Fairy Tales….

During college, my concentration was in Sociology.  I had a very educated instructor who was quite adamant when it came to certain topics; especially equality between sexes.  When I took the first class with her, she definitely said some things that I needed to hear at the time.  She’d say, “Stop waiting for the Prince on the white horse to ride in and rescue you.  You have to rescue yourself!”  and,  “ Fairy tales are all the same, a perfectly capable female waiting around for a Prince to come ‘rescue’ her.” (envision air quotes). The more I learned, and the longer I was in such classes, the more I would analyze movies and books…even commercials.  I eventually came to what I considered to be a “realist’s” view, sharing the sentiments of my former instructor.  Today, however, I was (after a VERY busy day) tooling around on the internet when I came across a video of the “Royal Wedding”.  I couldn’t help but watch that beautiful woman, in her beautiful dress walk down that mile long, red carpet lined isle to her waiting Prince.  Prince!  I watched them say their vows, though I couldn’t hear it well for the blaring Star Wars Episode V in the background—don’t lose the irony here.  At that moment it occurred to me.  While he may not have rode in on a white horse to “rescue” her from an evil witch with poison apples or indentured servitude, she still married a prince!  Also at that moment, it occurred to me, she and I are not so very different.  After all, I'm beautiful, I have a beautiful dress, and, best of all, I already have my prince charming! Anyone have a mile or so of red carpet?

Things I Love Tuesday: Part 2

11.  brightly colored eggs

12.  flip-flops

 13.  home sweet home

 14.  enchanted places

15.  more blossoms than leaves

16.  making a new friend

 

17.  red roses

18.  growing beans in a jar

19.  painted toes

20.  fuzzy caterpillars

Cluckin' Bunnies

The Easter Bunny has been laying chocolate cream-filled eggs for so long, I forgot it was a mammal. Just so you are aware, I had to ask my 12 year old how birds were classified. He quickly informed me that they are “Aves”…Right? Because why would a woman with a college background know that? One would think with four years of Latin under my belt, I would have at least have had a guess. Alas, when the ever-working degree in Sociology/Pre-Law, is coupled with several years as a legal assistant, the only birds one typically deals with are either “Jail Birds” or “Stool Pigeons”.

A bit of lore I do happen to know is as follows: The goddess, Eastre, was worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons through her earthly symbol, the rabbit. The Easter bunny has its origin in pre-Christian fertility lore (with four kids, I don’t need any of that!). The Hare and the Rabbit were the most fertile animals known and they served as symbols of the new life during the spring season. They were not made of chocolate at first either. Germans, who introduced the first edible bunnies, made them out of pastry and sugar. Personally, I’d rather have the chocolate!

I was recently asked whether I would outwardly express such personal religious or political views (synonymous by my definition) in my blog, especially given a holiday scenario; probably not. Therefore, I feel it is only fair to warn my readers who may be expecting such expressions, you will be very disappointed. Because I do have a tendency to be “brutally honest” (inherited, no doubt, from both my father and mother) when it comes to these topics, I had not yet thought of a way to express my feelings toward the subject matter with certain diplomacy until the other night.

While dozing lazily on the sofa late one evening last week, it came to me. We were watching The Matrix (for the hundredth time I’m sure) and there was a conversation between two of the characters that pretty much says it all for me. One said to the other “Not every one believes as you do!” The other responded simply, “My beliefs do not require them to.”

Here’s hoping everyone had a wonderful day, no matter what you believe.

Friday Inspiration…It’s All Good

All week I’ve been planning a photo shoot with my partner’s son’s mother (doesn’t that just sound better than “ex wife”—how I detest derogatory titles?). We’ve been in communication about everything from what to bring on our picnic, to the all important, “will the rain hold off until…” Needless to say, the rain did not hold off.

No sooner than I was just a bit over half way to where we were to meet, it began. To top it off, it wasn’t warm outside at all! A glimmer of hope flickered as we arrived, but was quickly doused by rather large, cold raindrops falling on our heads (you know you want to sing it). We must have been a sight to anyone watching; two women walking hurriedly, carrying various bags, a chattering baby, with three other children in tow, trying to avoid getting poured on…too funny! If they only knew.

Nevertheless, we were not to be deterred; we were on a mission. One, I might add, we successfully accomplished. Amanda took some wonderful pictures of our four beautiful children. I am so excited, and can’t wait to see them. I am also very happy to have shared some time with another mom and a delightful woman. I am fortunate to have such a splendid connection with another human being…not many of us can say that these days.

I have listed a link to her blog site under “My Blog List". Her photographs are as lovely as she is. Enjoy!

Easter Basket Cupcakes...Today's Adventure

The day has finally come to accept that two of my four children are getting too old for Easter Baskets and the like.  They'll still get candy (or I'll never hear the end of it) and we'll likely still dye eggs, but this year, I decided I would try something a little different.  So, I made some cute little orange cupcakes with yummy frosting, coconut and jelly beans on top; the handle is a sour straw.  They're super simple and delicious! 

House Cleaning Made Easy (or at least less of a pain)

I consider my home to be above-average on the clean scale (most of the time), especially for a woman with four children ranging in age from 12 years to 8 months. But, for years, I’ve driven myself insane wondering how on earth my grandmother was able to keep her house so absolutely spotless in spite of children running in and out with muddy creek feet all summer long. In spite of the children having regular chores (yes, even in 2011, I still put my children to work around the house) and, in spite of being a stay-home-mom (I rather prefer “Domestic Engineer” if a title is required) I STILL can’t manage a dust free, clutter free, spotless home. Needless-to-say, this drives me NUTS! While I was lying in bed, no doubt obsessing over the last load of laundry I didn’t manage to get folded and put away, I had an epiphany. She must have had a mental list for so long that it just became habit. I am aware that this isn’t much of an epiphany, but at 1AM it certainly seems like one. Luckily, much like my grandmother, I too have a wonderful partner who is willing to share in these domestic duties without the weight of gender roles hindering our progress (not to mention catering to my slight OCD). Sooooo….I have managed to put together a list to aid those of you (male and female) who also wonder how your home is a mess in the morning when you wake up when you were sure it was clean when you went to bed (darn those messy house elves). Hope you all find this helpful.

Clean up the house before bed. (20 minutes - tops)

• Living room: Pick up and put away things, magazines, dishes, clothes, shoes.

• Kitchen: Clean it up, shine sink, lay out clean dishcloths, and run the dishwasher.

Think about tomorrow, today.

• Check/update calendar and/or planner for appointments.

• Start a "To Do" list for tomorrow.

• Think about: What can I do tonight that will make tomorrow morning easier? (make lunches?)

• Gather up items that you do not want to forget and place them in a spot by the door. Make sure you can see them before you walk out.

• Make sure children (and you) have their things gathered up and put away/ clothes ready for the next day.

• Lay out clothes for tomorrow

• Feed/water cats/dogs/birds etc.  (if you don't have these, one less step for you!)

By the way, don't buy into that "28 days to form a habit" rubbish.  Anything that we find pleasurable or associate with pleasure can become an habit after doing it only once or twice. That is how people become addicts. It feels good. There has to be emotional buy-in so that we believe the new habit is going to be better than the old one. We do what is "comfortable",even if we don't like the end result most of the time. It is familiar and safe. Consider how good it will feel to have a less cluttered home.  Ahhhhhhh......
 

Things I love Tuesday

A positive outlook in my own life doesn't come naturally or easily to me. It's something I have to work at every day.  I’m very good at helping other people see their “silver lining”, but I have a tendency towards seeing things in a negative light when it comes to me.   This is neither helpful nor is it healthy.  It’s time for a change.

One of my new goals is to identify 100 things that bring me happiness.  I have been inspired by a wonderful friend who sends out regular text messages containing a list of things she for which she is thankful. I'm starting my own version of this today (“Things I Love Tuesday”) and will update with 10 things each Tuesday for the next 10 weeks. I’m pretty certain that we all can benefit from soaking up all the wonderful little things in life whenever we have the chance to. Enjoy.

  1.  My friend, Michele’s, ever inspiring text messages

  2.  Sunshine

  3. Movies I’ve seen a hundred times

  4. Being called beautiful, even when wearing sweat pants and a t-shirt

  5. French pressed coffee (who cares if the coffee pot died)

  6.  John Saul books

  7. Chatting with a friend (if for only but a moment)

  8. Fresh fruit and fresh flowers (at the same time is best!)

  9. A toothless baby smile in the morning (it won't last forever)

10.  Feeling “normal”