So it’s not just me, then?
Category Archives: Home & Family
Parenthood
June 3, 2011 – 10:32 pm
How to eat local for free in Chattanooga
June 1, 2011 – 10:26 am
The kids and I visited the Williams Island Farm on Friday and enjoyed ourselves immensely. Williams Island Farm is an organic farm that sits on 20+ of the 450 acres that make up the island. Aside from having a CSA, the Williams Island Farm provides food to local restaurants like 212 Market and Lupi’s. They also sell produce at the Main Street Market on Wednesdays and the Brainerd Market on Saturdays. We were there as part of a work share. We helped them harvest and in return we got a box of food to take home with us.
Up until now, any trips to Williams Island (and Sequatchie Cove) were forbidden by my husband because he was afraid I’d never come back. He knows I’m just a few steps away from full-blown hippie and putting me in a situation where everyone is living together and farming organically might tempt me too much. We made the agreement that this would be a trial run and as long as I didn’t come back smelling like patchouli I might be able to go back.
We made our way to the boat ramp behind Baylor at 8 in the morning and met Richard (or Farmer Richard, as the kids called him).
A short boat ride across the river and we were walking up the path to the farm. Richard made a list of how many bundles of each vegetable we needed to pick and showed us where to go and what to do.
Gracie and I set out to pick carrots, but she quickly decided that Wesley’s job of picking beets looked like more fun. She wandered off to argue beet size with her brother and talk Farmer Richard’s ear off. She was also quick to shed her shoes so she could run through the fields and every mud puddle she could find (takes after her mother).
It was supposed to take around 4 hours, but, with 6 adults and 2 kids, we managed to get it done in around 2 hours. Then we loaded up a box with carrots, kale, chard, beets and turnips, and headed back to the boat.
I feel I must mention that anything that starts with a boat ride, involves mud, and ends up with food counts as a great time as far as the kids are concerned.
Want to give it a try?
- Find a morning Tuesday through Friday that would work for you.
- Email them at williamsislandfarm[at]gmail[dot]com or give them a call at 678.876.0130.
- Show up ready to work.
Sunflower picture via their website. You can see lots of great pictures of the farm here.
From Cluttered to Clean: Purging the Fabric Stash
May 18, 2011 – 7:30 am
Quilting is another hobby that I quit a few months ago. (See: Be A Successful Quitter)
However, I still had all of the fabric that I had accumulated in my 8 years of mediocre quilting. It was in my closet and I could hear it whispering “shaaaaame” whenever I walked by. I wanted to get rid of it, but the recovering quilter in me wanted it to be used.
Then I remembered Project Linus. Project Linus is made up of volunteers who “provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer ‘blanketeers.’”
On their website I was able to search for the chapter in my area and email a very kind woman who let me know where I could drop it off. I managed to fill two giant IKEA bags with fabric. It was a relief to be rid of it.
With a little work, I was able to reclaim some space in my closet, stop the creepy whispering, and support a cause that has provided over 3 million blankets to children.
Top 4 Children’s Music Artists Parents Will Love
May 16, 2011 – 10:27 am
Music can transform a child’s life in so many ways. A child singing to him or herself is a happy child. – Steven Isserlis, cellist (source)
Many studies have shown that children benefit from music, though I must admit that a lot of my choices in children’s music depend on how annoying it is. Why would I spend money on something that, when played over and over, makes me want to drive the van off a cliff. It’s not just me. Anyone investigating an accident involving a family car should first check the CD player. If they did, I think a majority of accidents would be blamed on The Wiggles or Barney.
There are a few children’s artists that make me go beyond simply being able to stand their music to actually enjoying it. That works out for everybody. I’ll let the kids listen to it all the time if it’s something educational and fun to listen to. Since I’m the adult, I get to pick. Suck it, purple dinosaur.
Below are the four artists I enjoy the most. read more
Would you let your 7-year-old get plastic surgery?
May 13, 2011 – 7:43 am
This Good Morning America segment focuses on the rise of plastic surgery in minors. Seven-year-old Samantha’s mom says her cup ears are the reason she will be bullied in the future. The plastic surgeon says they could “impact her developing self-identity.”
I would like to add that, as someone without cup ears or a hump on my back, I was bullied in school; I think we would be hard-pressed to find anyone who wasn’t. If it’s not appearance, it’s clothing, hairstyle, money, what your name rhymes with; bullies will find something.
Might I also add that, for a woman who supposedly cares so much about her child’s appearance, she certainly didn’t bother to keep her bangs from getting butchered.
It’s her decision, but I lean more toward the “Boy Named Sue” school of thought on bullying: Instead of surgery, put her in karate class.
What would you have done?
Favorite Thing Friday: Frugal Fun in Chattanooga
May 6, 2011 – 10:58 am
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before, but Chattanooga is an excellent place for someone as cheap and easy easily distracted as I am.
Case in point: Last night we went to the Chattanooga Theater Center for Sweet Diversity, a free, informational dessert put on by the Office of Multicultural Affairs. We watched girls perform traditional Indian dances and tried Iranian desserts. It was fun and very interesting.
Afterward, we walked around Coolidge Park. The kids wanted to climb on the statues around the fountain which was fine with me as long as they followed the rule, “Do not get wet.”
“What if I just get my feet wet?”
“Don’t get wet.”
“What if I stand where the wind is blowing the spray from the fountain?”
“You are not allowed to get wet.”
“What if I go over the the fountain just to put this piece of grass in it?”
“No!”
After that fun exercise in boundary pushing, Wesley wanted to walk across the bridge. At 2,376 feet, Chattanooga boasts one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world. The Walnut Street Bridge is a fun way to cross the Tennessee River without having to dodge traffic.
pic by fdtate
At the other end we started down the hill to look at the diagonal elevator and the sculptures. As we were walking, I saw the Lookouts trolley go by. (The Lookouts are the local double-A affiliate of the LA Dodgers.)
I said, “Hey, I think the Lookouts are playing. Do you guys want to watch a game?” I took the yell of “I want to eat ice cream out of those little hats!” as a “yes.”
We walked past the aquarium and up the hill to the stadium. I love to watch baseball and I really love how inexpensive it is. General admission is only $4/adults, $2/kids and seniors, and free for 6 and under. Six dollars later, we were in and it was only the top of the 3rd inning.
spectacular pic by Warren Parks
It was chilly last night, and the kids were still in shorts and t-shirts from gymnastics. I told them that if they got cold we would leave, but we could always come back another time.
I didn’t realize how seriously they would take it. When the guy at the concession stand said, “Chilly tonight, isn’t it?” they said, “No, it’s warm! It’s fine!” Luckily it didn’t get too cold and we were able to watch the whole game.
I briefed the kids on the cheers and showed them how you should always talk to the person next to you while keeping an eye on the game so you don’t get bonked by a foul ball. The funniest part was the three-and-a-half inning stretch when we all sang exactly half of Take Me Out to the Ball Game.
Paul called around the 7th inning to see what we were up to. I said, “Well, I got a little distracted while we were downtown…”
The most epic haircut since Samson’s
April 25, 2011 – 11:05 am
We cut Gracie’s hair last night. *bracing for angry calls from friends and family*
Four months ago, I told Paul that combing out her hair was wearing me out (it took 20 minutes) and I wanted to cut it.
She was born with at least an inch of hair and it grew out thick and curly. Combed out wet, her hair reached well past her bottom. As it dried, it would bounce up to waist-length. I cut 3 inches off of it a few months ago and no one even noticed. It was a lot of hair for a 5-year-old.
Paul took over the combing of her hair in order to save it. He was a trooper. Every time he hit a snag, Gracie would yell, “You’re hurting the roots of my hair!” It took him about half an hour to get it combed out.
We were sitting in church a couple of Sundays ago when he leaned over to me and said, “You can cut her hair now.”
We talked to her about donating her hair to Locks of Love, a charity that provides wigs to “financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada… suffering from long-term medical hair loss.” She was all for it.
We left it long for her baptism and Easter Day, but Easter night Paul combed it out after her bath and we started the butchering.
I measured out 10 inches, ponytailed them, and snipped away. Whew, 10 inches is a lot of hair. Paul and I were both taking deep breaths and trying to be calm for her. Of course, she was completely fine with it.
Paul’s biggest fear when it came to cutting her hair was that her curls wouldn’t come back. I’ve been telling him that her hair comes out of the follicle curly, it was just straight on top because the weight of the rest of the hair was pulling it down. After I cut it, I turned to him and said, “I think you were right. I think we just cut all the curls out of her hair.” Sometimes he doesn’t appreciate my sense of humor. I know I don’t appreciate having to wear a turtleneck until his hand prints around my neck fade.
Her hair fell to right below her shoulder blades when it was wet. She bounced around and shook her hair out. I imagine it’s quite a weight difference.
She’s fine, but I’m most nervous because of other people’s reactions. Gracie’s hair was her trademark to so many people. No one could resist commenting on her curls or playing with her ponytail. I told Paul, “I feel like I should have had about 50 people sign wavers before we did this.” He said, “We’re going to get excommunicated.”
I had to talk him out of sneaking into her room this morning to see what it looked like dry. I didn’t want him to wake her. I told him that it would take a few washings for it to bounce up and we still had to take her to a stylist to even it up. I think he’s spending his morning calling in death threats to the salons in the area.
Work-at-Home Moms: Interview with Amanda Medlin
April 22, 2011 – 7:53 am
Amanda Medlin, founder and bow-designer-in-chief of Amanda Medlin Creations, was kind enough to answer a few of my questions about working from home.
With 2 kids, how do you find the time to run a business?
It’s not always easy. The temptation is there to spend the entire day playing with ribbon…especially when I’m piling up with orders. And there are days (um, often several in a row) when I don’t get the laundry done or the dishes washed. But I have to remind myself that I’m first a stay-at-home mom. It’s more important to meet my family’s needs. Yesterday, my oldest came home from Kindergarten with a noticeable case of the grouchies. I could tell he needed a little extra attention from me right then, so I dropped everything and we had ourselves a nice cuddle and a chat. It was more important than getting rush orders done. Gosh, I think it did us both good.
If I were the sort with any self-discipline at all, I’d make myself a schedule and stick to it–ideally, I set out to spend about an hour in the mornings responding to customers online, updating my website, etc., and sneak in about 2 or 3 hours of bow making while my daughter naps and after the kids are in bed. In reality, it’s hardly ever so neatly compartmentalized as that. I am open to suggestions; would anyone care to organize a goofy bow-making momma?
What is your most popular bow?
Probably the Princess clippies. Those have sold like sweets. The three most popular of those are probably Rapunzel, Belle and Ariel.
What the farthest place you have sent a bow?
I’ve shipped as far away as New South Wales, Australia, and most recently, to Zur Yigal, Israel.
Where do you get ideas for new bows?
Ideas for bows come from lots of different places. Often, customers will suggest sculpture clip ideas on my Facebook page. Or I’ll do a custom job that I really like and end up making a bunch of them! My daughter and her friends are wonderful inspiration as well. Mia’s enthusiasm for tea parties sparked the idea for my tea set clippies. They’re my current favorite item. Of course, I say that every time I create something new.
How long does it take to make a bow?
Depends on the bow. I hardly every make just plain, 5-minute bows. I figure you can get those just about anyplace. I like being able to pick my bowheads out in a crowd! Ha! And I do a lot of quality control to make sure the bows are going to last. For example, from scratch, a standard, layered boutique bow usually takes me about 10-15 minutes to design, cut, and assemble components. I heat-seal the edges to keep them from fraying, then I ordinarily bake them in my oven for 15 minutes more before I put them together (baking the ribbon helps it retain its shape. It’s a step many bow-makers don’t do, but it really works. You can stick that sucker in your purse, sit on it, whatever…it’ll bounce right back)! Previously designed bows are a snap, though. They go much quicker.
I will let you in on a secret. The character clippies are labor intensive! ESPECIALLY Dorothy and Toto–LOTS of teensy shapes, cutting, weaving, braiding, placing tiny rhinestones and microscopic bows, not to mention the occasional hot glue burn…but they are entirely worth the trouble. My gosh, they’re cute! And the character clips are my best sellers!
And speaking of character clips, my Facebook page is currently running a contest. If you haven’t already, go to my page, “like” it, and mention that you found me via My Spinning Plates. You and Virginia will each be entered to win a free clippy of your choice, made by me. If you are already a fan on Facebook, get a friend to “like” my page and you will be entered that way! Contest ends at midnight, Easter Sunday, so hurry.
If you would like to know more about Amanda, check out her post about how she decided to start her business or leave a question in the comments.
What We’re Reading Wednesday: The Lord of the Rings
April 20, 2011 – 7:28 am
We finished rereading The Hobbit this weekend. I read it to Wesley when he was 5, but I wanted to read it again to make sure that Gracie was caught up. A lot of the time, I wasn’t sure if she was even listening. Toward the end, she burst into tears when some of the main characters died (if you don’t know who, get thee to Amazon). I guess she was listening after all.
As soon as we finished, Wesley insisted that we proceed directly to The Lord of the Rings.
Paul pulled out a a large hardback tome housing the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy that a friend had given to him when he was a teenager (back before steam power). It’s dark red with embossed designs on the cover and a map that unfolds from inside. I’ve always been a sucker for a book with a map in it.
The kids and I were duly impressed but I am risking a wrist injury by trying to hold the whole thing up, especially when Wesley gets his way and we read 50 pages at a time.
My father read all of these books to us when we were kids. I remember the trilogy being decidedly darker than The Hobbit. The Lord of the Rings is no barrel of dwarves. I still remember getting cold chills at the parts with the Ring Wraiths or the sounds of footsteps following them in the mines of Moria. I’m looking forward to scaring the crap out of sharing the experience with my own kids.
Toys and Tyrants
April 19, 2011 – 8:39 am
Since yesterday was Wesley’s birthday, I let him be in charge and do whatever he wanted. It may not have been the best decision I’ve ever made.
He declared read more
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