Monday, January 31, 2011
Child?s Feet and One Hand Amputated After Emergency Room Delay (California Tort ?Reform? In All Its Glory)
Out of the Sacramento Bee comes this horrible story of �2-year-old Malyia Jeffers,��whose feet and one hand were amputated after a 5-hour wait in an emergency room of an urgent care center. She was sitting there with a potentially deadly invasive Streptococcus A infection.�While she waited, according to the article, the girl became increasingly lethargic, [...]
Story Spark: Interview with Ian Beck
Despite the snow and ice, 'Story Spark' soldiers on! This season of tales, literature and imagination at The Ark, Dublin sees another series of author readings this weekend and I am delighted to have asked fantastic author and illustrator Ian Beck a few questions about his work and also discovered that he painted the cover for Elton John's 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road'. Wow!
Ian will be reading this Sunday, 12th December at 4pm for 7-10yr olds. The theme is 'Wild Woods and Magical Quests'.
1. How did you get involved with writing/illustrating children's books?
I had been a freelance illustrator since leaving Brighton School of Art in the late 1960?s. I worked mainly in editorial, illustrating for magazines and newspapers. One of my regular clients was the Radio Times, and I made a colour drawing for the Holiday Supplement in the very early 1980?s, and one of the designers at the Oxford University Press noted it and thought my style of drawing and general colouring etc might be suitable for a book they were planning for babies. I made a sample drawing, which pleased the editor of the book and I was offered the job. I was delighted because our first baby was nearly two and I had been looking at books with him and wishing I could make something in that field too, but saw no way in, and then hey presto. The editor was a very boyish David Fickling, and the book was Round and Round the Garden, compiled by Sarah Williams, first published in 1983 and still going strong. David later encouraged me to write my own stories as well as illustrating, so in a real sense he is the person responsible for my entire later career.
2. Where do you get your inspiration?
I get inspiration from small events in daily life, from chance remarks, from very old cartoons, from huge Hollywood films, from novels, from music of all kinds, from anime, Japanese prints, in fact from everywhere and everything. I think the trick is to recognise a good idea and then be able to nurture and develop it and learn to trust your imagination.
3. How long did it take you to write your most recent book?
My most recently published book was the third one in my Tom Trueheart series of adventures, Tom Trueheart & the Land of Myths& Legends. Bits of it had been floating around in my head while I was writing the second book in the series, and certain loose ends needed tying up etc, certain themes needed to be fully developed. I think it took about eighteen months to write altogether given that I was also working on finishing my young adult title Pastworld at the same time.
4. How often do you participate in events such as 'Story Spark' where you read to your young fans? Do you enjoy it, or do you get nervous?!
I visit a lot of schools and libraries and book festivals during any one year, and I do find it very rewarding. It is very useful to get feedback and discover if readers have enjoyed the stories, and which ones they liked best and so on. Also I think it is important for children to see that stories and pictures are made by people not machines, and fallible people at that who have just had more practice than them. I have done so much of it over the last twenty five years or so that I don?t really get nervous now at all. Perhaps I should?
2. Where do you get your inspiration?
I get inspiration from small events in daily life, from chance remarks, from very old cartoons, from huge Hollywood films, from novels, from music of all kinds, from anime, Japanese prints, in fact from everywhere and everything. I think the trick is to recognise a good idea and then be able to nurture and develop it and learn to trust your imagination.
3. How long did it take you to write your most recent book?
My most recently published book was the third one in my Tom Trueheart series of adventures, Tom Trueheart & the Land of Myths& Legends. Bits of it had been floating around in my head while I was writing the second book in the series, and certain loose ends needed tying up etc, certain themes needed to be fully developed. I think it took about eighteen months to write altogether given that I was also working on finishing my young adult title Pastworld at the same time.
4. How often do you participate in events such as 'Story Spark' where you read to your young fans? Do you enjoy it, or do you get nervous?!I visit a lot of schools and libraries and book festivals during any one year, and I do find it very rewarding. It is very useful to get feedback and discover if readers have enjoyed the stories, and which ones they liked best and so on. Also I think it is important for children to see that stories and pictures are made by people not machines, and fallible people at that who have just had more practice than them. I have done so much of it over the last twenty five years or so that I don?t really get nervous now at all. Perhaps I should?
5. How important do you feel events like 'Story Spark' are in encouraging children to read and be excited about books?
Obviously in the current climate of austerity fear, with libraries being threatened with closure and cut backs all around it is more important than ever for celebratory events to be continued and encouraged. The ability to read and enjoy reading books and stories is a vital and an empowering one and lasts for a whole lifetime. Nothing could be more important, such festivals now and in the future could be the very lifeblood of literacy.
I have read continuously and obsessively ever since I could read. My favourite books in childhood were the Just William stories by Richmal Crompton with the wonderful line drawings by Thomas Henry. Later I graduated to loving the wonderful Molesworth books by Geoffrey Willans and Ronald Searle and still do. Of more recent books for children my favourite would be Holes by Louis Sachar.
Source: http://hotcrossmum.blogspot.com/2010/12/story-spark-interview-with-ian-beck.html
Wrung out
I've been crying off and on for 24 hours - not usually my thing.
Normally I'm stoic, but ever since the weekend when I stared at the pile of gifts Rooster gave me I've been attempting to actually feel them when they bubble to the surface. Gone are the days of stamping them down. I know both personally and professionally what a mistake it is to completely ignore pain.
I want Hawk to see me work through the spectrum; I want him to see the process and that I can survive it and that it's acceptable. I often feel like a lopsided adult with only half a round of emotional ammunition at my ready and I feel at a communicating disadvantage . Actually letting him see me hurt is almost as hard as it is to feel the hurt in the first place, but I'm determined.
When Hawk sees me cry, his questions about my sadness spurn me on to understand it myself. "Why you so sad, Mommy? Me make you sad??"
"No, baby. Mommy's just sad today. She had a conversation that made her sad. That happens to grownups sometimes. I'll be ok, though."
"Me make you happy??" he hugs me fiercely, holds my face in his hands and kisses it all over, just like I do to him, "You feel better now?"
I don't want him to feel responsible for my feelings so I tell him I like his loving attention, but that he doesn't have to make me happy. Then, I think, "Wait, people need to feel as thought they can make a difference to those they love and care about," and so I tell him it does make me feel better. And he gives me even more.
The reasons I'm crying are many fold and, I think, pretty obvious. Then this morning I read this blog post written by my friend, Brie:
And again, I started to cry.
I feel like it's all too much. The life upheaval, the constantness of motherhood, the pain of divorce.
One minute I'm one thing, another the next.
Hawk, being just barely 3, is all over my shit from the moment he wakes up till the moment he goes to bed if we're in the house (out of the house, and it's awesomeness). I don't have to tell any of you how exhausting that is. I can't make a phone call, write, do life-business things, look for a job, take a shower, or ever put my makeup on without him, literally, clamoring all over me, yelling at me, running into me, or damaging something to get my attention. The only relief is TV (le sigh).
Add two geriatric dogs I'm dog-sitting for 3 weeks who need in and out 100x a day, to be fed a special concoction, and whose water dish is never full enough, plus two cats who never know if they want in or out and never seem to have enough food or water themselves, and I feel as though I'm drowning. I'm surrounded by things that can't take care of themselves 24-freakin'-7.
I had The Family Guy on last night and on my way outside to enjoy the night air I caught this snippet between Lois and Stewie. Stewie had been having separation anxiety and wasn't giving Lois a moment of rest. Check it out. It's actually freaking hilarious.
It made me laugh and cry simultaneously.
Lucky for me I have pockets of relief scattered about and they are like so many blossoms in an otherwise dried up bouquet. I question everything I'm doing, but when I am able to wake up smiling I brush the doubt away and rise to the occasion and plan for more.
*sigh*
Keep striving. Keep digging. Keep working. It's all worthwhile. All of it. This is just part of the process and a year from now will be a whole different world. These feelings are temporary and necessary. I just have to keep pushing.
[I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone who emails me and who leaves such tender, smart, supportive comments. I'm sorry I haven't responded to each of you like I normally do, but know that your words help me tremendously. This weird blogging world is so much more than just a hobby. It's a circle of friends. Thank you again.]
Normally I'm stoic, but ever since the weekend when I stared at the pile of gifts Rooster gave me I've been attempting to actually feel them when they bubble to the surface. Gone are the days of stamping them down. I know both personally and professionally what a mistake it is to completely ignore pain.
I want Hawk to see me work through the spectrum; I want him to see the process and that I can survive it and that it's acceptable. I often feel like a lopsided adult with only half a round of emotional ammunition at my ready and I feel at a communicating disadvantage . Actually letting him see me hurt is almost as hard as it is to feel the hurt in the first place, but I'm determined.
When Hawk sees me cry, his questions about my sadness spurn me on to understand it myself. "Why you so sad, Mommy? Me make you sad??"
"No, baby. Mommy's just sad today. She had a conversation that made her sad. That happens to grownups sometimes. I'll be ok, though."
"Me make you happy??" he hugs me fiercely, holds my face in his hands and kisses it all over, just like I do to him, "You feel better now?"
I don't want him to feel responsible for my feelings so I tell him I like his loving attention, but that he doesn't have to make me happy. Then, I think, "Wait, people need to feel as thought they can make a difference to those they love and care about," and so I tell him it does make me feel better. And he gives me even more.
The reasons I'm crying are many fold and, I think, pretty obvious. Then this morning I read this blog post written by my friend, Brie:
I woke up tired on Sunday. My body was tired, but my spirit was tired too. Tired of everything. The constant going and moving and never stopping. The constant demands and pleas and negotiations. Tired of all of it. The constantness of motherhood.
And again, I started to cry.
I feel like it's all too much. The life upheaval, the constantness of motherhood, the pain of divorce.
One minute I'm one thing, another the next.
Hawk, being just barely 3, is all over my shit from the moment he wakes up till the moment he goes to bed if we're in the house (out of the house, and it's awesomeness). I don't have to tell any of you how exhausting that is. I can't make a phone call, write, do life-business things, look for a job, take a shower, or ever put my makeup on without him, literally, clamoring all over me, yelling at me, running into me, or damaging something to get my attention. The only relief is TV (le sigh).
Add two geriatric dogs I'm dog-sitting for 3 weeks who need in and out 100x a day, to be fed a special concoction, and whose water dish is never full enough, plus two cats who never know if they want in or out and never seem to have enough food or water themselves, and I feel as though I'm drowning. I'm surrounded by things that can't take care of themselves 24-freakin'-7.
I had The Family Guy on last night and on my way outside to enjoy the night air I caught this snippet between Lois and Stewie. Stewie had been having separation anxiety and wasn't giving Lois a moment of rest. Check it out. It's actually freaking hilarious.
It made me laugh and cry simultaneously.
Lucky for me I have pockets of relief scattered about and they are like so many blossoms in an otherwise dried up bouquet. I question everything I'm doing, but when I am able to wake up smiling I brush the doubt away and rise to the occasion and plan for more.
*sigh*
Keep striving. Keep digging. Keep working. It's all worthwhile. All of it. This is just part of the process and a year from now will be a whole different world. These feelings are temporary and necessary. I just have to keep pushing.
[I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone who emails me and who leaves such tender, smart, supportive comments. I'm sorry I haven't responded to each of you like I normally do, but know that your words help me tremendously. This weird blogging world is so much more than just a hobby. It's a circle of friends. Thank you again.]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThisIsWorthwhile/~3/y1F9894gi1s/wrung-out.html
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Jeremy Draws a Monster, Part 1
Finding a book for our first month’s “Families, Create” theme, “Cuddle Up,” was hard – but that’s because there are so many great books to choose from! Not only do we “cuddle up” every time we read a book, but there are so many cuddly characters in kids’ stories. Ultimately, our creations have more to [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CodeNameMama/~3/I_DlQ8a0VnE/
Michael McAllister, Top New York Mediator, Has Passed On (Updated)
It’s with great sadness that I’m reporting the death late yesterday at the age of 59 of one of New York’s top mediators, Michael McAllister. Anyone that has tried civil cases in New York over the last two decades �knows who he is, and has most likely appeared before him at some point. McAllister was [...]
On the third day of Christmas...
But really, who needs a French Hen, let alone three?! So instead of giving anyone such a 'poultry' gift (groan - sorry!), I have done some rigorous field research into some much more interesting gift ideas.
First up, and in keeping with the French theme, are these gorgeous LED nightlights from Pabobo; a company based in Paris. They kindly sent me the Barbapapa chain light (pictured below) which we all love - me especially, as Barbapapa was my favourite cartoon and very few people seem to remember it. Pabobo have a lovely range of plug in and portable nightlights, chain lights and projectors which would make a lovely gift that is just a little bit different. The lights come with a UK plug.
If you're looking for something to do with all the photos you've taken of the kids this year, why not treat yourself, or family members to a photo calendar? Photobox do a fantastic range of calendars which allow you to select size, themes, layout and even add important family dates to. The service from Photobox is excellent and the products are very high quality.
In case all the real snow has disappeared by Christmas Eve, the Marie Curie Cancer Care shop has 'magic snow' among its range of gifts. This works by adding water to the contents of the sachet and the snow grows in front of your eyes! The kit comes with footprint and hoofprint templates to really make it look like Santa and Rudolph have been down the chimney! Use voucher code MC10 to get a 10% discount at the Marie Curie Cancer Care online shop. 100% of the profits from the online shop sales go to providing free nursing care to terminally ill patients in the comfort of their own homes or in one of the 9 hospices.
If you didn't see this last year, you have to check out the Portable North Pole where you can create a free, personalised video message from Santa to your children including their name, age, what they have been good at this year and what they're hoping for from Santa. It also includes a navigation screen to show the route from the North Pole to your home. This is absolutely guaranteed to cause great excitement; especially if you wait until Christmas Eve to show your children their messages.
Finally, thank you Next for the lovely French Hen logo used at the top of this post. They have created a logo for each of the 12 days of Christmas, so expect to see a few more over the coming days! Don't forget to check out their gift ideas at Next.co.uk like these fab digger wellies - I just wish I'd had them this week (for the boys that is, not for me).
Source: http://hotcrossmum.blogspot.com/2010/12/on-third-day-of-christmas.html
Hot Cross Christmas Gift Guide: Part 1
As a Mummy Blogger (which, by the way, I think should now be included under 'Occupation' on those forms you get asked to fill in every now and again), one of the perks 'of the job' is that I sometimes get sent things to review from nice people who work in offices which are a lot swankier than mine. Over the year, I've been frantically reading books, pressing buttons, assembling toys, wearing clothes, putting stuff on my face and hair and eating things - all, might I add, in the name of research for my 'reading' public. As it's nearly Christmas, I thought I'd give you my top tips for pressies from the stuff I've tried out this year. So I give you:
Books for Adults - Although I wasn't sent these books to review, I have to recommend the two best books I read this year: 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' - brilliantly written, with characters you'll fall in love with from the first page and 'The Help' - an amazing book which I defy you not to love.
Books for Children - I've been fortunate to review loads of children's books this year. We devour books in our house so this is a complete joy for me. Check out my previous reviews of picture books: 'A Bit Lost', 'Tiny Little Fly' and 'Three By The Sea'. There is also a fantastic new illustrated edition just published by Walker Books of Ted Hughes's 'The Iron Man' - not the Marvel comic one, the classic, literary one. If you're into History, the wonderful 'The Story of Britain' by Patrick Dillon, illustrated by PJ Lynch, would make a lovely gift for a niece or nephew or grandchild.
Beauty Products - regular readers will know I became a Liz Earle convert this year. I have tried their 'Cleanse & Polish', 'Botanical Shampoo and Conditioner' and most recently their Superskin Moisturiser and Superskin Concentrate which are miraculously fighting off that awful 'cardboard face' syndrome I seem to get every winter. I cannot recommend their products , service and beautiful wrapping, highly enough.
Toys for children - I was eating my own words when we trialled the LeapFrog 'Tag' readers system earlier this year.
And finally, if you're looking for white goods, may I recommend Applicances Online. Fellow blogger Single Parent Did wrote an excellent review of their products and services and they kindly sent me a bottle of bubbly. Don't ask me why, they just did. M'kay.
So, that's a start. More next week.
This post was written for 'Festive Friday' which is running over on Thinly Spread every Friday until Christmas.
Image from Anne Taintor Vintage
Source: http://hotcrossmum.blogspot.com/2010/11/hot-cross-christmas-gift-guide-part-1.html
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Jeremy Draws a Monster, Part 1
Finding a book for our first month’s “Families, Create” theme, “Cuddle Up,” was hard – but that’s because there are so many great books to choose from! Not only do we “cuddle up” every time we read a book, but there are so many cuddly characters in kids’ stories. Ultimately, our creations have more to [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CodeNameMama/~3/I_DlQ8a0VnE/
Influenced Vegetable Stew
Influenced by whom you wonder? Mollie Katzen again. While everyone else I know is loving up and “Tackling Mark Bittman” (blog hop anyone?), I remain in a state of Bittman ignorance and find kinship with my old pal Mollie instead. I had no idea what to make tonight. All I knew is that I wanted [...]
Related posts:
Related posts:
- Foodie Fridays: Vegetable Pie with Grated Potato Crust
- Foodie Friday: Greek Red Lentil Soup
- Vegetarian Foodie Fridays: Chickpea Potato Stew
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BreastfeedingMomsUnite/~3/bqjpJ7gDwh8/
Vegetarian Foodie Fridays #32
Welcome to Vegetarian Foodie Fridays! Where we’re not just Meatless on Mondays, but all week through! Hi! My name is Melodie and I’m a long time vegetarian who’s into real food, holistic nutrition, and healthy living but suffers from a sweet tooth! (I love homemade baked goods and ice cream). To learn more about why [...]
Related posts:
Related posts:
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BreastfeedingMomsUnite/~3/Z1qj3K16gCM/
Friday, January 28, 2011
Tough lessons to learn
Oh my poor, poor children. They are growing up. And it's tough.
First, we've had a run of birthday parties where my eldest was invited and the youngest wasn't. I knew this was going to happen sooner or later and although the parents kindly invited the little guy, I feel that I have to let the eldest have his own friends, and his own fun, without having one eye out for his little brother all the time. My poor little boy just couldn't understand why his big brother was going somewhere with a big present and coming home with a party bag and a balloon hat. I did my best to not make a big deal of the parties; we did special things together while the older brother was partying, had our own party bags, had our own fun, but his little voice still insisted that 'It's not fair'.
Then we had the older brother getting upset when it was the little fella's birthday - how come he was getting lots of presents and he wasn't getting any? We explained, we wiped away the tears, we explained again, but his slightly bigger voice still insisted, 'It's not fair'.
And finally, we had the incident of the Spiderman costume - you know, the one with the bulging muscles? My eldest - who recently turned 5 - has, for years, been beating himself into a Spiderman costume which is for 2-3 year olds. He ran upstairs to put it on the other day, only to return back to the kitchen a few minutes later, clearly not dressed up as Spiderman. "It doesn't fit," he wailed, sobbing into my shoulder. "I'm too big." This, from a boy, who has spent most of his talking life telling us he wants to be big. I cuddled him and although I felt sad for him, couldn't help smiling at the irony of it all. Daddy somehow resisted the urge to pat him on the back and say 'You're growing up son. Soon you'll be a real man like your Daddy."
And then it was my turn. Yesterday, the 5 year old was busily drawing a picture for his Daddy's birthday. He told me he was drawing a picture of our family. It was very cute (see below).
"Tell me who everybody is love," I said.
"That's Daddy. That's me and that's Sam."
"Oh. And where is mummy?"
"There wasn't room for you mummy."
Tough lessons indeed.
Source: http://hotcrossmum.blogspot.com/2010/11/tough-lessons-to-learn.html
Hot Cross Christmas Gift Guide: Part 1
As a Mummy Blogger (which, by the way, I think should now be included under 'Occupation' on those forms you get asked to fill in every now and again), one of the perks 'of the job' is that I sometimes get sent things to review from nice people who work in offices which are a lot swankier than mine. Over the year, I've been frantically reading books, pressing buttons, assembling toys, wearing clothes, putting stuff on my face and hair and eating things - all, might I add, in the name of research for my 'reading' public. As it's nearly Christmas, I thought I'd give you my top tips for pressies from the stuff I've tried out this year. So I give you:
Books for Adults - Although I wasn't sent these books to review, I have to recommend the two best books I read this year: 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' - brilliantly written, with characters you'll fall in love with from the first page and 'The Help' - an amazing book which I defy you not to love.
Books for Children - I've been fortunate to review loads of children's books this year. We devour books in our house so this is a complete joy for me. Check out my previous reviews of picture books: 'A Bit Lost', 'Tiny Little Fly' and 'Three By The Sea'. There is also a fantastic new illustrated edition just published by Walker Books of Ted Hughes's 'The Iron Man' - not the Marvel comic one, the classic, literary one. If you're into History, the wonderful 'The Story of Britain' by Patrick Dillon, illustrated by PJ Lynch, would make a lovely gift for a niece or nephew or grandchild.
Beauty Products - regular readers will know I became a Liz Earle convert this year. I have tried their 'Cleanse & Polish', 'Botanical Shampoo and Conditioner' and most recently their Superskin Moisturiser and Superskin Concentrate which are miraculously fighting off that awful 'cardboard face' syndrome I seem to get every winter. I cannot recommend their products , service and beautiful wrapping, highly enough.
Toys for children - I was eating my own words when we trialled the LeapFrog 'Tag' readers system earlier this year.
And finally, if you're looking for white goods, may I recommend Applicances Online. Fellow blogger Single Parent Did wrote an excellent review of their products and services and they kindly sent me a bottle of bubbly. Don't ask me why, they just did. M'kay.
So, that's a start. More next week.
This post was written for 'Festive Friday' which is running over on Thinly Spread every Friday until Christmas.
Image from Anne Taintor Vintage
Source: http://hotcrossmum.blogspot.com/2010/11/hot-cross-christmas-gift-guide-part-1.html
The year in pictures
I have a gazillion photos of my children (and not much else) but, unfortunately, they are mostly hidden away on my PC or on a memory card somewhere. Every now and again I do get myself organised and print a few out to send to family members, but for the most part they live in my hardrive; unseen by anyone. 'Undisplayed Photo Syndrome' is, apparently, quite common but the good news is, there is a cure. Ta-daaaaa.It is known as a Kodak Photo Book. These are high-quality, hardbound photo albums which are perfect for keeping your favourite photos from the year, or of a particular holiday, all in one place and VISIBLE! I gave one to the boys' grandparents last year and I think it was the best christmas present they have ever received. It is proudly shown to everyone (and I mean, everyone) who enters the house!
The Photo Books make great Christmas gifts and are easy to compile and order through the KODAK Gallery website where you can choose from a variety of book sizes, colours and page templates. Find out more and start creating your Photo Book at Kodak Gallery
Also, until the end of January 2011, you can take advantage of an exclusive offer to get 2 Kodak Photo Books for the price of 1 by using voucher code 2FOR1PHOTOBOOKS
For the next 12 days, Kodak are also running a brilliant competition to become Kodak?s ?Photo Book Family?. The ?Photo Book Family? will win a KODAK Pocket Video Camera and �50 KODAK Gallery credit to create a Photo Book. To be in with a chance of winning this excellent prize, send your best family photo to Kodak.Xmas@ketchumpleon.com Kodak will select the winner from all entries.
Good luck!
T&Cs
Voucher
The 2 for 1 voucher code offer is valid until 31.01.11 on www.kodakgallery.co.uk. Maximum of 1 free Photo Book per customer, voucher code can only be used once. Offer is valid on all Photo Book types (excluding the mini book).
Competition
The competition runs from Dec 1st and ends on Dec 12th. The winner will be required to supply Kodak with footage of their family compiling their Photo Book within 28 days of receiving the prize. The competition email address will be live from Wednesday Dec 1st and entrants will need to send their full name, address and family photo to this address to enter. One entry per person, open to UK residents aged 18 or over.
Source: http://hotcrossmum.blogspot.com/2010/11/year-in-pictures.html
Dream
Last night after almost an entire bottle of wine and hours of packing I lay exhausted on the couch. A log burned silently and hotly beside me, Christmas music played through the TV. I'd already packed the afghan so I curled up under throw pillows spooning Digby.
An hour later I woke up tense and cold, and bewildered. I'd dreamed about Rooster. He'd been sitting on the couch and lifted his arms to me wide, welcoming me to sit on his lap. I felt such relief as I let him pull me down into his warm, safe embrace. I knew everything was going to be ok now; I was in his capable arms after all, how could things not be ok?
Something about this sense of relaxation woke me up, stirred me from beyond. This isn't right, I thought. NO. I'm doing this alone.
Then I turned out the lights, left the cats curled on their chairs by the fire and crawled into my own bed ignoring the labeled boxes that have replaced decorations this season.
I move tomorrow.
An hour later I woke up tense and cold, and bewildered. I'd dreamed about Rooster. He'd been sitting on the couch and lifted his arms to me wide, welcoming me to sit on his lap. I felt such relief as I let him pull me down into his warm, safe embrace. I knew everything was going to be ok now; I was in his capable arms after all, how could things not be ok?
Something about this sense of relaxation woke me up, stirred me from beyond. This isn't right, I thought. NO. I'm doing this alone.
Then I turned out the lights, left the cats curled on their chairs by the fire and crawled into my own bed ignoring the labeled boxes that have replaced decorations this season.
I move tomorrow.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThisIsWorthwhile/~3/8WbYQdMVie4/dream.html
10:01 am
I forgot how happy this little guy full of Turkish coffee makes me.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThisIsWorthwhile/~3/EtviRLcomTc/1001-am.html
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Deprived of a nativity
I love Christmas - always have; always will and although I will be resisting the urge to put my decorations up for another couple of weeks (despite the fact that half my street is already flashing and twinkling away in festive glory), I'm all for the tinsel and the silly hats. I'm almost even partial to the odd sprout nowadays.
But I am sorry to say, dear reader, that one aspect of my Christmas experience will be forever missing. I won't be going to see my children in their school nativity (bursts into tears).
Let me explain.
My son's school is non-denominational. This is not only a very long word, it is also a relatively new concept for education in Ireland. It's great for us non-Catholic folk and the school is fantastic, but I will admit to being more than a wee bit sad that this also means that I will never get to see my little boys with tea-towels on their heads holding a toy lamb, or standing with their arms out straight for about 8 hours trying to be angelic (has another little weep).
I have very fond memories of our school nativity in the freezing cold village hall and was a fairly decent Mary myself for several years running. Silly though it may seem, it really quite saddens me that my children won't be following in my nativity thespian footsteps and that as a mother, I am going to be deprived of the opportunity to half laugh/half cry at my off-spring hanging around in a pretend stable. That is one of the reasons we have kids, is it not?
So, please, please think of me when your little ones forget their lines or trip up on their curtain-cum-kingly robe and when you're taking your photos and wiping away a tear or two.
I'm hopeful that at least we'll get a little end of term show and a song or two - if not, I may seriously have to think about changing schools.
Source: http://hotcrossmum.blogspot.com/2010/11/deprived-of-nativity.html
Weekend Links
Give: OASIS :: Sorta Crunchy Why and How to Become a Morning Person :: Motherhood Your Way The Perpetual Giveaway Box :: Small Notebook Homemade Oreos :: My Baking Addiction 5 Ways to Know if the Art Has to Wait :: Chatting at the Sky “Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and [...]
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A Thank You Card
As many of you now know, I am not going to be blogging anymore. The day before my announcement post went up I was treated to a complimentary night’s stay at the Inn At Laurel Point in Victoria, B.C. It was such a wonderful gift and the perfect way to end my past two years [...]
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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BreastfeedingMomsUnite/~3/GaffE6rp9xA/
Fighting the Tyranny of the Urgent at Home
This post was first published on February 15, 2010. I’ve got a radio interview this morning on NPR, I’m headed to Nashville for Blissdom tomorrow, and we’ve got three sick kids in the household. This equates to a “best of” reposting from the past. Enjoy! In the 1960s, Charles Hummel published a little booklet called [...]
CURRENT SPONSORS:
- AboutOne.com - the one place to safely store & manage household information.
- Oak Meadow - creative homeschooling since 1975.
- Mabel's Labels - earn free products as a volunteer product ambassador.
� 2010 Simple Living Media, LLC | All rights reserved - This feed is provided for the convenience of Simple Mom subscribers. Any reproduction of the content within this feed is strictly prohibited. If you are reading this content elsewhere, please contact hello@simplelivingmedia.com to let us know. Thanks.
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The magic that is a child (this is not a year-end recap)
Every morning I am awoken by Hawk climbing into bed with me; my mattress is on the floor and he delights in the ease with which he can snuggle down next to me. Today was no different.
Yet, somehow, today is different. Just a little.
It's my 5 year anniversary.
I feel some sadness about this, though it's more like I feel a kind of heavy pressure regarding its presence rather than any real emotion about it. Maybe it's more accurate to say, I think I feel some sadness about today.
Hawk rustled under the covers and my eyes blinked open to see the sunlight streaming in over the back of his spiky bedhead. His little shoulder rising and falling with his breath accompanied by a slight motion from rubbing his blankie between his thumb and forefinger.
Then he rolled over and we were nose to nose looking deeply into each other's eyes. His dark brown lashes blurred into white tips as they caught the soft light and his cobalt blue irises reflected me back like a tiny, tiny mirror. Everything else in the universe ceased to exist as I stared at myself in his eyes. He lifted his hand, placed it on my face gently and said, "It is a good day."
The last five weeks have been incredible; such a tangle of every emotion possible. I am happier than I've been in years, yet I am also sad; I'm angry, I'm at peace; I hurt, I rejoice. The death of my marriage has conjured up the ghosts from my father's and Levi's deaths and I have re-experienced that pain all over again, as well. Apparently, despite my grief over these things being so vastly different, they're still all in a "grief file" in my brain and when I pull out one, I revisit the others whether I want to or not.
Grief aside, life is pretty fucking ok.
Rooster and I are doing well. We have our moments of locked horns, but just as in our marriage our separation and road to divorce is full of decorum and respect. We're like little barnyard goats, not bighorn sheep. I couldn't ask for a better man in my life than him to share this with -- is it weird to say I wouldn't want to divorce anyone else but him?? I think you get the point: his kind, gentle intelligence is serving us now just as it did when we were working to stay together.
My friends have been supportive and caring; gently reaching out, but never crowding me. I've had some incredibly low moments this month and if it weren't for the steady trickle of concern from far and wide my pain surely would have run away with me. Thank you to all of you. I cannot imagine my life without you.
Tuesday, January 4th, Hawk starts day care. Full time. I got him enrolled in an amazing school which is centered around child-led play. Seventy-five children, aged 18 months to 5 years, run amok playing with potions, piles of sand, old tires, and the ugliest castoff toys I've ever seen which somehow magically turn into the shiniest, most spectacularly special toys when I use the eyes of my youth.
A lot has been going on, yes... yet, I haven't been dreading today as you might think. I believe in regular days and their mundane power and try not to give importance to arbitrary dates (with the singular exception of Hawk's birthday and those days which those I love find important). I'm having some of my dearest friends over tonight, people who were at my wedding 5 years ago, and Rooster has asked to join us. Of course I said he was more than welcome.
So I will be ringing in the New Year much the same as I did five years ago: with hope, with expectation, with love and friends surrounding me. The biggest difference now is that everyday I have a small, cherubic face to remind me what a good day it is today lest I forget.
And as his early morning words faded into the space over our heads comfortably cradled in my down pillows he moved his hand to rub my arm. He took a small breath and added to his assertion about today's goodness, "You are so precious."
Indeed, I thought, but it's more like lucky. I am so, so lucky.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThisIsWorthwhile/~3/DwlB6Bhzrjk/magic-that-is-child.html
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