Rest

This is the view from the swing in my front yard. 

I have spent a lot of time here in the past year. Not so much in the past few months, but now that the weather is warming a bit, I'm drawn to it again. I got the cushion and pillows out of the closet. They are upholstered in warm red/brown/yellow/orange hues with shells, hibiscus, and seahorses, however. A good excuse to order some fabric to recover them.

Countless times I have come out here with my book and not read a single page.

I'm weary. I'm exhausted. Constantly, foundationally overwhelmed. Background noise. Low level static. Ringing in the ears. Dull buzz.

I think we are all quite tired, collectively. Traumatized.

So, if I may suggest, just rest. Even when you have ten thousand things to do.

Rest.

Look up at the branches and see a heart.

Swing. Breathe.

Rest.♥

Summer Plans

What are my summer plans? I get asked this question everytime I bump into a friend or acquaintance. 

Besides a four day trip to see family later this month, we've got nothing going on. And by nothing, I mean spendng 1-3 hours a day driving kids to activities. And by activities, I mean mostly Valerie's swim practice. (Swim team has been awesome for her, don't get me wrong, but still. A lot of driving for me.)

Yesterday I see that dooce.com is back in Paris this summer and I start thinking about the four weeks I spent in Spain back in the summer of 2002. I was there for a professional development class for teaching, but that was just an excuse, si?

So...here are my new summer plans:

No, I'm not going to Spain. Just looking up flights. And browsing accommodations. A mama can dream!

Books o' the Month: The Sea, The Sea and The True Confessions of Charlotte Dolye

A couple of years ago, I went into the library and perused the stacks of fiction looking for books with the words "sea" in the title, to read while on vacation.  I read one back then, but last summer I was still obsessing over Gabaldon and discovering Jane Eyre.  So...this past summer, I picked up another of the sea-titled books I found, the Booker Prize winning The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch.  I think this review sums it up nicely.  I enjoyed reading it, though at times the main character's thoughts and actions got so ridiculous, I wanted to close my eyes.  Which, I think, was the point.

Next, I read The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, an historical fiction and Newbery Honor book written by Avi.  Valerie was reading it in her fifth grade class in preparation for an overnight stay on the Balclutha in San Francisco.  It is an adventure story, and pretty exciting.  Exciting enough for fifth grade, I think, what with the murder and all!

The Balclutha experience, by the way, was awesome.  It is an educational field trip which has been running for thirty years.  I went as a "Tall Sailor" and if you have happened upon this blog because you are considering going on this particular field trip, feel free to comment and I will be happy to answer your questions.

Can you recommend any books with "sea" in the title, dear Reader, for me to add to my list for next summer?  Thank you!

The Best Thing About Our Car

It has been exactly one year ago today that we brought home the behemoth Toyota Sequoia that I now drive around.  Our '98 Honda Accord, the first car we ever bought, had served us well for over fifteen years, but when it comes to cars, water and oil can sometimes mix, and that is not a good thing.  So, after the mandatory stressful hours at the dealership, we bought the Sequoia.  Our 4Runner went to Hubby, who was excited to upgrade from tape deck to CD/AUX player, and I was excited to have him driving a bigger (thus safer, right?) car over the grade to work and back each weekday, and many Saturdays.  (He does, for the record, get to drive the new car he works so many hours to pay for on weekends and vacations.)

Now, don't get me wrong.  I am grateful to have this car.  I feel fortunate to be in a position to be able to make the payments (knock on wood) for five years (ooooh, one year down today!) and pay the increase in insurance and gas costs.  I feel good that my kids are safer than they might be in a smaller car--all of us, in fact.

Just Monday I was rear-ended--barely bumped, really--while waiting at a stoplight.  In my side-view mirror I saw the older gentleman who hit me get out of his small car.  I hit the hazard lights and got out, too, asking, "Any damage?"  He asked if I was OK.  Everything seemed fine--his bumper probably went under mine-- so we went our separate ways, me repeating his license plate number over and over in my head until I could pull into the World Market parking lot and send it to myself in an email, just in case. 

Yep, I'm one of those moms cruising around in a huge SUV, and I have to use the running board as a step up to climb into the driver's seat.  But I can shuttle my kids and several of their friends places and that is the main reason we wanted the bigger car.  I just wish the blind spots weren't so big.  And that I would stop hitting curbs while making turns.

But this post is titled, "The Best Thing About Our Car" for a reason--a reason I haven't even gotten to yet.

It's the sound system.  It's just the standard system for the standard Sequoia, but let me tell you, I sat in the driveway for an hour last week just listening to my tunes.  I love being in that cocoon of pleasant sounds.  I listened to Tyler Lyle's "Werewolf" over and over.  Then a little Snow Patrol and some Crowded House.  It was a rare rainy morning and the coffee I'd picked up on my way into town to run errands was still warm.   The song lyrics were profound and I was completely awash in the music.

It was bliss.

One Less Card to Send

I am sending one less Happy New Year card this year.  This past year we lost my Great Aunt Marian, reclining in the photo above.  My Great Aunt Margie, middle, died in 2009.  My maternal grandfather, at top, died in 1993. 

This picture was taken in December 1935.  Isn't it great?  My grandfather was fourteen, his twin sisters a little older.  Now I have no more great aunts (or uncles) left in my family.  A sad milestone.

But I do have wonderful old photos, and better yet, memories.  This trio of relatives above look mellow, but let me tell you, they were a hoot!  All of them.  My grandfather, six feet tall, had two green thumbs, and he loved to cook.  He was also great with animals, especially cats.  My aunts, both under five feet, were always laughing and telling stories.  Both of them played ukulele and were involved in several civic groups and clubs.  They were the life of the party, even into their old age.

I hope to start learning the ukulele this year.  I have the one that my paternal grandfather (deceased 1999) once used.  I hope to channel all three of them as I play and sing "Has Anybody Seen my Gal?," and " I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter, and (excuse the un-PC title) "Little Brown Gal."

For that is how we honor the loved ones we have lost, am I right?  By remembering them, telling their stories, and passing on their traditions.

Happy New Year!

Mother's Day Hair

Mother's Day was quiet.  Breakfast out at my favorite place.  A solo stroll through the local bookstore (plus book purchase) while Hubby and the kids went to the grocery store.  My second favorite ice cream after lunch.

And hair styling.

One of the things I dreamed about, when I found out I was pregnant with a girl, was braiding her hair.  I have braided Valerie's hair in the past, whenever she would let me, but on on Mother's Day she finally picked a style out of this neat book, and let me french braid her hair.  I was pretty excited!  I have only tried french braiding a couple of other times--on a doll and on my sister--a long time ago.  I feel pretty good about the results.  Now, if only my long flowing hair preferring girl will allow me to try it again.  She said she liked it...

 Then, of course, she wanted to style my hair.  Pretty, dontcha think? 

Come into My Parlour

Come into my parlour...

I'll by you a coffee or tea.

We'll zip around at high speeds

and view the scenery.

Come into my parlour...

Where things are pretty clean,

besides just a bit of dust and clutter

and toys on the back seat.

Come into my parlour...

We can listen to what we please--

whatever comes up on Pandora,

Neil Finn and Crowded House on CD.

Come into my parlour...

More relaxing than home for me.

No dishes or laundry to attend to,

just one boy in a booster seat.

Come into my parlour...

This is where I flee.

We can chat if you'd like and hang out a while,

wherever your destination may be.

As my home is my workplace, I find that the only time I can really sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea (without it going cold) is in the car.  The work is never done at home.  But I can have the car decluttered in a matter of minutes.  And when it gets too filthy, we take a drive to the car wash.  I know it is not very environmentally friendly to just go for a drive, but it seems to help keep me sane.  

P.S.  Please forgive my bad poetry.  As I started writing this post, it just came out that way.  No The Spider and The Fly reference intended.

The Next Best Thing

With Andrew in preschool two mornings a week, I have been able to go for walks. By myself! Otherwise known as exercise. And, I tell you, it is the next best thing to going dancing.

I just turn on my Neil Finn Radio using the Pandora app on my phone, and away I go. It's all I can do not to belt out the lyrics as I bop along. It is all I can do not to actually dance on the trail. (Sometimes I just can't help doing a little of either.)

It is so much fun, I look forward to it like nobody's business. About ten minutes into the walk/dance, my body tells me how great it is to be moving by sending some awesome endorphins coursing through my veins. It feels great!

Hooray!

Going "Cat"

"Mama," Valerie announced as she tossed black leggings and a black shirt onto my bed, "I'm going cat today. Can you help me find my headband?"

Indeed.

What could be better? Seven years old and deciding to dress as a cat for a day out riding the trolley and visiting the natural history museum. It seemed so normal, I had to remind myself why passersby might be smiling at us a little more than usual.

Blowing Off the Grocery Shopping, No. 2

So, it wasn't really just the second time I have blown off the grocery shopping. It does happen occasionally.

Nothing personal, Joe. I just knew, yesterday morning, that it wasn't going to happen. I did go through the motions, but after getting back on the highway, Starbucks mocha steaming in the cup holder, I just couldn't take the off-ramp for the grocery store. I took the next one instead. For the scenic drive.

Sure, I beat myself up about it all the way. I felt a mixture of relief and guilt. Mostly guilt. There was frustration, too. Is this what my life is all about these days? Laundry, dishes, grocery shopping? Yes and no.

I drove to one of Andrew's favorite historical sights and listened to him excitedly babble on and on, asking me question after question, as only a nearly-three-year-old can. My spirits lifted.

Then I drove us by the house my grandparents lived in when my father was born, then the old building with the basement grocery store where my grandma used to shop. I wonder if she had days when she just didn't make it there. I wonder if she ever just went for a walk with her little bundle cuddled close to her, instead. (Lucky for me, I can ask her.)

With my spirits lifted even more, I realized my life is indeed about all the minutiae of daily life taking care of little ones, but it is also about the flexibility to change the plan every once in a while.

And when I am ninety-seven, like Grandma, I doubt I will look back and regret blowing off the grocery shopping.

(Painting is by Andrew.)

Message Heart

The night before Valerie's first day of first grade, I waited 'til she was asleep, then slipped into the guest room to sew up a little surprise to tuck into her lunch box.

I simply drew a heart freehand onto some gingham scrap fabric left over from her dress, cut it out, put a strip of trim (also from the dress) in between the layers, then sewed it around, leaving a space for stuffing. I turned it right side out, stuffed it with poly fill, and hand-stitched up the open space.

Next, Tom and I wrote her a little first day of school love note, and slid it into place under the strip of trim. In the morning after packing Valerie's lunch, I snuck the message heart into her new dinosaur lunch box.


Valerie liked it. And she told me she can also use it as a heart finger puppet. So, two things in one!

Soule Mama

Valerie started school yesterday, and I quickly realized I am not ready for the end of "summer". Not ready for packing lunches. Not ready for routines. Not ready for...any of it.

I found myself visiting Soule Mama today and I thought it was high time I let you in on it, if you didn't know already. Her blog often reminds me to slow down, look around, be thankful, and focus on what is really important.

If you are a mama (or papa, or other caregiver to children) have a look. It is a little place of peace.

British Soccer Camp

Valerie recently participated in a week of British Soccer Camp. I don't know who had more fun, Valerie--doing fun activities like crazy hair day, coach dress up day, oh, and playing lots of soccer--or me, watching (and listening to) those dashing young British coaches.

But, seriously, Valerie had a blast, and I was impressed by the whole operation. If you have a child who is into soccer, I'd recommend it.

Tourist in My Own Town

We have been tourists in our own town these past couple of weeks. Where we live is rich in history and there are many wonderful historical sites to visit. Luckily for me, the kids are still young enough that all it takes is me getting excited about visiting these places, for them to be eager to go, too.

We rented a surrey bike last weekend, which was really fun and also quite a workout. And we have become quite fond of the local free trolley (really a bus disguised as a trolley), having ridden it several times, the whole loop, just for kicks.

We even visited our local art museums, which is an adventure with a two year old. While I gave Valerie a mini lesson in composition, Andrew tested out the fabulous acoustics provided by a cavernous gallery space.

All this hanging out with the tourists has given me the travel bug. But it will be several years before we're all ready to venture much further than Grandma and Grandpa's house, I think.

Dribble Castles

When I was a kid I loved making dribble castles at the beach. Not only do they look magical and mysterious, but the sand and water dripping through my fingers feels so neat. This past beach vacation, Valerie started to get the hang of it, while Andrew mostly enjoyed getting himself into the hole behind the castle wall.

The way I like to design them, my dribble castles often end up looking like giant tiaras waiting to crown the head of a sea goddess.

Have you ever made a dribble castle?

Beach Glass

I just got back from a beach vacation. Above, you can see my loot. I love to search the shoreline for these jewels.

Beach glass. To me, more precious than diamonds.

I am especially smitten with the blue one, worn so smooth and round. Valerie's eagle eyes spotted the brown one. Now she is almost as excited as I am about finding beach glass.

Discovering treasure and cleaning up the beach at the same time. Priceless.

Getting (A Little Bit) Organized

I've been getting Family Fun Magazine for a little over a year now, after hearing about it from Catherine Newman (who is a super writer and contributor to the mag). It is often filled with fun craft ideas, games, recipes, etc., etc., etc., that I'd like to hang onto for future reference. But I don't want to store all the magazines. Plus, it is unlikely I'd look through them again, anyway.

As a solution, I bought an accordion file. Now I just dog ear the pages I want to save (usually a few minutes at a time during the day), then tear them out and file them (at night after the kids are asleep). Easy! And I use it, too. When Valerie asks, "What should I do, Mama?" we look through the file and find something.

I'll be filing pages from other magazines (such as the now defunct Cookie, which I thought of as the Vogue of parenting mags) and sources in there, as well, to try to cut down and the, ahem, clutter.

Mad Tea Party 2010 at sara-sundries

The White Rabbit beckoned us to pass through the garden gate

and over to a lovely spot just right for a tea party

Horse was the first guest to arrive

and soon others joined in the fun

Triceratops was ready for tea and cookies

as well as Bear and T. rex

T. rex wanted to sit by Horse

then there was trouble

Triceratops suggested they wear flowers

T. rex liked that idea, as he held out his cup for tea

Bear enjoyed her cookie

and The White Rabbit was pleased.

Tea Party

A little while ago, we invited my grandma over for a real tea party. She is, after all, the one who taught me to tea party. She is also the one who gave me my very own ceramic Holly Hobby tea set (note to self: find it before Valerie and Andrew go off to college).

What is better than a tea party? Especially when the guest of honor is your favorite 96-year-old lady in the whole wide world!

P.S. You absolutely must stop by on Saturday for the Mad Tea Party 2010 sara-sundries style!

More Weaning, No More Naps!, and Breakfast Out

Andrew has night weaned. He sleeps through 'til morning now, and so do I. But I finally had to morning wean him, as well, so he wouldn't ask for milk from 4:30 AM 'til daylight. So now he gets to choose between cuddles or getting up for breakfast when he wakes (provided it is at least 6:00 AM). He often chooses cuddles first, the little sweetie. And this morning he didn't even ask for milk first thing when he woke up, for the very first time. It is a bittersweet thing.

No more naps! No matter what time Andrew gets up (like 5:30 AM yesterday, which isn't the norm, but does still happen on occasion), if he naps during the day he will not be able to fall asleep 'til about 9:30PM. Yesterday, I thought it wise to get him to sleep around noon, and I enjoyed 45 quiet minutes reading while he car napped. But it was totally not worth it at 9:15 last night when he was still awake. Lesson learned, again, and possibly for the last time. The afternoons are going to be rough for a while.

Yesterday was one of those days. I was just agitated. Plus the neighbors had the tree trimmers over taking out a huge old (dead, unfortunately) oak. It was a symphony of chainsaw and wood chipper. So, when I picked Valerie up from school we went for breakfast out (and the two cups of coffee was quite the mood adjuster!). She and Andrew enjoyed making and "erasing" drawings out of the long skinny sugar packets (mostly dinosaurs, of course, as above). We had such a nice time. Good thing my favorite restaurant serves chocolate chip pancakes until 3:00PM.