Art

November 13, 2007 | awake,Reds

In the end, reading, writing, looking at art, listening to music is a kind of Rorschach Blot test… What we see and interpret and find there is a reflection of what we bring to the matter. Those instances of revelation that occur are such a gift because they give us pause. An opportunity to laugh, smile, cry along with the writer, painter, musician .. Like a hand reaching out across our solitude, we are comforted and led to a deeper place.

A little while ago, I cut back my blog reading to a handful, both from a desire for simplicity and also because I’d rather follow a few stories closely. I like to know what is going on with her family, his Londoner life, anything she has to say…

Joanne’s blog is simply incisive and well-written. She is lovely in person (and can fit in my pocket), and also has generously given me this award..

I’d like to pass it along to Jenn at I Serve the Queens. Her writing always gives me chills… And I find something richer and deeper with each read… It is art.
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On a lighter note, holiday fun at Rugrat Reprieve

#35

Some Days It’s All About Jesus

October 31, 2007 | Because of God,Reds,truth,writerly

Well not Jesus exactly — but his representative. After years of working in the public sector as a financial analyst, non profit type, I now realize that despite the hype nonprofits are no more family friendly than your average corporation. In many cases, they are less likely to pay well, offer health insurance, or sufficient personal time off to deal with the daily goings-on of child-rearing.My current boss regularly argues that homeless people are all bums, Democrats are socialists and people who are poor just don’t work as hard as he does. Yet he is the best boss I’ve ever had…

Read More …

And don’t forget.. Strollerderby is hiring! More information here…

Day #22

Spill Baby Spill

October 27, 2007 | Reds,truth,truthmotherfucker

There many outlets for people to use as safe confessional spaces on-line: Her Bad Mother’s Basement, True Mom (and Dad, and Bride, and Office) Confessions, Real Mom Truths and others.Leaving aside all the good reasons to hedge about the whole truth and nothing but (respecting privacy, avoiding causing pain to loved ones, acquaintances who might read etc. etc. etc.), confessing provides the balm that many of us require to lighten our existential load.

MammaLoves and I are hatching an idea about offering an alternative confessional space for you and for us…. whether funny or shameful or bedroom or office, or nursemaid or park ranger…. A place to adopt a persona, or claim another… to express the unexpressed.

The universal desire to be known, seen, understood, is one deeply held, sometimes unknowingly by each of us… And when your blog is no longer a place for you to explore those things, when your friends are far far away… there is often no rest for your sinning head, buzzing brain, and beating heart… no place to share your poetry, your works in progress, your naughty pictures…

And so we’re going to endeavor to help all of us refuse the dying of the light. Refuse “…the stiff procession to the grave, letting the dead ride alone in the hearse.” (Anne Sexton)…

Day # 18

I Don’t Love You Anymore…

October 12, 2007 | Be Merry,Blues,project life change,Reds,truth

The evening’s dread approach no longer finds solace in thoughts of you… your chill clean sweet release.. your thoughtless escape from all the hurry-scurry. You’re no longer a friend, a secret buoy, a kind invisible force to bring peace. You’ve not taken everything from me yet, but I know you will. If I follow you where you want me to go — to a land of more and more and more…. to a place where just one is never ever enough, I’ll lose everyone I love.

But still it feels like a loss. A huge terrifying loss. Without you, I’m so much less than I dreamed I’d be. So much less. When a beloved friend visited this week, she who is still so free, I sobbed for the way I used to be. Before marriage, kids, jobs, life… How far below joy I’ve fallen.

Rebuilding and crafting change and renewal from this tangle of addiction and craving is so much harder sometimes than at others. When I realize how much I relied on you to get me through. How asleep at the wheel I’d become.

The novocain is wearing off now. I’m girding myself with new people and meetings and new rituals. I’m starting over, every day… Hoping to replace oblivion with real loving (self) kindness.

There are others like me… many others. Other women who are trying to love and reconfigure their lives so there is more joy, less hassle, less dead air ….

Whether it’s alcohol, or work, or sex, or kids, jobs, mortgages or in-laws… many of us have neglected to find anything more than mere pittances for ourselves and we’ve completely and utterly lost our way… Remember those wild hopeful girls we used to be? Let’s find them again. Together.

#2

And All the Toddlers Say… FREEDOM!

October 8, 2007 | girls girls girls,Reds

When the twins climbed out of their cribs over 3 years ago, it was a dark dark day. What ensued was a battle of mythic proportions which I lost time and time and time again. Two toddlers giggling and rampaging freely through a bedroom is much like a cyclone in a living room. Furniture is overturned, nerves are shattered. Mommy becomes mean and impatient and scritchy in the extreme.

V climbed out of her crib three days ago and a similar (though dramatically less noisome) kerfuffle has overtaken our previously peaceful nights… and morning naptimes.

I believe there is a need for some kind of allowable Toddler-Keeping contraption that would buy parents much needed sleep…. Maybe:

• Mommy’s Lovey Cage
• Terrific Toddler Trampoline Sleeper with Four-Sided Gentle Wonder Netting
• Benadryl DripoMatic
• You’re a Big Girl Now Sleep Encasement!
• Fort Freedom (with Locking Doors!)

Or maybe there’s a magical place where Mommies can go to sleep in a capsule while their children play and giggle all night long…

More fun sleep freedom ideas today at Babble…

#21

On the other hand, I see something like this and then I feel like if she never stays in her crib again, it’s perfectly fine with me… snif

Now THIS….

October 4, 2007 | Be Merry,Every Mama Needs...,Fun Games,Reds

Is what I call a “push present“….

Perfectly Beautiful

September 30, 2007 | Be Married,Be Merry,Reds

Thordora writes Spin Me I Pulsate and is an amazingly gifted writer. I’ve nominated her for a September Perfect Post Award for this gorgeousness:

Writing is Easy….

To see more Perfect Posts, go to Suburban Turmoil and Petroville…

Congratulations!

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Resurfacing after a faster than can be believed vacation at Semiahmoo (pictured above). It’s absolutely breathtaking there — the beach the sky all gray and Fall-like, the lodge cozy and warm…. Great coffee and chocolate and sleep and rest. And no mind-altering substances of any kind. Admittedly, a very twitchy couple of hours leading up to the fancy dinner (could I make it without ordering some amazing wine?) Phone calls made to support system, dark chocolate consumed against the urge and phew! Made it through. This vacation was just a small taste of what we’ll hopefully muster later this year or early next (a real, longer than one night, vacation away from the kiddies and the worries and the houses and the jobs)….

Until then #13 has never been so lucky.

All I Ever Wanted..

September 28, 2007 | Be Married,Reds

The other half and I are going away on a lovely overnight to one of the beautiful destinations in this gorgeous part of the country… Thank God for grandparents!

Serenity and peace to all this weekend. Or scheming and peas… whichever works.

#11

Lust in Translation…

September 18, 2007 | Be Married,Be Merry,Reds

“Can you pick up my drycleaning on your way home, honey?” ==== “Tonight will you wear leather and pull my hair?”

Grubbin’ Out: Delicious Lazy Meals in Under 3 Seconds, Part 1

September 12, 2007 | Be Merry,Bite My Recipe, Pal,Reds

3 Seconds is the new 5 minutes… As such, I’m putting together some quick and dirty (DIRRRTY) grub instructions for you self-professed lackluster chefs (you know who you are)… Instead of Rachael Ray, I offer you Grubby Grub for the Tired and Cranky Parent and you can be my bitches, ok? Here’s my first recipe. Follow along if you feel like it, suckas.

I call this one-bowl meal “O the Joys Delight”(cuz she lerves fiber), but kids like it when you call it “Magic Fairy Wings and Raisins”

• Pour 2 scoops of the RB* into a huge bowl
• Sprinkle sugar to taste
• Pour 2% milk over the top

Nutritional Advantages: Fewer calories than steak and potatoes, vegetarian, dairy, high in fiber

Mental Energy Advantages: Mommy unlikely to be resentful and intimidated by this meal … excellent offering after a long day at work.

*Raisin Bran

In other news, which celeb do you most parent like?? (or, how DEEP is my soul??)…