outside the (toy) box

I need to close shop. I’ve always said that I think you can balance work and family, but personal interests - forget it.  I thought I had time for this, for a hobby, but I don’t.  More honestly, I keep making the time and shouldn’t. 

Thanks for welcoming a new blogger, I’ve really enjoyed meeting you. 

I’m so sad to go, I just have no words.

Meanwhile, if you find her, please let me know.  I need some advice.

This weekend we had our extended family together in town for my son’s dedication and naming.  It was chaotic and a little crowded and at moments undeniably awkward, since I have a complicated family tree shaped in the usual unusual ways by divorces and remarriages.  (e.g., I have one brother, one half sister, and three ex-step sisters. Read the complete Post.

 This post isn’t on-theme. Just so you know in advance.

Thing 2 turns one this week.  I turn none-of your-god-damned-business (36) 5 days later.  A year gone.  It’s been hard.  I hate his current family day care, and although I had the awkward fumbling overdue relief of firing her last week, he deserved better. 

So did I.  I went back to work when he was 9 weeks old.  9 weeks. If I had

Read the complete Post.

Okey doke. I had been thinking about how infrequently I mention Thing 2 on this blog and how you probably all think I am a neglectful, uncaring mother incapable of loving her baby.  So, I was going to post a little memo about how much I adore him (I do, I do, I do - it’s SICK how much I love that baby) and all his adorable quirks (he has a intense hair fetish and likes to pull my eyelashes while we snuggle), and how I am actually very focused on him for a number of reasons (e.g., not the least of which is that he has “THE Read the complete Post.

Thanks to The Curvature for cluing me into National Organization of Women’s Love Your Body Day!  In honor of this you can choose to be:

A.) Pissed off (by watching a very good slideshow from NOW that follows in the Jean Kilborne tradition.)  All the beauty image nonsense that we gripe about illustrated beautifully.

or

B.) Happy/Accepting/Celebratory (”This Little Bod of Mine, I’m Gonna Let it Shine…”).   Think about all the marvelous things your body does for you.  I give mine such a hard time, seriously taking it for granted (sorry body).  If you prefer option B, I recommend the Shape of a Mother blog, that bluemilk introduced to me, kudos Shape of a Mother for showing us what real bodies actually look like.  If you are a self-helping kind of gal, you might like to also take the I Love My Body Pledge.  And without a doubt, no matter who you are, watch the Mika video for Big Girl.

(btw — BOTH A and B highly recommended.  Send all that trash talk outward)

Hey — Thanks for all the great comments lately everyone - such witty and smart visitors! I have a serious case of infatuation with you all and the time I spend on this blog and on the clever blogs of others (that person in your analytics who visits 6 times a day waiting for you to post — it’s me  — I’m an addict)!  I’m in love with the blogosphere.  Do I have to tell my husband?  Also, if you’re lurking, c’mon, no need to be shy. Say hi! Read the complete Post.

She picked Charlotte’s Web!  SQUEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It’s another princess-free Halloween!  SQUEEEE!!!! I did NOT use coercion or bribery of any sort — and I have survived even this without ever uttering one bad word about princesses to my daughter.  I save those for you all. And the people I work with. And my students. And my husband. And the mail carrier. And the dog… Read the complete Post.