hmmm...also, I'm tired

“The world is no place of rest. I repeat, it is no place of rest but for effort. Steady, continuous undeviating effort. Our work should never be done and it is the daydream of ignorance to look forward to that as a happy time, when we shall wish for nothing more, and have nothing more to accomplish". Thomas Dent Mutter

While i agree with this, fundamentally, i'm tired. i think that when i zoom out to the big picture of a life well lived, then i agree with this, even more. life is about effort, working to create change, work that is never done. today,though, i'm tired. aren't there just times for all of us when we want to put our burdens down for awhile and take a break? not a permanent break, mind you, but just some time to refresh? i know that it is good to have things to do, problems to solve, people with whom to interact. but, just for a little while, i'd like to hang out the "do not disturb" sign.
peace!

my favorite things

as my nemesis, oprah, closes out her show (props to her for being successful and all. whatever.) i thought i'd take a page from her book. sadly the page i take won't be running a marathon in 4hrs (credit, where credit is due). she always does this crazy give away show, which i have never seen, but hear plenty about. so if i had a bunch of money, an obscene amount of influence and the entire top floor of a downtown chicago high rise, what would i give you?

• every episode of 30 Rock, so you could laugh with me instead of reminding me that i am a total nerd
• your choice: vibram five-fingers or crocs, because no matter how ugly they, like broccoli, are good for ya'. also, it would be really cool to see a whole bunch of people walking around wearing either of them, without shame or irony
• a prime rib, as made by mr. mooklettes. i don't know how he'd feel about having you all over for dinner, but honestly you have not lived until you have had his prime rib...
• a copy of Food Matters, by Mark Bittman. after that prime rib, you're gonna need to be a "lessmeatatarian" like I am.
• a comfy sweatshirt: nothing screams sexy like the sight of me in my 20 year old Loyola sweatshirt with holes and frayed cuffs. you should be able to rock that look, too. (bonus, add in flannel pj bottoms and my crocs. i KNOW, hot, huh?)
• ivory liquid: it's not just for dishes. guaranteed most dependable bath bubble for all your soaking needs
• steel cut oats in a five pound bag: sure to induce guilt over not giving your body enough whole grains. tasty, too.
• now this one is really personal: a big case of Hefeweizen (and not the crap from costco). just the thought of giving beer away makes me weepy, but it is important to share. spare me the "i can't see through this beer" comments, grab an orange slice and be quiet.
• your choice (again): my nude portrait (thx Louisa), my boxed set of vintage Erma Bombeck paperbacks(thx Cheryl), my Picasso (yes, it is real, don't ask-long story), or my amazing Polaroid (thx Jen). I can't give them to you, because I'd miss them too much, but you can come over and spend time with them.
• a day off work: on a day when every one else is working. just us, hanging out, shooting the breeze. (what can i say, i'm a giver)

what i really would love to give you is time to play, time to be free from worry and stress, time to enjoy the lives you work so hard for. but, i'm not omnipotent, i'm not oprah!

peace!!

here's one thing i'm thinking about...

every now and then we enter the presence of the numinous and deduce for an instant how we're formed, in what detail the force that infuses every petal might specifically run through us, wishing only to love us into our full potential. usually the closest we get is when we love, or when some beloved beams back, which can galvanize you like steel and make resilient what had heretofore only been soft flesh. it can start you to singing as the lion pads over to you, its jaws hinging open, its hot breath on you. even unto death. Lit, Mary Karr pg 386

sometimes writers so capture a moment, it takes my breath away. this is one of those times, where as writing, it just works. those sentences are a universe unto themselves. beyond that, the idea they represent is so real and stunning, those words nearly glimmer for me.

i hope each of you have moments where you are able to so clearly realize why you exist and are able to make that love/passion real for the universe. i am trying, and sometimes failing, to notice those moments and to hold them close.

our lives are fleeting, they move fast, we all have so much to do, but what is the point of doing all those things, if they are removed from helping us connect with others? no, i am not romanticizing doing the laundry, but isn't even that act a representation of showing care and concern for others?

i hope that each day i use my talents to make some one's life better, to show some care and concern for other's troubles, to make the load lighter for them. (i am quite sure that i often fail in this regard, so consider it a work in progress.)i also know it is okay to take time for oneself, to nurture the interior, to be alone and to be quiet. the trick, i guess is finding the balance.

as Conan O'Brien says, "work hard and be kind"- to do only that would be enough.
-peace

happy new year

new year- new shoes! probably should have replaced them sooner, however! 2008 has been a banner year at mooklettes. our little family continues to grow in knowledge, good health and love for each other.
my little feet carried me several hundred miles and got me over one huge wall.
my friendship with my running buddy means even more to me than ever and facebook has brought old friends back into my life.
my class this year is a needy one, but oh so kind, and very hard working. i would go to the end's of the earth for them!
and, of course, in 2008 we here at mooklettes worked as a team to help get Barack Obama elected and are excited to watch him sworn in later this month.

be safe tonight and enjoy a fresh start tomorrow!
-peace

a really nice break!

thanksgiving was just a great weekend...
we had a nice day off the day before to get ready- baked pies and tidied up the house. the following day we headed to the mr.'s family and enjoyed ourselves into the evening. on friday, joe headed to granny and papa's, the mr. went to hang with his brother, and the rest of us enjoyed a chance to read, play video games and be lazy. saturday was awesome, becuase paul blew into town and we redid thanksgiving dinner. on sunday we headed to hemet to celebrate my brother's b-day and had a wonderful dinner cooked by my sis.

we are tremendously lucky to be surrounded by wonderful friends and family...

up this week: the return of book club! YEAH!

end of summer...

i am not particularly attached to the season of summer, i much prefer the fall, however, i do love the lack of schedule and long lingering days with the kids.

we have had a good summer- time at the ocean, time at the lake and time with some of our extended family. we went to sea world, kayaked, jet-skied, ran and played in the pool.

of course, summer means c. has a birthday. now she is two and it goes without saying that time just flies by! she is tall, talkative and funny! she is also stubborn and demanding. c. still loves to read and now she plays with legos, thomas the train and stuffed animals. her favorite things to say are "no", "i am a woman", "barack obama", "that is my toy", "i love you, ____", "mama's pretty", and "big girls wear diapers"...

that last one is problematic, eh?? she has zero interest in potty training and i have 100% interest. however, on this one she wins. this is new for me, the others were easy. oh well, i am pretty sure she won't graduate HS in diapers and she is just too much fun, so no complaints!

she does sleep in a big girl bed, so the crib has been packed away. that was a bittersweet summer day!

now we look ahead to a new school year. the mr. and i have been pouring over our test scores, seeing what we did right and where we can improve. we will be having a new sitter for c., we are excited about having markie join us, but nervous for the transition. the other mooklettes are more than ready to get the school year started. joe has a really tough schedule and is still finishing up his assignments that are due on the first day. k. begins with marching practice next week, is ticked that she has to wear a uniform, and will make every effort to keep her perfect 4.0 as an 8th grader. j.t. is rarin' to go to middle school- excited and nervous. we aren't worried, he is more than ready!

onward...

counting down...

okay- tomorrow night is the big night- 20 year reunion, and all that. toes are polished, brows are waxed and outfit is chosen...will tell you what I think on monday...
(i can already tell you what I think- it will be great to be out with my husband, even for a chicken dinner. - it will wonderful to be with kimberly and michael; i'll post pictures. - it will be nice to talk, in person, to some of the people I have gotten reaquainted with on facebook. it will be really special to share my memories of chris h. and the good times we had together after high school. -it will lovely to share how happy i am in my life with my family& friends.)

i feel the earth move under my feet...

a teachable moment and a reminder in the form of a 5.4 earthquake arrived today. of course, where we are, far from the epicenter, no biggie. still, the lessons remain, prepare and have a family plan. mooklettes need to know to sit tight, whether at home or school...

regular life

home from the beach to 116 degree weather and a freezer door left open- all food in both fridge and freeze spoiled...ahhhh life :) things on my mind this afternoon...
-the stench in the house-YUCK
-trying diligently to lose weight and gaining it instead
-going to my 20 year reunion with my best friend
-unpacking- YUCK,again
-missing j.t.- he's with his grandma&papa
-a little girl who is about to be 2- a bittersweet moment, that's for sure
-kayaking with kath at the end of the week

pink-slips- not the pretty kind...

it has been awhile since i visited this space, not good for keeping up a really sad hit-counter-

the economy is mess- the mister was pink slipped for the coming year...it isn't permanent until May, so we will see. missus could be back full-time, and that is okay...what isn't okay- is attempting balance the budget on the backs of kids and teachers while the federal gov't bails out multimillionaires...

today is the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq- we are almost to 4000 dead Americans. it makes me sad in a way I can't articulate.

it is also the anniversary of the day i lost my aunt and godmother- i miss her every day. she was such a reader and she taught me to play cribbage- i adored her!

even with all that is so topsy turvy in this world- we are healthy, we have a plan for lean times and my two youngest are reading together on the couch- we are so blessed!

monday, monday

except it isn't- it is tuesday, tuesday, but yesterday was a day off school and there is no song title that says tuesday...you get my point.

unbelievable weather here- i am sitting outside enjoying peace and quiet and some new transition lenses in my glasses...

all is well in our corner of the world. baby c. is a genius- just ask her and she'll tell you so. dr. said not to bring her back until well after her 2nd birthday as she has many, many words, sentences, phrases and expressions. he is decidedly not worried about her speech devleopment. she continues to surprise us each day with new words and is able to express her desires quite clearly- eggs, please...let's play a game, rock your baby, and on and on...so 18 months is a great time for us!

valentine's day is this week- not a holiday that chris or i worry much about, but i am sure a certain teenage boy will make an effort to do something nice for his girl.

okay- geese just flew right by me- love it!

tonight we will watch the election returns and proudly wear our Obama pins, make some tacos for dinner, go on a family run and GRADE PAPERS- YUCK!

Countdown to Palm Springs Half Marathon: 5 days- makes my stomach queasy just thinking about it!

take care and enjoy the week

and she's back...

with a lot of support from my friend and running buddy, Kathleen. (Who, may I just say, is awesome! She hung in there through my mental breakdown and was all smiles and support this morning when I showed up at her back gate at 7am- she is incredible!)
two more weeks to go, and for the first time, I actually think I might finish the race with my wits intact!

in other news, hoping to see Cara today in San Diego- K's godmom and fabulous friend! She is one the people in my life that, no matter how long we go between chats or visits, it is like not a day has passed.

right now, I am off to deal with some chaffing issues- have a great weekend!

summer tuesday

good morning mooklette readers...hope this post finds you in your little corner of the world, doing well and feeling inspired and enjoying the company of the people you love.

i need to send out the love to some special people today, so here goes:
happy Birthday, Jenn! Love you!
way to go Avery, on your way to earning your real estate license!
thanks amy, adam and lucy- you made this weekend's journey totally worthwhile!
jen, you are an amazing artist and a great momma!
kath- u r so in my thoughts this week- u will b awesome on ur race and i am sending u positive energy :)
k. what a girl- a liberated girl mathematician! u rock my world with ur courage and willingness to try new things- i love u!

from my hot and humid corner of the world to urs- have a great day!