It's that time of year when hopefully, we Americans will take pause and be thankful for what we have. This Thursday, millions will gather at the homes of their family or friends, have some delicious food, and enjoy each other's company.
And then trample each other the next day for a Black Friday sale. I know, ironic.
All kidding aside though, in the spirit of gratitude- which a wise spiritual teacher recently dubbed for a talk as "the magical attitude"- I thought I would list some of the reasons that I'm thankful this year.
1. My husband. He's not just uber-cute, he's a really quality good guy. He works really hard to provide for our family, sometimes to stress levels uncomprehensible to most. He is smart, creative, and he has a big heart. He is a very good father, and my best friend.
2. My firstborn. My son is an absolute gem of a kid. Don't get me wrong, he, like most kids that are 7 1/2, has his whiny, not-so-shiny moments. He's also loud but admittedly, so are his parents (mia culpa, we are stage people. What else is there to say?). But the neatest thing about being his Mom is watching the person he is growing into- kind, thoughtful, big-hearted, intelligent, generous, and funny. He can also draw some very realistic Angry Birds.
3. My middle child. She is truly the Princess of the family. Often stubborn, extremely opinionated, known to sometimes stomp her foot but then flash you the prettiest smile you've ever seen. She is 5 going on 25, whipsmart, gorgeous, and when she wants to be, the sweetest cuddlebug with a giving spirit. She can also be an absolute bear. I suspect this is true for many middle children. In watching her try to navigate her position in birth order, I think that being in the middle is a difficult road. I am looking forward to helping her find her own unique mark in the family and the world.
4. My youngest daughter. She turns 3 tomorrow! Everybody loves her. She also does not take crap from anybody- if she feels wronged, you will know. I love that she is tough and sticks up for herself. I am enjoying watching her become more independent. Out of all three children, she seems to be the most inclined to singing and performing, which is pretty neato.
5. My parents. Parenting is hard. My parents were not perfect and no parent is, but they did their best. And they both have qualities I admire and try to emulate. My mother is a hard worker, and yet she can be silly and spontaneous. My father was very wise, had a big heart and appreciated the simple things in life. My Dad passed away in 1994 so he never got to meet my husband or my children. I wish he had lived long enough to meet them. I wish my Mom lived closer but she is a wonderful Nonna and my children adore her.
6. My sisters and my brother. Especially my younger sister whom I grew up with. I wish I lived closer to all of them! I am also thankful for my extended family, including my in-laws.
7. I am grateful that I get to do work that is fulfilling, and that I can balance that work with family life. Sometimes this is a juggling act of epic proportions, and sometimes I fail miserably. But at least I get to make the attempt!
8. I am grateful for our home. It is not perfect, and in places it needs work. But it is more than many people have in the world. I'm also thankful to live in a swell neighborhood, and with nifty neighbors.
9. I am thankful that my children attend a great public school, with teachers who understand them and that are developing them into quality learners.
10. I am thankful for my friends new and old, who listen and are a source of support and understanding.
11. MUSIC, and the gift of song. There is nothing in this world that makes me happier than singing, and sharing music with other people.
12. I am grateful for a healthy body and mind. I am thankful that I have the energy to take care of my family, and also myself. Health is something we often take for granted.
13. Chocolate! No really, if you didn't expect to see chocolate on this list, you don't know me that well.
14. A Minivan. This makes the list because we were a one-car family for 5 years. You have no idea how thankful I am that we will soon embark on a long drive to South Milwaukee to see my brother....with an extra set of seats separating us parental units from the offspring.
15. Bacon. Yes, this indeed needs to make the list of gratefulness. I don't get to eat bacon all that often, but I enjoy it when I do. A friend once told me, "Everything tastes better wrapped in bacon, or dipped in chocolate.". Wiser words were never spoken!
16. I am thankful for a spiritual home and community second to none. St. Joan of Arc Church here in Minneapolis has a long-standing tradition of incredible music, activism, and promotion of social justice. We welcome everyone. I love singing and serving such a loving place centered on the teachings of Jesus, and the opportunity for personal growth in my Catholic faith.
17. Notre Dame football. If they get to play in the BCS championship this season, that's gravy. I'm thankful for their performance this season and the quality representation of the players both on the field and off the field. I'd be extra extra grateful if Manti Te'o takes home the Heisman, but I'll leave that in God's (capable) hands.
18. My cat Buster. He is intelligent, wily, and we just have an understanding of souls.
19. I'm thankful for Americans who still believe in optimism, that this is indeed the greatest country in the world, and that our best times lie ahead of us. I'm grateful for the ability to openly discuss and disagree or agree politically, and the free exchange of ideas.
20. I'm thankful for the quiet moments in life. As a Mom of three, these come few and far between, so the quiet is definitely appreciated.
21. I am thankful for the gifts of the earth and nature. I am grateful we live in a city with such beautiful parks, lakes, and greenery.
22. I am grateful for every day and every minute, that I get to enjoy life and all of the above (and whatever is to come). I am thankful for joys, tears, sorrows, laughter- all the things that make life such an incredible journey.
We are not promised tomorrow. Settle into today and take a moment to look around and reflect. I bet you've got a lot to be thankful for too.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
Winter Squash: Fall Comfort Foods
As the weather becomes cooler, one thing you might see in your grocer's produce aisle are the winter squash varieties. Butternut and acorn are two of the most common and two of my favorites to cook with in the Fall and Winter.
Squash in both its winter and summer varieties, have many health benefits. Winter squash specifically is high in Vitamin A (as are sweet potatoes), which support lung health. A cup of winter squash also contains 15% of your daily value of folate, which prevents birth defects and
Squash in both its winter and summer varieties, have many health benefits. Winter squash specifically is high in Vitamin A (as are sweet potatoes), which support lung health. A cup of winter squash also contains 15% of your daily value of folate, which prevents birth defects and
Leftover baked squash can be scooped from the skin, pureed and made into a delicious soup. Skip the cream and use 2% milk at the end of the cooking process (ie, stir in while soup is hot), or use greek yogurt. Squash soups can be made sweet (try cooking in green apples) or savory with traditional spices or even curry.
I would love some more every day recipes that are healthy involving squash. What kinds of squash do you like to eat, and what is your favorite way to prepare it?
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Election Day 2012
Today America decides who will lead our country for the next four years. Today in Minnesota, we also will be deciding about a Voter ID amendment, as well as an amendment defining marriage in a way that I believe limits personal freedoms in our state constitution.
If you know me on Facebook, then you know I'm political. Extremely political. Maybe politically posting to the point of personal annoyance. Mia culpa to you if you feel that way. I won't however, apologize for my viewpoints.
But that's not what this post is about. At least, not exactly.
First things first: If you are age eligible to vote, I hope you are doing so. Get your behind to the polls because folks, this might be the most important election you will vote on in your lifetime. If you feel strongly about your candidate, you better be casting your vote. Put your vote where your mouth is! And if you don't well, you will just have to live with whatever the rest of us decide- and you therefore forfeit the right to complain.
I think the biggest disappointment for me as an American citizen, is the complete and utter nastiness that has occured over this election, and over the last four years of President Obama's first term and also by extension, to those of us who proudly elected him into office. I have been called a sheeple, a liberal extremist, accused of having no common sense, of blindly following the "liberal media", of being laughable, without fact based arguments. And that's just the nice things. I have seen this on both sides of the arguments so if you are a democrat and your'e reading this? Don't get all up on your high horse either. We know we are just as good at slinging mud as the GOP supporters, and for some of them they might say we are better at it. Once when I vehemently disagreed with protests by Occupy MN in regards to housing, and I voiced my opposing opinion. Well they not only deleted my comments but they also banned me from commenting on their facebook page. That was eye opening to say the least! I have conservative friends who have actually lost friends over their political leanings and opinions. I don't think anyone has a get out of jail free card on the political rhetoric being less than kind. I also don't think the answer is deleting people from your friend list, or telling them off if you don't agree with them. If you do that you're missing out on the opportunity for spirited debate, which is what our country was founded upon.
And then there is all of this nonsense going on at the polls (thankfully though, not at my polling place). People who in the name of protecting our voting system from supposed voter fraud, harrassing citizens and intimidating them from exercising their right to have their vote counted. I am 38 years old so I've been eligible to vote in this country for 20 years. In all my time as a registered voter, never have I seen such utter nonsense and disregard for the democratic process. It's a sad day in this country when people stop trusting one another to do their civic duty responsibly. I have grandparents who were Democrats and Republicans. I don't believe they conducted themselves in this manner. They kept their word on a handshake. We need to return to that kind of integrity in America.
Watching, commenting, and participating in political discussions as a Christian Catholic, has also been very interesting. Perhaps the saddest thing I have witnessed in this election year, is the attack on the poor, the disenfranchised, the least of our nation. When a picture of a tweet from Tim Tebow is circulated on Facebook with the sentiments that Obama will be ahead in the polls...until 5pm when the (working) Republicans go vote- and people are laughing about that? That's just sad. It might not have been something that Tebow ACTUALLY tweeted, but the idea that the poster child in professional football, famous for his knee-bending homage to the Lord would say such a thing...well that's more than troubling to me as a follower of Jesus. I don't care what side of politics you sit on- if you're a Christian, quite frankly if you have a heart at all- then it should really bother you too. Because Jesus Christ welcomed all to the table- and he didn't ask how long you'd been collecting food stamps, or whether or not you were worthy of his love. He loved everyone without condition. We Christians need to take a step back and start making common decency our first priority, not an afterthought or something to be carefully doled out to only those we deem worthy of it.
I walked to my polling place this morning, with two toddlers in tow, and a well packed purse with juice boxes and snacks for my littlest companions. On the way I ran into the elderly couple who live across the street from me. I noticed they were wearing their "I Voted" stickers so I made some conversation and wished them well, asked them how the lines were, that sort of thing. These are two of the nicest people you will meet. They have lived on my block for many years, raised their now grown children here. To the delight of my children every Christmas, they put up a massive light extravaganza in their yard, visible from the upstairs windows. They are also Republicans. And they probably voted for Romney today. Not once have they ever had anything but a smile and a kind word for me or my family.
When all the dust settles, when elections are decided at the national, the state, and the local levels- we are going to have to do some soul searching. We are going to have to, no matter who ends up in office, begin the groundwork of burying the hatchet politically. I would like to think that this will be something that happens in Congress, in our representatives, in Washington. But I just don't know that will be the case unless we, the voting public, take a stand that is greater than our political opinions and rhetoric. Some of the reconciliation has to be done by individuals- we the people. And then, we the people need to be getting on the phone and letting those representatives know if we think they aren't representing us well. Our individual vote is the beginning of that process, but we should not stop there. Make a phone call. Write an email. Hold those elected accountable for setting the tone. Ask them- in fact, demand- that those elected promote common decency above all else. And if you profess to be Christian, for Heaven's sake be a force primarily for the teachings of Christ, above all else- and if you don't think that is the government's calling, you should be making it your business- by your own actions- that it's your personal one.
Finally, the next time you have the opportunity to talk to someone who doesn't agree with your political views, remember that the person might be a hard worker. They might be down on their luck and trying to get a job. They might be struggling to make ends meet every month. They might be a parent with children to care for, a grandparent, an Aunt or Uncle. They hopefully are a person who pays their taxes and tries their best to be a good citizen. They might be a member of your own family, or a friend from your childhood. They live, laugh, love, breathe the same air that we all do. Hopefully, they want what's best for America. They, like you, are doing the best that they can every day. This is what I choose to believe about Americans, like my neighbors. I refuse to allow cynicism to dictate how I see this country. For the sake of America going forward, you shouldn't either.
If you know me on Facebook, then you know I'm political. Extremely political. Maybe politically posting to the point of personal annoyance. Mia culpa to you if you feel that way. I won't however, apologize for my viewpoints.
But that's not what this post is about. At least, not exactly.
First things first: If you are age eligible to vote, I hope you are doing so. Get your behind to the polls because folks, this might be the most important election you will vote on in your lifetime. If you feel strongly about your candidate, you better be casting your vote. Put your vote where your mouth is! And if you don't well, you will just have to live with whatever the rest of us decide- and you therefore forfeit the right to complain.
I think the biggest disappointment for me as an American citizen, is the complete and utter nastiness that has occured over this election, and over the last four years of President Obama's first term and also by extension, to those of us who proudly elected him into office. I have been called a sheeple, a liberal extremist, accused of having no common sense, of blindly following the "liberal media", of being laughable, without fact based arguments. And that's just the nice things. I have seen this on both sides of the arguments so if you are a democrat and your'e reading this? Don't get all up on your high horse either. We know we are just as good at slinging mud as the GOP supporters, and for some of them they might say we are better at it. Once when I vehemently disagreed with protests by Occupy MN in regards to housing, and I voiced my opposing opinion. Well they not only deleted my comments but they also banned me from commenting on their facebook page. That was eye opening to say the least! I have conservative friends who have actually lost friends over their political leanings and opinions. I don't think anyone has a get out of jail free card on the political rhetoric being less than kind. I also don't think the answer is deleting people from your friend list, or telling them off if you don't agree with them. If you do that you're missing out on the opportunity for spirited debate, which is what our country was founded upon.
And then there is all of this nonsense going on at the polls (thankfully though, not at my polling place). People who in the name of protecting our voting system from supposed voter fraud, harrassing citizens and intimidating them from exercising their right to have their vote counted. I am 38 years old so I've been eligible to vote in this country for 20 years. In all my time as a registered voter, never have I seen such utter nonsense and disregard for the democratic process. It's a sad day in this country when people stop trusting one another to do their civic duty responsibly. I have grandparents who were Democrats and Republicans. I don't believe they conducted themselves in this manner. They kept their word on a handshake. We need to return to that kind of integrity in America.
Watching, commenting, and participating in political discussions as a Christian Catholic, has also been very interesting. Perhaps the saddest thing I have witnessed in this election year, is the attack on the poor, the disenfranchised, the least of our nation. When a picture of a tweet from Tim Tebow is circulated on Facebook with the sentiments that Obama will be ahead in the polls...until 5pm when the (working) Republicans go vote- and people are laughing about that? That's just sad. It might not have been something that Tebow ACTUALLY tweeted, but the idea that the poster child in professional football, famous for his knee-bending homage to the Lord would say such a thing...well that's more than troubling to me as a follower of Jesus. I don't care what side of politics you sit on- if you're a Christian, quite frankly if you have a heart at all- then it should really bother you too. Because Jesus Christ welcomed all to the table- and he didn't ask how long you'd been collecting food stamps, or whether or not you were worthy of his love. He loved everyone without condition. We Christians need to take a step back and start making common decency our first priority, not an afterthought or something to be carefully doled out to only those we deem worthy of it.
I walked to my polling place this morning, with two toddlers in tow, and a well packed purse with juice boxes and snacks for my littlest companions. On the way I ran into the elderly couple who live across the street from me. I noticed they were wearing their "I Voted" stickers so I made some conversation and wished them well, asked them how the lines were, that sort of thing. These are two of the nicest people you will meet. They have lived on my block for many years, raised their now grown children here. To the delight of my children every Christmas, they put up a massive light extravaganza in their yard, visible from the upstairs windows. They are also Republicans. And they probably voted for Romney today. Not once have they ever had anything but a smile and a kind word for me or my family.
When all the dust settles, when elections are decided at the national, the state, and the local levels- we are going to have to do some soul searching. We are going to have to, no matter who ends up in office, begin the groundwork of burying the hatchet politically. I would like to think that this will be something that happens in Congress, in our representatives, in Washington. But I just don't know that will be the case unless we, the voting public, take a stand that is greater than our political opinions and rhetoric. Some of the reconciliation has to be done by individuals- we the people. And then, we the people need to be getting on the phone and letting those representatives know if we think they aren't representing us well. Our individual vote is the beginning of that process, but we should not stop there. Make a phone call. Write an email. Hold those elected accountable for setting the tone. Ask them- in fact, demand- that those elected promote common decency above all else. And if you profess to be Christian, for Heaven's sake be a force primarily for the teachings of Christ, above all else- and if you don't think that is the government's calling, you should be making it your business- by your own actions- that it's your personal one.
Finally, the next time you have the opportunity to talk to someone who doesn't agree with your political views, remember that the person might be a hard worker. They might be down on their luck and trying to get a job. They might be struggling to make ends meet every month. They might be a parent with children to care for, a grandparent, an Aunt or Uncle. They hopefully are a person who pays their taxes and tries their best to be a good citizen. They might be a member of your own family, or a friend from your childhood. They live, laugh, love, breathe the same air that we all do. Hopefully, they want what's best for America. They, like you, are doing the best that they can every day. This is what I choose to believe about Americans, like my neighbors. I refuse to allow cynicism to dictate how I see this country. For the sake of America going forward, you shouldn't either.
Friday, November 2, 2012
To Be, or Not to Be? The NYC Marathon
In the wake of the devastation of Sandy, everyone is talking about one thing- Bloomberg's decision to have the NYC Marathon continue as scheduled.
Some people think this is heartless. This, is dirty capitalism over humanitarian efforts. This, is ignoring the suffering of the people of NYC and the Tri-State. We should be focusing on getting help to those who are now homeless, the cleanup, food, basic needs. There is a case for whether or not the city is ready to take on hosting an international event so soon.
I get all of that. Truly I do. But there are a few more points to consider before you so harshly judge Bloomberg's decision.
A Sense of Normalcy- To me, this is the greatest argument for having the marathon take place no matter what the condition of the city as a whole. If they can host it AT ALL, they should do it. You think that if they couldn't, Bloomberg would do it anyway? Of course not. He's considered this and is pushing forward. Why? Because New Yorkers want to move forward. Because New Yorkers want to run. Because New Yorkers after this, NEED to push forward in spite of the destruction. Mayor Bloomberg understands this because he is a New Yorker. For crying out loud the guy takes the subway to work most of the time. He knows his city and the best way to lead. To not host the NYC Marathon is to say to the world, "We are too defeated." That's never been the spirit of the city or it's people.
You Underestimate New York- I lived in NYC for 12 years, from 1996-2007. If you have lived in the city for any period of time, you get what it's like and what the vibe is- it's perserverance. You get knocked down, you get back up. It's truly, the place that Sinatra sang about- "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere!". Damn right. No disrespect, but if you've never lived there, not just visited, you don't really get what I'm saying. Not really. You can experience the excitement that is New York as a tourist, but you have to live there to get the vibe I'm talking about. I remember what it was like in the days following 9/11. I worked for CBS at the time, and spent many days not doing my real job, but instead answering emails from people all over the world writing in condolences. And some were also saying that we needed to know who did this, and we have to enact revenge. Meanwhile, we New Yorkers were picking up the pieces, pulling together- doing what needed to be done. I don't have to live in New York now to know, that people are quietly volunteering, helping their neighbors, and doing what needs to be done to move forward. Hosting the NYC Marathon is part of that. It's saying, yes, we will continue. We always do.
Money- Now this is where a lot of people get stuck because, why would we choose making money over people? Well, you need to ask yourself, is that what is really happening here? I'm going to say no. The city lost incredible amounts of revenue after Sandy hit. I have friends who personally lost income because they are not salaried, and friends of friends who lost it all. Businesses lost customers or worse, they lost everything. Wall Street was closed for a day. The bottom line is, the NYC Marathon is an international event. International. That means people participating from all over the world, and the world will be watching. The city needs the revenue to recover from all of this. I get that this shouldn't trump a person's access to water, utlities, a home. All of that. But you have to also concede that money is what makes the city run and they are going to need to pick up the pieces economically. Hosting the marathon accomplishes this in a small way in terms of dollars but also in a huge way. Watch the donations pour in from companies who whether or not they sincerely care, are going to put dollars there to look socially responsible. And those companies will do what companies do to express this sentiment- they will give money. Lots of it. This is a reality of a capitalistic society. I don't always agree with this reality, but in this case I do. At the end of the day, hosting an international event is going to help the people of New York recover. Given it's an international event, postponing is out of the question in my opinion. If Bloomberg says they can host on time, guaranteed New Yorkers are going to work harder than ever to make it happen. And they will make it happen.
I'm not surprised that Bloomberg would insist on pushing forward with hosting the marathon. In fact, I would expect nothing less of the mayor of a city that is truly, the greatest city in the world. Kudos to New York for proving that to the world, time and time again. People seem to be divided on this issue. I know where I stand. What do you think?
ADDENDUM: At about 5pm EST, Mayor Bloomberg announced that the NYC Marathon was cancelled. I guess this was for the best, but it does surprise me given my sentiments above. Let's hope that all the runners already on their way to New York go anyway, and volunteer to help. I still stand by my commentary though.
Some people think this is heartless. This, is dirty capitalism over humanitarian efforts. This, is ignoring the suffering of the people of NYC and the Tri-State. We should be focusing on getting help to those who are now homeless, the cleanup, food, basic needs. There is a case for whether or not the city is ready to take on hosting an international event so soon.
I get all of that. Truly I do. But there are a few more points to consider before you so harshly judge Bloomberg's decision.
A Sense of Normalcy- To me, this is the greatest argument for having the marathon take place no matter what the condition of the city as a whole. If they can host it AT ALL, they should do it. You think that if they couldn't, Bloomberg would do it anyway? Of course not. He's considered this and is pushing forward. Why? Because New Yorkers want to move forward. Because New Yorkers want to run. Because New Yorkers after this, NEED to push forward in spite of the destruction. Mayor Bloomberg understands this because he is a New Yorker. For crying out loud the guy takes the subway to work most of the time. He knows his city and the best way to lead. To not host the NYC Marathon is to say to the world, "We are too defeated." That's never been the spirit of the city or it's people.
You Underestimate New York- I lived in NYC for 12 years, from 1996-2007. If you have lived in the city for any period of time, you get what it's like and what the vibe is- it's perserverance. You get knocked down, you get back up. It's truly, the place that Sinatra sang about- "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere!". Damn right. No disrespect, but if you've never lived there, not just visited, you don't really get what I'm saying. Not really. You can experience the excitement that is New York as a tourist, but you have to live there to get the vibe I'm talking about. I remember what it was like in the days following 9/11. I worked for CBS at the time, and spent many days not doing my real job, but instead answering emails from people all over the world writing in condolences. And some were also saying that we needed to know who did this, and we have to enact revenge. Meanwhile, we New Yorkers were picking up the pieces, pulling together- doing what needed to be done. I don't have to live in New York now to know, that people are quietly volunteering, helping their neighbors, and doing what needs to be done to move forward. Hosting the NYC Marathon is part of that. It's saying, yes, we will continue. We always do.
Money- Now this is where a lot of people get stuck because, why would we choose making money over people? Well, you need to ask yourself, is that what is really happening here? I'm going to say no. The city lost incredible amounts of revenue after Sandy hit. I have friends who personally lost income because they are not salaried, and friends of friends who lost it all. Businesses lost customers or worse, they lost everything. Wall Street was closed for a day. The bottom line is, the NYC Marathon is an international event. International. That means people participating from all over the world, and the world will be watching. The city needs the revenue to recover from all of this. I get that this shouldn't trump a person's access to water, utlities, a home. All of that. But you have to also concede that money is what makes the city run and they are going to need to pick up the pieces economically. Hosting the marathon accomplishes this in a small way in terms of dollars but also in a huge way. Watch the donations pour in from companies who whether or not they sincerely care, are going to put dollars there to look socially responsible. And those companies will do what companies do to express this sentiment- they will give money. Lots of it. This is a reality of a capitalistic society. I don't always agree with this reality, but in this case I do. At the end of the day, hosting an international event is going to help the people of New York recover. Given it's an international event, postponing is out of the question in my opinion. If Bloomberg says they can host on time, guaranteed New Yorkers are going to work harder than ever to make it happen. And they will make it happen.
I'm not surprised that Bloomberg would insist on pushing forward with hosting the marathon. In fact, I would expect nothing less of the mayor of a city that is truly, the greatest city in the world. Kudos to New York for proving that to the world, time and time again. People seem to be divided on this issue. I know where I stand. What do you think?
ADDENDUM: At about 5pm EST, Mayor Bloomberg announced that the NYC Marathon was cancelled. I guess this was for the best, but it does surprise me given my sentiments above. Let's hope that all the runners already on their way to New York go anyway, and volunteer to help. I still stand by my commentary though.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Rough Around the Edges...
This post is definitely going to be rough around the edges.
Why? Well that's simple. Because I'm not sure exactly where to begin.
I thought that writing a blog would be easy. I mean, I have a lot to talk about. And yet, here I am stumped at what to write, other than to tell you a bit about me.
For starters, I live a relatively ordinary life. I'm a wife to a super hubs, a Mom to three wonderful kiddos, and living in a quiet Twin Cities neighborhood. I run a business from home and so, I get to spend a lot of time with my children. They are 7, 5, and nearly 3....all exactly 2 yrs and 4 months apart. In the midst of the ordinary day to day existence, my children and family life are often the sources of my entertainment, my joys, my annoyances. Yes, sometimes they are annoying! But they are also my greatest joys. I will likely write posts about the roller coaster that is parenthood.
I am a singer and have been most of my life. I adore singing and if it didn't make me look like a wierdo, I would literally sing all of the time until I drew my last breath. This holds true whether I'm singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to a captive bathing audience of small people in our bathroom (okay THAT sounds wierd, but if you are a parent you know what I mean)....or gracing a stage. I would like to think I'm pretty good at this. Now that my children are needing me less, I'm looking to sing more often, and perhaps get back to writing some songs too. I am a regular professional musician at my church, so that's a good start. I will likely write about performing and wherever that takes me.
Real Talk- in a gentle way, I'm going to tell it like it is. I have opinions and yes, I will freely disperse those opinions. Opinions on parenting, opinions on cooking, opinions on whether or not the last episode of XFactor was worth watching. I have big time political opinions (mostly liberal dem here, don't hate!). I do not expect everyone to agree with me, though like most people I do enjoy it when people DO agree. However, if you don't agree with me, not to worry- expect that I'll still treat your viewpoints respectfully. I also like to give advice when approached for such, and I've been told I have some wisdom worthy of sharing with others. Fair enough. So, I will likely write about my insights and opinions on various subjects of interest. These may include but are not limited to: politics, entertainment, parenting, spirituality.....and I'm probably leaving some thinga out, so I guess there will be some surprises.
FOOD, glorious food! I love food and kitchen gadgets and cooking. Let it be said that my kitchen looks more old-world than I would like it to look. Old World is a nice way of saying that our kitchen is old and it sucks, and we need to get it redone. What can I say, our house is circa 1910 and there were some surprises underneath very ugly rooster and flour bag wallpaper. I have decent appliances so I can't complain too much, but some actual counter space would be heavenly. And better lighting. Actually any lighting would be an upgrade. Where my kitchen itself falls short, my cooking does not. So I will likely talk about food, eating well, and share some recipes. I try to eat healthy but three things I am likely to never give up eating are cheese, crackers, and dark chocolate. Mia culpa.
So- the above is a little about what to expect from me. There will be lots to post. The posts will be eclectic for now. Like me, they may be a little rough around the edges, albeit honest and heartfelt. I hope you'll stick around and read on. :)
Momma T
Why? Well that's simple. Because I'm not sure exactly where to begin.
I thought that writing a blog would be easy. I mean, I have a lot to talk about. And yet, here I am stumped at what to write, other than to tell you a bit about me.
For starters, I live a relatively ordinary life. I'm a wife to a super hubs, a Mom to three wonderful kiddos, and living in a quiet Twin Cities neighborhood. I run a business from home and so, I get to spend a lot of time with my children. They are 7, 5, and nearly 3....all exactly 2 yrs and 4 months apart. In the midst of the ordinary day to day existence, my children and family life are often the sources of my entertainment, my joys, my annoyances. Yes, sometimes they are annoying! But they are also my greatest joys. I will likely write posts about the roller coaster that is parenthood.
I am a singer and have been most of my life. I adore singing and if it didn't make me look like a wierdo, I would literally sing all of the time until I drew my last breath. This holds true whether I'm singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to a captive bathing audience of small people in our bathroom (okay THAT sounds wierd, but if you are a parent you know what I mean)....or gracing a stage. I would like to think I'm pretty good at this. Now that my children are needing me less, I'm looking to sing more often, and perhaps get back to writing some songs too. I am a regular professional musician at my church, so that's a good start. I will likely write about performing and wherever that takes me.
Real Talk- in a gentle way, I'm going to tell it like it is. I have opinions and yes, I will freely disperse those opinions. Opinions on parenting, opinions on cooking, opinions on whether or not the last episode of XFactor was worth watching. I have big time political opinions (mostly liberal dem here, don't hate!). I do not expect everyone to agree with me, though like most people I do enjoy it when people DO agree. However, if you don't agree with me, not to worry- expect that I'll still treat your viewpoints respectfully. I also like to give advice when approached for such, and I've been told I have some wisdom worthy of sharing with others. Fair enough. So, I will likely write about my insights and opinions on various subjects of interest. These may include but are not limited to: politics, entertainment, parenting, spirituality.....and I'm probably leaving some thinga out, so I guess there will be some surprises.
FOOD, glorious food! I love food and kitchen gadgets and cooking. Let it be said that my kitchen looks more old-world than I would like it to look. Old World is a nice way of saying that our kitchen is old and it sucks, and we need to get it redone. What can I say, our house is circa 1910 and there were some surprises underneath very ugly rooster and flour bag wallpaper. I have decent appliances so I can't complain too much, but some actual counter space would be heavenly. And better lighting. Actually any lighting would be an upgrade. Where my kitchen itself falls short, my cooking does not. So I will likely talk about food, eating well, and share some recipes. I try to eat healthy but three things I am likely to never give up eating are cheese, crackers, and dark chocolate. Mia culpa.
So- the above is a little about what to expect from me. There will be lots to post. The posts will be eclectic for now. Like me, they may be a little rough around the edges, albeit honest and heartfelt. I hope you'll stick around and read on. :)
Momma T
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