tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62166953562679393112024-02-21T06:32:12.001-05:00Unintended HousewifeMeghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.comBlogger548125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-32014042202387101282013-05-03T03:01:00.001-04:002013-05-03T03:01:49.344-04:00Multitasking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Vacuuming and holding a baby? No problem. I can do almost everything one-handed.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-59014026750293246632013-05-01T03:01:00.001-04:002013-05-01T03:01:24.421-04:00Car Seat Strap Cover Hack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Do you ever happen upon an idea so simple and obvious that paradoxically it makes you feel like a genius? That's what this idea was for me. Neither of our car seats came with strap covers. I knew Target sold some monkey ones for $10, but I kept forgetting to buy them when I was at the store. When we <a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/2013/04/easter-dress-up.html" target="_blank">went to Pennsylvania for Easter</a>, I noticed the car seat straps left red marks on Will's neck on the long drive. Not wanting him to get more hurt, I was determined to finally get the strap covers before we drove back home.<br />
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I searched the Walmart near our hotel for car seat strap covers, but they didn't sell them. In a moment of inspiration, I bought a shoulder belt cover from the automotive section for 99 cents. I borrowed a pair of scissors from my husband's and cut it in half. It is the perfect size for the car seat straps and I saved $9 and it matches my car interior and car seat better than actual car seat strap covers. That's what you call a win win win.<br />
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It <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/2013/04/wfmw-teacher-appreciation/" target="_blank">works for me</a>.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-57706219770943257862013-04-30T03:20:00.001-04:002013-04-30T03:20:36.778-04:00One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfP9stN0qggb_ft9FOQv4O7-FlYnR4Asq6sYTpN1FMYiGHJj6VhVJ3vQ-Jy86SNLB5b6nDu8KefNTCOISEQDhRXR4dpM0dyawsMEDhOwMqIvMUtsX9UjzskLY59zbp1rEYpC-wSLJzWrFx/s1600/IMG_0183.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfP9stN0qggb_ft9FOQv4O7-FlYnR4Asq6sYTpN1FMYiGHJj6VhVJ3vQ-Jy86SNLB5b6nDu8KefNTCOISEQDhRXR4dpM0dyawsMEDhOwMqIvMUtsX9UjzskLY59zbp1rEYpC-wSLJzWrFx/s200/IMG_0183.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDlmiLzmS71ZNS1_HiDb4joqPYIhyd0Fy-EDfrWEWIs_ug9kKMbHpC4bkax4izQlVbOHH43K6bd8q8ceUaa0aVlBPi4WbMPSCZB606GUDwUsTBiT7E2WqW1gKjKUMdS_QdejA_NDpd9AW/s1600/IMG_7552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDlmiLzmS71ZNS1_HiDb4joqPYIhyd0Fy-EDfrWEWIs_ug9kKMbHpC4bkax4izQlVbOHH43K6bd8q8ceUaa0aVlBPi4WbMPSCZB606GUDwUsTBiT7E2WqW1gKjKUMdS_QdejA_NDpd9AW/s200/IMG_7552.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I took these pictures almost exactly one year apart.</span></div>
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Today my baby turns one and (although I fully acknowledge it makes me sound ungrateful considering he is healthy and happy) this makes me incredibly sad. I have loved, LOVED this infant year and I don't want it to end. This has been the best year of my life and I can't help but feel some trepidation going into this next year that some of the magic will have worn off.<br />
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I spent most of my adult life certain that I never wanted children; in fact, Chuk and I delayed getting married until he agreed that we would never have kids. And then, one day, I changed my mind. I could have never guessed that becoming a mother, and a stay at home mom at that, would be the most fulfilling rewarding thing I have ever done. But that's the thing about babies I'm learning--they're full of surprises.<br />
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Will is still the sweetest, most expressive child I have ever met. He brings joy to everyone he comes across, but especially his dad and me. I feel overwhelmed with gratitude at my luck that I get to be the one to share his days with him.<br />
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Happy birthday, Sweetness. I love you with my whole heart.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-89844966637540250832013-04-19T03:05:00.000-04:002013-04-19T03:08:20.719-04:00Cherry Blossoms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hands down, the best thing about living in Washington, DC is the cherry blossoms. Every good thing you've ever heard about them is true. Pictures don't do them justice and they certainly can't capture the smell. It's magical.<br />
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Even on its worst days, I think Washington is one of the most beautiful cities in the country, but when it's in bloom, it's incomparable.<br />
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Last week, we braved the crowds and headed down to the Tidal Basin after Chuk got off of work. It was the peak bloom day and the weather was beautiful: warm and sunny and breezy.<br />
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The blooms were about two weeks later this year than usual, but they were worth the wait.<br />
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It's times like these when I feel really lucky to get to live here.<br />
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I miss them already. But I suppose their fleeting nature contributes to their magical qualities. </div>
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I took these pictures of the cherry trees on my street. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJrrhSoRFfKIv4TFr73KIyhcuo7uoi77fzxY2bWjeFFsGtc7_wq8Nh3LLtUnWJ3afDBuDaGr_cAwjxDOhw0PHL6vQIpvlhXOPbQdTrmSiJGeBf4OAhHwCXtUHvfux0mIjM4Stn4UsZTru/s1600/IMG_7727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJrrhSoRFfKIv4TFr73KIyhcuo7uoi77fzxY2bWjeFFsGtc7_wq8Nh3LLtUnWJ3afDBuDaGr_cAwjxDOhw0PHL6vQIpvlhXOPbQdTrmSiJGeBf4OAhHwCXtUHvfux0mIjM4Stn4UsZTru/s320/IMG_7727.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4eJwTyueZSK4eesgf5p6az5DhEYYXigd4Ux7PfGiuQj4SkzPRbPCIhMampNjCzEeBVMrGQSw8BgrspVTOPgF2KshGzcKKEZr0j3zkUIA-7PERDiwZm8wQSp7PhdePZmwwtwCk_tEYdy5M/s1600/IMG_7720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4eJwTyueZSK4eesgf5p6az5DhEYYXigd4Ux7PfGiuQj4SkzPRbPCIhMampNjCzEeBVMrGQSw8BgrspVTOPgF2KshGzcKKEZr0j3zkUIA-7PERDiwZm8wQSp7PhdePZmwwtwCk_tEYdy5M/s320/IMG_7720.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<span id="goog_1733578556"></span><span id="goog_1733578557"></span>These pictures are of the same trees two days later. The blooms come and go so quickly. But even as they're leaving, it is so beautiful. All of the sidewalks are covered in fallen petals. It's the most gorgeous confetti.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-87446849933068898582013-04-15T01:59:00.000-04:002013-04-15T01:59:10.096-04:00Random Monday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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1. Have you seen<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/12/ship-my-pants-kmart-ad_n_3069515.html" target="_blank"> this commercial</a>? Freaking hilarious, especially if you like swearing (as I do).<br />
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2. Have you seen <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">WTF Evolution</a>? Nature is so gross/weird. It's a good science lesson for all the eight year olds in your life, or yourself.<br />
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3. Speaking of disgusting nature, Florida would be one of the last places on Earth I would live. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/florida-battles-slimy-invasion-giant-snails-161432518--sector.html" target="_blank">Here's another reason why</a>.<br />
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4. Slate's baby blog is my newest obsession. It validates my theory that children are resilient and can withstand all manners of parenting so we shouldn't sweat the small stuff so often by providing a historical and <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/how_babies_work/2013/04/10/parental_ethnotheories_and_how_parents_in_america_differ_from_parents_everywhere.html" target="_blank">cross cultural</a> look at babies. I'm trying to get my eleven month old to drink from a cup, meanwhile there's <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/how_babies_work/2013/04/09/bad_parenting_ideas_that_are_actually_good_for_some_babies.html" target="_blank">another eleven month old casually chopping open his own coconut with a machete</a>. I cloth diaper, but it's nothing <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/how_babies_work/2013/03/27/how_traditional_cultures_handled_baby_waste_primitive_diapers_and_urine.html" target="_blank">compared to what some other cultures do</a>.<br />
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5. I quasi-impulse bought a bike this weekend. (I knew I wanted a bike this spring, but pulled the trigger on the purchase without really planning it out.) It's super cute and I love it. I wish I could afford <a href="http://www.yakkay.com/Webshop/Covers/" target="_blank">one of these super cute helmets</a> to go with it.<br />
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6. I've started requiring word verification in the comments. I hate to have to do it, but I was getting a crazy amount of spam and no screen time for the baby means no screen time for me until he goes to bed, so I was having a hard time deleting the offending comments in time. I hope you'll still comment anyway.<br />
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7. Speaking of the baby, I've decided to start calling him Will on the blog. I want to keep a layer of anonymity here, but I also sort of hate it when people have like a dozen kids and refer to them all as Princess, Peach, Plum, Peanut, Precious, Precocious...(and on and on) on their blogs. It's too hard to keep up with. I think a fake name is just easier.<br />
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8. The weather was beautiful this weekend so we took a trip to the farmers' market, had our first cookout of the season, and went to a new playground. Heat, stay away just a bit longer, please.<br />
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<a href="http://notinadequate.com/2013/04/14/random-monday-90/" target="_blank">I'm linking with all the other randomness over at Deb's</a>.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-39486539526891644302013-04-11T23:45:00.000-04:002013-04-12T04:07:25.788-04:00Free Luxuries<div style="text-align: center;">
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Sometimes you need to indulge, but don't have any money to spend try any (or all!) of these ideas.<br />
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1) Take a bath. If you don't have a bathtub, take an extra long shower instead.<br />
2) Eat more slowly. Savor each bite.<br />
3) Reread your favorite book.<br />
4) Go for a walk and make an effort to notice the beauty around you.<br />
5) Take a nap.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-19514797725215753522013-04-08T20:59:00.003-04:002013-04-08T20:59:53.017-04:00I Scream, You Scream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.benjerry.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbQZ3nbOiLiynLhNIB9J4de1a7BT8uiX1HW_9z1kmH_3OneWWbPH7FWbcYVhZMh2D7WF7oIDDvZ3wiC1tqzirEWIxRK84uwROHgnwzxMb_hKN-fXNzSzG4ZDHNYp-EDRDwW0PYkPwwK9y/s400/ImageProxy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We all scream for <b><u>free</u> </b>ice cream! This is just a public service announcement that tomorrow is free cone day at all <a href="http://www.benjerry.com/" target="_blank">Ben and Jerry's</a> scoop shops. I've participated in this event in the past, and there's no catch. Go get some.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Not a sponsored post.)</span>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-70788652307193550882013-04-08T13:36:00.002-04:002013-04-08T13:36:37.584-04:00Are You Freaking Kidding Me: Look Alike Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PB9yEG8COYm4fyDtP77usMlpy337o2Vl5AMatsNE0at-PClAKITTokow23C4AQgvcVlGLXon8gkNj_x9QqYGG_5P3PO8EhFuigTkDg3dancb8vBJ_T0rc6nzQqRKSU4KIzOa2JkPLuVW/s1600/Meghan+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PB9yEG8COYm4fyDtP77usMlpy337o2Vl5AMatsNE0at-PClAKITTokow23C4AQgvcVlGLXon8gkNj_x9QqYGG_5P3PO8EhFuigTkDg3dancb8vBJ_T0rc6nzQqRKSU4KIzOa2JkPLuVW/s320/Meghan+cropped.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIMZWQJaSwhu5WxQZ63XOzYyI8ep4bUdcuWYWTwq02eLURR4mAWu6Je7rOJ7jFLgvEZtg4ssXzH9obnLVDtM9Yte_rYjVPaTuR2etVFdYBrUNxE0xSesi_MmRMDJvh-vH68EjyTn0KtRv/s1600/483220_10152673031715462_1181412122_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIMZWQJaSwhu5WxQZ63XOzYyI8ep4bUdcuWYWTwq02eLURR4mAWu6Je7rOJ7jFLgvEZtg4ssXzH9obnLVDtM9Yte_rYjVPaTuR2etVFdYBrUNxE0xSesi_MmRMDJvh-vH68EjyTn0KtRv/s320/483220_10152673031715462_1181412122_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photos on the left are of me, photos on the right are my son.</span></div>
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Before I became a mother, I didn't realize how tiresome it is to have everyone in the known universe weigh in on who your child looks like. (I still do it to others, but I'm trying to break the habit. This is a "do as I say, not as I do" kind of situation.)<br />
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My son look almost exactly like I did as a baby, but if you're looking at Chuk and I as adults, the baby looks slightly more like Chuk because they have the same block heads and make similar expressions. (Although the baby really does have my features rather than Chuk's.) Anyway, the reason it's tiresome to hear peoples' opinions on who the baby looks like is mainly because I hear it so often and because it's difficult to respond to. If someone says, "Your baby looks exactly like your husband" it's not like I'm going to say "Thank you". It's not a compliment; it's just their random observation. And I know they don't want to hear my whole spiel about, "Well they have the same head shape and eyebrows, but if you look closely, you'll notice he has my eyes, nose, mouth and ears." I'm socially awkward, but not that awkward.<br />
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So while I think that's sort of boring, twice recently I've gotten comments on this subject that have me in a tizzy. In the first instance, our little family was out for a walk and someone walking by in the opposite direction said to us, "Well we know who his daddy is. No mistaking that." Like we were in some drive-by episode of the <i><a href="http://www.jerryspringertv.com/" target="_blank">Jerry Springer</a></i> show.<br />
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On the second occasion, we three were in line at the grocery store and Chuk stepped away for a minute to grab something else and the person behind me in line whispered to me, "You don't have to worry about who that baby's father is. It's definitely him." Um, thanks for sharing the results of your visual paternity test, but next time keep it to yourself. No matter who he resembles, I know who my baby's father is. I'm not a skank, but I appreciate your assumption that I am.<br />
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Oh random strangers, you never cease to amaze me with your rudeness.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-54668547998898989922013-04-06T03:12:00.000-04:002013-04-06T03:12:28.283-04:00Ultimate Blog Party<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/ultimate-blog-party-2013-linky-list-little-product-emphasis/" target="_blank"><img alt="Ultimate Blog Party 2013" src="http://www.5minutesformom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/UBP-2013_125x1251.jpg" title="Ultimate Blog Party 2013" /></a></div>
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If you're visiting from the<a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/ultimate-blog-party-2013-linky-list-little-product-emphasis/" target="_blank"> Ultimate Blog Party</a>, welcome. (If you're not visiting from the Ultimate Blog Party, you're welcome too!) This is my second time participating in the UBP. I was exposed to so many great new blogs the last time I joined that I wouldn't have otherwise come across that I'm excited to be participating again. </div>
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Unintended Housewife is a chronicle of my journey ("journey" sounds so new-age and lame, but I can't think of a better word) from un- and underemployment to stay at home mom. At its heart, this is a lifestyle blog where I write about <a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/search/label/Thoughts%2FOpinions" target="_blank">what's on my mind</a>, <a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/search/label/Family" target="_blank">my family</a>, the<a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/search/label/Going%20Places%2FDoing%20Things" target="_blank"> fun things we do</a>, tips I've learned along the way, and what<a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/search/label/Are%20You%20Freaking%20Kidding%20Me" target="_blank"> ruffles my feathers</a>. </div>
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If you'd like to look around a little, I suggest you start with:</div>
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<a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/2009/09/are-you-freaking-kidding-me-hgtv.html" target="_blank">My love/hate relationship with HGTV</a></div>
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<a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/2009/08/easy-crockpot-chicken-cacciatore.html" target="_blank">My most popular recipe</a></div>
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Tips for <a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/2010/07/drying-berries-without-crushing-them.html" target="_blank">fruit</a>, <a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/2011/07/salvaging-wilted-lettuce.html" target="_blank">lettuce,</a> and <a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/2009/09/kitchen-sink-organization.html" target="_blank">home organization</a></div>
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Controversial posts about <a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/2010/01/thoughts-on-changing-ones-name-after.html" target="_blank">keeping my maiden name</a> and <a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/2012/09/why-my-son-is-not-circumcised.html" target="_blank">circumcision</a></div>
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The <a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/2011/05/now-accepting-bets.html" target="_blank">random thoughts that pop into my head</a></div>
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I'd love for you to leave a comment so I can visit you too. </div>
Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-35283997645416174742013-04-04T12:29:00.000-04:002013-04-04T12:29:00.093-04:00Easter Dress Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Honestly, I just can't help myself. The only thing cuter than my baby is my baby in an animal costume. I bought the little bunny hat while I was pregnant, but that little stinker was so late that he missed Easter last year so I saved it for this year and it was totally worth it. I made the tail out of a loop of packing tape and three cotton balls. He didn't even know it was there. </div>
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I made the carrots too. I loosely followed <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/187321665723072275/" target="_blank">this tutorial</a>, which is really just a picture of the different steps. One sheet of felt was enough to make the two carrots and I braided embroidery floss for the carrots' stems. One is stuffed with cotton balls and the other is stuffed with uncooked buckwheat, because I thought the different weights and textures would be interesting. He only medium likes them as toys, but I'm going to save them anyway because I'd like to get a play kitchen at some point down the road, and I think they might be more fun then. </div>
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We spent Easter weekend in Pennsylvania with my husband's extended family. The baby got to meet his great grandma for the first time, which was really special for all of us. Even though walking past all the little girl dresses in the store makes my uterus hurt, I love the challenge of dressing up a baby boy.* Seersucker pants and a bow tie did nicely. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Has anyone else noticed that the baby girl clothing section is twice as big as the baby boy section? Come on retailers, get it together.</span></div>
Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-77967982023417839532013-04-03T14:46:00.000-04:002013-04-06T10:38:18.764-04:00Montessori Inspired Toy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Like most children, my baby isn't particularly interested in toys. He is much more interested in whatever I'm holding--my phone, my computer, a tissue, etc. Because I don't want these things in his mouth, I often have to say no. However, when it comes to keys, I say yes. They're metal so he can't damage them and they can easily be cleaned.<br />
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I know they make plastic keys for babies, but I thought it would be better to get him a set of "real" keys because I knew it would be more appealing to my son to have something adult, they could be recycled when my baby outgrew them, and probably wouldn't be any more expensive.<br />
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We headed down to the local hardware store and I asked how much blank keys cost. The clever man working behind the counter asked if I wanted them for my baby and when I answered in the affirmative, he offered me a paper bag with half a dozen keys for free. They were miscuts that had been lying around. Because I was so pleased with the service and because I wanted to support this particular local business, I decided to buy a couple of key covers too; the different colors and textures makes for a more interesting toy too, I think.<br />
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All I had to do was assemble it all on a key ring and my baby had a new toy for pennies. We've had the keys for a couple of months now and they're still one of his favorite toys. A virtually free <a href="http://www.montessoriservices.com/practical-life" target="_blank">practical life</a> toy <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/2013/04/wfmw-funky-and-fun-necklace-holder/" target="_blank">works for me</a>.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-19494439059440540322013-02-24T19:04:00.001-05:002013-02-24T19:26:08.014-05:00Academy Awards Picks 2013<a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/2012/02/i-have-little-tradition-with-myself.html" target="_blank">I've mentioned that I really enjoy trying to see all the Academy Awards best picture nominees each year</a>. I did such <a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/2012/02/i-have-little-tradition-with-myself.html" target="_blank">an abysmal job last year</a> in seeing movies (darn that terrible pregnancy) that this year I redoubled my efforts and I'm happy to report that I saw <a href="http://oscar.go.com/nominees/" target="_blank">all nine best picture nominees</a>, plus some of the films that were up in other categories. It was a huge time commitment (and is one of the reasons I haven't been blogging lately) but I really love cinema and miss not going as much as I used to. I consider this part of <a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/2012/11/guilt-over-not-feeling-guilty-or-i.html" target="_blank">my efforts to cultivate myself outside of motherhood.</a><br />
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In general, I think it has been a great year for movies, for which I am thankful because in the past few years I don't think there's been many great films released. I think both <i>Moonrise Kingdom </i>and <i>The Master</i> should have been nominated for academy awards. And while perfectly fine, I don't think <i>Life of Pi </i>was quite good enough to have been given the Oscar nod. It was average in my opinion. I thought the acting was weak and the special effects looked too fake-y to me. I liked the story (I liked the book too), but overall, it was nothing to write home about.<br />
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I also liked <i>Les Miserables</i> and <i>Silver Linings Playbook</i>, but I don't think they were as great as everyone keeps saying they were. I think <i>The Master</i> did a much better, more sophisticated job of dealing with the themes of mental illness and an outsider seeking love than did <i>Silver Linings Playbook, </i>which felt very much like a typical romantic comedy to me.<br />
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I wasn't looking forward to seeing either <i>Zero Dark Thirty </i>or <i>Django Unchained</i> because I have a really hard time watching violence (age and motherhood both have seemed to strengthen my aversion) but I <b>loved</b> both movies. I'll admit to closing my eyes during both though. I thought they were both compelling, interesting, well acted films that kept me thinking about them long after the movie had ended. I also really liked that <i>Django Unchained</i> was something different than we've seen before. Everything from the camera work to the music helped propel the story and reinforce this notion of the recreation of the genre of westerns while also being a reinterpretation of historical fiction in general. Hands down, I think Quentin Tarantino should win the Academy Award for best director for <i>Django Unchained</i>, and I think it's a shame that he's not even nominated. What were they thinking?!<br />
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I hadn't heard of either <i>Beasts of the Southern Wild </i>or<i> Amour </i>before Academy Award nominations. I'm glad each was nominated otherwise I might have missed these two great films. <i>BOTSW </i>gives such a wonderful sense of place, culture and lifestyle. It is deftly told through a child's perspective, which I think is really hard to pull off, and Quvenzhane Wallis' performance was remarkable for an actress of any age. (In case you're unfamiliar with the movie, she's five years old.) <i>Amour</i> so accurately captured a sliver of the human experience that often goes un-talked about. It's about how an elderly couple copes when the wife has a stroke and the slow and difficult journey towards death. Having watched three of my grandparents' cope with long term, debilitating illnesses before<a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/2009/08/graceland.html" target="_blank"> dying</a>, and having provided full time, live-in care to two of them in <a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/2009/08/living-without-regret.html" target="_blank">the months leading up to their deaths</a>, I identified so strongly with this movie. I strongly recommend it to anyone.<br />
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<i>Argo </i>and <i>Lincoln</i> are probably the two most talked about, and heavily favored to win, movies in the category, and rightfully so. They are excellent. <i>Argo</i> is exciting, well told, and well acted. I loved the story and the pacing. <i>Lincoln</i> was interesting and moody, by which I mean you really feel the mood of the era and the players in the ratification of the thirteenth amendment. Great films.<br />
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Now for my picks! I don't necessarily think these are the movies that will win, but they're the ones that should win. (See the full list of nominees <a href="http://oscar.go.com/nominees/" target="_blank">here</a>.)<br />
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<b>Best Picture</b>: <i>Zero Dark Thirty</i><br />
I couldn't get it out of my head. It had so much food for thought, was a great story and well acted. Honorable mentions to both <i>Argo </i>and <i>Django Unchained. </i>I<i> </i>would be happy if either of these won too.<br />
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<b>Best Director</b>: Michael Haneke for <i>Amour</i><br />
But really, it should be Quentin Tarantino, seriously.<br />
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<b>Lead Actor</b>: Daniel Day Louis for <i>Lincoln</i><br />
Honorable mentions to Joaquin Phoenix (<i>The Master</i>) and Hugh Jackman (<i>Les Miserables</i>). In any other year, either of these performances would win the Oscar. All three are transcendent. (Note: I didn't see Denzel Washington's performance in <i>Flight</i>.)<br />
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<b>Supporting Actor</b>: Philip Seymour Hoffman in <i>The Master</i><br />
Leonardo DiCaprio in <i>Django Unchained</i> was robbed of a nomination in this category. I thought his performance was better than every other person in this category, other than Hoffman.<br />
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<b>Lead Actress</b>: Jessica Chastain in <i>Zero Dark Thirty</i><br />
Honorable mentions to Quvenzhane Wallis in <i>Beast of the Southern Wild</i> and Emanuelle Riva in <i>Amour</i>. (I didn't see Naomi Watts' performance in <i>The Impossible</i>.)<br />
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<b>Supporting Actress</b>: Amy Adams in <i>The Master</i><br />
Honorable mention to Anne Hathaway for <i>Les Miserables</i>. (I didn't see Helen Hunt in <i>The Sessions</i>.)<br />
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<b>Adapted Screenplay</b>: <i>Argo</i><br />
Honorable mention: <i>Lincoln</i><br />
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<b>Original Screenplay</b>: <i>Amour</i><br />
Like best picture and leading actor, this category is full of great nominees and in any other year I think most of them could have won. However, my honorable mention goes to <i>Django Unchained</i>. (<i>Moonrise Kingdom</i> is right up there in my estimation too though.)<br />
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<b>Costume Design</b>:<b> </b><i>Snow White and the Huntsman</i><br />
I didn't see <i>Anna Karenina</i> or <i>Mirror Mirror </i>and I actively hated the costumes (and hair and makeup) in <i>Les Miserables</i>.<br />
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<b>Cinematography</b>: <i>Django Unchained</i><br />
Honorable mentions to <i>Beast of the Southern Wild </i>and <i>Moonrise Kingdom</i>, neither of which were nominated.<br />
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<b>Film Editing</b>: <i>Argo</i><br />
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<b>Visual Effects</b>: <i>Snow White and the Huntsman</i><br />
Seriously so much better done than <i>Life of Pi. </i><br />
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What are your picks? Are you going to be watching the awards tonight? I bought popcorn and red vines especially for the occasion.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-79884623594243344322013-02-14T14:55:00.002-05:002013-02-14T14:55:26.124-05:00Happy Valentine's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pinspired by </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/162340761538778829/" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">this</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">, but I can't find the original source. </span>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-77837229086728459832012-12-24T20:06:00.000-05:002012-12-24T20:06:00.132-05:00'Twas the Night Before Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-14944673859521943522012-12-22T23:58:00.000-05:002012-12-23T05:00:49.417-05:00Silent Night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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His new habit is to reach up and stroke our faces while we feed him. Sweetness.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-59644378038568792782012-12-21T15:14:00.000-05:002012-12-21T15:14:00.538-05:00The End of the World as We Know It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This face says it all. We're so over hearing about these apocalyptic predictions. Honestly, did anyone <i>really </i>believe the world was going to end? I mean, how would the Mayans even know?<br />
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Now if we could just get everyone to shut up about this fiscal cliff nonsense too, I'd be a lot happier. Just make the deal already, people.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-92108012048374835582012-12-20T23:42:00.000-05:002012-12-21T03:10:30.626-05:00The National Christmas Tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I really don't understand how Christmas has snuck up on me this year. Thanksgiving was so early, it seems like I should have had all the time in the world to get ready for it. I think it probably has something to do with Chuk's crazy end of semester school schedule and a teething baby and each of us getting sick. Things have finally settled into a more normal pace and I'm determined to squeeze as much holiday spirit and quality family time into the remaining days of 2012 as I can.<br />
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Now that we've grown to a family of three, it's really important to me that we begin to establish some family traditions. I want our holidays (all holidays, not just the December ones) to be based on creating memories together rather than material acquisition. We've only bought the baby three presents for Christmas; they were $1 each and came from the Target dollar spot.* I'm making him some things too, but I'm trying to be realistic in recognizing that he really doesn't need anything, can't appreciate things yet, and has limited storage space in his room.<br />
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Instead of gifts, we have lots of activities planned from looking at Christmas lights in our neighborhood to baking to singing carols. One night, after work this week, we were able to check another fun activity off our list. We went to see the new <a href="http://www.thenationaltree.org/" target="_blank">National Christmas tree</a> (the old one fell down this summer in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derecho" target="_blank">durecho</a>) and all the small state and territory trees. We also posed for another free picture with Santa. (Baby was happier than he looks in this picture, but the shutter got snapped between smiles.)<br />
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It was so nice to be out doing festive things with my guys. The evening left me feeling quite merry and bright.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*For the curious, we got him a wood and metal tambourine, a metal slinky, and a small sensory ball that is similar to<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Edushape-See-Me-Sensory-Balls-Translucent/dp/B001AMK6G0/ref=pd_sim_ba_30" target="_blank"> these</a>. </span>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-76598393309962022492012-12-19T23:48:00.000-05:002012-12-20T03:50:12.374-05:00Meals for a Family with a New Baby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our <a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/2009/09/engagement-party-menu.html" target="_blank">longtime friends</a> had a baby! We got to visit when he was just a week old. It was crazy holding him and thinking my baby was this small seven months ago. Where does the tininess go? Sigh. I really, REALLY miss it. Anyway, we're all hoping these two little boys will be the best of friends someday.<br />
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Since the mom was recovering from a Cesarean and they now have two kids under two (<a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/2011/02/stork-delivery.html" target="_blank">Remember when we met big sister</a>?) we brought food, lots of food. For families with a new baby, I think it's more helpful to bring a whole day's worth of food rather than just dinner, if you can possibly manage it. The family's routine is off, they're sleep deprived, and I think it's sometimes harder to figure out what to eat for breakfast or lunch than what to eat for dinner. After all, you can always order a pizza for dinner, but you can't get breakfast delivered.<br />
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This particular family is kind of hard to make food for because the mom doesn't eat red meat, pork, or shellfish and toddlers are notoriously picky too. Plus, I think you have to be thoughtful about foods that might upset the baby's tummy if the mom is nursing. Broccoli, cabbage, onions, and excessive garlic can cause gas pain in newborns. Personally, I like to go easy on the dairy too, since many babies are lactose sensitive.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgb5bqOJg30IE7dbCELB_Da0PxVU7vJxIA1PgTnO-Escq5zDxsnKBi8irPk1eg4ixLPLzQw2ShyphenhyphenzVO1yBvsx5Y1IdXQoXm2LO2CR_qGjkcbmUxaStx3E0onVWbhoAmKeyWbxdCt6kVpZW/s1600/P1170316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgb5bqOJg30IE7dbCELB_Da0PxVU7vJxIA1PgTnO-Escq5zDxsnKBi8irPk1eg4ixLPLzQw2ShyphenhyphenzVO1yBvsx5Y1IdXQoXm2LO2CR_qGjkcbmUxaStx3E0onVWbhoAmKeyWbxdCt6kVpZW/s400/P1170316.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I did a lot of brainstorming to come up with a menu for them.<br />
Breakfast: Cranberry scones (<i>Joy of Cooking</i> recipe, but I use craisins instead of currants)<br />
Lunch: Veggie wraps (hummus, lettuce, cucumber, bell pepper, tomato, carrot)<br />
Dinner: <a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/2009/10/5-25-minutes-16-meals.html" target="_blank">BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches</a>, <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/carrot-slaw-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">carrot slaw</a><br />
Dessert/Snack: <a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/chocolate-chocolate-chip-muffins" target="_blank">Chocolate chocolate chip muffins</a><br />
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I wish I had done a spinach and mushroom quiche instead of the scones for added protein and nutrition and I also wish I had time to add another side dish for dinner (I would have made green beans sauteed with almonds) but I have a baby too and can't do everything. I have to keep telling myself, something is better than nothing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8AE8qpk4PXvlW6nEnJxREQYC02JPtuNm-ykISHKWUgXA_tw-7WymD4Zqzj4iIAKJPstI0ZezD28vMZNJI9n-p3HQxHjhdlebk87vmjpua9TvhjV5NvrOVwrHlMhgVD79rplm1Smm-iSv/s1600/P1170319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8AE8qpk4PXvlW6nEnJxREQYC02JPtuNm-ykISHKWUgXA_tw-7WymD4Zqzj4iIAKJPstI0ZezD28vMZNJI9n-p3HQxHjhdlebk87vmjpua9TvhjV5NvrOVwrHlMhgVD79rplm1Smm-iSv/s400/P1170319.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
If you're looking for meal ideas for your own meal deliveries, some other meal ideas I came up with but didn't use are:<br />
Breakfast: pumpkin bread, banana bread, bagels and cream cheese, waffles, fritata, egg sandwiches<br />
Lunch: chicken salad, tuna salad, chicken Cesar salad, quiche<br />
Dinner: vegetarian taco bar with beans and Spanish rice, salmon pasta alfredo with garlic bread and veggies, pesto pasta, chili and cornbread, lasagne<br />
Snacks: celery with peanut butter, veggies with onion dip, chips and salsa, oatmeal cookies, fruit salad<br />
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For more inspiration about delivering meals, you should check out the hospitality archives of the defunct blog <a href="http://www.likemerchantships.org/search/label/hospitality" target="_blank">Like Merchant Ships</a>. Meredith has delivering beautiful, nutritious, affordable meals down to a science. Start <a href="http://www.likemerchantships.org/2008/01/wedding-morning-breakfast-delivery.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://www.likemerchantships.org/2008/01/box-lunch-packaging.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://www.likemerchantships.org/2009/04/special-delivery-lunch-plate.html" target="_blank">here</a>, or <a href="http://www.likemerchantships.org/2009/06/cold-dinner-delivery.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Linking to <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/2012/12/wmfw-because-laughter-wins/" target="_blank">Works for Me Wednesday</a>.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-38901668638472570732012-12-11T01:00:00.000-05:002012-12-11T02:54:29.204-05:00Are You Freaking Kidding Me: Stamps<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbB7iZgIZRxCbj8lBwR_W7id9-25ZDG_9lqU2nw6dw8ezH-ZaIA-r8W3FFWaF0qjRzklPoytKJeO2ZjDMYRve2JC1E798cDqw4w4nVaol34agblI3FC-l_HO87K2weiIKfWoBrHoQT0VbS/s1600/Automated+postal+center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbB7iZgIZRxCbj8lBwR_W7id9-25ZDG_9lqU2nw6dw8ezH-ZaIA-r8W3FFWaF0qjRzklPoytKJeO2ZjDMYRve2JC1E798cDqw4w4nVaol34agblI3FC-l_HO87K2weiIKfWoBrHoQT0VbS/s400/Automated+postal+center.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/us-post-office-burlingame-2?select=pikMDc6lvPwdTaBVv8YbaA#pikMDc6lvPwdTaBVv8YbaA" target="_blank">Photo Credit</a></td></tr>
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Today, yet again, I tried to get stamps for our holiday cards, and once again, I failed. As soon as the baby woke up from his nap, I changed his diaper, put him in the carrier and walked straight down to the post office. The postal worker closed the door in my face and locked it. (It was the grumpy guy that I hate anyway, so I'm not too surprised by his behavior.)<br />
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At this point, I was still determined to get the stamps. I just turned right around and headed back home. I didn't even go into my apartment, I just loaded us into the car and drove to the main post office. The parking lot was packed, but I got the last space left. Score!<br />
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I went in and the line was all the way to the door. No problem, I thought, I planned on using the automated postal machine anyway since I only needed stamps. There was only one lady in front of me. She was printing labels for packages, many, many packages. Whatever, I thought, it's still faster than the line for actual humans.<br />
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Fifteen minutes later, when my arm was about to fall off from holding my giant baby I'm staring daggers into the back of this lady's skull. Dude, don't you know I only need to buy stamps? Why is this taking you so long? A line has formed behind me and I'm long past regretting not bringing the baby carrier in with me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPkDBSOAgsOfMZNo7BiBUZ8CtFVDgCN6jnDYnobmicqHQ3Z499B0BsoAXzxv5yyLTLLgnMmfd_MJVRQ4e_H8hxPQIK6KfsZzFVFaSg8pEaHho4mF5_2xZJfP06kQUCzxON5Ag3_2XQaws/s1600/weird+stamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPkDBSOAgsOfMZNo7BiBUZ8CtFVDgCN6jnDYnobmicqHQ3Z499B0BsoAXzxv5yyLTLLgnMmfd_MJVRQ4e_H8hxPQIK6KfsZzFVFaSg8pEaHho4mF5_2xZJfP06kQUCzxON5Ag3_2XQaws/s320/weird+stamp.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?start=58&num=10&hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1366&bih=608&tbm=isch&tbnid=-TPrczrCkha7lM:&imgrefurl=http://www.neatorama.com/2010/04/14/can-an-automated-postal-center-stamp-help-you-beat-a-deadline/&docid=xcxsWuZeNc17BM&imgurl=http://uploads.neatorama.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/APC-stamp-2.jpg&w=540&h=343&ei=3tfGUNHnGvKO0QGqxoCwDA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=3&sig=106733434585301973104&sqi=2&page=3&tbnh=133&tbnw=221&ndsp=31&ved=1t:429,r:84,s:0,i:196&tx=129&ty=111" target="_blank">Photo Credit</a></td></tr>
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Finally, after a kabillion more years, she finishes printing all her shipping labels. Her tag is sticking out of her shirt and I think this is her karma for not being efficient with the machine. I step up and select the buy stamps option and hit the continue button. It gives me an option to buy one little printout sticker label for a first class letter. I think I must have selected the wrong option and go back. I want normal books of stamps, not weird bar code thingies. But no, somehow there is no option for a book of stamps. Really?! Really?!<br />
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Between the two post offices, I've been trying to buy stamps for almost an hour. With a heavy heart, I step away from the machine and get in line, which is now out the door, for a cashier. Another customer swings the door hard and it almost hits my baby in the head. I stopped it with my foot at the very last second. Merry Christmas to you too, A------.<br />
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The line isn't moving. My arms are burning as I futilely pass my child from the left to the right back to the left again, trying to get him in a more comfortable hold. We wait and wait and wait. I keep whispering in his ear, "You're doing such a great job, Buddy. Thanks for being my patient helper. We're going to be done soon." He doesn't understand what I'm saying, but I feel like we both need the encouragement.<br />
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He takes a long look all around the post office, then looks up at me with his big blue eyes and silently barfs all over both of us. Message received. We'll go home now.<br />
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And today is the day I'll remember as the time my seven month old had more sense than any of us adults. He knew we were all going to die waiting in that post office like we were in some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Exit" target="_blank">existential French play</a>. At the time I felt relieved to give up and go home, but now, typing this, I realize I still have a stack of cards and no stamps and I'm going to have to face the post office all over again. Ho, ho, ho, humbug.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-3771906587825444312012-12-10T01:53:00.000-05:002012-12-11T02:27:40.238-05:00Meaningful, Affordable Gift Idea (With Tutorial)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm sometimes wary of DIY gifts because too often I find that the cost of supplies exceeds the cost of a comparable store bought gift and with the former you're having to invest your time too, which can be in short supply at this time of year. In contrast, I promise this handmade ornament is both inexpensive and easy (if your hand model is in a cooperative mood.)</div>
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I bought a tub of clay from Target (in the office/art supplies section) for something like $5.00, give or take. For a baby hand print, you need to grab a hunk of clay about the size of your two hands balled together, slightly larger than a baseball. With all rings off, work the clay in your hands for a few minutes to make sure there aren't any air bubbles in the clay, and then roll into a ball like it's a meatball. While you're rolling, the goal is to make sure there are no seams in the ball.</div>
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Put the ball on a piece of plastic wrap and cover with a second piece of plastic wrap. Here's a thrifty tip: Pre-used plastic wrap (clean, of course) actually works better than a new piece of plastic wrap because it's less clingy, and it also seems to be less likely to wrinkle during the next step. </div>
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With the clay between the plastic, slowly roll the ball into a flat disk with a rolling pin. More passes with less pressure makes the plastic less likely to wrinkle and leave undesired imprints in the clay. When your clay is about 1/4 inch thick, pull the top piece of plastic off the perfectly smooth, flat disk.<br />
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Grab your hand model and put his hand on the disk. Use one hand to hold his hand in place (probably unnecessary if the hand model can be relied on not to wiggle) and your other hand to press the top of each part of his hand, to get an even imprint. Remember to place his hand towards the bottom of the disk so you have room to make a hole. My instinct was to try and center my model's hand, but that doesn't work for the next step.<br />
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Use a drinking straw to make a hole at the top of the ornament for hanging. Let dry for several days. Mine took about 3-4 days to dry completely. If desired, you could write the name of the hand model and the date on the back with a permanent marker.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKDcmDd4oMfExtiHguG-6x3BQUOG1WXBWatVqDftADDN6_UmsWB5i540kQN4VFZduunT7gNt5h6CxSAk4mKn4qH8nV5bakz0CAk0NUubVT6ZFnSZ9qieGKE16bthEgRsZ_RuzalLV2ftJ/s1600/P1170150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKDcmDd4oMfExtiHguG-6x3BQUOG1WXBWatVqDftADDN6_UmsWB5i540kQN4VFZduunT7gNt5h6CxSAk4mKn4qH8nV5bakz0CAk0NUubVT6ZFnSZ9qieGKE16bthEgRsZ_RuzalLV2ftJ/s400/P1170150.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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A 2.5 pound container of clay will make at least six baby hand prints, so this gift costs about $1 each, yet it's <a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-gift-ideas.html" target="_blank">thoughtful and personal</a>. I also like that it's not messy (the clay isn't sticky) and doesn't take a lot of time if you do it assembly line style (i.e., roll all the balls, then flatten them all into disks, then do the hand impressions, then wipe your model's hand, then punch the holes.) You could also not punch the hole and give it with a plate stand if you think your recipient would prefer to display the hand print year round rather than have an ornament.</div>
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These are ideal gifts for parents and grandparents. We already gave one to my notoriously hard to shop for father-in-law and he liked it very much. We're keeping two for ourselves (one of each hand) and when Baby is grown up and moves out (*sob*) we'll give him one to take with him.</div>
Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-80281040860483447822012-12-05T23:46:00.000-05:002012-12-06T04:50:33.620-05:00What's Been Going On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since I last wrote, we've been keeping busy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCHUCOeFkHZRScDDvAShm9bvw79dlFGrlVN3NWyPAc2edokRE_Ju07bEjLSdX6oy4sJyfd0gr0BOeauIWau14iBimJf9jWTd1qkrH5a6DGBhzpKyn7usraKe4RfZ_-P0sornGgt7bDpM9/s1600/IMG_2967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCHUCOeFkHZRScDDvAShm9bvw79dlFGrlVN3NWyPAc2edokRE_Ju07bEjLSdX6oy4sJyfd0gr0BOeauIWau14iBimJf9jWTd1qkrH5a6DGBhzpKyn7usraKe4RfZ_-P0sornGgt7bDpM9/s400/IMG_2967.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
This guy wore a bow tie on Thanksgiving, which was pretty hilarious. It was a tie that had belonged to my husband when he was a boy.<br />
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Not to brag, but this was the <a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/2012/11/lets-talk-turkey.html" target="_blank">best turkey</a> I've ever had in my life. It's gone now. We ate it for lunch and dinner everyday for more than a week.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGub6gZ0CguE0qRP28hXJW3bZIK73e8bZzjW0vcdi3WcJhKMNzeyiQlycle-h_2lViCuiBJ7v2z92QQ7uv_2pAYYg26GeZYJklYQtn9xqhBmxT6FaA_7WHcLD04P5risB5iRCh_A-poZM/s1600/IMG_2984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGub6gZ0CguE0qRP28hXJW3bZIK73e8bZzjW0vcdi3WcJhKMNzeyiQlycle-h_2lViCuiBJ7v2z92QQ7uv_2pAYYg26GeZYJklYQtn9xqhBmxT6FaA_7WHcLD04P5risB5iRCh_A-poZM/s400/IMG_2984.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
My baby tried solid food for the first time on Thanksgiving. (I've been exclusively breast feeding for seven months! This was not my plan, but he's been developing on the slow side with the milestones.) He did really well with it, but caught a cold the next day so we haven't given him any more food since then so he could get the breast milk antibodies and whatnot.<br />
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We got our Christmas tree.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcMHJ4hESumzvcfCK6spf0lJ0tFkHLvRoXMP5BdanDNVnNuhDMfMeFn2d19V8Aj9XkJY4AgskWuFPY4Or8jsKWDo-sRWApJJNmNZeZephk05ZuFgwE_ZNBtObb-2hTvzfNDS0lsv4mq8r/s1600/IMG_3165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcMHJ4hESumzvcfCK6spf0lJ0tFkHLvRoXMP5BdanDNVnNuhDMfMeFn2d19V8Aj9XkJY4AgskWuFPY4Or8jsKWDo-sRWApJJNmNZeZephk05ZuFgwE_ZNBtObb-2hTvzfNDS0lsv4mq8r/s400/IMG_3165.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 20 pound seven month old and his 29 pound three year old cousin.</td></tr>
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We went to see my in-laws, which wound up being a total nightmare. I think my sister-in-law has a personality disorder.<br />
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Chuk and I celebrated seven years together with a fancy Italian dinner. Baby came along too, so it wasn't so much romantic as it was entertaining/exhausting, but it was still nice.</div>
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We still take lots of walks.<br />
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And we've been trying to squeeze as much family time in around Chuk's finals schedule as possible.</div>
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Of course, we spend most of our time just playing at home.<br />
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But tonight someone got to meet Santa for the first time. He was unimpressed.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-18998847564698448522012-11-22T02:07:00.000-05:002012-11-22T02:07:14.128-05:00Let's Talk Turkey<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneLVQyjSP2PWL94H_WdRr_0v6NLn3eHvxNuxXlDyPBGwxQR-ceYhUXUFjM6mZnRBWSQmo1M2T4o99Kl826LvB9TTvtXumOMetzCP7dHe0NF3K2WqdFWZmRtyaCj2IV5_KFdSd9rj8uQqJ/s1600/P1080159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneLVQyjSP2PWL94H_WdRr_0v6NLn3eHvxNuxXlDyPBGwxQR-ceYhUXUFjM6mZnRBWSQmo1M2T4o99Kl826LvB9TTvtXumOMetzCP7dHe0NF3K2WqdFWZmRtyaCj2IV5_KFdSd9rj8uQqJ/s400/P1080159.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkey 2009</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's just the three of us at home for Thanksgiving this year because Chuk is too busy finishing up the end of the semester for us to travel anywhere or host. Honestly though, I'm kind of excited to be doing a small, family Thanksgiving. It feels good to be establishing our own traditions now that we have Baby.<br />
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So since it's just going to be the two of us eating, we got a 19.5 pound turkey, obviously. (My turkey and my son are almost exactly the same size. Ha!) We'll also be having eight sides and two kinds of pie. Ridiculous? Absolutely! But it's Chuk's favorite holiday and feasting is pretty much the point of it, so how could I say no? At least we both like leftovers.<br />
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Happy Thanksgiving, Everybody.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-72823898912486882102012-11-19T23:37:00.000-05:002012-11-20T01:06:18.899-05:00Naughty is His Middle Name<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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List of things I never thought I'd say that I've said today:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Stop putting your foot in the poop.</li>
<li>Come here, please. I am allowed to clean throw up off of you.</li>
<li>'No' means the opposite of funny. (When I say "no" in a serious voice, it always elicits a laugh.)</li>
<li>Hang on, I'm just going to get that booger out for you.</li>
<li>Please stop trying to eat my face. You're getting slobber all over me.</li>
</ul>
Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-19413800789418012812012-11-16T02:53:00.000-05:002012-11-16T03:11:58.501-05:00Guilt Over Not Feeling Guilty, or I Hired a Babysitter for Tonight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can account for every moment I've spent away from my son during his whole life. In six and a half months, I've spent exactly 15.5 hours away from him, or about a half hour a week, and that includes EVERYTHING including the time he was in the hospital as a newborn, the four trips to the grocery store I've made without him, the one time I had lunch with my mom and sister, the time Chuk and I got pizza while <a href="http://unintendedhousewife.blogspot.com/2012/08/family-vacation.html" target="_blank">my mom stayed with my sleeping baby</a>, everything. My husband has, on occasion, spent more time away from him in a single day than I have in his whole life.<br />
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I don't think this is entirely healthy for me. I can see how easy it would be for me to sacrifice my hobbies and interests and give up larger and larger pieces of myself to motherhood. But being a mom, as wonderful as it is, isn't the only thing that defines me, or at least I don't want it to be.<br />
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So I've started trying to find ways to take breaks. I'm not there yet, but I'm working on it. My husband works full time and is taking four graduate level classes, so even though he's a feminist, he's not much help, but we're talking about him taking on baby duty three nights that he doesn't have class so I can take an intro to knitting class, something I've been wanting to do for a long time.<br />
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More monumentally, I temporarily overcame my shyness and asked our upstairs neighbor, the one who's always asking to hold the baby and covering him in kisses, to babysit tonight so Chuk and I can go to a concert. This is a major milestone, people. I'm leaving my baby with someone who isn't his parent and not my mom. We're going to see <a href="http://www.raylamontagne.com/us/home" target="_blank">Ray Lamontagne</a> and I couldn't be more excited. I saw him in concert eight years ago and he was fantastic.<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ3xTjvj9tw" target="_blank"> Chuk and I danced to him at our wedding</a> too, so it'll be an extra special date night.<br />
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But I'm nervous too, not so much about the baby, who I think will be in good hands, but about my neighbor. My baby has been on a nap strike all week (that's another story, but suffice it to say, good Lord, I've earned this night off!) and has suddenly started getting fussy during diaper changes. He's never been put to sleep by anyone besides me. What if he cries the whole time we're gone? My husband, mom and I are bound by blood to love him even if he's screaming his head off, but the babysitter, not so much. I expect it to be fine (my plan is to have him in bed before the babysitter arrives, knock on wood) but there's always that twinge of doubt in the back of one's mind.<br />
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I'm forcing myself to get over it though. And just to gild the lily, I'm leaving the baby with Chuk on Saturday night and going to an Aretha Franklin show with a girlfriend. Yes, I'm leaving my baby two nights in a row. I figure belting out R-E-S-P-E-C-T will assuage any ovarian guilt I might be feeling.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6216695356267939311.post-78808097848141355892012-11-12T03:31:00.000-05:002012-11-12T03:31:31.148-05:00Trying to Be a Good Friend During the Hard TimesI don't know if everyone ages this way, but I'm always kind of surprised by the fact that I'm an adult. I still kind of feel like I'm faking it. And the truth is, I don't know what I'm doing. Recently, I've been hit with situation after situation that I don't know how to handle. Adult situations. Situations that have me sitting, thinking, wishing there was a manual. <div>
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<div>
Earlier this year, my friend's long awaited for son died when he was five weeks old. Another friend was accused of a crime I am certain he didn't commit, but his lawyer thinks he will be convicted of anyway. Yet another friend is breaking her engagement and having to find a new job and move out of the home she shares with her fiance. My friend's, who I've known since I was twelve years old who used to be like a sister to me, husband is charged with a crime and being held in jail on one million dollar bond. Another friend is getting divorced after nine years of marriage.</div>
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My heart aches and aches and aches for them all, but I don't know how to respond. What do you say to someone whose life is ruined? How do you react when it might not get better? How can I be a good friend in uncharted territory?</div>
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I don't know. I don't know that I'll ever figure it out. I write short, awkward emails saying I'm sorry and that I support them. I send Facebook messages saying I just want to check in and that I'm thinking about them. It doesn't feel like enough, but I can't think of more. I don't feel like a good friend, but I'm trying.</div>
Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08366931718780841876noreply@blogger.com4