Today I stumbled on a super fun post at A Cup of Jo called ‘What’s Really in Your Bag?’.  This post was was the first in a series co-hosted by the amazing illustrator Emily McDowell. If you haven’t had a chance to see the post, you really must go check it out because Emily drew her answer to the question and it is really amazing to see.

I have answered this question in writing a few times since being introduced to the prompt years ago by my then writing teacher, Lisa Garrigues. What I love about this prompt is that it is about so much more than what is in your purse. Writing about what is inside your purse is truly a snapshot of where you are in your life.

So here goes…

What is really in my bag:

An overstuffed wallet that is overstuffed because of receipts not cash!

A small notebook for memory keeping.

A plastic bag with 4 stale almonds in it.

5 blue pens and 2 mechanical pencils. Why is that I can never find anything to write with when I look in my purse?

A half eaten tootsie pop that I brought with me to curb my motion sickness on the school bus in to the city a few weeks ago.

A loose receipt from the postoffice for a package that I mailed that was postage paid. Still not sure why I need a receipt for these packages.

Starburst wrappers. Because I like Starbursts.

Lip gloss.

Aquaphor for when my lips are too dry for lip gloss (which was often this winter).

A bottle of Motrin.

A flyer inviting me to purchase a highlight DVD of Katherine’s basketball season.

A small envelope with two small keys to turn Katherine’s expander. I had lost ours and we went to the orthodontist last week. I guess I need to turn the expander tonight!

Loose change.

So there it is. Your turn!

Read more

The first negative phone call we ever received from a teacher came when Caroline was only five years old. “She’s being bossy.”, we were told. At the time I was appalled and immediately over-reacted feeling sure that Caroline would never have another friend. We talked to her about the importance of her friend’s feelings and the need to listen to everyone’s opinions.

After reading Sheryl Sandberg and Anna Maria Chavez’s article in the Wall Street Journal this weekend, I realize that I should have said and thought something else entirely. I could have thanked the teacher for her time but then said, “She’s not bossy. She has executive leadership skills.”

As I read “Don’t Call Us Bossy”, I was struck again and again by thoughts that I have had or should have had around the common phrase, “She’s so bossy.” Below are a few key quotes from the article;

“When a little boy takes charge in class or on the playground, nobody is surprised or offended. We expect him to lead. But when a little girl does the same, she is often criticized and disliked.”

As I read, I was shocked to realize that I have certainly come to this unconscious conclusion myself. I have never used the word bossy to describe a boy. Why is it that girls are so often called bossy when their male peers are described with phrases like “natural leader”?

“Sixth and seventh grade girls rate being popular and well-liked as more important that being perceived as competent or independent, while boys are more likely to rate competence and independence as more important, according to a report by the American Association of University Women.”

This fact, while sad, did not surprise me at all. We are living this quote in our house. There have been multiple times lately when Caroline has asked me not to tell people about an academic achievement because it was embarrassing. She repeatedly tells me that she wants to be known for being athletic or popular but not for being smart. This saddens me and makes me realize just how strong societal pressures are on young girls. We have worked hard against all these beliefs in our family yet here they are.

“These stereotypes become self-fulfilling prophecies. Despite earning the majority of college degrees, women make up just 19% of the U.S. Congress, 5% or Fortune 500 CEOs and 10% of heads of state.”

Again, these are facts that I have known on some level but seeing all the statistics lumped together here was really eye opening.

Perhaps, as with so many other things, these stats can be changed with action alone. While I don’t see myself every really describing a young child as having great ‘executive leadership skills’, I certainly can promise to no longer use the phrase ‘bossy’. That is, at least, a start.

 

 

Read more

“Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them”

-Lemony Snicket

Read more

You know those weeks when you feel like the same thing comes up again and again in different ways? This week’s theme seems to be ‘child choice vs parental decisions.’

On Monday, I had a conversation with a  friend about children choosing or not choosing their own outfits. I commented that I am totally in favor of children making their own choices. It’s usually pretty clear when you are looking at a kid-chosen outfit. All orange in different hues, stripes and plaids, socks pulled up over pants. And if this is how a child wants to express themselves, then I really don’t see the harm.

Then Tuesday, I read a great piece by a fellow writing class student. She had observed a parent at a pottery place completely dictating how their child painted their princess statue. Her writing was full of anger at this parent for their total disregard of their child’s independent and creative thinking. I couldn’t agree more. I really, really try to let my children create their own art believing more in process than product.

And then on Wednesday, moments before we needed to leave for school, Katherine came downstairs in this outfit.

I felt like I was being tested on everything I had said and thought throughout the week. The pink fur shrug from last year’s dance recital? Really?

Yup. Really.

Read more

A few months ago, my friend Patty introduced me to the group Clickin Moms. Patty is a super talented photographer so I was anxious to look into anything that provided inspiration for her. I have enjoyed the group and many of the photography prompts but my favorite thing arrived in the mail earlier this week.

The group publishes a photography magazine called Click that is truly amazing. I wasn’t quite sure what I would do with a photography magazine being a completely amateur photographer but the magazine did not disappoint.

There were definitely sections of the magazine geared more to the professionals like my friend Tamera or  ‘should be professionals’ like my friends Patty and Nicki but there were lots and lots of sections that were perfect for me.

Some of my favorite parts included:

A collection of photographs from a recently released book called Much Loved by Dublin based photographer Mark Nixon of really well loved stuffed animals.

A project called “On the Nest”, a collection of photograph by Dona Schwartz where she examines the children’s room of recent empty nesters.

A gorgeous collection of photographs of Erin de Jauregui’s baby’s first year.

An amazing ‘day in life’ photo essay by homesteader DeAnna McCasland.

and

And a profile of writer Elizabeth Gilbert included in the column “Meet Creative People.”

Thank you Patty for introducing me to Click!

 

 

Read more

So earlier today I posted what turned out was a rough draft of this post. I had copied and pasted the text from my friend Shana and an old version of my post went out. Thank goodness, a friend called and asked if there was something I wanted to tell her. Had I taken off with a man named Jim since we had last talked? Umm no. Jim is Shana’s husband not mine! So here we go again, hopefully with all the proper text. And thank you to Shana for sharing your inspiration but not your husband.

Do you like to get A)chocolates B) flowers C) a sweet card or D) ALL OF THE ABOVE?

Chocolate all the way. Although I do still love it when Rob comes home with flowers for Valentine’s Day and my birthday. This year, he bought one rose for me and each of the girls which I thought was great.

Do you believe in “love at first sight”? Did it happen to you?

I do believe in love at first sight but it certainly was not the way that Rob and I got together. We went to college together, shared many of the same friends and knew each. But we never dated. In fact, Rob thought I was a little bit mean. Although I still stand by the fact that I was shy 🙂

Do you believe love can conquer all things?

I think that love along with patience, listening and empathy can take you a pretty long way. Maybe this is the bit of the cynic in my but I’m afraid I think that time is what really heals all wounds.

What is one of the main things you love about your significant other?

His commitment to me and the girls. Rob puts us first before all other things. It is pretty great to have a relationship like that in this life. I am confident that he would drop anything and everything if we needed him.

If you could have the perfect date what would you and your loved one do?

I’m a pretty simple date. These days I really just like to go to the movies. I just love the chance to sit and get completely lost in a story that isn’t mine.

What’s the first type of chocolate you hope for when you reach into a box of chocolates?

I really like the the milk chocolate one with the little crispies or anything with caramel and nuts. In fact, I don’t love the box of chocolate. Sorry Forest but I like to know what I am getting. Bring me a bag of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and I’ll be yours for life.

If someone did that “Say Anything” boombox thing outside your window, would you be into it, or call the police?

Gosh, I fell really unromantic but I my first reaction was that I would call the police. I’m a little bit disappointed in myself but there it is.

Favorite celebrity couple?

Prince William and Kate Middleton

Read more

“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return”

-Eden Ahbez

Read more

Anyone who has read this blog for any amount of time will know that this is not a food blog. While I do cook for my family, I can’t say that it’s a passion. I’ve improved over the years thanks to the many tips and recipes that my friend Nicky has shared with me but I still don’t really call myself a cook.

The hardest part for me is having meals in my repertoire that I can get on the table quickly after soccer practice or dance class or play dates. We have long ago tired of my recipes that fit this description so I was awfully glad when Keepers was released. And then I was even more glad when I learned that this cookbook’s subtitle (Two Home Cooks Share Their Tried-and-True Weeknight Recipes and the Secrets to Happiness in the Kitchen) was true. Keepers is truly a cookbook full of recipes that can be cooked quickly. And the food tastes good.

Our favorites so far include Roasted Orange Chipolte Shrimp, Turkey Taco Night and Maple Barbecue Drumsticks. Caroline even asked me to make Green Beans with Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Breadcrumbs more than once and this is coming from a girl who will pick the basil out of tomato sauce because it is too green.

Needless to say, this one is indeed a Keeper.

Read more

Right now I am…

Traveling to…

Last week we spent part of the girl’s February break in Richmond, VA visiting with old friends. It was great to see so many people, visit favorite places and see grass and ground not covered with snow. The picture above was taken outside of a cute shop there. We’ve had lots of melting here over the past few days but the mounds of snow are still enormous. With temperatures dropping again this week, I really don’t know when the snow will be gone for good. The girls are Rob and outside playing basketball in the driveway right now after digging the hoop out from piles of snow. It is so good to hear their voices and laugher outside- it has been a long time.

Reading

I am finally reading a good novel. It feels like it’s been a long time. I am almost done with The Snow Child and will write a review soon but for now, know that I am loving it.

Listening

I am listening to whatever radio station my car wants to play. While I adore my new car, it is my first car with a computerized dashboard and let’s just say, I am missing my simpler cars. The dashboard really has a mind of it’s own. It will go to the radio when I ask for the heat. It will start changing channels at will. Looks like a trip to the dealership is in my future.

Watching

Having just binge-watched Homeland and Scandal, I promised myself that I wouldn’t sacrifice other activities for House of Cards. I am trying but it is hard. While I still think it is my third favorite of the group, it is getting pretty good. I am only on season one so no spoilers!

Eating

Our grocery store has had Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares on sale for at least a month. I keep telling myself that I will stop buying them as soon as they stop being on sale. For now, I just don’t think it makes sense to pass up the sale. In case you find yourself in a similar predicament, I highly recommend the milk chocolate and caramel variety.

Drinking

A lot of tea. Tazo Tea’s Awake before noon and Zen after. With the weather so cold, it is the only way that I can feel warm during the day.

Wearing

I have found a new uniform that consists of skinny jeans, Gap’s Bowery long sleeve v-neck tees and a long cardigan. Comfy and simple to mix and match.

How about you? What are you up to right now?

Read more

 

What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die.” -Anne Lamott

For more moments, visit Amanda’s Soule Mama where she describes her Friday posts this way, “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 and remember.”

Read more