I've been absolutely lousy about keeping this blog updated. So for the 3.5 of you who care, I wanted to give you links to places where we can keep in touch a little more reliably.
Here's where i am on:
Some things my dad learned about for the first time on this visit:
You can thank me later, Nina Totenberg.
[...]My dad arrived in NY Sunday, and the girls have been going nuts over this rockstar. He brought them a mountain of toys, including a Sesame Street space explorer, an awesome wooden train set, a Lego mountain terrain and - can you believe it - an alien outpost.
Last night, Bee [...]
How to Get Over Things
Stormy learned young that life throws you curve balls - hurricanes, influenza epidemics, indoor plumbing. If you can't adapt, you'll get left behind.
Although she didn't believe in evolution (not until you show me the missing link!) she clearly understood that the ability to adapt to [...]
You can feel the first chill of autumn in the first week of August.
[...]I got a lot from my grandmother. My height and build. My hands look like hers might have looked if she had not worked in a kitchen for many, many years, but instead worked at a desk and bought herself Bath & Body Works anti-bacterial moisturizing lotion (Midnight Pomegranate). I [...]
I had a dream last night that I was showing my grandmother where we keep our coffee cups in this kitchen. It wasn't a particularly remarkable dream, except for the fact that my grandmother died a little over a week ago, and I have an admittedly questionable hunch that my [...]
We have finally made concrete moves to get rid of the 1989 surfer wallpaper in the master bedroom. Mister Dave has been coming every day with his steamer and his putty knife, and the house's most offensive wallpaper will soon be history.
So long, rad dude.
Now we just have to [...]
If pickins have been slim here around the old Bookish blog, it's because things around the old Bookish life have been more than hectic. Work, school, grad school plans, blah, blah, blah.
But when my HSH comes to me before work and asks why I'm not posting here, I know it's [...]
If pickins have been slim here around the old Bookish blog, it's because things around the old Bookish life have been more than hectic. Work, school, grad school plans, blah, blah, blah.
But when my HSH comes to me before work and asks why I'm not posting here, I know it's [...]
The snow is mostly melted Up the Valley, although there is still a deadly sheet of ice remaining conveniently around the base of our front steps. My HSH fell on his teakettle the other morning. I nearly did the same this afternoon while trying to take Nora the Destroya out [...]
The snow is mostly melted Up the Valley, although there is still a deadly sheet of ice remaining conveniently around the base of our front steps. My HSH fell on his teakettle the other morning. I nearly did the same this afternoon while trying to take Nora the Destroya out [...]
Four years ago today, I spent a full day in bed. A hospital bed, getting scooped out and diagnosed with cancer. It was one of the more eventful days of my life.
Even still I am discovering the ways that that day has changed me.
One of the things that has [...]
Four years ago today, I spent a full day in bed. A hospital bed, getting scooped out and diagnosed with cancer. It was one of the more eventful days of my life.
Even still I am discovering the ways that that day has changed me.
One of the things that has [...]
When I was 16-years old, I learned that not every person has allergies. I learned that many, many people breathe effortlessly through their noses almost every day of the year. Seriously, I had no idea. I thought everyone spent the first hour of every morning blowing their itchy noses and [...]
When I was 16-years old, I learned that not every person has allergies. I learned that many, many people breathe effortlessly through their noses almost every day of the year. Seriously, I had no idea. I thought everyone spent the first hour of every morning blowing their itchy noses and [...]
Have I been observing my Lenten promise to post every day? No. Do I feel guilty about that, like it's one more area in life where I've failed? Yes. Am I the product of a Roman Catholic legacy? You tell me.
[...]Have I been observing my Lenten promise to post every day? No. Do I feel guilty about that, like it's one more area in life where I've failed? Yes. Am I the product of a Roman Catholic legacy? You tell me.
[...]This is why I love the Innernets. After I posted about the rector retiring from the Little Church That Could, one peripatetic polar bear commented:
Well, the way these things go,you're most likely to hire a 'freshoutofseminaryIcansavetheworldandthechurchtoo' rector who will be shiny and new and get all sorts of new members [...]
This is why I love the Innernets. After I posted about the rector retiring from the Little Church That Could, one peripatetic polar bear commented:
Well, the way these things go,you're most likely to hire a 'freshoutofseminaryIcansavetheworldandthechurchtoo' rector who will be shiny and new and get all sorts of new members [...]
It's falling all over. And right now, there is no wind, so it gathers heavy on the limbs of all the trees around the house. Earlier, I leaned out of the upstairs window to sweep it off the satellite that keeps me connected to the outside world. And tomorrow is [...]
Sunday morning, HSH went to The Little Church that Could by himself because he had committed to reading. I stayed home because I was working on a presentation for my boss.
TVs are a great babysitter, by the way, when it's Sunday morning and you have to make a really [...]
(Apologies to the squeamish)
I found a deer leg in the yard today. No deer. No blood or grossness on the leg. Just bone and furry hoof.The dogs were all, "Hey, look, we found a bone! But, whoa, it's too big! Freaky! Makes me want to run off into the woods [...]
Skunk smell? It totally sticks around. My HSH took a bite out of an apple he brought to work from home today, and it was utterly skunkified, and he was appropriately repulsed. Ick.
And Nora, she is still very skunky. Very. Skunky.
Let's not talk about it.
Instead, I will alienate half my [...]
One of my colleagues found out today that her baby - the one that is steadily growing inside her and causing her blouses to blouse ever more prominently - is a boy.
She had the same reaction that many women have when they find out they're having boys.
"I'm happy! Really. And [...]
After reading these three consecutive posts on my local Freecycle from a person whose user name includes the word "tax!derm!st" I think someone should call the authorities:
- Needed: Sewing Machine
- Wanted: Dog Kennel, any size
- I am in need of a crosscut saw - 1 man or 2 [...]
Today's post is both a glimpse into my glamorous weekend and a sneak peek at the newspaper column that will be published on Friday. Enjoy.
***
“Honey, I need you to wake up,” my husband said.
I blinked at the clock. 1:56 a.m.
He repeated, “Honey. There’s something going on. I need you to [...]
It's the second Sunday in Lent. Do you know what saint you are?
I saw this quiz on Rev. Dr. Mom's blog, so I stole it.
Which Saint Are You?
Bedtime with Posey is not ideal, not least of all because it is still happening in our bed. In effect, she has pushed one or the other of us out. We try to trade off.
The routine is essentially composed of three part:
Stories. (Do-Wah!)
Hugs and Begging: Night-night, night-night. I [...]
Happiness to all of you. May you all be positively swarmed with love and affection. I know I am.
This morning, my HSH gave me a box of Lindt truffles. We looked at the nutritional information (stupidstupidstupid) and declared that - since we are both attempting to lose some weight - [...]
Not long after we moved to New York, we found a sweet little Episcopal church that has about 25-50 people in the pews every week. And that 50 is on Christmas and Easter.
We like the priest, and we like the people. But there are no other children. There is no [...]
Me: Hey girls - what would you think about me putting on a movie for you to watch while I take care of the dogs and make supper?
Posey: Do-wa* (translation: "Dora!")
Bee: My princess video
Me: What princess video do you mean?
Posey: Do-wa!
Bee: Um. You know. My, um. Cinderella!
Posey: No! Do-wa.
Me: No, [...]
The fact that I didn't post Sunday can be chalked up to my observance of a Little Easter:
When observing fasting or abstinence during Lent, regard must be paid to the fact that Sundays are Feast Days, so the fast or abstinence may be broken. If one counts the days from Ash Wednesday [...]
This morning on NPR, there was an installment of Story Corps, in which a man related this story of his adult daughter's murder and what he and his wife experienced in the aftermath of that. It was an incredibly powerful illustration of the capacity of the human heart to [...]
Welcome the year of the rat. I hope it's full of health, happiness and prosperity for all of you.
[...]This season, while I am remembering that I am dust, my plan is to post every day.
This season is always very sacred to me because it was on the afternoon of Shrove Tuesday four years ago that I first learned my pelvis was cradling a grapefruit-sized mass. [...]
Like several other Gorgeous Ladies Of the Blogo-Sphere (GLOBS), I am also stealing this house meme from American Family.
1. When you walk in your front door, which room do you enter?
A foyer with slate floors and an abrupt staircase. Turn right into the dining room/den, left into the living room, [...]
Several small things and one big thing. First, the big thing.
Love Without Boundaries is competing in the Facebook cause challenge. For those unfamiliar with the organization, you can read more here. This group is staffed completely by volunteers and works 24-hours a day 7-days a week to improve the lives [...]
A weekend trip to Boston to visit Lila and Thor, who were been the most gracious and wonderful hosts. We arrived Friday at suppertime, and enjoyed pizza and wine and dark chocolate Belgian ale.
While we were driving over, Bee asked what rat poison is.
"It's a chemical that makes rats [...]
I probably wrote that last year, too, but whatever.
Here's a quick rundown:
Best gift given: Krups Coffee Grinder & Brewer for HSH because he hates our coffee. And because I am the prototypical 1950s housewife, I find that equivalent to his hating my housekeeping skills or blowjobs. Because I'm a [...]
My job description is about to change slightly to include some oversight duties. I am beyond excited about this because I really love learning about all the workflow process stuff. Who knew?
Anyway, one of the issues I'm dealing with is finding the right approach to facilitating workflow in a very [...]
Me: I had this terrible dream that I was working for a really awful hippie restaurant. And it was a scam, too, because the owner made us all buy these big broom skirts and satin shirts she was importing from Asia.
HSH: Oh, honey. That's the only kind of restaurant that [...]
It was in China, a year ago today, that my Hot-Shot Husband, Bee and I met our Posey. One very, very full year. In the meantime, we've been through hospitalizations, staph infections, recurring croup, sibling shenanigans, biting, co-sleeping, more biting, three unrelated visits to the ER, and - as [...]
For about a year, I was writing a column for a couple of different outlets called Shopsy. It was about shopping, which I actually hate doing. All the more reason for me to love shopping blogs.
It's no longer running anywhere because the pulp-based publishers decided that the column should be [...]
What follows is a column I wrote about getting rid of my Mommyvan.
Au Revoir, Mon Amie
It felt a little like taking an old dog to the vet to be put down.
Yesterday morning, I got into my cherished, beautiful, powerful, convenient Mommyvan, knowing it would be the last time I would [...]
This morning, I was behind two snowplows and a salt truck on my way to work. I was pretty far behind them, as they were all driving at a good clip.
The salt truck was directly in front of me, and I could tell there was a white bag of something [...]
The forecast says tomorrow morning will bring snow. And me, without my Subaru.
But that's not your problem. Maybe your problem is that you don;t know what to wear tomorrow. Maybe you think you need some new clothes. Maybe you want a modest swimsuit.
Oh, have I got an answer for you, [...]
Those of you who wait with tested patience for the irregular post from me on this blog will find it hilarious that one of my primary duties at Ye Olde Marketing Agency (YOMA) is overseeing the company blog.
I know.
You will also find it hilarious to know that each member of [...]
My trip to Florida was both wonderful and difficult. It was great to see my friends, and awful to realize - once again - just how much I miss them. And how unlikely it is that they'll be visiting me in New York any time soon.
It is what it is.
Smiley's [...]
I'm in the airport, getting reay to leave for five days of Florida-Brand Fun.
I love airports. I especially love how liberated some people feel when they're in an airport. People like this, who are about to join the mile high club before EVER [...]
The house is sold. Gone. No longer my problem. No longer my safety net. No longer waiting there just in case I decide New York is too much for me.
I can't tell you how good it feels. I feel like I've lost 50 pounds. I feel like I've cut my [...]
I said I couldn't talk about Xerxes. I'm still not sure if I can.
We miss him.
I worry about him. I do not know this person - this young man who angrily refuses to accept any genuine help, who calls in sick to work, who isn't in college right now [...]
We're killing out television. Well, OK, not killing it. Just giving it a bypass.
A week or so ago, the "input" key on the remote stopped working, so we were forced to survive on meager rations of DVDs. The thing is? It's not that bad. And it's really pretty great for [...]
My school job is about 10 minutes away from the house, and I get to go in with Bee and Posey, who throws her arms up and squeals "Yay!" when we enter the parking lot.
My other job - the marketing job - is 30-45 minutes from the house, depending on [...]
Today was Bee's first day of school, and my first day as a substitute assistant in a 6-9yo Mont3ssori classroom.
Bee loved her class.
"We didn't take a nap!"
Other than that, it's basically the same old same old for her, just in a different room with some older kids, most of [...]
Tomorrow, Bee will start kindergarten. Actually it's a 4yo, Montessori-brand kindergarten. She has picked out her best dress and packed her backpack. She is ready.
Also tomorrow, I will be going to my third day of work at the school Bee and Posey attend.
Q. Have you always really liked working [...]
After a long day at work, after driving 45 minutes (!) home, after supper, after two girls jumping all over me - literally and figuratively - about playing on the swingset, after giving in, we went outside. I pushed the two girls not quite as well as their Dad would [...]
