The past two

I missed writing yesterday but just couldn't find the moment where time met inspiration. So here we are; a quiet Sunday morning. I didn't mistype- quiet it is as the kids spent last night at Camp Grandparents. Bliss. We had a holiday party last night, and in addition to needing to prepare in 85 different ways, I knew it'd be nice to a) not worry about waking them up, and b) not worry about them waking us up this morning. On Friday evening, I took Jack to Tae Kwon Do to test for his super-blue belt. Not only did he pass but also turned around in the middle of it, in the midst of ten other children and his instructors, to say, "I love you, Mom." Oh, these little moments of perfection. They help sustain me, all parents I'm sure, in the times that are decidedly less than good.

Like later that night when I was awakened on four separate occasions: by Tom coming home late for a work party; by Jack twice waking up in real tears about a too-real dream he was having about Oliver throwing his chess trophy on the floor and breaking it; and so forth. He was so immersed in the dream that I finally had to turn on all his lights and force him to look at his pristine trophies. I felt for him, but really, four times in a night did not make for an Em-i-lis that felt good yesterday. And yesterday was ugly out with cold, gray, and icy the aggressive norm. So I cooked and took a nap and then got ready and had a ball.

Not the best pics, but alas. Happy Sunday!

The Twelve Days 'Til Christmas

Two days back, the FedEx delivery lady came to my door with a muddy hand, a grimace on her face and my package (which turned out to be the MOST uncomfortable pair of heels ever and were immediately boxed back up). I asked if she was OK, and she told me she'd fallen on the curb outside: "Could I use some paper towels?" I asked her to come in and use my bathroom to clean up and then I offered her cookies I'd just made. She took two and headed back out.

I told Tom that story when he asked about my day, and he said, "Em, I don't know many people who would do that." I was stunned; that simple interaction made my day better, and maybe it made the FedEx gal's day a bit better too.

In the holiday spirit,  I give you my version of the traditional carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas. There is zero pressure or snootiness here so please read with the utter sincerity in which I wrote it!

Sing along as you would to the tune the real thing! If you don't do Christmas, the message still stands!

On the first day til Christmas What you can do is this: Slip some coins in someone's nearly-expired meter.

On the second day til Christmas, What you can do is this: Compliment someone just because.

On the third day til Christmas, What you can do is this: Write a thank you note that's overdue.

On the fourth day til Christmas, What you can do is this: Tip an extra 10+% if service's good.

On the fifth day til Christmas, What you can do is this: Tell a friend how much you appreciate her. (or him!)

On the sixth day til Christmas, What you can do is this: Make some holiday cookies and pass them out.

On the seventh day til Christmas, What you can do is this: Donate to a cause in which you believe.

On the eighth day til Christmas, What you can do is this: Tell your family how much you love them so.

On the ninth day til Christmas, What you can do is this: Volunteer to help someone in need.

On the tenth day til Christmas, What you can do is this: Let someone who looks hurried go first.

On the eleventh day til Christmas, What you can do is this: Surprise your kids* with hot chocolate and a treat.

On the twelfth day that's Christmas, What you can do is this: Give big thanks for all that you have.

*If you don't have children, treat yourself or a friend to some hot chocolate and a treat. :)

Whole Foods One Day Deal, funny story, misc

Tomorrow's One Day Deal at participating Whole Foods is a good one: Parm (as in -igiano Reggiano), aged at least 24 months, will be on sale for $9.99/pound versus the usual $19.99/pound. Between friends, I'd buy a few wedges and just keep them in the back of your cheese drawer. This stuff saves forever and is good in SO many ways. I spent the day unsubscribing from various websites and listservs. Honestly, it's all just too much. I love the environment and 99% of animals, but I simply cannot save it and them all and so left several orgs whose emails, in truth, I never read. A real political junkie, I am, nonetheless, bored and disgusted as get-out with our Congress; they set and/or break records for inaction, self-absorption and complete ineptitude on a daily basis these days. So, a few of those groups lost me too. And seriously Angie's List?! Let me go! I don't want to get emails from you anymore. So, I set you as spam today because you refused to honor my request. Boo!

Earlier today, I finished up a big piece of writing- thrilling but bittersweet. When I completed my honors thesis senior year of college, I felt the same way: ecstatic to have it done and simultaneously aware of just how much I'd miss it.

Tonight we're having spaghetti alle vongole -T is making it for me!- and I gotsta be honest, I'm hitting the sack not long afterwards. Lots of cooking to do tomorrow!

As a parting gift, I leave you with a story from one of my best pals: her youngest child, a daughter, is equal parts precious and feisty. My friend and I often commiserate about all that is in store for us as parents of her sweet cha-cha and my Animal House-Oliver. In any case, during bathtime my friend asks her daughter, who is all up in her (own) private parts, "What are you doing?" Little one replies, "There are adventures in there!"

Ain't that the damn truth! Hah!