Summer seems to want to linger this year and I am not at all sorry. Each extra day of warmth and sunshine is like a gift and I don't even mind that my lawn has turned mostly brown from lack of rain. And even though some lovely new fall clothes hang patiently in my closet, I have been making an effort to keep wearing my light weight skirts, sandals and summery t-shirts. I want to take advantage of every day where no coat, scarf, or gloves are needed.
I just read a really great poem here, which has inspired me to put one of my own poems here...
The water like a slate
and the insects have all come
to share their secrets.
Listen closely.
It's a long way from home,
but little is asked of you.
They collect their toll in drops,
and stings,
leaving behind only a
permanent stain.
The dragonfly floats and stares
and delivers the summation.
Watch and don't turn away.
Just remember.
The butterflies already know,
their golden flash is the only thing
briefer.
30 September 2007
25 September 2007
23 September 2007
22 September 2007
Mega Tree House
Q. What does any good non-observant Jew with 5 year-old daughter who is not feeling 100% well do on the highest of holy days that also happens to be a dreary Saturday?
A. Troll the aisles of Target of course!
Upon setting out for Target with Zoe, I knew that I would not return without some toy or other. My guess was that it would be Halloween related since the retail world is in full swing for the occasion already. We did spend a good 20 minutes perusing the Halloween merchandise aisles, Zoe playing with each and every screaming or singing skeleton, skull or monster they had available. The only request that came out of that area was for some pink candy corn which I refused.
As we headed toward the toy section, Zoe had her heart set on a new ball to be chosen from the giant hopper that lives at the top of one of the aisles. My backyard already has so many of these balls it sometimes looks like they grow there spontaneously, but at $2.50 a pop it is an easy Mom win.
However, on the way to the true toys section we passed through the sporting goods and then a sort of transition aisle that included fishing gear and various Playhut tents for kids. Zoe stopped in her tracks to look over the tents as a large Dora the Explorer Tree House tent caught her eye. A quick look down at the price tag on the shelf and red flags were flying. $49.99! Not my idea of an impulse buy. I wanted to hurry us to the $2.50 balls and I was halfway into my "put it on your list for Christmas and remember that Santa only brings one special present" speech when a little orange sticker on the tent box caught my eye. I leaned in for closer inspection to see that the sticker read $12.12. Hmmm...I could see some mega Mom points headed my way.
A deal was struck immediately. No ball, no Cookie Crisp cereal, and no other toys or goodies this trip to Target if we got the tent. Lots of hugs and thank yous later I wrangled it into my red cart and made quick strides for the register. I had the cashier confirm the discounted price and was pleased when there was no error.
We were barely in the door at home when Zoe was clawing at the box to the tent. We took it out and set it up in our family room. Turns out there was nothing deceiving in the name "Mega Tree House." This thing is literally 5' x 5'. It took up all the open floor space in the family room. Zoe piled in her favorite blankets and pillows and settled in for a long afternoon of watching movies. It was true love from the start.
I have to say, of all the Playhut tents I've seen (and this makes Zoe's third) this is by far the coolest one. I am sure I would have enjoyed this little hideaway when I was a kid as I was forever making tents with the blankets and pillows in our den or setting up and sleeping in our pup tent in my room. There is something so cozy and yet adventurous about being in a tent -- even if it is planted on the middle of your carpet.
Tonight I even managed to wrestle the Mega Tree House back into its 2' x 2' flat nylon bag with relative ease, but I suspect that tent will be re-erected first thing tomorrow morning.
A. Troll the aisles of Target of course!
Upon setting out for Target with Zoe, I knew that I would not return without some toy or other. My guess was that it would be Halloween related since the retail world is in full swing for the occasion already. We did spend a good 20 minutes perusing the Halloween merchandise aisles, Zoe playing with each and every screaming or singing skeleton, skull or monster they had available. The only request that came out of that area was for some pink candy corn which I refused.
As we headed toward the toy section, Zoe had her heart set on a new ball to be chosen from the giant hopper that lives at the top of one of the aisles. My backyard already has so many of these balls it sometimes looks like they grow there spontaneously, but at $2.50 a pop it is an easy Mom win.
However, on the way to the true toys section we passed through the sporting goods and then a sort of transition aisle that included fishing gear and various Playhut tents for kids. Zoe stopped in her tracks to look over the tents as a large Dora the Explorer Tree House tent caught her eye. A quick look down at the price tag on the shelf and red flags were flying. $49.99! Not my idea of an impulse buy. I wanted to hurry us to the $2.50 balls and I was halfway into my "put it on your list for Christmas and remember that Santa only brings one special present" speech when a little orange sticker on the tent box caught my eye. I leaned in for closer inspection to see that the sticker read $12.12. Hmmm...I could see some mega Mom points headed my way.
A deal was struck immediately. No ball, no Cookie Crisp cereal, and no other toys or goodies this trip to Target if we got the tent. Lots of hugs and thank yous later I wrangled it into my red cart and made quick strides for the register. I had the cashier confirm the discounted price and was pleased when there was no error.
We were barely in the door at home when Zoe was clawing at the box to the tent. We took it out and set it up in our family room. Turns out there was nothing deceiving in the name "Mega Tree House." This thing is literally 5' x 5'. It took up all the open floor space in the family room. Zoe piled in her favorite blankets and pillows and settled in for a long afternoon of watching movies. It was true love from the start.
I have to say, of all the Playhut tents I've seen (and this makes Zoe's third) this is by far the coolest one. I am sure I would have enjoyed this little hideaway when I was a kid as I was forever making tents with the blankets and pillows in our den or setting up and sleeping in our pup tent in my room. There is something so cozy and yet adventurous about being in a tent -- even if it is planted on the middle of your carpet.
Tonight I even managed to wrestle the Mega Tree House back into its 2' x 2' flat nylon bag with relative ease, but I suspect that tent will be re-erected first thing tomorrow morning.
19 September 2007
The Cosmetics Counter: LUSH
I suspect I am a little late to the table on this one, but I have a new love and it is called LUSH. I must, first of all, thank Becky for the introduction to the world of LUSH.
My experience started with the wonderful, fresh smell of the store. It is hard to tell from their website just how delicious the store smells so I highly recommend going to an actual B&M location if you can find one near you. Then the lovely sales assistant helped Becky and I to a hand treatment that left the skin on my hands smoother than Zoë's baby you-know-what. After that I got a tour of the store and learned that all their products are hand made and never tested on animals. They use all natural ingredients and most of the products even come stamped with a best if used by date.
The hand treatment products were amazing, but I knew I would never go through all those steps on a regular basis. The bath soaps were incredibly tempting, but I hated the idea of such a great soap wasting away in the shower and getting all used up by Rob. Ultimately I settled on a set of 3 products to make up a new facial cleansing routine. The names of the products alone are quite alluring:
"Angels on Bare Skin" is the name of my new cleanser/exfoliator.
"Breath of Fresh Air" is my new toner.
"Imperialis" is my new moisturizer.
Yes, the products are on the expensive side, but so far they are really fabulous.
My experience started with the wonderful, fresh smell of the store. It is hard to tell from their website just how delicious the store smells so I highly recommend going to an actual B&M location if you can find one near you. Then the lovely sales assistant helped Becky and I to a hand treatment that left the skin on my hands smoother than Zoë's baby you-know-what. After that I got a tour of the store and learned that all their products are hand made and never tested on animals. They use all natural ingredients and most of the products even come stamped with a best if used by date.
The hand treatment products were amazing, but I knew I would never go through all those steps on a regular basis. The bath soaps were incredibly tempting, but I hated the idea of such a great soap wasting away in the shower and getting all used up by Rob. Ultimately I settled on a set of 3 products to make up a new facial cleansing routine. The names of the products alone are quite alluring:
"Angels on Bare Skin" is the name of my new cleanser/exfoliator.
"Breath of Fresh Air" is my new toner.
"Imperialis" is my new moisturizer.
Yes, the products are on the expensive side, but so far they are really fabulous.
13 September 2007
Happy 5768!
This morning Zoë told us that today was an important holiday for Russian people because it is Russia-shanah. Is that a perfect interpretation or what?
L'shanah tova. May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.
L'shanah tova. May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.
11 September 2007
6 years
I can't believe it has been 6 years since 9/11/01. In some ways it still feels like yesterday and in other ways it feels like 20 years ago.
So much changed that day.
This anniversary reminds me to be grateful for all that I still have. I was one of the very lucky ones.
So much changed that day.
This anniversary reminds me to be grateful for all that I still have. I was one of the very lucky ones.
10 September 2007
Royal Bank of Scotland will not get my business
Have you ever seen this commercial? I've seen a couple of times -- most recently this morning at the gym. It is so sexist that I find it infuriating. Why is the one woman made to look a complete idiot. The brush? The scream? Come on.
I'm sure they're not too concerned, but I won't be getting any of my money. You never know, that might actually mean something someday.
I'm sure they're not too concerned, but I won't be getting any of my money. You never know, that might actually mean something someday.
09 September 2007
These quizzes are so powerful!
This one knew all about me...
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07 September 2007
7:25 on a Friday morning
And what a nice Friday morning it was...
After my shower this morning I saw that it was already 7:25 AM and Zoë was not yet out of bed. I went into her room and started pulling up the shades -- her room and especially her bed gets all the gorgeous morning sun. Now bathed in that sunlight, she started to stir in her bed and I gently said, "Time to get up my wonderful girl."
She was lying on her stomach and her face was turned toward me and this sweet little smile spread across her face. Her eyes were still closed and she looked almost angelic. I knelt down next to her bed and leaned over to kiss her cheek. My face was centimeters from hers and I was awestruck. I know it sounds melodramatic, but it is true. I can't believe I had a hand in creating this beautiful child. It felt like falling love all over again.
After my shower this morning I saw that it was already 7:25 AM and Zoë was not yet out of bed. I went into her room and started pulling up the shades -- her room and especially her bed gets all the gorgeous morning sun. Now bathed in that sunlight, she started to stir in her bed and I gently said, "Time to get up my wonderful girl."
She was lying on her stomach and her face was turned toward me and this sweet little smile spread across her face. Her eyes were still closed and she looked almost angelic. I knelt down next to her bed and leaned over to kiss her cheek. My face was centimeters from hers and I was awestruck. I know it sounds melodramatic, but it is true. I can't believe I had a hand in creating this beautiful child. It felt like falling love all over again.
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