Last week I found myself at a classroom event for my first grade son, and it seemed that every parent was snapping away and/or video taping the performance. But not me. I don't take pictures at school events.* And I'm thinking. Who would want to watch this again with bad lighting and poor sound? Much less see some blurry pictures? Doesn't your arm hurt from holding your phone at that angle for 37 minutes? The performance was cute. And lovely. And completely enjoyable. But once is enough. And … [Read more...] about why parents need to stop taking pictures from the audience
the minimalists
On Tuesday night, I went to a book reading of Everything That Remains a memoir by The Minimalists - Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus. These best friends shared their experience of converting from a life filled with empty consumption to a life of value. Not like the value meal as in big portions or double coupons but to a simple deliberate life where every choice you make you're asking yourself, does this bring me value? Or joy? This idea, this philosophy, is something that has really … [Read more...] about the minimalists
standing on your head
Until yesterday, I had never tried to do a head stand. Or a hand stand of any kind. As a kid, I wasn't the type to attempt flips and throwing myself upside down. I didn't hang by my knees from the monkey bars. I preferred laying on the trampoline and staring up at the trees to jumps and flips. I've never been the springy gymnast type. I don't remember being afraid I would get hurt. I think I was simply afraid that I wouldn't be able to do it. I didn't trust my body. I was scared of being … [Read more...] about standing on your head
mom jeans
I have a hard time not laughing out loud when a teenage girl walks by me in high waisted, acid washed cut off's. "Mom jeans," I chuckle to myself. But somehow I think the joke is on me. When that same teenager walks past me, and I'm wearing mid-rise skinny jeans, is she thinking "Mom jeans"? It's time to face reality. I've been lapped. I'm at the age where the trends I wore in high school (let's just call it baby doll, sunflower everything), have come back. Walking into Urban Outfitters is … [Read more...] about mom jeans
you get what you get
...and you don't get upset. How many times do we remind our kids this? When we're doling out treats or they're getting picked for teams or things just don't go the way they want. You get what you get, and you don't get upset. I could have used that little reminder this weekend. It all started with the three day weekend and all of the potential that extra day provided. I didn't want to stay home. I wanted an adventure. A road trip. A road trip with camping. A road trip with camping AND a … [Read more...] about you get what you get
on my nightstand
It's time for my installment of what's been on my nightstand. Here are a few things that I've been reading (and not reading but meaning to read) this month. Stitches A Handbook on Meaning, Hope and Repair, Anne Lamott: There's just something about Anne Lamott that I can not get enough of right now. This short, powerful book hit me hard this week. Maybe because we had our own stitches experience when my youngest split his eyebrow open? I had to stop myself from going on Amazon and shipping to … [Read more...] about on my nightstand
summer looms
Nine and a half months out of the year, with a few breaks for vacation here and there, I manage my own time. I put the boys on the bus at 8:25 and I have until 3:50 to do whatever the heck I want. Or more realistically, I do whatever needs to get done: exercise, write, work, run errands, do chores. All of this happens in my condensed work day. And then there's summer. I'm coming clean. I dread summer. Yep. I said it. I dread summer. Summer feels like something that has to be … [Read more...] about summer looms
do what you want
If you could do anything you want today, what would you do? Forget about work, chores, obligations. What would you choose? To feel a little bit closer to yourself. Not quite as stretched thin. I was feeling a little stretched. Fighting off something. A bug? Allergies maybe? My whole being ached to let go. I asked myself, if you could do anything today on this rainy, cold spring day... what would you do? Because you can, you know. You can do whatever you want. But there's work.... But … [Read more...] about do what you want