Years from now, when I look back at the last few months, I wonder what I will see. 2014 has already had its fair share of ups and downs, and I admit I've been focused on the downs. Herein is a summary of the good, the bad, and the surprising.
I will begin with the number one fun thing: snow days.
There were a bunch this season and I didn't mind them in the slightest. They offered a reprieve from the busyness, and a chance to revel in mountains of snow. I even broke out the snowshoes one day. Bliss!
Jon's office was closed on a few occasions, which added to the sense of holiday. The only difficult aspect was reestablishing routine on the non-snow days, but no matter. We had a "real" winter which will add to our enjoyment of the spring. A few buds are beginning to poke out, and the crocuses and daffodils are up.
Other positives: Anna's reading is starting to take off. In fact, on March 8th she decided that she could read. I didn't notice much change in her ability, but rather her attitude. Reading is still not her favorite activity, but I'm not pushing it. This is something she's going to have to figure out, and hopefully learn to love, on her own. Nothing crushes enthusiasm faster than being told you have to do something.
Meanwhile, Isaac is learning sight words, and is trying to sound out words on his own. His preschool is more academically challenging than Anna's ever was, and the results show. Nevertheless, I can't believe he'll be in kindergarten next year. He seems so small and young. Age-wise, size-wise, and academic-wise I predict he'll be in the middle of the pack, but since he'll always be younger than Anna I think I will always feel he's "young."
Negatives: As described a couple of months ago, Jon's academic job applications were not fruitful. Not that we heard anything back from the vast majority of schools. Such lack of communication, while status quo, is still extremely annoying. Good-bye academia. In many ways, you are a black hole anyway.
Of course, this still left us with the black hole containing our future. Jon's contract is three years long, and then what? Attempt to continue this work as a contractor? Search for industry jobs? Perhaps explore the parallel universe of engineering faculty positions (they tend to appreciate actual work experience)?
After praying, and fretting, and wondering we developed a plan about three weeks ago: Jon would selectively look at engineering faculty positions in the summer/fall, and then industry jobs around January. Target markets: North Carolina, Denver, New Mexico, Calgary, Salt Lake City.
I liked this plan. It provided some hope to my Maryland-weary heart. People, I just do not like it here. It's not particularly pretty, it's not particularly interesting, it's very expensive, far from family and friends, and the humidity kills me in the summer. Furthermore, it continues to be very hard to make connections with people. On the whole we continue to feel like foreigners in a foreign land.
Back to a positive: This last challenge may be mitigated by our new church. It's relatively young, which means that it is not filled with generations of families, and thus has some skill at integrating newcomers. Furthermore, the preaching and theology seems solid. You would think finding a church that meets those criteria wouldn't be hard to find but, it was an arduous search. I am relieved it is over, and hopeful that we may begin to build a solid community.
The question of community is critical since our future took a surprising turn about two weeks ago. As Jon was leaving work one evening, he received word that he had 24 hours to decide whether he wanted to apply for a permanent position. The process of being approved for a permanent position is generally a long and painstaking process. But none of that applied in this case. Occasionally, such bolts of lightning do emerge from the Mt. Olympus that is the upper echelons of management, but not often. This situation, along with a few other details and a fair amount of prayer, led Jon to apply for the position. We are now awaiting the slow wheels of bureaucracy to process the paperwork and finalize the appointment. A "hurry up and wait" situation.
My feeling, when Jon first told me the news, was one of relief that all questions were now answered, followed closely by annoyance that I felt relief, and then grief that my hope of moving back west was not to be. I still can't believe that this is it. And yes, I am well aware that other left turns may be awaiting us in the future - turns leading back west. Such turns may be awaiting you, too. But we tend not to plan on them, because we need to live where we are at. Therein lies my struggle. Perhaps others could continue to live in one place while hoping to move elsewhere, but I cannot hold two realities in my head - my emotional struggles in the past 1.5 years testify to that. I need to be here, now. So, I am once again grieving the loss of the life that I had and wanted to have again, and trying to process the implications of what being here means. Jon and I have talked about those implications a bit, but concrete details are lacking. The wheels of bureaucracy are indeed slow, so while everything has changed, nothing has yet changed.
I don't doubt our choice to stay. And over the next few weeks and months I'm sure I'll be able to see more clearly the positives and benefits of our situation. But not yet. Right now I'm allowing myself to be sad, and that's okay.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
The Snowman Cometh
After receiving almost 2 feet of snow in less than a week, I feel confident in saying we have a lot of snow. One of our numerous piles is taller than Isaac. Or it was - things are melting quickly now, and I can already see a few inches of grass along the sidewalks. With all the snow came the usual snow days and delayed openings, which is to say we are still waiting for a full week of school. Not that I mind having Anna and Isaac (and occasionally, Jon) home. Jon jokes that it's a sign I should be homeschooling. Until he sees me "help" Anna with her homework, and then thinks maybe not.
Despite all the white stuff, the roads were surprisingly clear when we left to visit Jon's sister and her family this weekend. Much had melted, and I guess people were still digging themselves out in most areas. After debating whether or not to travel at all, we managed to shave 45 minutes off our long drive. Hurrah! We had a refreshing weekend with family, and it was a pleasure to see the kids together. This chaos of cousins made the most of their time, so much so that I barely saw my children. A good break for everyone, I think. Anna does girly things with our niece, Minecraft with her oldest cousin, media with the other, and mayhem with everyone. Isaac specializes in mayhem, peppered with a bit of media. Volumes and treats were up, sleeping and order were down, fun was had by all. Except the cats, possibly.
Meanwhile, Jon and I benefited from real, adult conversation. And by "real" I mean lacking in superficial small talk. We commiserated on the west-to-east conversion, the plethora of snow days, and the challenges of moving in general. It was nice to talk with people that have similar experiences, and simply to talk with other adults.
It was also a good opportunity to talk out our current church situation, and get some different perspectives. In brief, after a lot of prayer and deliberation, we have elected to seek out a new church. The one we've attended since arriving has great teaching and Christian education, but it has been hard to get to know people. Such difficulties aren't unique to this church, of course. Any such institution lacking an explicit mechanism for incorporating new members will present integration challenges. The simple fact, pointed out by many who give thought to such matters, is that individuals have a finite number of meaningful social connections that they can maintain. When one has lived in an area for awhile it's likely that those connections are filled. Some churches are good at connecting people who are new to an area or a community, while some are better at supporting the people they already have. A church that fits the latter profile won't grow, but maybe that's okay. A single church can't be everything to everyone.
And so, we are searching for a church home. My hope is that we haven't completely exchanged good teaching/education for community, but after investigating and visiting a few churches it may be that we have. I hope we can find a congregation in the vicinity that balances these things. I think that would go a long way to helping me feel settled here.
Despite all the white stuff, the roads were surprisingly clear when we left to visit Jon's sister and her family this weekend. Much had melted, and I guess people were still digging themselves out in most areas. After debating whether or not to travel at all, we managed to shave 45 minutes off our long drive. Hurrah! We had a refreshing weekend with family, and it was a pleasure to see the kids together. This chaos of cousins made the most of their time, so much so that I barely saw my children. A good break for everyone, I think. Anna does girly things with our niece, Minecraft with her oldest cousin, media with the other, and mayhem with everyone. Isaac specializes in mayhem, peppered with a bit of media. Volumes and treats were up, sleeping and order were down, fun was had by all. Except the cats, possibly.
Meanwhile, Jon and I benefited from real, adult conversation. And by "real" I mean lacking in superficial small talk. We commiserated on the west-to-east conversion, the plethora of snow days, and the challenges of moving in general. It was nice to talk with people that have similar experiences, and simply to talk with other adults.
It was also a good opportunity to talk out our current church situation, and get some different perspectives. In brief, after a lot of prayer and deliberation, we have elected to seek out a new church. The one we've attended since arriving has great teaching and Christian education, but it has been hard to get to know people. Such difficulties aren't unique to this church, of course. Any such institution lacking an explicit mechanism for incorporating new members will present integration challenges. The simple fact, pointed out by many who give thought to such matters, is that individuals have a finite number of meaningful social connections that they can maintain. When one has lived in an area for awhile it's likely that those connections are filled. Some churches are good at connecting people who are new to an area or a community, while some are better at supporting the people they already have. A church that fits the latter profile won't grow, but maybe that's okay. A single church can't be everything to everyone.
And so, we are searching for a church home. My hope is that we haven't completely exchanged good teaching/education for community, but after investigating and visiting a few churches it may be that we have. I hope we can find a congregation in the vicinity that balances these things. I think that would go a long way to helping me feel settled here.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Waffle iron. We meet again.
Between snowstorms, frigid temps, and strep throat Anna's had all
of three full days of school since mid-December. Not that I mind. This
is a good age for her - she is fairly independent and is talented
at making up fun games to play with Isaac. At the same time she is not
opposed to doing a little baking or playing some charades with her Mom,
as long as it doesn't interfere with Minecraft. It will be sad times
when things get back to normal.
This ever-changing schedule highlighted the perfect timing our minivan purchase. Since I am looking after one of Isaac's preschool classmates a few mornings a week, we consistently needed room for three car seats as soon as the winter semester began. I thank God for taking care of this relatively small need, since it reminds me that He has our larger needs in mind, too. I need that reminder right now.
A year and a half ago, I packed a box of kitchen things and labelled it "storage." There was room enough to fit my waffle iron, so I popped that in the box. We could live without a waffle iron for one or two years, I figured. Over time, in a weird way, the waffle iron became imbued with symbolic meaning. My plan was to leave my storage boxes alone until we moved somewhere more permanently. The waffle iron would be unpacked in a new home filled with possibilities, and what better way to celebrate than with pools of syrup trapped in square, edible boxes?
But today, sitting here in my p.j.s (schools closed!), I officially pronounce us here. As in, we are not going anywhere. As in, we are staying in Maryland. As in, the whole job search thing didn't work out.
I feel very sad about this. I feel sad for Jon, for whom an academic position would have been an excellent fit for his gifts and talents. I feel sad for me, since Maryland still fails to make my Top 10 Places to Live. I feel sad for the kids, since our home(s) will lack a sense of permanence for awhile. I feel sad for us as a family, since building a community is very hard and our usual venues for such things (e.g., church ) are not panning out. I feel sad for Jon and I as a couple, since the greater purpose we had envisioned must be replaced and we're unsure with what to replace it with.
No doubt there is a silver lining here somewhere, but I'm tired of looking for it. I need some time and space to practice looking down instead of ahead. It's a hard habit to break, but hopefully freeing as well.
So I will unpack the waffle iron here, in this temporary place. And I will make lots of waffles. But this year I will add chocolate chips to remind myself to focus on the little things. Perhaps extra chocolate is the silver lining.
This ever-changing schedule highlighted the perfect timing our minivan purchase. Since I am looking after one of Isaac's preschool classmates a few mornings a week, we consistently needed room for three car seats as soon as the winter semester began. I thank God for taking care of this relatively small need, since it reminds me that He has our larger needs in mind, too. I need that reminder right now.
A year and a half ago, I packed a box of kitchen things and labelled it "storage." There was room enough to fit my waffle iron, so I popped that in the box. We could live without a waffle iron for one or two years, I figured. Over time, in a weird way, the waffle iron became imbued with symbolic meaning. My plan was to leave my storage boxes alone until we moved somewhere more permanently. The waffle iron would be unpacked in a new home filled with possibilities, and what better way to celebrate than with pools of syrup trapped in square, edible boxes?
But today, sitting here in my p.j.s (schools closed!), I officially pronounce us here. As in, we are not going anywhere. As in, we are staying in Maryland. As in, the whole job search thing didn't work out.
I feel very sad about this. I feel sad for Jon, for whom an academic position would have been an excellent fit for his gifts and talents. I feel sad for me, since Maryland still fails to make my Top 10 Places to Live. I feel sad for the kids, since our home(s) will lack a sense of permanence for awhile. I feel sad for us as a family, since building a community is very hard and our usual venues for such things (e.g., church ) are not panning out. I feel sad for Jon and I as a couple, since the greater purpose we had envisioned must be replaced and we're unsure with what to replace it with.
No doubt there is a silver lining here somewhere, but I'm tired of looking for it. I need some time and space to practice looking down instead of ahead. It's a hard habit to break, but hopefully freeing as well.
So I will unpack the waffle iron here, in this temporary place. And I will make lots of waffles. But this year I will add chocolate chips to remind myself to focus on the little things. Perhaps extra chocolate is the silver lining.
Friday, January 3, 2014
A Year Has Come, A Year Has Gone
Anna returned to school for only one day before it closed again, due to snow and cold. We played in the white stuff this morning, but before long the kids were driven back in by the winds. Nothing like wind chill and the threat of frostbite to make me feel all homesick, so I rather enjoyed being outside, shoveling and all. Anyway, it's sunny which elevate the mood if not the temperature.
After a week long visit, Mom returned home on New Year's Day, so an elevated mood was welcome. She left just ahead of the storm, although we would not have minded if she had been stuck here. We are always very sad when Grandma leaves, and this time seemed particularly poignant. Perhaps I am simply reluctant to return to the real world after winter break. (So, three cheers for a well timed snow day.)
It was a fun filled Christmas, with the right balance of activity and nothingness and productivity. Early on we saw Frozen as a family, and while one could offer the usual critiques to this Disney film, I appreciate the unique way it handles relationships.
On Jon's birthday, he and I went to see The Desolation of Smaug, and it was.... okay. I found the story interesting, but the fight scenes tended to drag on and on and on and on. How many ways can one fight orcs? Do we care? I vote for more necromancers and dwarfs chanting lore. Obviously, I am not a Hobbit purist and I find myself mystified at those that who object to the lack of ... what? "veracity" that this film demonstrates? It's about elves and hobbits and dragons.
Mum arrived in the afternoon on Christmas day, so we divided the gift opening into two days. There were many benefits to this, as you can imagine. I know my Mom appreciated being part of the fun on Boxing Day (Christmas Two!), although it did prompt Isaac to ask whether there would also be a Christmas Three. (Turned out that there was, thanks to a foray to Target on the 27th and Mum's undying desire to shower gifts upon her grandchildren. I used to be uptight about this, but I have mellowed somewhat. After all, the time when the kids' eyes will light up with relatively simple pleasures is indeed a short one.) For the dinner, I was unable and unwilling to procure a goose for less than $100, so we went with rack of lamb. More dollars per pound, but less pounds. I was pretty nervous about roasting it - such a finicky piece of meat. Nonetheless we managed to find that thin line between a perfectly medium rare piece, and food poisoning. I may even cook it again.
Thinking of the gifts themselves, the themes of Engineering and Transportation come to mind. The former included the standard Legos, and that category included the Millennium Falcon (For Jon, of course. Death Star next year? Maybe not.) Gifts like a marble run and a demolition lab were also popular. What little boy doesn't like destroying buildings? Anna also received a set from Goldie Blox, which unfortunately is not nearly as fun as the commercial. Overall, I'm happy with these items - they encourage spatial reasoning and logic and experimentation, and the kids enjoy playing with them
For Transportation, there is the electric train procured during Christmas Three. This is the first time Isaac really showed an interest in trains, although it's Anna that builds the tracks. There's also the kid-sized skateboard which will more fun once the snow melts. Of course, having more space to use the board would also be fun, but this isn't Miracle on 34th Street. The biggest contributor to the Transportation theme is the minivan we purchased (on Christmas Three, come to think of it). This was unexpected, since the plan was just to test drive. However, since they had exactly what we wanted, at the mileage and price we requested, it seemed foolish to delay. I am quite happy with the vehicle, although the size will take some getting used to. As will the sticker shock at the gas pump. *gulp* The irony is that now we will be more comfortable on long road trips, but will they will also be less affordable.
We headed to Lancaster County one day - our first big outing with the minivan - and the experience confirmed our purchase decision. Not only did I escape from the tyranny of the back seat, where I would have been squished between two car seats, but I also escaped the pouring rain while wrestling with car seat buckles. Now, the kids can even buckle themselves. It's a brave new world.
Despite the rain and gloom, Lancaster County was lovely. Given our Mennonite background, Mom and I found the historical tour fascinating. She and Dad will likely take a longer bus tour when they visit next time. Among the interesting factoids was the Amish aversion to electricity, as opposed to modern conveniences per se. For example, many homes have lights and relatively modern appliances, but all using propane or pneumatic power. Many communities have experts whose job it is to adapt such things for propane, etc. Thus, I suspect that somewhere in Pennsylvania there is someone working by candlelight in the dead of night, trying to adapt an iPod to propane.
The highlight for the kids was the Choo Choo Barn. The detail and sheer number of animatronics on display kept their attention for a long time. Favorite scenes included a recurring house fire, which is promptly doused by fire fighters and a little working hose. There were also 55 hidden Santas, and Anna was convinced she found all them save for Super Santa (with cape) who eluded us. Our departure from the area seemed to coincide with the conclusion of the Amish worship services, so many a buggy were encountered on the way home. I guess that is in keeping with our Transportation theme.
So with that, the New Year begins and we are curious to know what it will bring. A move is certain. Whether in-town or out of state remains unclear. Any positive responses to Jon's faculty applications will likely be received this month. If we remain here, my time will be split between preparing for a local move, as well as thinking through career possibilities for myself. No resolutions, but I pray that contendedness and thankfulness are threads that will tie together the months ahead.
After a week long visit, Mom returned home on New Year's Day, so an elevated mood was welcome. She left just ahead of the storm, although we would not have minded if she had been stuck here. We are always very sad when Grandma leaves, and this time seemed particularly poignant. Perhaps I am simply reluctant to return to the real world after winter break. (So, three cheers for a well timed snow day.)
It was a fun filled Christmas, with the right balance of activity and nothingness and productivity. Early on we saw Frozen as a family, and while one could offer the usual critiques to this Disney film, I appreciate the unique way it handles relationships.
On Jon's birthday, he and I went to see The Desolation of Smaug, and it was.... okay. I found the story interesting, but the fight scenes tended to drag on and on and on and on. How many ways can one fight orcs? Do we care? I vote for more necromancers and dwarfs chanting lore. Obviously, I am not a Hobbit purist and I find myself mystified at those that who object to the lack of ... what? "veracity" that this film demonstrates? It's about elves and hobbits and dragons.
Mum arrived in the afternoon on Christmas day, so we divided the gift opening into two days. There were many benefits to this, as you can imagine. I know my Mom appreciated being part of the fun on Boxing Day (Christmas Two!), although it did prompt Isaac to ask whether there would also be a Christmas Three. (Turned out that there was, thanks to a foray to Target on the 27th and Mum's undying desire to shower gifts upon her grandchildren. I used to be uptight about this, but I have mellowed somewhat. After all, the time when the kids' eyes will light up with relatively simple pleasures is indeed a short one.) For the dinner, I was unable and unwilling to procure a goose for less than $100, so we went with rack of lamb. More dollars per pound, but less pounds. I was pretty nervous about roasting it - such a finicky piece of meat. Nonetheless we managed to find that thin line between a perfectly medium rare piece, and food poisoning. I may even cook it again.
Thinking of the gifts themselves, the themes of Engineering and Transportation come to mind. The former included the standard Legos, and that category included the Millennium Falcon (For Jon, of course. Death Star next year? Maybe not.) Gifts like a marble run and a demolition lab were also popular. What little boy doesn't like destroying buildings? Anna also received a set from Goldie Blox, which unfortunately is not nearly as fun as the commercial. Overall, I'm happy with these items - they encourage spatial reasoning and logic and experimentation, and the kids enjoy playing with them
For Transportation, there is the electric train procured during Christmas Three. This is the first time Isaac really showed an interest in trains, although it's Anna that builds the tracks. There's also the kid-sized skateboard which will more fun once the snow melts. Of course, having more space to use the board would also be fun, but this isn't Miracle on 34th Street. The biggest contributor to the Transportation theme is the minivan we purchased (on Christmas Three, come to think of it). This was unexpected, since the plan was just to test drive. However, since they had exactly what we wanted, at the mileage and price we requested, it seemed foolish to delay. I am quite happy with the vehicle, although the size will take some getting used to. As will the sticker shock at the gas pump. *gulp* The irony is that now we will be more comfortable on long road trips, but will they will also be less affordable.
We headed to Lancaster County one day - our first big outing with the minivan - and the experience confirmed our purchase decision. Not only did I escape from the tyranny of the back seat, where I would have been squished between two car seats, but I also escaped the pouring rain while wrestling with car seat buckles. Now, the kids can even buckle themselves. It's a brave new world.
Despite the rain and gloom, Lancaster County was lovely. Given our Mennonite background, Mom and I found the historical tour fascinating. She and Dad will likely take a longer bus tour when they visit next time. Among the interesting factoids was the Amish aversion to electricity, as opposed to modern conveniences per se. For example, many homes have lights and relatively modern appliances, but all using propane or pneumatic power. Many communities have experts whose job it is to adapt such things for propane, etc. Thus, I suspect that somewhere in Pennsylvania there is someone working by candlelight in the dead of night, trying to adapt an iPod to propane.
The highlight for the kids was the Choo Choo Barn. The detail and sheer number of animatronics on display kept their attention for a long time. Favorite scenes included a recurring house fire, which is promptly doused by fire fighters and a little working hose. There were also 55 hidden Santas, and Anna was convinced she found all them save for Super Santa (with cape) who eluded us. Our departure from the area seemed to coincide with the conclusion of the Amish worship services, so many a buggy were encountered on the way home. I guess that is in keeping with our Transportation theme.
So with that, the New Year begins and we are curious to know what it will bring. A move is certain. Whether in-town or out of state remains unclear. Any positive responses to Jon's faculty applications will likely be received this month. If we remain here, my time will be split between preparing for a local move, as well as thinking through career possibilities for myself. No resolutions, but I pray that contendedness and thankfulness are threads that will tie together the months ahead.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
A Little Whiter, a Little Brighter.
This holiday season seems more Christmas-y compared to last year. This is partly weather related. There were a couple of decent snowfalls (and snow days) over a week ago, yet the ground has remained white thanks to lower-than average temperatures. I am enjoying this mini-freeze -- it feels a bit more like home. Humidity and heat will always befuddle me, but -8 C is a situation I can deal with. While the cold brings a cozy ambiance, the snow covered ground brings a lightness. Last year's winter was a snowless grey; cloudy and boring. This year we have the nighttime luster of midday, the reflected sunlight resembling diamonds, and happy children enjoying the outdoors: sledding, castle building, and throwing chunks of ice at each other.
We know more people this year, which also lightens the mood. It's amazing how a little adult conversation can steady the brain. We've had some fun play dates, which noticeably improves the kids' attitudes. And why not? We are stuck inside a fair amount (snow or no snow), and a change of scenery and people is helpful for everyone. In that vein, our visit to Jon's family in Virginia over Thanksgiving was well timed. Refreshing, and restful, and I didn't burn the turkey. I barely saw my kids, as enamored as they were with cousins and cats and outdoor swings. I will forever remember Isaac trailing his oldest cousin, like Peter Pan's shadow.
I'm baking a bit more this season. I made the best gingerbread cookies ever using this insightful recipe (minus the almond flour, which is wicked expensive), as well as popcorn balls. I love popcorn balls, and to be done properly they really require Roger's Golden Syrup. Strangely, I am the only person in this house who enjoys popcorn balls. This is (a) objectively wrong, and/or (b) evidence of a popcorn-ball specific gene, without which one cannot enjoy this amazing culinary treat. There's just no other explanation.
This weekend we will also make our annual candy cane cookies, which are a molded shortbread type cookie with a delicate peppermint flavor. I'm always surprised that the kids like these, since they hate peppermint in every other context ("TOO SPICY!!!!!") Maybe the fun we have rolling them out carries over.
We've also been enjoying the Mystery Box Game, which is fast becoming a tradition. Once again both Grandma and me did the bulk of our Christmas shopping online. And once again (because we do not learn from our mistakes) we both addressed all boxes to me. So right now I have about 15 boxes in my basement with more on the way. The presents inside the boxes are unwrapped, and the boxes are almost uniformly from Amazon. I think last year I just wrapped them all without opening. Christmas morning we took turns guessing whose was whose. As it was, so shall it be.
I enjoy shopping online, although I'm not sure it is temporally efficient. I probably spend too much time figuring out how to minimize shipping. And then there are the hidden costs. One morning I awoke early with one simple goal: to buy my mom a particular candle. Over an hour later, not only had I failed to purchase the candle, but I had spent almost $100 on wine. For myself.
oops
The last big item on my seasonal to-do list is plan Christmas dinner. We were planning on goose, but today I discovered that I can't buy a fresh one for less than $100, or a frozen one for less than $60. And it would be small. Not Bob Cratchett small, but certainly petite. So, I am without a plan and it's only a week to Christmas!
Finally, a word on Christmas cards. I did not send them out this year, and I feel a little guilty. I know that many no longer keep this wonderful tradition, and I don't want to contribute to it's demise. But something had to give, and I've been thinking that an every-other year policy seems feasible for us at this point. We seem to change locales on the even years, after all. And anyway, this particular year I may need the extra cash to buy a goose. Or a gander. Maybe a gander would be cheaper. Or am I missing something here?
We know more people this year, which also lightens the mood. It's amazing how a little adult conversation can steady the brain. We've had some fun play dates, which noticeably improves the kids' attitudes. And why not? We are stuck inside a fair amount (snow or no snow), and a change of scenery and people is helpful for everyone. In that vein, our visit to Jon's family in Virginia over Thanksgiving was well timed. Refreshing, and restful, and I didn't burn the turkey. I barely saw my kids, as enamored as they were with cousins and cats and outdoor swings. I will forever remember Isaac trailing his oldest cousin, like Peter Pan's shadow.
I'm baking a bit more this season. I made the best gingerbread cookies ever using this insightful recipe (minus the almond flour, which is wicked expensive), as well as popcorn balls. I love popcorn balls, and to be done properly they really require Roger's Golden Syrup. Strangely, I am the only person in this house who enjoys popcorn balls. This is (a) objectively wrong, and/or (b) evidence of a popcorn-ball specific gene, without which one cannot enjoy this amazing culinary treat. There's just no other explanation.
This weekend we will also make our annual candy cane cookies, which are a molded shortbread type cookie with a delicate peppermint flavor. I'm always surprised that the kids like these, since they hate peppermint in every other context ("TOO SPICY!!!!!") Maybe the fun we have rolling them out carries over.
We've also been enjoying the Mystery Box Game, which is fast becoming a tradition. Once again both Grandma and me did the bulk of our Christmas shopping online. And once again (because we do not learn from our mistakes) we both addressed all boxes to me. So right now I have about 15 boxes in my basement with more on the way. The presents inside the boxes are unwrapped, and the boxes are almost uniformly from Amazon. I think last year I just wrapped them all without opening. Christmas morning we took turns guessing whose was whose. As it was, so shall it be.
I enjoy shopping online, although I'm not sure it is temporally efficient. I probably spend too much time figuring out how to minimize shipping. And then there are the hidden costs. One morning I awoke early with one simple goal: to buy my mom a particular candle. Over an hour later, not only had I failed to purchase the candle, but I had spent almost $100 on wine. For myself.
oops
The last big item on my seasonal to-do list is plan Christmas dinner. We were planning on goose, but today I discovered that I can't buy a fresh one for less than $100, or a frozen one for less than $60. And it would be small. Not Bob Cratchett small, but certainly petite. So, I am without a plan and it's only a week to Christmas!
Finally, a word on Christmas cards. I did not send them out this year, and I feel a little guilty. I know that many no longer keep this wonderful tradition, and I don't want to contribute to it's demise. But something had to give, and I've been thinking that an every-other year policy seems feasible for us at this point. We seem to change locales on the even years, after all. And anyway, this particular year I may need the extra cash to buy a goose. Or a gander. Maybe a gander would be cheaper. Or am I missing something here?
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Seven Years of Anna
After too many false alarms last year, I guess the school district is taking it slowly when it comes to deciding whether to call a snow day. It's quite early in the morning and I still haven't heard, despite the threat of another five inches of snow. Seven inches accumulated on Sunday, so the kids rightly had a day off yesterday. We went sledding, built snowmen, had snowball fights, and climbed the mini hills that pop up after shoveling the walk and driveway. Now I am sore all over, and wondering if I should ask Anna to stop praying for more white stuff.
I did not mean to be awake this early, but I'll try to take advantage of the time by pondering my best girl - a snapshot of who she is now. This is a difficult thing to do. Much like verbally expressing the many layers in a sip of fine wine, it is hard to sum up a person with words. But I'll do my best.
First, the facts. The Favorite Facts.
Hobbies: (1) Arts and Crafts. Rainbow Loom bracelets are a big deal now, although she loves all things crafty. She'll attack any project with zeal - both kits and her own ideas. She decorated her Barbie house for the holiday season, and it looks quite festive. However, she does not necessarily approach these things with the most care. She speeds through, or simply isn't that careful. I'm not sure whether this is the product of her age and attention span, or if she has inherited her mother's lack of fine motor skills. Time will tell. For now I continue to cherish her imagination and enthusiasm.
(2) Cooking. Anna loves to get in the kitchen and do it all. Chopping, mixing, stirring, making her own "stew," or baking without a recipe. I need to allow this more, because I can see that the window of opportunity is closing. My issue is that by the time she gets home from school, I just want her to play with Isaac so I can get dinner on the table. I need to be better about including both kids in the process. And anyway, she makes a mean stew.
(3) Minecraft. The cousins are into Minecraft, so obviously we had to try it. As virtual worlds go it's pretty amazing - in a cubist sort of way. Anna sticks with creative mode (i.e., all materials are available for building at all times) and spends her time manufacturing houses of various ilks. Isaac mostly blows stuff up and digs holes to underground lava. I'd rather she play this than watch TV, but we do need to monitor her usage (i.e., weekends only). I bought the kids some Minecraft magnets for when they need to scratch that itch, but the weaning process is still painful.
(4) Pretend Play. Forts, picnics, babies, house, princess, school, etc. etc. Universes constantly created and destroyed. But rarely dress-up, anymore. At least, not much beyond blankets. Although it's amazing what one can do with a blanket.
Media: (1) Lemony Snickett's a Series of Unfortunate Events. This year, preferences tilted slightly in favor of chapter books rather than picture books. Her latest fav is Lemony Snickett. We've been reading these books out loud, and I rather hate them. A phrase which here means, "I hate these books." Specifically, I dislike how adults are portrayed - dangerous, willfully negligent, or simply idiotic. Jon is more forgiving, noting that kids want to explore darker elements while in the safe confines of their own lives. Well, fine. The vocabulary is at least done well, so we plug on. We've read books 1, 2, 6, and 7. Spoiler alert: things do not end well.
(2) Phineas and Ferb. Favorite shows are changing all the time, but this is tops right now. Pro: both kids like it. Con: it's not a learning show. But since it keeps them occupied for 22 minutes, I can't complain. After all, the T.V. really is just a babysitter. If it has some other function, I am not privy to it.
(3) Movies in theaters. I love that Anna still pronounces it thee-A-ter. This year they've seen Monster's University (Isaac's first theater experience), the sequels to Despicable Me and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and if the roads are okay this afternoon [since it looks like schools are closed, after all] we'll see Frozen. She loves the experience, so whatever is in theaters is her favorite.
The Not-Favorite Facts.
(1) Organized physical activity. Anna tends to be active and squirmy and jumpy, but she doesn't want these things to be structured. She'd rather run with a pack of kids than take a dance or gymnastics class. Alas, kid packs are not easy to come by, we don't have a yard, the weather is usually wet and dreary, and the schools do a poor job at recess/gym. That is, we need to figure out something. Anna's natural inclination for activity is waning noticeably, and I'm concerned. One of my jobs this month is to sign both kids up for active extracurriculars. I'm sure this will make for an interesting Jan/Feb/March.
(2) Dresses. It's been over a year now, and no change of heart. Sad times for me.
(3) People touching her Barbie house. This was an interesting turn of events. It's not like Anna plays with this item frequently (Christmas gift fail), but heaven forbid anyone else should touch it - even a friend over for a play date. We had a talk about that, and she's melted a little. I told her we didn't have enough space to keep a mausoleum.
(4) Cheese and milk. This is more than an interesting turn of events, this is shocking. She'll still eat them in on occasion, but they used to be her favorite foods. Crazy kid. At least yogurt is still in.
The Greater Whole
Those are few fun facts, but don't nearly capture Anna as a person. As I said, it's hard. She's still our encourager and cheerleader. She loves to give gifts as much as to receive them. Her memory continues to astound, and we continue to miss opportunities to nurture it (parental guilt item #4581). She does not have a best friend but gets along well with everyone, boys and girls alike. She loves loves loves her cousins, and cannot wait to see them again. She is also whiny, easily melts down when physically hurt, and is very emotional. I think this puts off some kids her age, and I can't say I blame them. She needs to get this side of her under control, and I hope that comes as she grows. She likes dogs and cats, and I wish we could have a pet for that reason. I think a pet would do wonders for both children, or even horseback riding lessons, but we are simply not positioned for such things. Anna started a diary, and enjoys writing and listening to books, but not reading per se. She is patient and nurturing with small kids, although can devolve into Miss Bossy Pants as is common at this age. She wants to be an artist some day, but is also mathy with excellent spatial ability. I vote engineering.
Happy seventh birthday, to my little cypher. I am looking forward to the coming year, and wondering what will change, what will stay the same, and who you will grow to be. You are loved, well and deeply.
I did not mean to be awake this early, but I'll try to take advantage of the time by pondering my best girl - a snapshot of who she is now. This is a difficult thing to do. Much like verbally expressing the many layers in a sip of fine wine, it is hard to sum up a person with words. But I'll do my best.
First, the facts. The Favorite Facts.
Hobbies: (1) Arts and Crafts. Rainbow Loom bracelets are a big deal now, although she loves all things crafty. She'll attack any project with zeal - both kits and her own ideas. She decorated her Barbie house for the holiday season, and it looks quite festive. However, she does not necessarily approach these things with the most care. She speeds through, or simply isn't that careful. I'm not sure whether this is the product of her age and attention span, or if she has inherited her mother's lack of fine motor skills. Time will tell. For now I continue to cherish her imagination and enthusiasm.
(2) Cooking. Anna loves to get in the kitchen and do it all. Chopping, mixing, stirring, making her own "stew," or baking without a recipe. I need to allow this more, because I can see that the window of opportunity is closing. My issue is that by the time she gets home from school, I just want her to play with Isaac so I can get dinner on the table. I need to be better about including both kids in the process. And anyway, she makes a mean stew.
(3) Minecraft. The cousins are into Minecraft, so obviously we had to try it. As virtual worlds go it's pretty amazing - in a cubist sort of way. Anna sticks with creative mode (i.e., all materials are available for building at all times) and spends her time manufacturing houses of various ilks. Isaac mostly blows stuff up and digs holes to underground lava. I'd rather she play this than watch TV, but we do need to monitor her usage (i.e., weekends only). I bought the kids some Minecraft magnets for when they need to scratch that itch, but the weaning process is still painful.
(4) Pretend Play. Forts, picnics, babies, house, princess, school, etc. etc. Universes constantly created and destroyed. But rarely dress-up, anymore. At least, not much beyond blankets. Although it's amazing what one can do with a blanket.
Media: (1) Lemony Snickett's a Series of Unfortunate Events. This year, preferences tilted slightly in favor of chapter books rather than picture books. Her latest fav is Lemony Snickett. We've been reading these books out loud, and I rather hate them. A phrase which here means, "I hate these books." Specifically, I dislike how adults are portrayed - dangerous, willfully negligent, or simply idiotic. Jon is more forgiving, noting that kids want to explore darker elements while in the safe confines of their own lives. Well, fine. The vocabulary is at least done well, so we plug on. We've read books 1, 2, 6, and 7. Spoiler alert: things do not end well.
(2) Phineas and Ferb. Favorite shows are changing all the time, but this is tops right now. Pro: both kids like it. Con: it's not a learning show. But since it keeps them occupied for 22 minutes, I can't complain. After all, the T.V. really is just a babysitter. If it has some other function, I am not privy to it.
(3) Movies in theaters. I love that Anna still pronounces it thee-A-ter. This year they've seen Monster's University (Isaac's first theater experience), the sequels to Despicable Me and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and if the roads are okay this afternoon [since it looks like schools are closed, after all] we'll see Frozen. She loves the experience, so whatever is in theaters is her favorite.
The Not-Favorite Facts.
(1) Organized physical activity. Anna tends to be active and squirmy and jumpy, but she doesn't want these things to be structured. She'd rather run with a pack of kids than take a dance or gymnastics class. Alas, kid packs are not easy to come by, we don't have a yard, the weather is usually wet and dreary, and the schools do a poor job at recess/gym. That is, we need to figure out something. Anna's natural inclination for activity is waning noticeably, and I'm concerned. One of my jobs this month is to sign both kids up for active extracurriculars. I'm sure this will make for an interesting Jan/Feb/March.
(2) Dresses. It's been over a year now, and no change of heart. Sad times for me.
(3) People touching her Barbie house. This was an interesting turn of events. It's not like Anna plays with this item frequently (Christmas gift fail), but heaven forbid anyone else should touch it - even a friend over for a play date. We had a talk about that, and she's melted a little. I told her we didn't have enough space to keep a mausoleum.
(4) Cheese and milk. This is more than an interesting turn of events, this is shocking. She'll still eat them in on occasion, but they used to be her favorite foods. Crazy kid. At least yogurt is still in.
The Greater Whole
Those are few fun facts, but don't nearly capture Anna as a person. As I said, it's hard. She's still our encourager and cheerleader. She loves to give gifts as much as to receive them. Her memory continues to astound, and we continue to miss opportunities to nurture it (parental guilt item #4581). She does not have a best friend but gets along well with everyone, boys and girls alike. She loves loves loves her cousins, and cannot wait to see them again. She is also whiny, easily melts down when physically hurt, and is very emotional. I think this puts off some kids her age, and I can't say I blame them. She needs to get this side of her under control, and I hope that comes as she grows. She likes dogs and cats, and I wish we could have a pet for that reason. I think a pet would do wonders for both children, or even horseback riding lessons, but we are simply not positioned for such things. Anna started a diary, and enjoys writing and listening to books, but not reading per se. She is patient and nurturing with small kids, although can devolve into Miss Bossy Pants as is common at this age. She wants to be an artist some day, but is also mathy with excellent spatial ability. I vote engineering.
Happy seventh birthday, to my little cypher. I am looking forward to the coming year, and wondering what will change, what will stay the same, and who you will grow to be. You are loved, well and deeply.
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