I read a really great post over at My Sister's Farmhouse about outing yourself as an atheist (and the potential consequences) and about blogging honestly. How much do we as bloggers really leave out for the sake of entertainment or for the illusion that we are perfect mothers or whatever?
On that note, I'm posting a list of things about me that is honest. I'm not trying to shape your opinion of me or try to get you to like me. This is just me.
1. I am almost positive that I am an atheist.
2. I listen to Christmas music starting in mid September.
3. I wish I was the size I was the summer before I got pregnant but would settle for just being one size smaller than now. My sister in law is giving me clothes that she doesn't fit in because she just lost a bunch of weight. I hate it. Its a constant reminder that I haven't lost weight despite multiple efforts. I'm joined a gym this week.
4. I really want to have more alone time in the evenings.
5. I am very stressed about money right now. The thought of having to take out a loan to cover part of the cost of living while I am in school makes panic and almost abandon the idea of going to school.
6. In my heart, I'm torn between the idea of living comfortably in the burbs/city or moving into a smaller cabin on the edge of civilization...someday.
7. My husband declared today that he doesn't want to have another kid. I still really, really do.
8. I don't want to work today. I don't ever really want to work.
9. I wish everyone I love could live in one town.
10. I am scared that my husband won't get his thesis finished soon enough and panic at the idea of him going back to school right after I finish.
11. I am starting to let go of some of those regrets about not having done certain things in life.
12. I really would like to convert to Judaism...but I could never give up Christmas.
13. The whole turning 30 thing has about worn off. It still sounds a big foreign when I say or write it, but that will pass too. I turn 31 in three months.
Thats enough. Its all a big negative and I try to keep this blog geared towards the positive for the most part, so no more of that for a while if I can help it!
Next up: thoughts on the coming holidays.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Nice Lady from Zimbabwe or Molly's New Do
I went to get my hair cut last night by a nice white lady from Zimbabwe. It was probably one of the best cuts I've had, ever. Kim came to me by recommendation from someone who also has curly hair. She cut it dry to get the shape right, then she "cleansed" it and dried me under the dryer. One of the problems I had with the whole experience was that I was there for 2 hours. I'm not the kind of girl who plans on 2 hours at the beauty parlor to get her hair done. She very meticulously cut my hair for a good hour, then most of the second hour was spent under the dryer. She talked to herself as she cut, saying things like "ok, I like the graduation..." and "Yes, I like it" and "Yes, this is coming along quite nicely, its going to be really cute" in her fabulous Zimbabwean accent. Its almost as though she was selling the concept and hair cut to me as she went along. I think that ultimately she wanted to see how it looked styled and shaped before sending me on my way.
I was disappointed, but not totally surprised, when she gave me a total of $55 for my hair cut. It was a nice place and she cut a shit load (seriously, it was massive) of hair off my head. I gave her a generous tip of $10. $65 for a hair cut that will last me a good 3 months. I don't know if I'll go back there, as that's pretty expensive. I normally spend about $30. But in the end, I suppose its worth a little money once in a while to let some one fix you up and make you feel like a new woman. And I sure do.
On that note, I'm sending positive vibes via magic fingers to my good friend Genderist today.
I was disappointed, but not totally surprised, when she gave me a total of $55 for my hair cut. It was a nice place and she cut a shit load (seriously, it was massive) of hair off my head. I gave her a generous tip of $10. $65 for a hair cut that will last me a good 3 months. I don't know if I'll go back there, as that's pretty expensive. I normally spend about $30. But in the end, I suppose its worth a little money once in a while to let some one fix you up and make you feel like a new woman. And I sure do.
On that note, I'm sending positive vibes via magic fingers to my good friend Genderist today.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
No Hands
My kid is growing up at an alarming rate and every day is something new. Lately, she's
been particularly...testy. By testy, I mean that she's testing us at every turn. She does
something kind of snotty and then pauses and looks back at us for a reaction. I could
almost call her a behavioral psychology researcher. Mama and Dada could be called the same.
Today as we were walking down stairs to her room at day care, she reached for the kid
height hand rail and told us "no hands," meaning she doesn't want to hold our hand on the
way down. It was a funny process because she kept reaching out automatically, then she'd realize what she was doing and would pull back and again say "no hands."
After much ado, last night Daddy and I took the crib apart. Bebe now is sleeping on her crib mattress on the floor in her room. The look on her face last night when we showed her the new bed was incredible. Lets just say I immediately cried. She was just so happy and isn't that all we want? What was the result of the bed change, you ask? She fell off the mattress around 11PM and ended up in bed with us yet again. Like everything you do in parenthood; if at first you don't succeed, try and try and try and try again.
I've been doing an insane amount of cleaning at the house over the weekend and into this
week. Its been cathartic, aerobic, and refreshing. I've moved a couple of pieces of
furniture. We are also planning on moving Bebe's toys upstairs to her room and the glider
from her room to the living room. I love the idea of having a few chairs next to the fire
place for the fall and winter as well as play time away from the TV. I still have a few big projects to finish up before the cold weather sets in and Mama gets super lazy and just wants to snuggle up on the couch all winter. Speaking of snuggling, lets do a recipe or something. How about some spicy hot chocolate or chai tea? My pick is below.
Chai Tea Latte
4 cups water
4 cups milk
4 green cardamom pods
12 black peppercorns
12 whole cloves
4 inches cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces
1 star anise
1 whole nutmeg
3 slices fresh gingerroot
4 black tea bags
6 tablespoons honey (or to taste)
½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Mix together water and milk in large saucepan; bring to a boil. Add cardamom pods, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon stick, anise, nutmeg, ginger-root, and tea. Remove from heat and steep for 15-20 minutes, according to how strong you like your tea. Carefully strain tea through strainer into another pot to remove spices. Stir in honey, mixing well to dissolve; mix in vanilla extract. Pour into cups and serve warm, or chill and serve cold.
Peace out.
been particularly...testy. By testy, I mean that she's testing us at every turn. She does
something kind of snotty and then pauses and looks back at us for a reaction. I could
almost call her a behavioral psychology researcher. Mama and Dada could be called the same.
Today as we were walking down stairs to her room at day care, she reached for the kid
height hand rail and told us "no hands," meaning she doesn't want to hold our hand on the
way down. It was a funny process because she kept reaching out automatically, then she'd realize what she was doing and would pull back and again say "no hands."
After much ado, last night Daddy and I took the crib apart. Bebe now is sleeping on her crib mattress on the floor in her room. The look on her face last night when we showed her the new bed was incredible. Lets just say I immediately cried. She was just so happy and isn't that all we want? What was the result of the bed change, you ask? She fell off the mattress around 11PM and ended up in bed with us yet again. Like everything you do in parenthood; if at first you don't succeed, try and try and try and try again.
I've been doing an insane amount of cleaning at the house over the weekend and into this
week. Its been cathartic, aerobic, and refreshing. I've moved a couple of pieces of
furniture. We are also planning on moving Bebe's toys upstairs to her room and the glider
from her room to the living room. I love the idea of having a few chairs next to the fire
place for the fall and winter as well as play time away from the TV. I still have a few big projects to finish up before the cold weather sets in and Mama gets super lazy and just wants to snuggle up on the couch all winter. Speaking of snuggling, lets do a recipe or something. How about some spicy hot chocolate or chai tea? My pick is below.
Chai Tea Latte
4 cups water
4 cups milk
4 green cardamom pods
12 black peppercorns
12 whole cloves
4 inches cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces
1 star anise
1 whole nutmeg
3 slices fresh gingerroot
4 black tea bags
6 tablespoons honey (or to taste)
½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Mix together water and milk in large saucepan; bring to a boil. Add cardamom pods, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon stick, anise, nutmeg, ginger-root, and tea. Remove from heat and steep for 15-20 minutes, according to how strong you like your tea. Carefully strain tea through strainer into another pot to remove spices. Stir in honey, mixing well to dissolve; mix in vanilla extract. Pour into cups and serve warm, or chill and serve cold.
Peace out.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Bebe Birthday on the Way
My sweet Petit Bebe's birthday is just around the corner. She will be 2 this year and I can't believe how time has flown. My friend recently commented that its seems like we were just talking about being pregnant, let alone experiencing parenthood. But here we are: her crib is now a day bed, bottles replaced with sippy cups, baby food with Mommy and Daddy's, and the era of diapers is almost over. She can communicate with us now better than ever. She's happy, she's perfect and she's still mine....allllll mine. I love spending time with her. Its really all I want to do on the weekends now. We even run around and do things together.
My mom and dad and little sister are coming in the week of her birthday to spend a little (sporadic) time with her. I believe that our official Birthday Girl activity will be a trip to a local farm for some pumpkin pickin' and a cake. Last year we did a pumpkin cake, which really was a pumpkin bread recipe. This year, although I considered something different, I think we're sticking with the pumpkin theme. We're having a Pumpkin Angel Food Cake. Its funny how you can come up with something in your head and bam, there's already a recipe out there for it online. No sweat for Molly. I think I need to share it with you because its freakin' genius...and healthy to boot!
Pumpkin Angel Food Cake
Ingredients:
* 1 cup canned pumpkin
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
* 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1 package (16 ounces) angel food cake mix
* 14 tablespoons reduced-fat whipped topping
* Additional ground cinnamon, optional
Directions:
* In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Fold a fourth of the batter into pumpkin mixture; gently fold in the remaining batter. Gently spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets.
* Bake on the lowest oven rack at 350° for 38-44 minutes or until top is golden brown and cake springs back when lightly touched and entire top appears dry. Immediately invert pan; cool completely, about 1 hour.
* Run a knife around side and center tube of pan. Remove cake to a serving plate. Garnish each slice with 1 tablespoon whipped topping; sprinkle with cinnamon if desired. Yield: 14 servings.
I can't wait to pick up her #2 candle. This year, we are going with a straight "fall" theme instead of halloween. Lots of pretty fall-colored balloons and streamers.
It'll be a cheap party but if we are all together, it'll be plenty rich.
And a Good Wednesday to you,
Molly
My mom and dad and little sister are coming in the week of her birthday to spend a little (sporadic) time with her. I believe that our official Birthday Girl activity will be a trip to a local farm for some pumpkin pickin' and a cake. Last year we did a pumpkin cake, which really was a pumpkin bread recipe. This year, although I considered something different, I think we're sticking with the pumpkin theme. We're having a Pumpkin Angel Food Cake. Its funny how you can come up with something in your head and bam, there's already a recipe out there for it online. No sweat for Molly. I think I need to share it with you because its freakin' genius...and healthy to boot!
Pumpkin Angel Food Cake
Ingredients:
* 1 cup canned pumpkin
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
* 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1 package (16 ounces) angel food cake mix
* 14 tablespoons reduced-fat whipped topping
* Additional ground cinnamon, optional
Directions:
* In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Fold a fourth of the batter into pumpkin mixture; gently fold in the remaining batter. Gently spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets.
* Bake on the lowest oven rack at 350° for 38-44 minutes or until top is golden brown and cake springs back when lightly touched and entire top appears dry. Immediately invert pan; cool completely, about 1 hour.
* Run a knife around side and center tube of pan. Remove cake to a serving plate. Garnish each slice with 1 tablespoon whipped topping; sprinkle with cinnamon if desired. Yield: 14 servings.
I can't wait to pick up her #2 candle. This year, we are going with a straight "fall" theme instead of halloween. Lots of pretty fall-colored balloons and streamers.
It'll be a cheap party but if we are all together, it'll be plenty rich.
And a Good Wednesday to you,
Molly
Monday, September 13, 2010
Magic Mama
I'm tard, as Genderist would say. We had another long night with Bebe ending up in our bed, kicking and rolling as she slept and constantly waking up mommy and daddy. I'm starting to think that she needs something more comforting in her bed. Maybe not, maybe this is just going to suck for a while.
I had an awesome weekend with Bebe. We played and played, we went to the park, we went to the Library, we went shopping. While we were out on our shopping adventure yesterday (and listening to the Willy Wonka soundtrack) I realized what a gift it is to see the magic in her eyes. That same magic that my parents experienced with me. Everything is new and exciting. I also have the pleasure of creating magic for her. Its like getting to be a child all over again...almost. The most amazing sound in my world is her getting up in my face and happily saying "Hi, Mama!" and telling me all about her day in her own jabbery way. There's just nothing better than this.
And, I think Christmas is going to be pretty exciting this year.
I had an awesome weekend with Bebe. We played and played, we went to the park, we went to the Library, we went shopping. While we were out on our shopping adventure yesterday (and listening to the Willy Wonka soundtrack) I realized what a gift it is to see the magic in her eyes. That same magic that my parents experienced with me. Everything is new and exciting. I also have the pleasure of creating magic for her. Its like getting to be a child all over again...almost. The most amazing sound in my world is her getting up in my face and happily saying "Hi, Mama!" and telling me all about her day in her own jabbery way. There's just nothing better than this.
And, I think Christmas is going to be pretty exciting this year.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Happy New Year
I am not religious these days. That doesn't mean that I won't ever be, but for now I am an atheist. It just feels the most true to my beliefs. However, I married a Jew and our daughter will be Jewish. Now, if you want to get technical and biblical, the mother has to be Jewish for the child to really be Jewish. But we're not worried about that one.
So my sister in law and I went to Rosh Hoshana services last night. I haven't been to temple since before the petit bebe came into the world. It was nice, kind of cathartic. I love going to temple, but I'm not a Jew and I have always felt as thought I stick out. Mostly because I can't sing along with most of the Hebrew songs. A few I know by heart, but only because they are short...and similar. I really like the Rabbi and his talks. They are always pretty short, but very thoughtful. He also has a nice way of looking at things from different angles. His talk on this particular evening had to do with belief and how you are really not Jewish if you don't believe. It made me start to think about a few things relating to conversion and making sure that bebe doesn't have a half-assed religious experience. I don't know. We'll see, maybe a little farther down my religious journey I'll consider it more seriously. But not now.
So my sister in law and I went to Rosh Hoshana services last night. I haven't been to temple since before the petit bebe came into the world. It was nice, kind of cathartic. I love going to temple, but I'm not a Jew and I have always felt as thought I stick out. Mostly because I can't sing along with most of the Hebrew songs. A few I know by heart, but only because they are short...and similar. I really like the Rabbi and his talks. They are always pretty short, but very thoughtful. He also has a nice way of looking at things from different angles. His talk on this particular evening had to do with belief and how you are really not Jewish if you don't believe. It made me start to think about a few things relating to conversion and making sure that bebe doesn't have a half-assed religious experience. I don't know. We'll see, maybe a little farther down my religious journey I'll consider it more seriously. But not now.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Popcorn, Molly-Style
Greetings from here, hi to you there.
Ingredients:
Coconut Oil
Popcorn (uncooked)
Pepper/Salt
Butter/Cheddar Popcorn seasoning
Directions:
With a large pot (with lid), melt about 2 tbsp of coconut oil on medium heat in your pan. Once melted, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels. Make sure the kernels are spread out evenly in a single layer in the pot and place lid on leaving a crack to allow hot air to escape. Cook, tossing frequently, until the popping slows. Remove pot from heat and allow to finish. Dump all the popcorn in a large bowl that will allow enough room to toss it around. Add your favorite combination of seasonings. My favorites are salt, pepper, butter and cheddar flavoring.
Toss it all around and then toss it in your mouth!
Ingredients:
Coconut Oil
Popcorn (uncooked)
Pepper/Salt
Butter/Cheddar Popcorn seasoning
Directions:
With a large pot (with lid), melt about 2 tbsp of coconut oil on medium heat in your pan. Once melted, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels. Make sure the kernels are spread out evenly in a single layer in the pot and place lid on leaving a crack to allow hot air to escape. Cook, tossing frequently, until the popping slows. Remove pot from heat and allow to finish. Dump all the popcorn in a large bowl that will allow enough room to toss it around. Add your favorite combination of seasonings. My favorites are salt, pepper, butter and cheddar flavoring.
Toss it all around and then toss it in your mouth!