I have finished two books since I past wrote a review. Life has been so busy that it has definitely been infringing on the literature I love. So, today I am going to review A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. Overall, I enjoyed this classic novel. This coming-of-age novel was originally written as a memoir. However, the publisher decided it would sell better if it was fictionalized into a novel. I have a feeling that was a good decision. The story is set in Brooklyn, New York in the early 20th century. Francie is a second generation American with Irish and Austrian roots. Francie's father, Johnny, was Irish and "had a hankering after immortality which made him a useless dreamer." Francie's mother, Katie, was Austrian and "had a fierce desire for survival which made her a fighter." Much of the story results from Katie cleaning up Johnny's messes, including his alcoholism. Katie was constantly working and Johnny was constantly drinking.
Francie and her younger brother Neeley are often left to fend for themselves growing up. Francie's best friends were books. She endeavored to read a book a day. Francie's main desire was for school and learning. As Francie grows up she becomes more disillusioned with her life. She realizes the poverty that has marked her childhood. She becomes aware of her father's drinking problem. She witnesses first hand her mother's favoritism toward her brother. Her character unfolds beautifully as she is faced with very adult situations while still a child.
This story made me feel grateful. I have never gone hungry. I have never had to watch my children starve. I have always had access to good education. I was not forced to grow up way too fast. For all of these things, and of course much more, I am feeling thankful. Especially as we approach Thanksgiving on Thursday. I pray you can take some time to think about what makes you grateful too.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Phases
Sweet Pea is starting, bit by bit, to leave the theatrical threes behind her. I can see the fabulous fours coming. Some days are a sneak peak into the child she will be in a few months. Those are wonderful days. She is sweet and polite. She is funny, although not always intentionally. She told me the other day that January 16th (her birthday) is far, far away. So she needed to get on an airplane to get there. So funny. Anyway, I digress. I have been trying to figure out what makes one day fabulous and then another back to theatrical. Often it has more to do with me than with her mood. Sure, if she is tired or hungry she is more difficult. However, the days when I can engage her in helping or playing are typically golden days. When I have the time and energy to ask her to help me unload the dishwasher and ask her to fetch and carry for me she is excited and happy to help. The days when I find myself too tired to put one foot in front of the other, I often forget to engage that aspect of her personality. Then I have meltdowns and attention-seeking behavior on my hands. I get frustrated and then she gets hurt/mad and we are both in trouble.
Panda Girl, on the other hand, is leaving behind the compliant happy baby I have so loved. She is turning into a two year old. Some mornings are spent going from tantrum to tantrum. This child does has not gotten mad often, up to this point. However, when she is angry it is really bad. She screams until she is red in the face. She practically forgets to breathe (I sit there sometimes thinking, breathe baby - you can do it). She gets herself all worked up. It seems as Panda Girl is getting closer to two, this temper comes out more frequently. I have no idea what she will be like in six months or so, but I have fear. This could be a very long couple of years with her. Hopefully Sweet Pea has prepared me well for whatever Panda Girl has to bring. All I can say is, bring it on girlfriend. I (think) am ready for it!
Regardless of the phase, I love my little ladies. It is a joy to watch them learn and grow. Their personalities are so different from each other. While that does add extra challenges to raising them, it also makes for very rich experiences with them.
Panda Girl, on the other hand, is leaving behind the compliant happy baby I have so loved. She is turning into a two year old. Some mornings are spent going from tantrum to tantrum. This child does has not gotten mad often, up to this point. However, when she is angry it is really bad. She screams until she is red in the face. She practically forgets to breathe (I sit there sometimes thinking, breathe baby - you can do it). She gets herself all worked up. It seems as Panda Girl is getting closer to two, this temper comes out more frequently. I have no idea what she will be like in six months or so, but I have fear. This could be a very long couple of years with her. Hopefully Sweet Pea has prepared me well for whatever Panda Girl has to bring. All I can say is, bring it on girlfriend. I (think) am ready for it!
Regardless of the phase, I love my little ladies. It is a joy to watch them learn and grow. Their personalities are so different from each other. While that does add extra challenges to raising them, it also makes for very rich experiences with them.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
A Scene from the Gym
Husband is out of town again this week. That means I get to decide the schedule the little ladies and I will adopt whilst he is away. I really wanted to go back to a yoga class I enjoyed a few weeks ago. However, it starts at 7, lasts an hour and I can't imagine keeping the little ladies out past 7:30 on a school night. So, I opted for the Pilates Mat class at 5:45. I realized the dent this could make in our dinner schedule, but we went anyway. I packed dinners for the girls to eat at childcare if they were hungry. Then I scampered off to my class.
The class was wonderfully torturous. It was complete with threats from the trainer to require horrible numbers of push-ups if you cheated on your bicycle crunches. By the end of class each participant was grunting, groaning and had learned new counting methods (1, 2, 10, 26, 39, 75, ...). Once it was done I proceeded, very gingerly, to get my girls.
It turns out they had only touched their Motts for Tots and the meal was as it had been when I dropped it off. The main reason the food was intact was the amount of fun that was had by both little ladies in the childcare room. The room was a shambles. Tiny chairs were overturned. Toys were strewn from one end of the room to the other. Panda Girl had even relinquished her cherished panda and had no idea where she had left it. I told them to head for the elevators.
Evidently my words were translated in little lady speak as "run as fast as possible and in opposite directions and let's see if Mama can catch us". Panda Girl ran one way. Sweet Pea ran the other. I can't run. My leg muscles were the exact consistency of jello. Luckily another little girl ran toward Sweet Pea. Sweet Pea ran towards me to get away from the "scary" five year old. Panda Girl ran past the elevators into the tennis pro shop. Where the staff behind the desk proceeded to encourage her by talking to her and calling her. She knew they were telling her that she is cute. So, she played to the crowd. Sweet Pea ran to the elevators since pushing the elevator buttons is her hobby.
After another few minutes of chaos, I wrangled Panda Girl and dragged her to the elevators. Once inside our very own elevator there was the typical fight over pressing the buttons. Sweet Pea beat Panda Girl to it, so to retaliate Panda Girl hit the alarm button. Soon a voice, that can only be described as what I would imagine the voice of God to sound like, came over a speaker asking us the nature of our emergency. I quickly explained the situation. Thankfully the big voice laughed.
We did eventually get home. While it was an ordeal, all I could do was laugh. Then I laughed some more. Then I cried because my tummy muscles were so sore.
The class was wonderfully torturous. It was complete with threats from the trainer to require horrible numbers of push-ups if you cheated on your bicycle crunches. By the end of class each participant was grunting, groaning and had learned new counting methods (1, 2, 10, 26, 39, 75, ...). Once it was done I proceeded, very gingerly, to get my girls.
It turns out they had only touched their Motts for Tots and the meal was as it had been when I dropped it off. The main reason the food was intact was the amount of fun that was had by both little ladies in the childcare room. The room was a shambles. Tiny chairs were overturned. Toys were strewn from one end of the room to the other. Panda Girl had even relinquished her cherished panda and had no idea where she had left it. I told them to head for the elevators.
Evidently my words were translated in little lady speak as "run as fast as possible and in opposite directions and let's see if Mama can catch us". Panda Girl ran one way. Sweet Pea ran the other. I can't run. My leg muscles were the exact consistency of jello. Luckily another little girl ran toward Sweet Pea. Sweet Pea ran towards me to get away from the "scary" five year old. Panda Girl ran past the elevators into the tennis pro shop. Where the staff behind the desk proceeded to encourage her by talking to her and calling her. She knew they were telling her that she is cute. So, she played to the crowd. Sweet Pea ran to the elevators since pushing the elevator buttons is her hobby.
After another few minutes of chaos, I wrangled Panda Girl and dragged her to the elevators. Once inside our very own elevator there was the typical fight over pressing the buttons. Sweet Pea beat Panda Girl to it, so to retaliate Panda Girl hit the alarm button. Soon a voice, that can only be described as what I would imagine the voice of God to sound like, came over a speaker asking us the nature of our emergency. I quickly explained the situation. Thankfully the big voice laughed.
We did eventually get home. While it was an ordeal, all I could do was laugh. Then I laughed some more. Then I cried because my tummy muscles were so sore.
Monday, November 16, 2009
A Tale of Two Illnesses
There was a time not too long ago when all I wanted was to stay in bed. All day. I spent my whole day planning on when I could crawl back into bed. Clearly this was a problem. I just hadn't realized how miserable I was feeling. It had come on slowly and before I knew it I was in the grip of Depression. Depression made me happy when I caught some bug the kids brought home from school. I finally had a legitimate excuse to stay in bed all day.
Panda Girl was running a fever on Tuesday and Wednesday. I have no idea what bug she had picked up. Her only symptoms were fatigue and fever. Thus, as illnesses go, this one was not so bad. Sweet Pea loves attention and since I was holding Panda Girl constantly, Sweet Pea was beside herself. She may as well have been jumping up and down screaming "LOOK AT ME!" all day. Then she started telling me that she, like Panda Girl, was sick. This is a classic Sweet Pea attention tactic. I firmly told her she was fine. She persisted. I put her in time out. Twice. She came over one more time to repeat her sickness mantra. As I was about to send her back to time out, it happened. Everything she had eaten all day (which was thankfully little) came back out. Fantastic, I had two sick kids and an out of town husband. Clearly this is every mother's dream. After another episode I started her on the Zofran the pediatrician had prescribed in February when she had the same kind of bug. It worked like magic. She was not sick again and the next day she mostly felt as good as new. She even asked to go to school (she loves school, but I told her she had to stay home that day).
Husband had been sweet and come home from his trip early. So I felt as if we had a bit of a safety net. Friday I had plans to shop with Mom and Sister. My Dad was going to watch the girls. It was a perfect plan. I was really excited. So, what happened? I got violently ill Thursday night. I stayed ill all day Friday. I missed the shopping trip. Husband had to stay home from work to care for the little ladies. At the end of her afternoon nap, Panda Girl woke up sick. We quickly gave her some of the Zofran and she was feeling fine within an hour or so. I, on the other hand, had no spare nausea meds laying around, so I suffered through.
I was so upset I had to stay home and stay in bed. Then I realized something. I must be feeling much better emotionally. I wanted out of bed. I hated being in bed. While I would have rather had something less disgusting to help me have my revelation, it was nice to experience it. Today I am more appreciative of my physical and emotional health. Thankfully by Sunday I was as good as new and I was able to go on my fun shopping trip, even if I went alone. It was great to be up and out of bed.
Panda Girl was running a fever on Tuesday and Wednesday. I have no idea what bug she had picked up. Her only symptoms were fatigue and fever. Thus, as illnesses go, this one was not so bad. Sweet Pea loves attention and since I was holding Panda Girl constantly, Sweet Pea was beside herself. She may as well have been jumping up and down screaming "LOOK AT ME!" all day. Then she started telling me that she, like Panda Girl, was sick. This is a classic Sweet Pea attention tactic. I firmly told her she was fine. She persisted. I put her in time out. Twice. She came over one more time to repeat her sickness mantra. As I was about to send her back to time out, it happened. Everything she had eaten all day (which was thankfully little) came back out. Fantastic, I had two sick kids and an out of town husband. Clearly this is every mother's dream. After another episode I started her on the Zofran the pediatrician had prescribed in February when she had the same kind of bug. It worked like magic. She was not sick again and the next day she mostly felt as good as new. She even asked to go to school (she loves school, but I told her she had to stay home that day).
Husband had been sweet and come home from his trip early. So I felt as if we had a bit of a safety net. Friday I had plans to shop with Mom and Sister. My Dad was going to watch the girls. It was a perfect plan. I was really excited. So, what happened? I got violently ill Thursday night. I stayed ill all day Friday. I missed the shopping trip. Husband had to stay home from work to care for the little ladies. At the end of her afternoon nap, Panda Girl woke up sick. We quickly gave her some of the Zofran and she was feeling fine within an hour or so. I, on the other hand, had no spare nausea meds laying around, so I suffered through.
I was so upset I had to stay home and stay in bed. Then I realized something. I must be feeling much better emotionally. I wanted out of bed. I hated being in bed. While I would have rather had something less disgusting to help me have my revelation, it was nice to experience it. Today I am more appreciative of my physical and emotional health. Thankfully by Sunday I was as good as new and I was able to go on my fun shopping trip, even if I went alone. It was great to be up and out of bed.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
The Love of My Sweet Dog
We have two cocker spaniels named Ally and Sophie. Ally was my first "baby". She will be ten next month. I can't believe I have had her for almost ten years. When I graduated from Texas A&M in December of 1999, I did not know what to expect from the Real World. I had a job lined up at a major oil company in Houston doing accounting work.
I think my expectation was along the lines of college yet with people of all ages. I expected people to be motivated. I expected people to be helpful. I expected to make friends easily, as I had at A&M. In reality I entered a very difficult environment. There had just been a merger of two big companies. The workers from the taken-over company were unhappy and nervous. Their office location changed dramatically. The required attire changed dramatically. They suddenly had to pay for parking. There were new rules and a new culture to learn. In short, they were in the same situation as me. However, they had very different expectations and life experiences. Instead of being welcomed into a cohesive work group I was thrust into chaos. I didn't even get paid for a month. My original assignment changed after a week. Then I only had a week to learn the new job before my predecessor left the company. Thus, anxious excitement turned to plain anxiety.
I needed a release. I needed a friend in town. My college friends had all gone back to live at home, in the suburbs. I was the only one in town doing the single adult thing. Husband, who was Boyfriend at the time, was still in college. He was not going to graduate for over a year. I was lonely.
So, I got a puppy. I consulted no one. I made a decision. I wanted a friend. Ally became my friend. She and I would go on excursions together. She was thrilled to see me. While at work I would turn on the TV for her so she would not get lonely. She became an avid animal planet watcher (she still loves TV). This sweet dog has seen me through all of my adult life changes. She knows when I am upset and tries to cheer me up. She knows when I can't be cheered up and gets out of the way. She is good to the little ladies. She is lazy and laid back. In short, she is the perfect dog for me. I think I will give her some apple tonight for all her hard work. She'll love it.
I think my expectation was along the lines of college yet with people of all ages. I expected people to be motivated. I expected people to be helpful. I expected to make friends easily, as I had at A&M. In reality I entered a very difficult environment. There had just been a merger of two big companies. The workers from the taken-over company were unhappy and nervous. Their office location changed dramatically. The required attire changed dramatically. They suddenly had to pay for parking. There were new rules and a new culture to learn. In short, they were in the same situation as me. However, they had very different expectations and life experiences. Instead of being welcomed into a cohesive work group I was thrust into chaos. I didn't even get paid for a month. My original assignment changed after a week. Then I only had a week to learn the new job before my predecessor left the company. Thus, anxious excitement turned to plain anxiety.
I needed a release. I needed a friend in town. My college friends had all gone back to live at home, in the suburbs. I was the only one in town doing the single adult thing. Husband, who was Boyfriend at the time, was still in college. He was not going to graduate for over a year. I was lonely.
So, I got a puppy. I consulted no one. I made a decision. I wanted a friend. Ally became my friend. She and I would go on excursions together. She was thrilled to see me. While at work I would turn on the TV for her so she would not get lonely. She became an avid animal planet watcher (she still loves TV). This sweet dog has seen me through all of my adult life changes. She knows when I am upset and tries to cheer me up. She knows when I can't be cheered up and gets out of the way. She is good to the little ladies. She is lazy and laid back. In short, she is the perfect dog for me. I think I will give her some apple tonight for all her hard work. She'll love it.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Open Door, Messy Floor
Tomorrow I plan to stay home while the girls are at school and get some things done. My house looks like it has been hit by a tornado. I have a couple of gifts I need to get made by Wednesday. I have some overalls I need to get decorated for the little ladies. I'm supposed to take dessert to an event tonight. Anyway, I know my to do list is not interesting for anyone, so thanks for humoring me. Having this much to do makes me feel a bit out of control. Writing it down gives me a little peace.
Let's face it, we do not really have control over what happens in our domains. We can choose to dust, vacuum, do the dishes, etc. We don't get to choose when a baby has allergies and is teething. We don't get to choose when a hurricane hits the gulf and suddenly changes all of Husband's plans for the week. None of these things are important in the grand scheme of life. I will not remember this week several years from now. I will, however, remember the feeling of this season of life. So, instead of feeling overwhelmed, I am choosing to take a deep breath and smile inwardly at the forces that have caused this chaos. The gifts I am making are for new babies. Is there anything sweeter than a new baby? I doubt it. The hurricane forming in the gulf will probably keep Husband home for at least part of this week, and I like Husband. He is really nice to have around.
As I slowly learn to put down my self-imposed pursuit of perfection, I am also learning to appreciate how the best things in life create big messes. Thus, the messes can't be all bad. They are the result of us putting time with our family ahead of the clutter on the floor. While some order is necessary, we are not the military. Thus I am learning to enjoy the flexibility and the ability to say we have an open door, messy floor policy here. So, please stop by and add to the mess. I can honestly say I welcome it.
Let's face it, we do not really have control over what happens in our domains. We can choose to dust, vacuum, do the dishes, etc. We don't get to choose when a baby has allergies and is teething. We don't get to choose when a hurricane hits the gulf and suddenly changes all of Husband's plans for the week. None of these things are important in the grand scheme of life. I will not remember this week several years from now. I will, however, remember the feeling of this season of life. So, instead of feeling overwhelmed, I am choosing to take a deep breath and smile inwardly at the forces that have caused this chaos. The gifts I am making are for new babies. Is there anything sweeter than a new baby? I doubt it. The hurricane forming in the gulf will probably keep Husband home for at least part of this week, and I like Husband. He is really nice to have around.
As I slowly learn to put down my self-imposed pursuit of perfection, I am also learning to appreciate how the best things in life create big messes. Thus, the messes can't be all bad. They are the result of us putting time with our family ahead of the clutter on the floor. While some order is necessary, we are not the military. Thus I am learning to enjoy the flexibility and the ability to say we have an open door, messy floor policy here. So, please stop by and add to the mess. I can honestly say I welcome it.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
My Day
Today is my birthday. When I was growing up, today was a day to be pampered and spoiled. My mom was great at the spoiling. She even spoiled me this morning. She and Dad watched the kids last night so Husband and I could go to a fantastic event at the zoo. Then she got up Panda Girl up for us this morning. She made us breakfast.
Why am I using the plural pronoun? Today is also Husband's birthday. I never wanted to share my birthday. With anyone. While it might not sound like a big deal to share this coveted day, it has always bugged me a bit. I can't dictate the day. We are two years apart, sadly I am older, so some years I don't really get much of a day. Last year Husband turned 30 and my 32nd birthday got lost in the shuffle. I didn't mind. He deserved the fantastic surprise party planned for him. It was a great time. However, I did not get my day.
So this year I am going to be a little bratty. I plan to assert my desires more than I have in the past. Also, I plan to eat several days worth of calories in one day.
Why am I using the plural pronoun? Today is also Husband's birthday. I never wanted to share my birthday. With anyone. While it might not sound like a big deal to share this coveted day, it has always bugged me a bit. I can't dictate the day. We are two years apart, sadly I am older, so some years I don't really get much of a day. Last year Husband turned 30 and my 32nd birthday got lost in the shuffle. I didn't mind. He deserved the fantastic surprise party planned for him. It was a great time. However, I did not get my day.
So this year I am going to be a little bratty. I plan to assert my desires more than I have in the past. Also, I plan to eat several days worth of calories in one day.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Tag, You're It
Have I really not blogged since Monday? How is that possible? I knew this had been a crazy week, but sheesh. I will try hard to blog tomorrow.
Anyway, I was tagged by my sweet friend Rachel to blog about my current top five obsessions. Here they are, in no particular order. When I'm done I plan to tag five of you to continue the chain.
1. Yoga. I got totally burned out on the Jillian Michaels DVDs. I always felt so exhausted after I was done. That was not conducive to taking care of little ladies. Then I found yoga. It works my muscles. I always find myself sweating five to ten minutes into a practice. I am usually a bit sore the next day. However, it is not the oh-my-how-am-I-to-walk kind of sore. I find it relaxing.
2. Sleep. I am always into sleep. I hate getting out of bed in the morning. It no longer has anything to do with how I feel (Amen), it is just my normal ugh, why is it already morning funk. That leads to my next obsession.
3. Coffee. I love coffee. I have had to switch to half caff because I refuse to drink less in the morning and all the caffeine was giving me the shakes. Major shakes.
4. Giraffe Feeding. What? Husband, the little ladies and I get to feed the giraffes at the Houston Zoo the week of Thanksgiving. I am beside myself with excitement.
5. Pumpkin. Anything pumpkin flavored. I love pumpkin. It makes me sad it is only available at this time of year. So, I fill up as much as I can (including pumpkin pie ice cream today).
Hmmm... Who to tag?
1. Amy U. Mom to Mole and BQ
2. Valerie H. Mom to sweet twin toddlers
3. Michelle H. The fabulous career woman turned SAHM turned career woman turned SAHM...
4. Allison J. Mom to sweet E and expecting baby C
5. Rebecca C. Mom to two busy girls, L and A.
Anyway, I was tagged by my sweet friend Rachel to blog about my current top five obsessions. Here they are, in no particular order. When I'm done I plan to tag five of you to continue the chain.
1. Yoga. I got totally burned out on the Jillian Michaels DVDs. I always felt so exhausted after I was done. That was not conducive to taking care of little ladies. Then I found yoga. It works my muscles. I always find myself sweating five to ten minutes into a practice. I am usually a bit sore the next day. However, it is not the oh-my-how-am-I-to-walk kind of sore. I find it relaxing.
2. Sleep. I am always into sleep. I hate getting out of bed in the morning. It no longer has anything to do with how I feel (Amen), it is just my normal ugh, why is it already morning funk. That leads to my next obsession.
3. Coffee. I love coffee. I have had to switch to half caff because I refuse to drink less in the morning and all the caffeine was giving me the shakes. Major shakes.
4. Giraffe Feeding. What? Husband, the little ladies and I get to feed the giraffes at the Houston Zoo the week of Thanksgiving. I am beside myself with excitement.
5. Pumpkin. Anything pumpkin flavored. I love pumpkin. It makes me sad it is only available at this time of year. So, I fill up as much as I can (including pumpkin pie ice cream today).
Hmmm... Who to tag?
1. Amy U. Mom to Mole and BQ
2. Valerie H. Mom to sweet twin toddlers
3. Michelle H. The fabulous career woman turned SAHM turned career woman turned SAHM...
4. Allison J. Mom to sweet E and expecting baby C
5. Rebecca C. Mom to two busy girls, L and A.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Book Review Time!
I loved The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Thus, when Her Fearful Symmetry came out, I had high expectations. She sets this novel in London, mostly Highgate Cemetery. This particular cemetery has the remains of many famous people, including Karl Marx. Elspeth Noblin dies of cancer at age 44 to start out the story. While you may expect that to be the end of Elspeth, it most certainly is not the demise of her soul. She leaves her estate to her nieces, twins Julia and Valentina. Thus begins a creative and original tale.
This story is certainly fantasy. If suspending disbelief is a concept you dislike, this is not the book for you. I found it easy to lose myself in this intriguing story. I thoroughly enjoyed it. While it is certainly not believable, it made me think. It was well written and was full of wonderfully flawed, well-developed characters.
As the climax loomed, I could not put the book down. I had to know for sure what was going to happen next. I had an idea, as there is excellent foreshadowing and character development. However, I wasn't sure if there was going to be another twist or not. I won't tell you of the story's twists and turns. To find out those you will have to read it for yourself. I hope you will.
I probably liked The Time Traveler's Wife better than Her Fearful Symmetry. However, this is still a wonderful read that is worth the time and energy.
This story is certainly fantasy. If suspending disbelief is a concept you dislike, this is not the book for you. I found it easy to lose myself in this intriguing story. I thoroughly enjoyed it. While it is certainly not believable, it made me think. It was well written and was full of wonderfully flawed, well-developed characters.
As the climax loomed, I could not put the book down. I had to know for sure what was going to happen next. I had an idea, as there is excellent foreshadowing and character development. However, I wasn't sure if there was going to be another twist or not. I won't tell you of the story's twists and turns. To find out those you will have to read it for yourself. I hope you will.
I probably liked The Time Traveler's Wife better than Her Fearful Symmetry. However, this is still a wonderful read that is worth the time and energy.
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