Saturday, November 28, 2015

Lookin' Good

My husband mentioned that my hair looked sexy when I pulled it down from my ponytail. In the car he mentioned that the coat I was wearing was decidedly un-sexy. And it had a big rip in it.
I'm really proud of what my body has done and what it can accomplish. And yet, of course, there are things I would change.
I told my husband that my time for sexy is over. I don't think I can be the hot mom. And I'm not really sure I want too.

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Thanksgiving

I just started looking a beautiful book I got from the kids section at the library. Its called Giving Thanks-Poems, Prayers, and Praise Songs of Thanksgiving.

As soon as I got into the car after our Thanksgiving feast at my mom's, I started to get some anxiety. I got worried about what I said, but shouldn't have, and I worried about what I didn't say, but should have. I worried about what my kids were doing, and should I have been watching them more than I was? I worried about whether or not my potatoes were good enough for consumption.
All my worrying makes me forget how blessed I am. I try my best to remember my graditute list. I am truly thankful for everything I've gone through, and everything I have, and my memories made and unmade.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

A Few Things

Like many families, we are prepping for Thanksgiving. Our family is pretty much here, at least the folks we're close too. So we don't have out-of-town guests and we're not traveling. I'm quite happy with that; traveling makes me anxious. This morning there were calls between my mom and sister and I, as we coordinated food, dishes, errands, and time frames. I know tomorrow will be like anything else. Except not. I really want to focus on the being thankful part, because I think it's the most important. And this year I don't have a grey or fancy outfit. Come as you are.

Our time at the library was far to brief, but it is so hard to get out of the house on time. I got my book from the reserve shelf and realized when I got home, that I reserved a large-print book.

I hope I get a friendly text back from those ladies.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Kohl Children's Museum

We finally made it to the Kohl Children's Museum! The kids and I picked up my mom and my sister on the way there. We got there a few minutes after it opened, at about 9:30 am. I had a coupon from the Entertainment Book for a B1G1 admission.
It was pretty crowded, but we have resigned ourselves to the crowds. It is what it is.
Sometimes my kids are all over the place, but when they find something they like, they can really focus and get into the activity. This character trait was obvious as The Boy found the car room. He probably could have spent the whole day there, but my mom moved him along. The Baby has really started walking, and he was thrilled to be rushing around. No more stroller for him!
We went to the water room, where the kids got soaked and I had to get the diaper bag from car.
The grocery store is still the most popular, just like when I was a kid. I'm so glad we went! This is a great place.

Friday, November 20, 2015

Tree Lighting

We went to the Tree Lighting in Evanston with my mom. We missed the actual lighting, but we got to see the lit-up giant tree. The Baby wanted to walk around, which I was happy to let him do. But he was in a Ralphie-like snowsuit and he fell a lot. And his boots were too big. The Boy's coat seemed a little small, but his snow pants fit great. We were dressed too warm for the weather, and I thought we'd be outside longer.

My mother commented on my driving both there and back, and I laughed and told her to shush. While she was helping me load the kids in the car, she asked how I do it everyday. She seemed impressed, and I was pleased. My van might be a mess, but the kids and I do activities everyday.



After I put The Baby to bed, I took The Boy out to look at the falling snow. We stood outside, and I held him, and we both caught the large snowflakes on our tongue. He laughed and was awed and it was wonderful.



I have been trying to purchase Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance, and I can't load the webpage. The customer service reps are friendly enough, but ultimately useless. I might have to choose a different company.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

The Flu Shot

All day long I had been telling The Boy that just The Baby was getting shots. It did not occur to me that we would be able to get the flu shots there too. The Baby received documents in the mail letting us know that he needed some vaccines crucial to his age.
For the record, I believe in vaccines. I don't understand all the science of them, but I feel that vaccines prevent outbreaks (of preventable diseases). Vaccines prevent horrifying, widespread death, and they prevent sick days. I know that there are articles claiming that vaccines cause death and autism and other issues no one would wish on the children of their worst enemy. However, I also read articles about how all that anti-vaccine fervor was bad science, made-up facts, and blatant lies.
So I got The Baby his age-required vaccines and The Boy and I got our flu shot. The Boy kept yelling,
"No Mama! I will NOT get a shot! No!"
He got it anyway, cried, and his tears dried up when I offered him a Dum-Dum.
The Baby screamed and screamed and he shook with anger and pain as I held him. He got a lollipop too.
My flu shot was the least painful I've ever received. Although my arm is sore. I did not get a lollipop. But I am pleased to note that the flu shots were free, and The Baby's were $5.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Two Moms In The Raw

I love the idea of foraging and growing my own veggies. There is something rewarding about locating the edibles on my property, and being able to use them well in the kitchen. It might sound crazy, but I'm concerned that there might be some kind of societal breakdown and we'll have to make do with the vegetation around us. It would seem that I am pretty terrible at growing my own veggies, for a variety of reasons. But the foraging, we're doing ok at. I picked a bunch of dandelion leaves and some mint stalks. And we juiced them! I had planned on following a juicing recipe I found in a library book, but the other ingredients weren't on sale.
The library book is called Two Moms In The Raw - simple, clean, irresistible recipes for your family's health. I read a little of the introduction, and it was about how one of the authors got M.S, and now she is eating way healthier and it makes her feel much better. I do feel that there is a definite link between how one eats and how healthy one is/ how one feels. But the idea of going raw, or gluten-free, or without sugar, or with wheatgrass (not sure that what that is) seems really stressful to me. And I'm going to assume that I need can't get that stuff with coupons. I don't eat meat, but that is pretty much the only thing I won't eat.
So I looked at the first recipe. And I made juice, but basically did not follow this recipe:
Mix-And-Match
Green Power Juice
3 large bunches greens (2 pounds total), such as spinach dandelion greens, swiss chard, or kale
Nettles (fresh when in season, dried when not)
2 cups microgreens (avoid bitter varieties like argula)
Handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley
Handful of fresh cilantro
Handful of fresh mint leaves
1 garlic clove, peeled
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger
1 (1/2 inch) piece fresh turmeric
Small amount of apple or pear (optional)
8-10 frozen wheatgrass cubes
Juice all the ingredients except the wheatgrass cubes. Put the cubes in a glass, pour juice over them.
My juice was a bunch of dandelion leaves, some mint sprigs (both picked from the yard), a clove of garlic, and about six apples. The Boy helped me, and said that the juice was 'spicy'. It did have a bite to it!


Saturday, November 7, 2015

Stay Home

We stayed inside all day. I had my wonderful friends over, and they brought some great coffee cake and conversation.

I wasn't able to do any of the things I normally do with the kids. No projects or outside time.

And now I hope to go to bed on time.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Sunchokes

I'm an all-seasons kind of girl. I was born and raised in the Midwest, and I'm still here. I love aspects of all seasons, be it the holidays or weather or other activities. However, the past few days has been in the 70's during the day. I am alarmed by this. I read in the Chicago Tribune that there was an 80 degree day in 1950's. Our planet is being heated up, global warming is real, and its causing the weather to fluctuate wildly.
Anyway, because of this unseasonably lovely weather, I was able to take the boys outside. We harvested sunchokes, let the dog chew on sticks, played in the leaves, and dug in the dirt. The sunchokes were particularly gratifying because they came with the house. The ones I pulled up today were fully formed, vastly different then the nubs I thought they were. I just remembered that I left some dirt-covered ones on the kitchen table.
I have decided to let the boys do what they need to do, without worrying about the mess they are making. The Boy likes to dig in the dirt, look for bugs, and see what is happening in our compost bin. The Baby likes to ride around in his car and play in the dog's water bowl. There is always mud, and dirt, and mess, and I have come to accept that.