Monday, October 03, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Her Laughter is Contagious
So this is my blog. And, that there, up there, is my daughter. I talk about her a lot on here. Mostly, because she is probably the MOST interesting person I know. That is her smile. It accompanies the heartiest, silliest, belliest of laughs. I love it.
This was taken last Friday afternoon as we enjoyed one of our many GIRLS ONLY (mostly because we don't tell Max where we are going just that we have an appointment) coffee dates. Ok, so the coffee is for me...she's usually a vanilla milk kind of girl. Occasionally, we splurge with a mocha for mama and a vanilla bean frappaccino for her.
I am so lucky to have her in my life. I know she has taught me more than any book or class or life experience to date. She is open and wise beyond her years, yet simple and kind and just plain good company. I hope she loves me like I love my mama when she is my age. I know we'll have our rough patches (supposedly...or so everyone says) but I have a feeling we'll always enjoy each other's company more than just about anyone else's.
That's all for today. I just felt the need to pour out some Ella love.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Just another day at the office
A New Addiction: Polyvore
Thanks Internet, because what I really needed was yet another way to waste entire days!
Neutral Fall Day by aefarris featuring vintage jewelry
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
First Day of School
Ella's school journey has been interesting so far and we have found teachers make all the difference in the world! Though she has always been VERY mature for her age, sometimes she struggles a little with structure and focus. She loves science, and aced ... as in perfect 600 out of 600 on her standards of learning test last year.
I am always amazed that no matter how much she grows and develops and changes, she stays the same. Her sweet spirit, her intense curiousity, her love of animals -- stuffed and real. Her desire to know and understand everything from every angle. She started asking questions that I almost couldn’t answer by the time she was 3. She still challenges me every day. She makes me a better person.
Monday, September 12, 2011
A 911 Free Zone
When i despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it -- always. - Gandhi
This weekend we decided to decamp to gramma's. Between the insane weather (earthquake, hurricane, and monsoon rains and flooding the likes of which I have never seen in my 38 years of life and 12+ years in Northern Virginia) and the nonstop chatter about the 10th Anniverary of September 11th and the credible but uncomfirmed threat of something, I had HAD it.
Gramma's promised peace, quiet and a virtual media blackout. I know many people who really struggle with 9/11. The media coverage literally hurting them. I have come to realize, I lived it - I saw and smelled the smoke pouring out of the Pentagon. I had that frantic moment when I couldn't reach my husband or family. I don't need the media to help me relive it with images on the tv screen and audio from emergency calls.
I can not imagine how I would feel if I had lost a loved one in the tragedy. I didn't. I certainly think the media is doing what they do and for every one person who feels the coverage is too much, I am sure there are many who believe just as strongly that it will never be enough. I have to respect both sentiments and make the choices that are best for me. For me, this year, that was largely tuning it out.
I consider myself so lucky. The horror of that day was wedged between a Labor Day weekend with my husband in the Big Easy and the happy news that we were expected our first baby. While most everyone was preoccupied with the aftermath of the day, I was easily distracted by the impending changes coming to my life and family. This is not to say that I did not mourn for this country, deeply feel the impact of the attack, or grieve what our country had lost. I certainly did. It impacted me just as it has impacted anyone who lived through it, whether in New York City, Washington, DC, Pennslyvania or Oregon for that matter. You didn't have to be here, you didn't have to smell the smoke or hear the sirens first-hand to know that something had forever changed that day in our national consciousness.
I was happy for my distraction. I think it made the event less intense or less searing for me. I had the most certain sign that life would and does go on. No matter what.
It is amazing to me what the last decade has brought in my own life. Not one, but two, beautiful, happy, funny, quirky, brilliant (I am not bragging it is just a fact) children. A solidified career. Deep, abiding friendships. Travels and experiences that are imprinted forever on my soul.
So, forgive me, if this September instead of delving into what could have been, what was lost and what great suffering was exacted on this nation, instead I turn my focus to the beauty that is and always will be.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Adios, Amigos
Today is the day. I am heading out at 8:45pm tonight for Spain. Dulles-Heathrow-Barcelona. Barcelllllona. I can't wait. I am nervous with anticipation. I travel quite a bit between pleasure and work, but rarely alone. Of course, I am only alone getting there and back, as I am meeting my good friends, Kate and Shosh, there. Still, I am a bit anxious....it is what I do. I am silly.
Daddy is set to take on the kiddos for 10 days. I think everything possible is in place as best as it can be.
We are set for 3 days in Barcelona, then we fly to Lisbon for 3 days/2 nights, then on to Seville for a night in Tarifa (southernmost town in Spain) and then on to Seville for 3 more nights. Then I come home. We have a loose itinerary but mostly we plan to just go with what moves us on any particular day.
Looking forward to many tapas and spanish wine! See you on the flip-side.
Daddy is set to take on the kiddos for 10 days. I think everything possible is in place as best as it can be.
We are set for 3 days in Barcelona, then we fly to Lisbon for 3 days/2 nights, then on to Seville for a night in Tarifa (southernmost town in Spain) and then on to Seville for 3 more nights. Then I come home. We have a loose itinerary but mostly we plan to just go with what moves us on any particular day.
Looking forward to many tapas and spanish wine! See you on the flip-side.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Happy Belated Birthday
Dear Ella Jo,This is your mama. I am sorry my birthday note to you is a bit late this year. Hey, at least it is still May. Anyway, hello, my girl. Sometimes I wish I could just freeze you in time. You are nine now, as of 2 weeks ago to be exact. For your birthday we made cupcakes, delivered to school at lunchtime, followed by a girls' only movie night out with 3 of your buddies, followed by a sleepover. Whew. It was fun. You have picked the nicest friends. I like your taste in people.
You are an amazing girl and I feel lucky every, single day of my life that I am the one who gets to be your mama. You are maturing into a beautiful and brilliant young lady. Sometimes I look at you, with your long legs, and I can't believe that you were my little chunky monkey baby girl. You are so kind. And so smart. I try not to tell you all the time how smart you are because I don't want you to ever settle or think there is no more to learn...but man, you are smart. Smart in the "Mama, that's like an ocelot" kind of way. Where I have to say, "What's an ocelot?" And you explain to me that it is a wild cat about three times the size of our kitty cat, Fraidy. Now, I consider myself to be a pretty smart girl, but I am also pretty sure I'd never known such a creature existed before you told me.
You have found a love of reading. I often catch you late in the night buried under your covers reading a favorite book (graphic novels are a favorite) or a recent National Geographic Kids! You are doing well in school - best in math and PE ... lol. A little less than perfect in writing and spelling (that's your daddy). I know you will get there. The details will come.
You are my favorite girl in the whole wide world. I could not love you any more than I do. I can't believe you are 1/2 way to college. I consider it my job and my privledge to get you there...whole, informed, wide-eyed and curious. So far I think we are doing ok!
Love,
Mama
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Housekeeping
Ever since Hung headed off on his world adventure, I have had a bit of nervous energy. Everything is going really well with the kids. They are being super good. It is like they know we are down a man and they can't afford to push me over the edge!Still, I feel like I am on a hyper-organization kick.
I have:
*purged and organized the kitchen cabinets - giving my luray dishes to my mama for safe keeping and ditching a bunch of old mismatched dishes that I never want to see again
*purged organized the bathroom closet
*rearranged the deck - adding twinkly lights
*removed all of the screens on the 1st floor rear of the house and cleaned all the windows, inside and out - MAN it is amazing how much cleaner they are.
*cleaned all of the glass in our entertainment system and the glass front cabinets in the kitchen
I really want to paint the guest room, but I think I will wait on that until he's back. I need help with the heavy lifting! I am out of control. He probably needs to go out of town more often. I am extremely productive when I am anxious!
St. John 2011 Trip Report: Day 11
Day 11: Bye Lameshur Cottage, Bye Coral Bay, Bye Ruth, Bye Cruz Bay, Bye Bye Bye
Wait, we have to go home.
No one is happy about this.
No one!
Our time was over. We had a 4pm flight out so we had time to sleep in and relax a bit before heading out. We needed to be out of the house by 10 am, so I packed a few last minute things, we ate breakfast, started a load of laundry (towels and what not), and loaded up the car.
We said goodbye to the adorable little Lameshur Cottage and took our last leisurely drive down the beautiful North Shore Road.
We hit deli grotto for lunch. I always forget how HUGE their sandwiches are. We could have easily split one, but instead I had an Italian and the hubby had a tuna on croissant. We shopped a little bit. We'd also gotten a late car return from Conrad's, but soon our time was running out so we headed off to gas up the Jeep.
Returning the jeep always makes it seem so final! Bye my little workhorse!
Next on the list, run into Connections to print off our boarding passes, having checked in via iphone the night before. $4 and about 4 minutes later we were set. Stopped by St. John Spice to say bye (for now) to Ruth.
Waiting for the ferry
I took a few minutes and a few pictures to remember my happy place until next time.
Another absolutely perfect blue sky day
So not ready to say goodbye
The SADDEST view in the world
Say it ain't so ...
We took the noon ferry and were at the airport by 1:10. Seamless and easy. Customs was a breeze. We were in line behind some folks who had just adopted a pup from the ACC. He was so cute. The kids were fascinated!
We had time to kill so Hung hit the duty free alcohol store and stocked us up - including all I would need to recreate the Dreamsickle (oj, vanilla rum and citrus rum) at home. (I am sad to report it is just not the same without the Skinny Leg's ambiance and most importantly a fat, juicy blue burger).
I had picked up a snack to go at Deli Grotto --- my 2nd favorite to the crack bar is this chocolate and peanut butter delight. SO GOOD. We split it 3 ways and were ill when we finished. So worth it!
After every bite, he'd say "mmmmmmmmm.....more mama!"
There was a brief power outage at the airport, but nothing that would delay our flight. Our flight out departed just on time and before we knew it we were in Miami. Somehow when I wasn't looking Max charmed the flight attendant out if a snack pack! That boy has mad skills!
In Miami we had time for a bite to eat and time to kill again, so the kids played on our phones and with their goodies from Easter.
My weary little traveler
We arrived in DC at midnight. The only unplanned mini crisis was that Max fell asleep on the flight. That was fine. However, when we arrived in DC at MIDNIGHT he was NOT about to walk. So ... our little man who had been pulling his own weight and his own bag now needed to be carried and also we had to figure out how to move his bag with less hands. We managed, though I am sure we looked like a hot mess!
Until next time....Peace, Love and Beaches....
Wait, we have to go home.
No one is happy about this.
No one!
Our time was over. We had a 4pm flight out so we had time to sleep in and relax a bit before heading out. We needed to be out of the house by 10 am, so I packed a few last minute things, we ate breakfast, started a load of laundry (towels and what not), and loaded up the car.
We said goodbye to the adorable little Lameshur Cottage and took our last leisurely drive down the beautiful North Shore Road.
We hit deli grotto for lunch. I always forget how HUGE their sandwiches are. We could have easily split one, but instead I had an Italian and the hubby had a tuna on croissant. We shopped a little bit. We'd also gotten a late car return from Conrad's, but soon our time was running out so we headed off to gas up the Jeep.
Returning the jeep always makes it seem so final! Bye my little workhorse!
Next on the list, run into Connections to print off our boarding passes, having checked in via iphone the night before. $4 and about 4 minutes later we were set. Stopped by St. John Spice to say bye (for now) to Ruth.
Waiting for the ferry
I took a few minutes and a few pictures to remember my happy place until next time.
Another absolutely perfect blue sky day
So not ready to say goodbye
The SADDEST view in the world
Say it ain't so ...
We took the noon ferry and were at the airport by 1:10. Seamless and easy. Customs was a breeze. We were in line behind some folks who had just adopted a pup from the ACC. He was so cute. The kids were fascinated!
We had time to kill so Hung hit the duty free alcohol store and stocked us up - including all I would need to recreate the Dreamsickle (oj, vanilla rum and citrus rum) at home. (I am sad to report it is just not the same without the Skinny Leg's ambiance and most importantly a fat, juicy blue burger).
I had picked up a snack to go at Deli Grotto --- my 2nd favorite to the crack bar is this chocolate and peanut butter delight. SO GOOD. We split it 3 ways and were ill when we finished. So worth it!
After every bite, he'd say "mmmmmmmmm.....more mama!"
There was a brief power outage at the airport, but nothing that would delay our flight. Our flight out departed just on time and before we knew it we were in Miami. Somehow when I wasn't looking Max charmed the flight attendant out if a snack pack! That boy has mad skills!
In Miami we had time for a bite to eat and time to kill again, so the kids played on our phones and with their goodies from Easter.
My weary little traveler
We arrived in DC at midnight. The only unplanned mini crisis was that Max fell asleep on the flight. That was fine. However, when we arrived in DC at MIDNIGHT he was NOT about to walk. So ... our little man who had been pulling his own weight and his own bag now needed to be carried and also we had to figure out how to move his bag with less hands. We managed, though I am sure we looked like a hot mess!
Until next time....Peace, Love and Beaches....
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