Hello all!
Forgive the short silence---I'm working on a monster post about our first journey to the Old City.
It was awesome.
Details to come.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Keepin' On
It's amazing to me, we humans and our adaptive natures. Already we are eeking out a rhythm to our day, a comforting routine that proves to me once again the colloquial sentiment that home is where the heart is.
Sure, it's hoky but, like many things that end up on a Hallmark card, they are true in spite of the cheese. I find that, with my husband and children, I bring home with me. Sure, I miss my friends and family, but with and our family's shared experiences, we bring you all along too!
We had another middle-of-the-night party, with Kevin and I reading my silly magazines and Jacob doing a puzzle (thanks, Auntie Kathleen). Ceci seems to be weathering the time change better than the rest of us, with only a night waking or two.
Although we went back to bed at 4 am, we actually woke up before noon, giving us about 5-6 hours of sleep. Ceci slept in until 9:30/10, which means the rest of us did too. After some more unpacking and such, we prepared for lunch at the dining room.
Finding we were 30 min. early, we set out to find the washing machines and do some much-needed laundry.
On the way, we met a few members of the cleaning staff who were gentle, welcoming and enamored with the children---Jacob coyly hiding behind my legs and then bursting out with, "I'm five," or "I like adventures, " and Ceci huddled on Kev's chest in the carrier, batting her eyes and flashing that soul-melting smile. Thank you, Noha, Judy, Fatin and Juliette for your hospitality and pleasure at our presence.
The washing machines were quite new but all in German (???). After much guessing and drawing on our limited knowledge of German (Kev for his proficiency and me for singing art songs :), we started the loads. They take 2.5 hours to wash and about that long to dry, so it's kind of a several hours' process. It's amazing the things we take for granted!
Speaking of things we takes for granted:
What I miss (aside from the obvious family, friends, my own bed):
Washing Machine 2 steps from the bathroom
Cloth diapering (I know, it sounds ridiculous)
Antless floors---the little guys are ubiquitous over here
Netflix Watch It Now
Flushing toilet paper (the kind used here has polymers and thus has to be trashed. YUCK).
Non-dusty floors
Things I'm loving
Waking up to tons of sunshine and workman noises outside our window
Laid-back pace
Oodles of family time as we settle in before Kev starts a work schedule
No t.v.
Fresh, healthy food prepared by wonderful cooks
The natural beauty
Reading
Puzzles with Jacob
Little Rojet (sp?), the 6 y/o Palestinian boy who is the son of a staff member. Jacob met him tonight and, although neither speaks the other's language, they know how to speak play. Seeing them tossing the tennis ball back and forth in the echoing hallway, squealing and popping out at eachother around corners put my heart all aflutter.
Family workout time. Dance video. 'Nuff said.
We have yet to make it into the city, but hope to tomorrow we can go to the Old City to explore a bit and hopefully find a memory card before Shabbat starts and Jerusalem closes down.
I'm just itching to get my pics up, but have to resort to taking photos with our computer.
Tomorrow I'll probably take some Flip videos of the grounds so you can see more!
Layla tov!
Sure, it's hoky but, like many things that end up on a Hallmark card, they are true in spite of the cheese. I find that, with my husband and children, I bring home with me. Sure, I miss my friends and family, but with and our family's shared experiences, we bring you all along too!
We had another middle-of-the-night party, with Kevin and I reading my silly magazines and Jacob doing a puzzle (thanks, Auntie Kathleen). Ceci seems to be weathering the time change better than the rest of us, with only a night waking or two.
Although we went back to bed at 4 am, we actually woke up before noon, giving us about 5-6 hours of sleep. Ceci slept in until 9:30/10, which means the rest of us did too. After some more unpacking and such, we prepared for lunch at the dining room.
Finding we were 30 min. early, we set out to find the washing machines and do some much-needed laundry.
On the way, we met a few members of the cleaning staff who were gentle, welcoming and enamored with the children---Jacob coyly hiding behind my legs and then bursting out with, "I'm five," or "I like adventures, " and Ceci huddled on Kev's chest in the carrier, batting her eyes and flashing that soul-melting smile. Thank you, Noha, Judy, Fatin and Juliette for your hospitality and pleasure at our presence.
The washing machines were quite new but all in German (???). After much guessing and drawing on our limited knowledge of German (Kev for his proficiency and me for singing art songs :), we started the loads. They take 2.5 hours to wash and about that long to dry, so it's kind of a several hours' process. It's amazing the things we take for granted!
Speaking of things we takes for granted:
What I miss (aside from the obvious family, friends, my own bed):
Washing Machine 2 steps from the bathroom
Cloth diapering (I know, it sounds ridiculous)
Antless floors---the little guys are ubiquitous over here
Netflix Watch It Now
Flushing toilet paper (the kind used here has polymers and thus has to be trashed. YUCK).
Non-dusty floors
Things I'm loving
Waking up to tons of sunshine and workman noises outside our window
Laid-back pace
Oodles of family time as we settle in before Kev starts a work schedule
No t.v.
Fresh, healthy food prepared by wonderful cooks
The natural beauty
Reading
Puzzles with Jacob
Little Rojet (sp?), the 6 y/o Palestinian boy who is the son of a staff member. Jacob met him tonight and, although neither speaks the other's language, they know how to speak play. Seeing them tossing the tennis ball back and forth in the echoing hallway, squealing and popping out at eachother around corners put my heart all aflutter.
Family workout time. Dance video. 'Nuff said.
We have yet to make it into the city, but hope to tomorrow we can go to the Old City to explore a bit and hopefully find a memory card before Shabbat starts and Jerusalem closes down.
I'm just itching to get my pics up, but have to resort to taking photos with our computer.
Tomorrow I'll probably take some Flip videos of the grounds so you can see more!
Layla tov!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Ahh, much better.
Last night was intense.
Much like when I've had PPD, there was this soul-cracking anxiety---What have we gotten into? What would we do if Jacob got lost from us in a busy shuk (giant marketplace)? What if Ceci choked or fell down stairs? What if we had some kind of crazy allergic reaction to something (thank God we nabbed the Campbell's Benadryl at the last minute--thanks, guys). NPR is a great anxiety-reducer and (in a non-insulting way), a great sleep inducer. (I know you're with me, Jamie)!
Unlike when I've had PPD----I actually got to sleep for almost 9 straight hours. Granted, it was from 5 am to 2 pm, but no matter .
I felt WORLDS better, and woke up to sunshine streaming through our many windows.
SUNSHINE!! This place has so much sun, and the air is just crisp enough for cozy sweaters.
After a quick snack of bread, butter and cheese, we went out to explore the grounds.
[I have taken almost 200 pictures already. I sat down to blog and upload them only to find I left my usb cable at home. ARRGH. So, until we get to an electronics store, we shall be without photos. Then, they will be added ad nauseum].
It is GORGEOUS. Since we've come during the "lush" season, there's plenty of green mixed in with the stones and rocks. It's both rugged and pastoral and quite different than the midwest terrain.
Jacob is such balm for the soul, as with every turn we took and every new scene, he kept exclaiming, "It's awesome. I LOVE Jerusalem. This is too cool! I can't believe my eyes."
You know kid, you are right.
We went out near the front gate and saw gorgeous views of the city at dusk, and Jacob climbed the turret which he calls the castle.
After some outside exploration, we went in search of the library.
For the sake of energy conservation, the building lights are generally kept off. The library has 24 hour access through basement hallways, which we found. By the light of my camera flash, we navigated along and found light switches. Like Jack and Annie in The Magic Treehouse, it felt like we were exploring new terrain for the first time....which is exactly what we were doing.
The library revels in 70s glory and was, as Kev can attest, INCREDIBLE. Like everything else here at Tantur, it's HUGE. And extensive. And quiet. And empty of people. We found several carrels that had views of the city and tons of space---basically an office. Our dear Fr. Dan commented on the irony of going to the Middle East to have more space. :)
Jacob kept saying it was creepy, but we had a blast looking at all the rooms and card catalogs and niches. I can't wait to explore it some more.
After the library, we chatted with Lisa, the rector's wife who also oversees the staff. She is friendly and warm, and will be a surrogate grandmother for the kiddos while we're here. We chatted details about laundry and grocery shopping, and I am thankful for her guidance.
We made a quick stop to the little play area. There are 2 swings and a simple climbing structure which will be great for Jacob.
Right now there is a group of college students from Pennsylvania who will be here for 3 weeks, so it's nice to have some young friendly faces around. They were there for dinner, and got a kick out of Ceci and Jacob.
The food has been tasty and fresh, with many salads, TONS of hummus and pita, soups, rice and stews. We will likely have breakfast and lunch at home and dinner in the dining hall.
Once we get a routine down, get into the city and such, I think we're really going to enjoy it.
I'm really thankful to have this first week of togetherness, and with the lack of other distractions, I think in general we're going to have more time together than at home. After Ceci went down, the three of us did a puzzle together and it felt so good. Simple.
Well, a bottle of Palestinian beer and our balconies await me----BALCONIES! I know, right.
Layla tov for now.
Oh and P.S., THANK YOU for your comments. It makes me feel like I'm not talking to some lonely abyss, but real humans. :)
Much like when I've had PPD, there was this soul-cracking anxiety---What have we gotten into? What would we do if Jacob got lost from us in a busy shuk (giant marketplace)? What if Ceci choked or fell down stairs? What if we had some kind of crazy allergic reaction to something (thank God we nabbed the Campbell's Benadryl at the last minute--thanks, guys). NPR is a great anxiety-reducer and (in a non-insulting way), a great sleep inducer. (I know you're with me, Jamie)!
Unlike when I've had PPD----I actually got to sleep for almost 9 straight hours. Granted, it was from 5 am to 2 pm, but no matter .
I felt WORLDS better, and woke up to sunshine streaming through our many windows.
SUNSHINE!! This place has so much sun, and the air is just crisp enough for cozy sweaters.
After a quick snack of bread, butter and cheese, we went out to explore the grounds.
[I have taken almost 200 pictures already. I sat down to blog and upload them only to find I left my usb cable at home. ARRGH. So, until we get to an electronics store, we shall be without photos. Then, they will be added ad nauseum].
It is GORGEOUS. Since we've come during the "lush" season, there's plenty of green mixed in with the stones and rocks. It's both rugged and pastoral and quite different than the midwest terrain.
Jacob is such balm for the soul, as with every turn we took and every new scene, he kept exclaiming, "It's awesome. I LOVE Jerusalem. This is too cool! I can't believe my eyes."
You know kid, you are right.
We went out near the front gate and saw gorgeous views of the city at dusk, and Jacob climbed the turret which he calls the castle.
After some outside exploration, we went in search of the library.
For the sake of energy conservation, the building lights are generally kept off. The library has 24 hour access through basement hallways, which we found. By the light of my camera flash, we navigated along and found light switches. Like Jack and Annie in The Magic Treehouse, it felt like we were exploring new terrain for the first time....which is exactly what we were doing.
The library revels in 70s glory and was, as Kev can attest, INCREDIBLE. Like everything else here at Tantur, it's HUGE. And extensive. And quiet. And empty of people. We found several carrels that had views of the city and tons of space---basically an office. Our dear Fr. Dan commented on the irony of going to the Middle East to have more space. :)
Jacob kept saying it was creepy, but we had a blast looking at all the rooms and card catalogs and niches. I can't wait to explore it some more.
After the library, we chatted with Lisa, the rector's wife who also oversees the staff. She is friendly and warm, and will be a surrogate grandmother for the kiddos while we're here. We chatted details about laundry and grocery shopping, and I am thankful for her guidance.
We made a quick stop to the little play area. There are 2 swings and a simple climbing structure which will be great for Jacob.
Right now there is a group of college students from Pennsylvania who will be here for 3 weeks, so it's nice to have some young friendly faces around. They were there for dinner, and got a kick out of Ceci and Jacob.
The food has been tasty and fresh, with many salads, TONS of hummus and pita, soups, rice and stews. We will likely have breakfast and lunch at home and dinner in the dining hall.
Once we get a routine down, get into the city and such, I think we're really going to enjoy it.
I'm really thankful to have this first week of togetherness, and with the lack of other distractions, I think in general we're going to have more time together than at home. After Ceci went down, the three of us did a puzzle together and it felt so good. Simple.
Well, a bottle of Palestinian beer and our balconies await me----BALCONIES! I know, right.
Layla tov for now.
Oh and P.S., THANK YOU for your comments. It makes me feel like I'm not talking to some lonely abyss, but real humans. :)
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Exhaustion in a post
We made it.
I haven't slept more than a wink in over 30 hours, but we made it.
The kiddos were ROCK STARS. Jacob seriously passed out before we took off for Tel Aviv and slept for all but the last 2 hours. Ceci didn't have quite as much sleep, but adapted well to sleeping in our arms.
Yeah, if I had the moolah I'd pretty much banish all thought of lap baby, but she was adorbs with her rosebud lips and her squishy mushy sweetness all curled up.
Jacob made friends with anyone and everyone. It's funny that, with such a social home environment, he doesn't have to go seeking out friends, they're just there, so we may not see his outgoing side much. In fact, I've often thought the opposite.
Nope. At security, random passengers or diners in the gates, customs officials, several little lassies boarding our Tel Aviv flight---he would seek them out, sometimes infringing on personal space to tell them about his Star Wars musical, or that he wanted to be friends or yadda yadda .....Love him.
Skipping major details which I will fill in later, we are here in Tantur, safe and sound with a belly full of rice and hummus.
I am trying to take a cue from Jacob who keeps saying he's just so excited to be in Israel, that it's so awesome, that he loves Tantur.
And right now, surely out of sleep deprivation, all I can do is cry.
Because:
we alread burned out the kids' noise machine due to a stinky converter.
Ceci fell out of the too-high crib they graciously set out for her--thank God it was only moments after we surrounded the crib with our overstuffed suitcases, so the landing was soft and not skull-cracking tile.
Because I fear the thought of unpacking and doing a gigantic scrub down of our gigantic (yay!!) apartment.
Because I feel like a stranger in a strange land. And I want my Mommy.
But here I am, with this amazing opportunity and a wonderful family with whom to share it.
I will allow myself two, maybe three days of spontaneous breakdowns and then I gotta get over it.
It's 4 months, not 4 years,
it's a chance of a lifetime,
and it's good preparation for our eventual departure from the support network we've always known.
So prayer, my dears would be welcome.
Because we need a good night's sleep, and Ceci is ready to party.
Come, Lord Jesus!!
I haven't slept more than a wink in over 30 hours, but we made it.
The kiddos were ROCK STARS. Jacob seriously passed out before we took off for Tel Aviv and slept for all but the last 2 hours. Ceci didn't have quite as much sleep, but adapted well to sleeping in our arms.
Yeah, if I had the moolah I'd pretty much banish all thought of lap baby, but she was adorbs with her rosebud lips and her squishy mushy sweetness all curled up.
Jacob made friends with anyone and everyone. It's funny that, with such a social home environment, he doesn't have to go seeking out friends, they're just there, so we may not see his outgoing side much. In fact, I've often thought the opposite.
Nope. At security, random passengers or diners in the gates, customs officials, several little lassies boarding our Tel Aviv flight---he would seek them out, sometimes infringing on personal space to tell them about his Star Wars musical, or that he wanted to be friends or yadda yadda .....Love him.
Skipping major details which I will fill in later, we are here in Tantur, safe and sound with a belly full of rice and hummus.
I am trying to take a cue from Jacob who keeps saying he's just so excited to be in Israel, that it's so awesome, that he loves Tantur.
And right now, surely out of sleep deprivation, all I can do is cry.
Because:
we alread burned out the kids' noise machine due to a stinky converter.
Ceci fell out of the too-high crib they graciously set out for her--thank God it was only moments after we surrounded the crib with our overstuffed suitcases, so the landing was soft and not skull-cracking tile.
Because I fear the thought of unpacking and doing a gigantic scrub down of our gigantic (yay!!) apartment.
Because I feel like a stranger in a strange land. And I want my Mommy.
But here I am, with this amazing opportunity and a wonderful family with whom to share it.
I will allow myself two, maybe three days of spontaneous breakdowns and then I gotta get over it.
It's 4 months, not 4 years,
it's a chance of a lifetime,
and it's good preparation for our eventual departure from the support network we've always known.
So prayer, my dears would be welcome.
Because we need a good night's sleep, and Ceci is ready to party.
Come, Lord Jesus!!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Surreal
So, I usually like to obsess over my posts, finding pictures to match my writing, changing font sizes and colors to break up the text, etc.
This is not one of those post. Because, well, um..
We leave tomorrow.
TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My living room looks like a youth hostel.
The UPS/Fed Ex guys know us by now after delivering, just this week:
A covertible car seat
A pair of boots
An Old Navy order
A camera lens
A dot-to-dot book
Plug adapters
Fingerless gloves
A pocket watch necklace (we don't wear watches)
Random supplements and vitamins
Clint Eastwood classics
A pirate raincoat
Tiger earphones
Extra earbuds
and more......
We have received such love, support and offers to help.
Thank you, Mom and Mama for your hard work organizing, cleaning, packing, kiddo loving and tending to us all. We are so blessed to have such wonderful mothers, such selfless matriarchs who teach me every day the seemingly boundless love mamas (and papas) have for their children. You inspire me and show Christ's love in every act of service.
Thank you, Kathleen, for coming up twice in two weeks---to celebrate Jacob's birthday last weekend and to lend a hand this weekend. You are a bathroom scrubbing rock star, cleaning to the white-glove standard. The dead honey bees in our bathroom air vent thank you for a respectful burial in the kitchen trash. Thank you for playing with our sweeties and loving them like your own. I will miss you, sweet sister.
Thank you Auntie Alicia, Auntie Julia, Auntie Claire and Tom for all the fun activities and events you have done with Jacob. I seriously do not know what I would do without you. I am deeply grateful to have that sisters who are also best friends.
Thank you, Kathleen R. for opening your home to the Chat Pack Club, for providing a safe and welcoming space to nurture new friendships and old. I can't wait for summer punch and patio hookahfests.
Thank you, dad, for driving us to Chicago tomorrow and being our dependable go-to guy.
Thank you to all my lovely friends---you know who you are! Thank you for the thoughts, prayers, notes, calls...we feel so loved.
We leave South Bend at noon (if you care to see us off :), we fly out of South Bend to Newark at 6:00. and fly from Newark to Tel Aviv at 10:50, arriving at 4:10 the next day.
Please keep us in your prayers as we travel, and I'll post again when we've settled in.
Layla tov!!
This is not one of those post. Because, well, um..
We leave tomorrow.
TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My living room looks like a youth hostel.
The UPS/Fed Ex guys know us by now after delivering, just this week:
A covertible car seat
A pair of boots
An Old Navy order
A camera lens
A dot-to-dot book
Plug adapters
Fingerless gloves
A pocket watch necklace (we don't wear watches)
Random supplements and vitamins
Clint Eastwood classics
A pirate raincoat
Tiger earphones
Extra earbuds
and more......
We have received such love, support and offers to help.
Thank you, Mom and Mama for your hard work organizing, cleaning, packing, kiddo loving and tending to us all. We are so blessed to have such wonderful mothers, such selfless matriarchs who teach me every day the seemingly boundless love mamas (and papas) have for their children. You inspire me and show Christ's love in every act of service.
Thank you, Kathleen, for coming up twice in two weeks---to celebrate Jacob's birthday last weekend and to lend a hand this weekend. You are a bathroom scrubbing rock star, cleaning to the white-glove standard. The dead honey bees in our bathroom air vent thank you for a respectful burial in the kitchen trash. Thank you for playing with our sweeties and loving them like your own. I will miss you, sweet sister.
Thank you Auntie Alicia, Auntie Julia, Auntie Claire and Tom for all the fun activities and events you have done with Jacob. I seriously do not know what I would do without you. I am deeply grateful to have that sisters who are also best friends.
Thank you, Kathleen R. for opening your home to the Chat Pack Club, for providing a safe and welcoming space to nurture new friendships and old. I can't wait for summer punch and patio hookahfests.
Thank you, dad, for driving us to Chicago tomorrow and being our dependable go-to guy.
Thank you to all my lovely friends---you know who you are! Thank you for the thoughts, prayers, notes, calls...we feel so loved.
We leave South Bend at noon (if you care to see us off :), we fly out of South Bend to Newark at 6:00. and fly from Newark to Tel Aviv at 10:50, arriving at 4:10 the next day.
Please keep us in your prayers as we travel, and I'll post again when we've settled in.
Layla tov!!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
To My Jacob William on Your 5th Birthday 1-2-11
Dear Jacob,
You are my firstborn.
My only son.
My Jacob William, Jakers, Bubby, Jacobacob, Snickerdoodle.
Finding out about your new life was quite the surprise five months after Mommy and Daddy got married.
We fell in love with you before you were born, talking to you, reading to you, singing to you. Daddy even did some pre-natal catechesis.
Then, after 9 long months of waiting, we prepared for your arrival.
Mommy had to be induced to help you along into the world. It was important to me to have as natural a labor as possible. I was given something to help my labor begin and boy oh boy did mama work hard!
The doctors went into Mommy's belly and brought you out.
The moment I heard your first cry I yelled: "My baby!!!" Tears poured down my face as I sobbed and sobbed and sobbed.
(Nothing much has changed in that regard to our joy processing :)
Jacob, I am in awe of you every day. From the time you recognized your letters at 18 months, to memorizing entire books at 2, to learning how to read at 3.5 to chapter books at 5, you have a brilliant mind.
I love to watch you process information and revel in the socratic nature of our explorations. The natural world is a constant source of inspiration for you, calling forth ecstatic praise of everything God made. Your favorites are sunrises, sunsets and seeing the moon during daytime.
Jacob, you LOVE music.
Perhaps it's because Mommy and Daddy have always sing to you, but you have a knack for memorizing songs, and can even hold the melody while we harmonize.
I guess if you got your wish of having 100 brothers and sisters, we could be the Von Trapps 10 times over. :)
You love: reading, climbing trees and running amuck in the backyard, playing "joy pirates," Star Wars (though you've yet to see it), house, fireman, police, trains, puzzles, art, writing letters, baking, riding bikes, swimming, snuggling, wrasslin', fort-making, and
Every day you crack us up with some hilarious expression, question or comment. Recent gems:
Mommy, thank you for introducing me to The Littles ('80s tv show woot woot)
Mommy, can I marry Uncle Jimmy?
Calling my best friend, leaving a message on the phone and asking for their daughter's hand in marriage. (He's totally on a marriage kick)
What if the whole world were made of markers?
Mommy, I want a 120 kids. I want you to have 120 kids.
It's not fair that you have girls' nights! It's not fair to the kids and dads.
After seeing the decorations Auntie put up in the basement for our New Year's party (which was mostly ladies): It's an awesome girls night down there!! It's an awesome girls' night down there!!
I need to start writing these down, because you give us dozens a week!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jacob, You are sassy and sensitive, stubborn and enthusiastic, chatty, solitude-loving, protective, honest, compassionate, interesting, passionate, imaginative.
Jacob William, you are a precious treasure, a sweet and strong little boy who is quickly becoming a young man. Like your father, you have a large body and a tender heart. Remember, sweetie, to always be gentle with others--with their hearts, emotions, bodies and minds. Treat them as you lovingly treat your sissy.
Always remember, dear one, you are deeply loved.
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| One |
Two
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| Three |
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| Four FIVE! |
Saturday, January 1, 2011
A New Year
Every year it's the same thing:
Me: I just can't believe it's been a whole year since last year and two years since the year before! What happened to the time?? I didn't walk 10 miles a day and go local/organic/raw. I didn't learn Elvish and sew 5 quilts a month and write every warranted thank-you note and start a blog (oh wait---check!) and perfect my meal planning.
Life: You crack me up.
You see, I am a closet perfectionist.
Come to my house most days, and there are toys scattered about, a mound of laundry on the couch waiting to be folded, last night's bottle of wine uncorked with a thimble-full left on the bottom, and a boy-christened toilet begging to be washed.
 |
| Source: http://www.cartoonstock.com |
A perfectionist? ummm.....seemingly not so much.
But Flo H., Carmen's Mama (woot woot shout out!!), was the only person on this earth who cut through the crap to see me---a hyper perfectionist. Crazy, right?
Unless I can Gap-fold all the clothes, line them up
by type and color in the drawer,
by type and color in the drawer,
I don't want to do it.
Unless I can take everything off the counters,
scrub the stove and oven,
clean the cracks around the sink with q-tips,
I don't want to do it.
Same thing with lifestyle changes. If I have to cut out carbs, I want to eat as little food as possible without passing out. With working out, I want to push so hard I throw up.
Or I don't want to do it.
A different manifestation of this perfectionism rears it's head if I receive criticism (however charitable or uncharitble it may be). Criticism coming from a total stranger typically doesn't bother me or ticks me off just enough to sass back.
If it comes from those close to me?
Oy, my tender heart doesn't do well, even if the criticism may be well-founded.
As my MIL pointed out, it's ALL OR NOTHING.
This coming year, instead of fighting my innate personality, I will continue to accept my desire for perfection. And when that stubborn streak hits, tempting me to shirk my to-dos because I don't have the time for OCD order? I will politely tell it to buzz off, fold the laundry in a jiff and let Jacob put his own clothes away, even if they get unfolded in the process.
And I will repeat Carmen's own wise words:
"Close enough is good enough."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On the flipside, my perfectionism does come in handy.
Some of things things I've "perfected" this year.
The art of:
Falling in love with my babies....the smell of them, the feel of their little lips on mine, the swift "You're okay"s after a fall, the hyper cheerleader for met goals, little and big. The middle-of-the-night-tripping-over-toys-rescue for a quick nurse and cuddle, the belly laughs and mutual awe, the letting go so they can grow... Love...
The spontaneous gathering. Be it a summer night's hookah session or a midday tea, I'm all over the last-minute call for the troops. We stumble out, arms overflowing with the accoutrements for a good visit: libations, sustenance and a ready laugh.
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| Source: angiesrecipes.blogspot.com |
To flatten the chicken, I enclose the breast between two large sheets of Press N' Seal to keep the nasty e-coli splatter to a minimum.
Be generous with the wine--maybe take a few swigs
if you fly like that ;)
if you fly like that ;)
Use kitchen twine instead of toothpicks---they hold the chicken together better and are easier to remove.
Check it:
 |
| Source: http://sweetpeascloth.com |
Researching before purchasing is kind of my thing. I've been known to compare product reviews for months before purchasing something as simple as a raincoat (hmm...that perfectionism creeping in). SO, when we decided to cloth diaper, if was after just such a time investment. We bought Fuzzi Bunz and have a now have a nice routine with all the supporting of Charlie's Soap, Oxiclean Free, Biokleen, Imse Vimse liners, and many others.
If you are at all considering cloth diapering, USE ME as a resource!!
The Surprise Party. From baby showers to Kev's 30th birthday, I'm all over the whole process, from the big picture to the nitty gritty details, I LOVE a good surprise.
The morning nap. There is nothing like a day when the hubby is home or Jacob's at school, Ceci is down and I can crawl into the cool sheets and cozy down comforter. Nighttime sleep is often hit or miss, but morning nap sleep is golden. The morning light filters through a small slit in the curtains and down, down, down to sleep I fall.
A good cry. There's no relief from stress like a heaving, snot running, snorting, body contorting cry. Sometimes it's hormones, sometimes it's a strained friendship, sometimes it's just pure exhaustion. Grab a box of kleenex, bust out the fetal position and let the river flow. You'll feel better---I promise!
And now, fighting all my tendencies toward a superfluous post editing to include all of this past year's lessons, I will bid adieu.
May your year be blessed with imperfect perfection.
The morning nap. There is nothing like a day when the hubby is home or Jacob's at school, Ceci is down and I can crawl into the cool sheets and cozy down comforter. Nighttime sleep is often hit or miss, but morning nap sleep is golden. The morning light filters through a small slit in the curtains and down, down, down to sleep I fall.
A good cry. There's no relief from stress like a heaving, snot running, snorting, body contorting cry. Sometimes it's hormones, sometimes it's a strained friendship, sometimes it's just pure exhaustion. Grab a box of kleenex, bust out the fetal position and let the river flow. You'll feel better---I promise!
And now, fighting all my tendencies toward a superfluous post editing to include all of this past year's lessons, I will bid adieu.
May your year be blessed with imperfect perfection.
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