November 15, 2012

Details A11.02

joy sunset stroll indoor safari gourds from my mother's garden the gift that keeps giving fun with hats afternoon snack family brunch movie time (rare but on this day... required!)

I need to learn my lesson, to never praise Little Smith as a good sleeper or in an easy phase because once I've put it in writing the universe conspires to prove me wrong. It has been a good week, but also full of willful challenges; tantrums, skipped naps, demands. Little Smith's language is exploding, he's particularly focused on mastering phrases designed to boss me around. 'No, is mama turn!' is a favorite when he is asked to clean up, sit and eat, or take a nap. I am so very happy that Friday has arrived and I will get some help for two whole days! We are going to a birthday party, getting geared up for heading to New York next week, and hopefully we'll fit in a bike ride or a hike. Fun- right?


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And now, for an exciting break from our regularly scheduled program... the hilarious Allison honored me with a shout out and a few questions. I am not great at this kind of thing, but I will stumble my way through.

What book are you currently reading? I have always been a big reader and I am deeply embarrassed by how little I read these days in terms of actual books. I am plugging my way through a biography of Jane Goodall, but I have been at it for a while.

If eating a cockroach ensured you and your family financial security for the rest of your life would you do it? Without a doubt. Although if you asked me this question about a burger I am really not sure I could do it.

Do you have any phobias? Yes, I am afraid of mold or strange things growing where it shouldn't. When I was seven years old I left a towel wadded up behind my trunk for eight weeks of sleep-away-camp. It grew this red fungus which I naively tried to scrub away until a counselor saw me and told me it was mold and should be thrown out. I'm still haunted by the thought that I scrubbed at that mold- let's never mention it again.

If you could possess one super power, what would it be? I always wanted to be like Mary Poppins and make things fly through the air on command. I don't know if that's a super power but it would be pretty cool.

What is your favorite food? I love food so this is really hard, but if I could pick just one category it would be pizza. It's so versatile and can be topped with anything seasonal. I never ever get sick of pizza.

What do you like best about yourself? I'm determined. Once I set my mind to something I make it happen. Now if only I could set my mind on sensible goals!

Do you give homeless people money when they ask, why or why not? Yes, I usually do. My father always, always gave money to homeless people throughout my childhood. On many occasions he would take them to buy shoes or gloves or even out to a meal. He would usually stop and talk with them, and there were even a few instances where he gave out his number and helped people to find work or to seek counseling. Sometimes it was thrown back in his face, they ended up stealing or disappearing, but one man in particular really turned his life around. I do know when I hand out money it could be spent on drugs instead of food, but that's okay with me. In that moment I am telling the person that I believe in them, whether or not they hear it is up to them.

If money was not an issue and all of your basic needs were taken care of, what would you do with your life? I am truly really happy with my life right now, so I would probably just keep living it without that pesky stress of money. I would also buy an air-stream, pack up my guys and the cat, and hit the road for a year of camping and exploring.

When do you feel the most clarity? In the bath tub! I do some of my best thinking there.

There are 3 contestants, only one can win: cake, pie, or cookies? This question is insane, I'm addicted to all three. I suppose pie, I couldn't live without the possibility of apple pie topped with a slice of cheddar cheese.

Squirrels: love or hate? I actually don't have strong feelings about squirrels, I guess I love them. They are pretty cute and they keep my cat entertained. I'd really like to see a flying squirrel, those look amazing!

There you have it, more than you ever wanted to know about me. Happy week-end!

17 comments:

  1. How about.... a cockroach inside the hamburger? Eeeewwwwwww.
    Speaking of eew, how about that endless cloth diaper laundry? I'd do it all over in a heartbeat.

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    1. Yes, diaper laundry is a chore- that pile is clean though... for the record!

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  2. Beautiful photos of your son :) my child doesn't like to clean up his mess too. Haha. So we constantly have to remind him to do it :/

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  3. Ah yes. The will of children is amazing, isn't it? When Thing 3 was Little Smith's age, I was blown away by her ability to look me dead in the eye and say "no." To everything. Even things she usually liked. She didn't want anyone telling her what she could or couldn't do.
    On the up side, that same trait has evolved into a young woman with a strong sense of justice and fair-play, a very sharp mind, and an independent spirit {and a fantastically easy to deal with teenager, woot!}. So it worked out in the end~*
    As to the questions, ewwwwwwwwwwww you scraped at mold???????? *shudders*

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  4. Great pictures. Love Wyatt in that hat! But yeah, rookie mom mistake saying anything about sleeping well out loud ;)

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  5. it's so good when i find a blog that "teachs" me so much with so much fresh inspiring photography!
    Thank you so much!

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    1. How sweet Ana, thanks so much for your lovely compliment!

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  6. Having a kid really put a damper on my ability to fly thru books! I'm trying to get back into the swing of reading regularly, though.

    And I am a full on believer in once you say it about your kid, the opposite will happen! It's like the parenting universe is like "You think you have things figured out?! Figure THIS out!"

    Hope Little Smith catches some z's this week end.

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  7. So funny that he says it's your turn. Like you don't already do...everything! My daughter says stuff like that still at 8 years old. Your answers to the questions are lovely. And your dad sounds amazing. To do all that stuff for homeless people. I agree with you that you are sending a message that you believe in them, whatever they use the money for. And you are teaching your own child empathy too.

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  8. This was fun to read, I may borrow it! :-)

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    1. Please do! I was too shy to 'nominate' anyone else, but I would love to read your answers.

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  9. Yes to the Airstream dream. I have that one too. :) Love that last pic of Little Smith on the couch. Lately, it seems that is how I keep photographing my littlest little one. There's just something so real and sweet about the cozy couch moments. I've found with both of my kiddos a huge change in behavior when on the cusp of a new language explosion. Hopefully the tempy behavior passes quickly and you can get on with some new exciting conversation. Happy Friday!

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  10. Yay! I'm so glad you did this! I wanted to nominate your blog, but then realized that Allison nominated you so that was out... too many questions for one blogger!

    I loved reading this. I learned so much about you today! :) Hope you are getting some rest after that little whipper-snapper put you through the ringer this week!

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  11. I would definitely choose pie as a winner. Love all photos, you have a unique vision off everyday things and life... :)

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  12. I really love that photo of W with the lion, he's so adorable. And I love your laundry baskets too!

    And the cockroach or burger thing kind of blew my mind. I'd eat the cockroach no questions, but I don't think I could do the burger either. I thought long and hard about it and just don't think I could even for the payout. Kind of crazy.

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  13. I loved reading your answers! I also give money to homeless people, although I could write a 100 page essay about my conflicted feelings. Ultimately, you summed it up best - "In that moment I am telling the person that I believe in them, whether or not they hear it is up to them." That is exactly how I feel about it too. And besides, what's three bucks to me? Most people spend lots more than that on lattes each day.

    I would also buy an airstream. There is something completely magical and alluring about airstreams, and some of the cool design blogs around have been showing airstreams that have been gutted and turned into really gorgeous living spaces.

    Also, I am so glad you love squirrels. I was starting to think that I was the only one. I love those little weirdos.

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  14. Love these sweet little glimpses into your life! The picture of ducks actually excited me - I've been hanging out with Audrey too much. (ha!!) She has been saying "duck" lately. We're also beginning to run into toddler power struggles... Oh these cute little people and their unreasonable demands!

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