when crime does happen, the authorities are ON it. Keep in mind Ben is tagging along throughout all of this. So, as the home inspector is breaking the news that we can’t get a water test without pipes, the cop is dusting for fingerprints and Ben is sitting on the dining room floor eating his bologna sandwich and watching the goings on. That’s homeschooling for you. Think you’re having a boring day? Just follow Dad around on errand and boom! You’re suddenly getting a lesson in how and why police dust for fingerprints.

Tim came home with the bad news and I admit I did not take it well. But we didn't give up hope. We figured the bank that owned the house had insured it so they would fix the damages, we’d get our water test and move forward. It’d slow things down a bit, but we weren't sunk yet. Well, what you think a bank will do concerning an unoccupied home and what they will do can be radically different. The bank offered to reduce the selling price by $5,000, the cost of the damages. This would have been great IF we didn't already have a laundry list that was maxing out our rehab budget of $30K. We had no way to come up with another $5,000 to fix the damages ourselves and the pipes HAD to be fixed for us to do a water test. Our choices were to leave the mold and bat guano, and spend that $5,000 on repairing pipes. Not exactly a choice. Sadly, this is where we parted ways with this house.

Tim & I still talk about the house fondly. It was a sweet little New Englander from 1890, in a great neighborhood, only 15 minutes from where we currently live and right next to a large wooded park. It really could have been our dream home, but clearly it isn't. We joke now that the universe had to speak sternly to us about this house. It had so many issues when we started trying to buy it that we really should have walked away. But we didn't, and instead the universe had to say, “Dudes! You need to fix twenty things!”

We didn't listen.

“Dudes! You have to remove asbestos!”

We had a plan for that.

“Dudes! You need a new roof!”

We know, we’ve added it to the list of quotes.

“Dudes! Your leach field might be shot.”

It might not.

“DUDES! Someone broke in and now you have no pipes, walk away!”

Maybe we should walk away? Yup, we need to walk away now.

About two weeks after we received our deposit back, I saw the house relisted for $5,000 less what we were going to buy it for. (See, that constant checking again) It sat for a little while but is no longer listed, so my hope is that someone is buying it and will be able to turn it back into the great little home it is. Maybe they’ll just fix it up and relist it before we find something else? Maybe? I might not be patient enough for that.

Tuesday Tunes

2011-05-10T13:14:00.000-07:00

In the suburbs I

I learned to drive
And you told me we'd never survive
Grab your mother's keys we're leavin'

The Suburbs - Arcade Fire

In the suburbs I
I learned to drive
And you told me we'd never survive
Grab your mother's keys we're leavin'

You always seemed so sure
That one day we'd be fighting
A suburban war
your part of town against mine
I saw you standing on the opposite shore

But by the time the first bombs fell
We were already bored
We were already, already bored

Sometimes I can't believe it
I'm movin' past the feeling
Sometimes I can't believe it
I'm movin' past the feeling again

Kids wanna be so hard
But in my dreams we're still screamin' and runnin' through the yard
And all of the walls that they built in the seventies finally fall
And all of the houses they built in the seventies finally fall
Meant nothin' at all
Meant nothin' at all
It meant nothin

Sometimes I can't believe it
I'm movin' past the feeling
Sometimes I can't believe it
I'm movin' past the feeling and into the night

So can you understand?
Why I want a daughter while I'm still young
I wanna hold her hand
And show her some beauty
Before this damage is done

But if it's too much to ask, it's too much to ask
Then send me a son

Under the overpass
In the parking lot we're still waiting
It's already passed
So move your feet from hot pavement and into the grass
Cause it's already passed
It's already, already passed!

Sometimes I can't believe it
I'm movin' past the feeling
Sometimes I can't believe it
I'm movin' past the feeling again

I'm movin' past the feeling
I'm movin' past the feeling

In my dreams we're still screamin'
We're still screamin'
We're still screamin'

This Moment

2011-04-29T19:50:00.000-07:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by SouleMama.

Tuesday Tunes

2011-04-26T16:41:00.000-07:00

RIP Poly.

This Moment

2011-04-23T05:10:00.000-07:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by SouleMama.

(In case you can't tell, that says Happy 60th Leila. I'm looking forward to the senior discount at JoAnn Fabrics!)

May The Force Be With You

2011-04-21T09:06:00.001-07:00

I stumbled upon the best book of all time at our library a few weeks ago. What is it? Well, The Star Wars Craft Book obviously! I really wasn't sure what to expect when I checked it out, but I figured worse case scenario was the boys saw some cool crafts that they're not quite old enough to make. I somehow forgot about the adult boy in the house, and his love of all things Star Wars.

These are just a few of the first projects Tim & the boys have completed. I'm sure there are many more to come, including Han Solo in a bar of soap, the R2D2 Hat and alien snow globes. We highly recommend this book if there are any Star Wars fans in your house who also happen to be crafty. Or would considering becoming crafty to get cool Star Wars stuff.

Bantha stuffed animal anyone? Who knew Tim was so good at crafting? Guess he just had to find his muse. Banthas.

General Grievous and Yoda Finger Puppets

The epic fight of light vs. darkness continues...

Tuesday Tunes

2011-04-19T12:21:00.000-07:00

Sun been down for days

A winter melody she plays

The thunder makes her contemplate

She hears a noise behind the gate

Perhaps a letter with a dove

Perhaps a stranger she could love

I came across this song via Etsy's feed on Facebook earlier this week. The video is so beautiful and fun to watch, I felt compelled to share it for this week's tune. Lavie's voice has a definite hint of Nick Drake to it, which makes it all the more enjoyable to listen to.

That said, this is my birthday week, and a significant birthday at that, so I'm planning on a separate post featuring a list of my favorite tunes later this week.

Her Morning Elegance - Oren Lavie

Sun been down for days
A pretty flower in a vase
A slipper by the fireplace
A cello lying in its case

Soon she's down the stairs
Her morning elegance she wears
The sound of water makes her dream
Awoken by a cloud of steam
She pours a daydream in a cup
A spoon of sugar sweetens up

And She fights for her life
As she puts on her coat
And she fights for her life on the train
She looks at the rain
As it pours
And she fights for her life
As she goes in a store
With a thought she has caught
By a thread
She pays for the bread
And She goes...
Nobody knows

Sun been down for days
A winter melody she plays
The thunder makes her contemplate
She hears a noise behind the gate
Perhaps a letter with a dove
Perhaps a stranger she could love

And She fights for her life
As she puts on her coat
And she fights for her life on the train
She looks at the rain
As it pours
And she fights for her life
As she goes in a store
With a thought she has caught
By a thread
She pays for the bread
And She goes...
Nobody knows

And She fights for her life
As she puts on her coat
And she fights for her life on the train
She looks at the rain
As it pours
And she fights for her life
Where people are pleasently strange
And counting the change
And She goes...
Nobody knows

Tonight

2011-04-18T16:30:00.000-07:00

It's been busy for a Monday.

A rousing game of twister.

A hug-fest, totally initiated by Syda.

Hiding from the camera.

Taking a bath - which is QUITE an experience when you have a cast on your leg that CANNOT get wet. It clearly takes a lot out of her.

Which leaves a toddler too sleepy to color.

This Moment

2011-04-15T05:21:00.000-07:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by SouleMama.

Some Days

2011-04-14T15:42:00.001-07:00

Some days are a weird combination of wonderful, serene, confusing, disappointing and hopeful. Today was one of those. I lead a fun Toddler LLL Meeting this morning. We had a great visit with friends all afternoon, enjoyed the sunshine and fresh air, ate yummy food, talked, laughed and played.

We got home to a sunny house, with a fresh breeze running through it. We found out we aren't getting another house we wanted. We had a tasty dinner that was also healthy AND all of the kids liked it. We realized we have wonderful plans for the weekend. We remembered it's only one more day until the weekend!

I bathed a sweet girl with her broken leg and didn't get her cast wet, and got her clean. Nate told me he misses nursing, but only a tiny, tiny bit - he "has almond milk now and likes that a lot". Syda discovered the tattoo on my arm and keeps signing 'bird'.

Writing down our day makes me rethink putting the word disappointing anywhere on this page.

Tuesday Tunes

2011-04-12T09:02:00.000-07:00

I don't want to hurt

There's so much in this world

to make me believe

Ahh, Pearl Jam...17 years since I first heard "Jeremy" and I still love this band. This song is especially soft and touching, and certainly speaks to their aging - but they can still rock out with the best of them. Just check out The Fixer to allay any fears.

Just Breathe - Pearl Jam

Yes I understand
That every life must end
As we sit alone
I know someday we must go

Oh I'm a lucky man
To count on both hands
The ones I love
Some folks just have one
Yeah others they got none

Stay with me
Let's just breathe

Practiced on our sins
Never gonna let me win
Under everything
Just another human being

I don't want to hurt
There's so much in this world
to make me believe

Stay with me
All I see

Did I say that I need you?
Did I say that I want you?
What if I did and I'm a fool you see
No one knows this more than me
'cause I come clean

I wonder everyday
As I look upon your face
Everything you gave
And nothing you would take
Nothing you would take
Everything you gave

Did I say that I need you?
Did I say that I want you?
What if I did and I'm a fool you see
No one knows this more than me
I come clean

Nothing you would take
Everything you gave
Hold me till I die
Meet you on the other side

Tuesday Tunes

2011-04-05T11:46:00.000-07:00

Happiness, it hurt like a train on a track

Coming towards her, stuck still no turning back
She hid around corners and she hid under beds
She killed it with kisses and from it she fled

The Dog Days Are Over - Florence & The Machine

Happiness, it hurt like a train on a track
Coming towards her, stuck still no turning back
She hid around corners and she hid under beds
She killed it with kisses and from it she fled
With every bubble she sank with a drink
And washed it away down the kitchen sink

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
The horses are coming so you better run

Run fast for your mother run fast for your father
Run for your children and your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your loving behind you
Can't carry it with you if you want to survive

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
Can't you hear the horses
Cuz here they come
[ Lyrics from:.com/lyrics/f/florence_and_the_machine/dog_days_are_over.html ]
And I never wanted anything from you
Except everything you had
And what was left after that too. oh.

Happiness it hurt like a bullet in the mind
Stuck them up drainpipes
By someone who should know better than that

The dog days are over
The dog days are gone
Can you hear the horses
Cuz here they come

Run fast for your mother and fast for your father
Run for your children for your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your loving behind you
Can't carry it with you if you want to survive

The dog days are over
The dog days are gone
Can you hear the horses because here they come

The dog days are over
The dog days are gone
Can you hear the horses because here they come

This Moment

2011-04-01T06:41:00.000-07:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired bySouleMama.

House Hunting Chronicles: The Beginning

2011-03-31T10:44:00.000-07:00

I've foolishly let my superstitious nature get in my way recently, and yours too I’m afraid. I've been keeping things to myself in the hopes that by not saying them out loud, they might come true. The universe would hear the request, laugh and shut all doors open to making this dream happen. About six weeks ago, I stopped believing in that kind of thinking. I realized it was limiting and ridiculous to think that I couldn't get excited about something because my enthusiasm would scare it away. Today, on a bit of a drive, Tim convinced me that I should write about this, that it would be good for me, it would calm me, help me focus, take some pressure off, and that it would probably make for some good reading material – at least for us in the years to come.

So, today I begin the blog entries about our forays into buying our first home. There’s quite a bit to cover, which I find exciting and overwhelming at the same time. I’ll do my best to limit the details and rambles on certain properties, but you’ll have to excuse me if they slip in there. It’s hard not to get rambling about some of them.

The best place to start of course is the beginning, so I’ll delve into that today. We currently live in an apartment, and although it’s a decent size, especially for an apartment, we have definitely outgrown it. We decided to start actively looking for a home last fall, which in hindsight, was probably not the best time to get out on the market, but you live, you learn. The first string of houses we looked at were all either bank owned properties or short sales. I recommend avoid both completely if you can. Bank owned properties can be a great deal, if you have the cash, time, patience, manpower, resources and skill to bring them back to their previous luster. We do not have the correct combination of these, but we had to learn that the hard way. I think it's one of the few times that our bargain hunting has failed us.

We looked at two bank owned properties and one short sale. We passed on the short sale because it was in a bit of a strange neighborhood off of a busy road. We ruled out both bank owned properties because they needed more work than we could put in. About a week later we saw a cute Gambrel that was on 13 acres (yay! Land!) and would meet our needs. We put in an offer. We waited. Nine days after we submitted our offer the bank informed us that there was a serious mold issue in the basement, so they would only be accepting cash offers or rehab loan offers. We dodged a bullet. We were slightly discouraged, but happy to be told about the mold up front before paying for a home inspection and getting our hopes up about that house becoming our home. The search continued.

Admittedly, I spend far too much time online looking at listings, and have through this whole process. Genreally, it just gets me daydreaming about places and wishing there were more listings, and tracking the price reductions on certain properties. In short, it makes me a little crazier than usual, but it’s for a good cause, so I figure it can’t hurt. There has been some pay off to my obsessing, one home that Tim had really loved, had dropped in price and although we knew it needed work, we also knew we could get a rehab loan to fix things up, and had a great friend who is also a great contractor, so we decided to give it a shot. We put in our offer again, and waited. Turns out, the bank that owned that property wanted to be rid of it and they really weren’t entertaining any offers unless they were cash. To the best of our knowledge, that house sold at auction. While we were waiting to hear back on that house though, I kept up my searching and found that a home we had liked in the summer was re-listed and with a lower price. Up until about six weeks ago, we were certain that this house was going to become our home. This house, and the saga surrounding it, deserves its own post in the next installment. It’s that bizarre and entertaining, I promise!

Tuesday Tunes

2011-03-29T08:53:00.000-07:00

Possibly the best band name EVER! Wait for it....Fitz & The Tantrums. (Yes, this opinion is probably colored by the fact that I live with a toddler.) This song is beyond fun, completely dance worth and has a high ear worm potential. It has a great "old school" feel to it and reminds me of a slightly stripped down ELO. Enjoy!

Teardrops fade

Then I saw, blue hands in the pocket
'Cause you were always made to want it all
But now you got to make it on your own

Money Grabber - Fitz & The Tantrums

Don't come back anytime I've already had your kind.
This is your pay back, money grabber.
Don't come back anytime, you've already run me dry.
This is your pay back, money grabber.

Teardrops fade.
Then I saw, blue hands in the pocket.
'Cause you were always made to want it all.
But now you got to make it on your own.
This ain't your home.
So I'm showing you the door.
Wave goodbye now, it's time for you to go.

Don't comeback anytime, I've already had your kind.
This is you pay back, money grabber.

Don't come back anytime, you've already robbed me blind.
This is your pay back, money grabber.

Blue rhinestone glass.
All I see.
You talking double.
Like the time you set fire to me.
'Cause I'm in trouble.
Here's my advice .
I don't think twice for the price of a cheap time whore .

Don't comeback anytime, I've already had your kind.
This is you pay back, money grabber.

Don't come back anytime, you've already robbed me blind.
this is your pay back, money grabber.

One. Two. Leave.
One is for the money.
Two is for the greed .
And three times that I told you you're the one,
I just don't need .

Don't comeback anytime, I've already had your kind.
This is you pay back, money grabber.

Don't come back anytime, you've already robbed me blind.
This is your pay back, money grabber.

Money grabber.
Money grabber
Don't come back anytime, I've already had your kind.

Ostara!

2011-03-28T16:40:00.000-07:00

A few shots to capture our celebration last Sunday. We welcomed spring with our annual egg hunt, seed planting, ham dinner and carrot cake. (I'll try to get back with a more detailed entry)

This Moment

2011-03-25T05:43:00.000-07:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by SouleMama.

Whoooo Knows Their Owls? We Do!

2011-03-24T12:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the first time I've taken all three kiddos to a "class" together. The class was geared for Ben's age, and actually he was the only kid in our family that was officially signed up, but of course siblings were allowed to tag along. Tag along they did!

We went to a wonderful session about Owls and Owls in NH at the NH Audubon Center. This was courtesy of a group field trip, coordinated by Relaxed Homeschoolers of NH. We border hop all the time! To be honest, I was a little nervous about how it would work out. I wasn't sure how easily distracted Sydney would be, if Nate would be feeling shy or tired or uninterested and if Ben would be overwhelmed by his siblings' needs impeding with his fun, or if he'd be feeling nervous, since we were interacting with a large group of homeschoolers we didn't know. It all worked out far better than I could have hoped. Nate and Sydney each managed to nap on the hour-plus ride up to the center, so they were well rested and in good moods when we arrived. Nate became much more engaged in the presentation than I had thought he would. Sydney was happy to walk around the large room and look at goldfish, and Ben came out of his shell easily. I'm sure this was all partially thanks to the presenter, who was friendly, kind to all of the kids and kept the pace moving well.

Ben, in his usual reserved state, withheld his review until the ride home. About thirty minutes into the presentation he told me he was bored and this wasn't what he had expected, and seemed ready to leave. He pushed through for ten more minutes, until the Owls were introduced and then it was the best thing he'd ever seen! He's seen Owls before at the York Center for Wildlife, and they did have a larger variety there than what he saw yesterday, but yesterday he was able to get much closer to the Owls. I think that counted for a lot in Ben's book. Proximity!

The Audubon Center staff was incredibly kind and helpful and very welcoming to kids. I know that many people will think, "Well, of course! They're teaching a class for kids, they must like them." But sadly that's not always the case. It was reassuring to be in a space that was open to kids, prompting them to touch artifacts, ask questions, share their favorite experience in nature, etc. We have been to other places where the kids are expected to sit and be quiet, take in the information and leave. Sadly, many adults forget the curiosity that comes with childhood. The Audubon Center has not, they encourage it! We will be going back! (The hour plus drive, it's well worth it!)

Nate dissecting an Owl Pellet.

A few other inhabitants at the Center.

Tuesday Tunes

2011-03-22T14:09:00.000-07:00

Well it's all right, even when push comes to shove

Well it's all right, if you got someone to love
Well it's all right, everything'll work out fine
Well it's all right, we're going to the end of the line

The End of the Line - The Travelling Wilburys

Well it's all right, riding around in the breeze
Well it's all right, if you live the life you please
Well it's all right, doing the best you can
Well it's all right, as long as you lend a hand

You can sit around and wait for the phone to ring (End of the Line)
Waiting for someone to tell you everything (End of the Line)
Sit around and wonder what tomorrow will bring (End of the Line)
Maybe a diamond ring

Well it's all right, even if they say you're wrong
Well it's all right, sometimes you gotta be strong
Well it's all right, As long as you got somewhere to lay
Well it's all right, everyday is Judgment Day

Maybe somewhere down the road aways (End of the Line)
You'll think of me, wonder where I am these days (End of the Line)
Maybe somewhere down the road when somebody plays (End of the Line)
Purple haze

Well it's all right, even when push comes to shove
Well it's all right, if you got someone to love
Well it's all right, everything'll work out fine
Well it's all right, we're going to the end of the line

Don't have to be ashamed of the car I drive (End of the Line)
I'm glad to be here, happy to be alive (End of the Line)
It don't matter if you're by my side (End of the Line)
I'm satisfied

Well it's all right, even if you're old and gray
Well it's all right, you still got something to say
Well it's all right, remember to live and let live
Well it's all right, the best you can do is forgive

Well it's all right, riding around in the breeze
Well it's all right, if you live the life you please
Well it's all right, even if the sun don't shine
Well it's all right, we're going to the end of the line

This Moment

2011-03-18T18:13:00.000-07:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by SouleMama.

Tuesday Tunes

2011-03-15T13:50:00.000-07:00

The sun is hot in the sky just like a giant spotlight

The people follow the signs and synchronize in time
It's a joke nobody knows, they've got a ticket to the show

Keep your eyes open for dancing tomatoes, curious birds, a floating lady and singing police men. You're welcome!

The Show - Lenka

I'm just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go, can't do it alone
I've tried and I don't know why

Slow it down, make it stop or else my heart is going to pop
'Cause it's too much, yeah it's a lot to be something I'm not
I'm a fool out of love 'cause I just can't get enough

I'm just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go, can't do it alone
I've tried and I don't know why

I'm just a little girl lost in the moment
I'm so scared but I don't show it
I can't figure it out, it's bringing me down
I know I've got to let it go and just enjoy the show

The sun is hot in the sky just like a giant spotlight
The people follow the signs and synchronize in time
It's a joke nobody knows, they've got a ticket to the show

Yeah, I'm just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go, can't do it alone
I've tried and I don't know why

I'm just a little girl lost in the moment
I'm so scared but I don't show it
I can't figure it out, it's bringing me down
I know I've got to let it go and just enjoy the show
Just enjoy the show

I'm just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go, can't do it alone
I've tried and I don't know why

I'm just a little girl lost in the moment
I'm so scared but I don't show it
I can't figure it out, it's bringing me down
I know I've got to let it go and just enjoy the show
Just enjoy the show, just enjoy the show

I want my money back, I want my money back
I want my money back, just enjoy the show
I want my money back, I want my money back
I want my money back, just enjoy the show

Preparations

2011-03-10T14:02:00.000-08:00

Ben's 8th birthday is tomorrow. 8. Eight. Eight! Eight? It doesn't seem quite possible and it feels like a monumental age to me. When he turned five, I remember thinking it was an important birthday. It seemed to mark the end of his younger years and fully established him as a "big kid". I didn't think I'd feel that kind of significance about his birthday again until he turned ten. I was wrong.

Eight is proving to feel very poignant for me. I can't decipher why just yet, I'm assuming his growing confidence and independence have a lot to do with it. He's grown into his own person very fully now, and although I'm still his mom and provide guidance and safety, he's growing up and needing me a little less. He's venturing out more and more and as his bravery grows, my faith and pride in him does as well. I'll admit it though, a little part of my heart aches too. Ah, the lovely dichotomy of parenthood.

Cupcakes shared with friends at homeschool group this week.

Syda had a particular interest in the cupcakes. She refers to them as, "Uh uh!" complete with head shaking "No." This translates directly into, "My mom is SO mean! She won't let me eat all of those cupcakes."

Gift bags for Ben's presents. Reusable, bright, fun colors and

durable. Certain to be seen for the next family gift giving.

Ben is oblivious to all my sewing and knitting and busy movements today, or he's being a very polite 7 year old and acting like he doesn't know what I'm up to. I think it's the latter. That and the Wolves of the Beyond series, is very engaging.

Tuesday Tunes

2011-03-08T11:53:00.000-08:00

In honor of Ben's birthday this week, he chose this week's song. Any guesses as to how old he's turning? The pop music isn't an indicator at all is it?

This Moment

2011-03-04T05:59:00.000-08:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by SouleMama.

Tuesday Tunes

2011-03-01T10:16:00.000-08:00

Open Wide Your Wounded Heart, Feel Yourself Be Blown Apart,

Open Wide Your Wounded Heart, It's a Funny Place to Start

In The Light of the Sun, We Are Found, We Are Undone

All The Stars - The Wailin Jennys

This song is from the newest Wailing Jenny's album, Bright Morning Stars, and the lyrics aren't available yet online, much to my chagrin. The quote above is a piece that keeps replaying in my head, but I'll admit I'm not confident those are the exact words. Oh well, the video is more than enough to tide me over until I get a hold of the album later this week hopefully. If you are local and want to see more of The Wailin Jennys, they'll be at the infamous Somerville Theater on March 27th. They're also touring throughout the east coast right now so catch them if you can!

On A Rainy, Cold, Gray Day

2011-02-28T16:11:00.000-08:00

A little girl plays cards.

A mama sews.

A preschooler crafts his own doll clothes.

Brothers cheer each other on while playing their games.

Nate is playing on Poisson Rogue and Ben discovered Arcade Diner today, a virtual buffet of math and mind games for 6-10 year olds. We found this site thanks to Clickschooling, a daily email with links to great educational, fun and interesting sites. A big thank you to our friend from our local homeschooling group who shared it with us. I also spent a good hour or so playing a game called Arcs on this site. It's so addictive. You can get it for your phone too.

This Moment

2011-02-25T07:40:00.000-08:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by SouleMama.

New Beginnings

2011-02-24T14:58:00.000-08:00

Have I mentioned before that knitting is great for relieving stress? Yes? Ok, well I'm going to say it again anyway. Knitting is really great for relieving stress. The repetition of the motion, the clicking of the needles, the movement of the yarn across my hand and onto the needle - it all seems to work wonders for my frazzled mind. That said, I've started a new project this week and after the week we've had, I'm probably going to finish it by tomorrow.

The project is a Spiral Baby Blanket. I really think this can be a shawl as well, and I've seen it made into a cardigan/jacket for toddlers too. It's very versatile. It's also proving to be very easy so far, but it looks complicated and tres fancy - which is a great trick for any knitting project.

Especially one for a mom with three kids, under some stress from life lately, who is not capable of following a chart to make a spectacular knit garment, but is not content to simply knit another hat, blanket or scarf.

I'm knitting it with Deborah Norville's Serenity Garden Yarn in Gems. Deborah Norville? I know, she was a Today show anchor long before Katie Couric's perkiness took over the morning news. Evidently, she left journalism to make yarn, and I have to say it suits her well. For acrylic yarn, it's very soft, smooth and easy to work with. Technically, this is sock yarn as it's rated a size 2, fine yarn which isn't a big deal as far as the pattern goes, except it means I'll be adding many more stitches than it calls for to make the blanket big enough. Or, I may decide to keep it small and it will become a blanket for one of Syda's many babies. This might the best use of it, as all of her babies are in various states of undress throughout the house.

This project has also been my first attempt at using the Magic Loop method in place of DPNs. I love DPNs, I really do, especially the little, tiny size 1 or 2s that make up cute toddler socks and baby sweaters. This project is intended to be started on DPNs and then moved to circular needles when it gets too large. I tried starting this on DPNs four times before I quit. I wish I had just started with Magic Loop, it's so much easier than I had ever imagined. For those on the fence about Magic Loop, give it a try. Your DPNs will still be there when you need or want them, but this method is just brilliant really. I'm very tempted to try a pair of socks this way in the future, thought that will require buying a smaller needle set for the job. Oh, the hardships of being a knitter. No one warns you that it can quickly become an expensive hobby if you let it.

Anyway, here are a few shots of the beginning of the Spiral Baby Blanket and the beautiful yarn it's originating from.

Baby Wearing Giveaway

2011-02-22T11:45:00.000-08:00

From Hip Mountain Mama, a very generous and useful giveaway at her site today. Take a look!

Tuesday Tunes

2011-02-22T06:16:00.000-08:00

I usually let the song do the talking for Tuesday Tunes, but there's an exception to every rule. I won't say much, just that you have to check out this band and listen to as many of their songs as you can get your hands on. Over the Rhine is a husband and wife team who have been writing and playing together for decades. Their story is very captivating and their collaborating process is interesting from a musical and personal standpoint. Once you've watched this video, check out the rest on YouTube, visit their site, buy their albums and ENJOY! (Desperate for Love is on this album, but I'd get them all if you can)

Desperate For Love - Over the Rhines

Are you feelin’
A little desperate

Get on your knees
And confess it
Honey please
Don’t second guess it
You’re desperate
For love

Is this just
A little fling
Or is it about
A little bling bling
Either way
You feel the sting sting
You’re desperate
For love

It might only take a kiss
For the plot to take a twist
That you hadn’t counted on

Just a tiny little minute
But eternity will be in it
If you turn me on

Red wine on my lips
Got this black silk slip on my hips
The kitchen faucet just drips and drips
You’re desperate for love

This Moment

2011-02-18T05:56:00.000-08:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Anatomy Of A Workspace

2011-02-17T17:14:00.000-08:00

This is my desk, aka workspace. Someday, we'll have our own gigantic house that will contain two amazing dream spaces. One, an office just for Tim and his three monitor desk set up, wireless headphones and whatever else he dreams of. Two, a studio space for me, with a small desk, a big table for my sewing machine to live on and a comfy rocking chair and lots of storage space for yarn. In the meantime, we work with what we've got - and really we've got a lot. Specifically, I've got a lot of projects taking over my desk. Allow me to show you around...

Top of the desk covered in books, KnitPicks Options knitting set, a gorgeous skein of turquoise yarn that I intend to make socks from, and the two jars of assorted stitch markers, row counters, needle point protectors, DPNs and pens, scissors, and fabric pencils. There is also a large box with half of an order from KnitPicks that is not mine, truly! If anything, I brag about my knitting purchases, not hide them.

There is a white board behind my desk. I use it to keep track of what I'm working on, and write down upcoming birthdays or other gift giving opportunities. It also holds random notes such as what's scribbled on there now, "Canopy Fingering - Wispy Cardi"which is just my attempt to track down the right yarn for a spring time project.

The cubes are actually organized, though you can't see them in detail here. Left side bottom is knitting notions, left side top is sewing paraphernalia, right side bottom contains random office stuff, like post its and right side top holds our mailing needs.

On the desk:

The cutting board - because I used it yesterday to work on this project:

Which is also on the desk under the bag to the right of the netbook. See it peaking out from under the canvas?

Inside the bag, the most recently finished knitting project. (just some finishing work to do. Isn't that every knitter's least favorite part?)

Behind the netbook awaits the next knitting project and the yarn to make it. Tuesday was a happy day around here, when this yarn arrived. It's KnitPicks Wool of the Andes Bulky and the pattern is Oatmeal Pullover, available at Magpie Patterns.

Last, but not least, two scores from a very quick library trip today. Cowlgirls, an entire book of cowls! I actually did a double take when I saw this on the shelf. Brave New Knits is just below it and I can't wait to really sit down with it. It's a collection of patterns from knitting bloggers and the foreward was written by Jessica - the co-founder of Ravelry! Really, this is a nice substitute for my lack of knitting group tonight.

Also always found on my desk, and featured in this post, random knitting needles (they were like that on the books, I didn't place them. Which either shows I have innate staging skills, or that I have way more needles than I thought and that I should fashion some kind of storage for them. That of course means another project involving fabric and sewing, so really where is the sense in putting away the cutting board?

Tuesday Tunes

2011-02-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

Communication

You're never making any sense
So much confusion
We're so afraid of everything
Won't be walking along
Keep singing my song

Beautiful Lie - Ivan & Alyosha

Tell me your secrets
You'll tell me anything at all
Those conversations
That we've had all summer long
As you walk away
Oh, what can I say?

And in the future
Our love will surely fade away
Or so they tell me
But we know better don't we
So I keep singing my song
Won't you sing along?

So tell me truth don't tell me lies
I've seen the truth inside your eyes
Life is so short, everyone dies
So live a beautiful lie

Don't want your money
You give me all that I can spend
And no direction
You tell me where to go and when
Don't need any man to tell me who I am

So tell me truth don't tell me lies
I've seen the truth inside your eyes
Life is so short, everyone dies
So live a beautiful lie

Communication
You're never making any sense
So much confusion
We're so afraid of everything
Won't be walking along
Keep singing my song

So tell me truth don't tell me lies
I've seen the truth inside your eyes
Life is so short, everyone dies
So live a beautiful lie

This Moment

2011-02-11T08:28:00.000-08:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.