Crazy.
When you think everything is someone else´s fault, you will suffer a lot. When you realize that everything springs only from yourself, you will learn both peace and joy. Pride leads to violence and evil. The truly good gaze upon everything with love and understanding. —Dalai Lama
I can't believe it's 2013. That sounds so futuristic. Where's my jet pack?
We spent the early part of New Year's Eve at a friend's house with kids running around. I drank three sidecars expertly mixed by the hostess's much younger brother. I started following him around at one point. He was sufficiently spooked, but I love a good cocktail!
We came home and ate spaghetti with sauce I made and froze last summer using tomatoes and peppers from our garden. It was delightful and very unlike me to be so culinary and resourceful.
Then we waited and waited until midnight. Bea went to bed, but Lu and Edy played 100 rounds of Just Dance 4 to stay awake. Stay awake!
I watched random bits of the New Year's Rockin' Eve tribute to Dick Clark and found it totally depressing. Jenny McCarthy is so botoxed, she's hardly recognizable. They showed clips from just a few years ago and the difference was striking. I also felt sorry for the people standing around in Times Square. It was cold and crowded, two of my least favorite conditions. Taylor Swift was great. The Gangnam Style guy was confused. Ho hum. Stay awake!
We spent the early part of New Year's Eve at a friend's house with kids running around. I drank three sidecars expertly mixed by the hostess's much younger brother. I started following him around at one point. He was sufficiently spooked, but I love a good cocktail!
We came home and ate spaghetti with sauce I made and froze last summer using tomatoes and peppers from our garden. It was delightful and very unlike me to be so culinary and resourceful.
Then we waited and waited until midnight. Bea went to bed, but Lu and Edy played 100 rounds of Just Dance 4 to stay awake. Stay awake!
I watched random bits of the New Year's Rockin' Eve tribute to Dick Clark and found it totally depressing. Jenny McCarthy is so botoxed, she's hardly recognizable. They showed clips from just a few years ago and the difference was striking. I also felt sorry for the people standing around in Times Square. It was cold and crowded, two of my least favorite conditions. Taylor Swift was great. The Gangnam Style guy was confused. Ho hum. Stay awake!
So another new year has arrived. Scary #13?! Jon was born on the 13th and he's been good luck for me, so I'm not too worried.
Edy is disappointed because 13 is an odd number and she doesn't like odd numbers. She has a strange connection to numbers. She makes weird number analogies and can remember very specific dates. Maybe I should side with Edy? When I put multiple things in her lunch box – grapes, crackers, cookies – I always make sure there's an even number. She notices.
Honestly, I believe any year, odd or even, lucky or unlucky, is what you make of it. Every day, too. You create your reality. I'm choosing a grateful year, a productive year, a fun year and a happy year.
When you think everything is someone else´s fault, you will suffer a lot. When you realize that everything springs only from yourself, you will learn both peace and joy. Pride leads to violence and evil. The truly good gaze upon everything with love and understanding. —Dalai Lama
Cool.
Lu turns 11 on Sunday and is suddenly so mature I can't stand it. I'm getting glimpses of our adult relationship and I like what I see. Probably because she is beginning to remind me of me.
Not her high strung part. I can assure you, I have never been very hard on myself. I am full of excuses and convenient explanations. Not Lu. Whenever she struck out playing softball last spring, I wanted to announce to everyone watching that I don't in fact punish my child severely when she fails to get on base. The tears, the intensity, it's pressure she puts on herself.
And not the diligent part. At her age I probably worked at about 45% of my potential. Maybe 43%. Lazy comes to mind. Bored. Lu is all in. She tries so hard and takes everything very seriously. I have giggled my way through all life events with any element of seriousness.
And definitely not the respectful part. I've heard it over and over again from teachers and coaches. She is polite. She is a dream. I was a pain.
But a few weeks ago we were driving to a swim meet when we passed a lighting store. Just a regular retail establishment. To most of the world. Then Lu starts explaining how lighting stores are super, duper creepy, packed with lights, on every inch of the wall and hanging from the ceiling. So low. Dangling. All that electricity. Humming. Too bright. Too cluttered. And you never know when they are open because the lights glow 24/7. Maybe they never close?
She was right! They are creepy! It's a quirky thought and I am full of quirky thoughts. She IS my child!
We also both love soup.
Not her high strung part. I can assure you, I have never been very hard on myself. I am full of excuses and convenient explanations. Not Lu. Whenever she struck out playing softball last spring, I wanted to announce to everyone watching that I don't in fact punish my child severely when she fails to get on base. The tears, the intensity, it's pressure she puts on herself.
And not the diligent part. At her age I probably worked at about 45% of my potential. Maybe 43%. Lazy comes to mind. Bored. Lu is all in. She tries so hard and takes everything very seriously. I have giggled my way through all life events with any element of seriousness.
And definitely not the respectful part. I've heard it over and over again from teachers and coaches. She is polite. She is a dream. I was a pain.
But a few weeks ago we were driving to a swim meet when we passed a lighting store. Just a regular retail establishment. To most of the world. Then Lu starts explaining how lighting stores are super, duper creepy, packed with lights, on every inch of the wall and hanging from the ceiling. So low. Dangling. All that electricity. Humming. Too bright. Too cluttered. And you never know when they are open because the lights glow 24/7. Maybe they never close?
She was right! They are creepy! It's a quirky thought and I am full of quirky thoughts. She IS my child!
We also both love soup.
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| Eleven year-olds are great for wrangling squirmy toddlers. I totally need the help. Happy birthday, Lu! |
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