Adultish 6/365

Adultish


Of all the things strange to me,
Growing up has got to be-
the thing that has me most puzzled.   


Entering year 30, mom and wife,
yet still fear I lack maturity.


Own house, two children-
various responsibilities;           


yet drinking coffee in patterned mugs
is what makes me feel thirty.


Does anyone ever truly feel grown-up? 




As I was driving Big Boy to preschool this morning, I was contemplating how adult-like I felt drinking coffee. My next thought was the irony of the situation since I was driving my car- with my two sons, both of which would make one think that I should feel like an adult. As cliche as it is, I feel like I was just 20 yesterday. It made me start wondering if anyone ever truly feels grown-up.


Sidebar- notice that insanely cute coffee sleeve pictured? Yep, my very talented BFF created that for me for Christmas this year, and apparently, if you are crafty, it's not too hard of a task to duplicate. She took an old wool sweater, washed and shrunk it so that it became felted wool that could easily be cut and not unravel, and then sewed the seam- waala- one uber fun upcycled craft project :) 

Laundry Limerick - 5/365

Laundry Limerick 

  There once was a mom of two-

     Who had so much laundry to do;

But then it got fun,

              For smells there were none,

   And now she enjoys it, it's true!  

       Today is laundry day at my house (really, what day isn't with children-LOL), but specifically, it is cloth diaper laundry day! We've been battling the ammonia stink for quite some time now but Nellie's Laundry Soda has finally seemed to solve our dilemma. I prefer to line dry my pocket shells, however, freezing Cincinnati temperatures are not conducive to productive drying (note-to-self: frozen diapers = too cold to put on baby's bottom). I scored this Hanging Dryer from my Mother-in-Law and I'm in love! They are $4.99 from IKEA, and as pictured above, I am now winter drying my diapers in my bathroom shower with this awesome PRESSA. Do you have a favorite cloth diaper laundry routine, or any tips for winter line drying that you would like to share?

Twinkle 4/365

                                                    Twinkle


                                            twinkle eye-

childlike curiosity clinging 
to every new sight


twinkle eye-
full of all kinds of mischief
and beautiful delight


twinkling into the world unknown-
my precious son,
may your twinkle always be 
bright 

Disclaimer- Yes my son wears "tights" aka Babylegs from time-to-time. :)

The Babe that Will Never Be- 3/365

Lila
The babe that will never be has  
golden ringlets
brown sparkling chestnuts;
daddy's dimples-
mommy's smile
no tears;
no cries;
no fears;
no lies-
one day we shall meet! 

 

I miscarried a few months ago. During the month that I knew I was pregnant- I accumulated the items pictured. I also had a dream about my baby- I dreamt of a little girl with blonde curls and big brown eyes. 

Two Friends 2/365

two friends

robin and jenn have

one set of bangs and

and one head without

four blue eyes

one redhead

one blonde (at the moment)

two smiles

lots of freckles and

one good friendship 

This poem is modeled after "two friends" by Nikki Giovanni. You can find the poem in her children's anthology Spin a Soft Black Song. It's such a fun poem to have children experiment with. I use to have my kindergartners get together in pairs and study each other comparing and contrasting and then I would take their picture together and have them create their own "two friends" poem.I would then display the poem in the hallway along with the photos. This exercise could easily be done at home with siblings as well. 

My lovely friend Jenn is in town from Colorado this week. I so cherish each and every moment we spend together. She's one of those gems that life wouldn't be complete without. We were college roomies so we experienced the first steps of adult life together. No matter how long its been since we talked last, we can always pick up right where we left off. We can finish each others sentences and have the same sense of humor. And best of all, silence isn't awkward, but inviting when we are together- we just "get" each other. What about you- do you have that one friend that really understands you better than the rest of the world?

A New Blog

          I started out this blog by quoting Anna Quindlen (see sidebar) in the hopes of finding my true self again through my writing. I don't claim to be superior in the writing department, but I once enjoyed the pen and had a voice through it. So at the start of this new year, I once again return to that goal and attempt to make this blog my own- an exploration of the ordinary and chronicle of a mothers life as she attempts to really find her voice in this world. You will notice that I will be chronicling my everyday life through pictures and poetry and sharing little tid-bits here and there. Happy New Year!

New Year 1/365

In Memoriam, [Ring out, wild bells]
by Lord Alfred Tennyson
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty light: The year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die. Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true. Ring out the grief that saps the mind For those that here we see no more; Ring out the feud of rich and poor, Ring in redress to all mankind. Ring out a slowly dying cause, And ancient forms of party strife; Ring in the nobler modes of life, With sweeter manners, purer laws. Ring out the want, the care, the sin, The faithless coldness of the times; Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes But ring the fuller minstrel in. Ring out false pride in place and blood, The civic slander and the spite; Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring in the common love of good. Ring out old shapes of foul disease; Ring out the narrowing lust of gold; Ring out the thousand wars of old, Ring in the thousand years of peace. Ring in the valiant man and free, The larger heart, the kindlier hand; Ring out the darkness of the land, Ring in the Christ that is to be.