tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17913030551051947492024-03-05T20:51:16.539-05:00150 and heremarisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-45129826053669104792022-06-24T08:55:00.003-04:002022-06-24T08:55:40.511-04:00It Feels Like a Long Time Ago Now...But Also Not <p><br /></p><p>I was going through some of my old files recently, and found this one—from Day 51 of Quarantine, back in early 2020—and I couldn't get over how far away this feels, how many of the details I'd already forgotten, and how many still feel like they happened last month. And yet, that 5 year old is about to be 8. That little one starts kindergarten in a few months. Today's the last day of camp for her at her preschool and well, the feelings are being felt both sad and ready. </p><p>Anyway, here's this, so it has someplace to live. </p><p>--</p><p>Day 51. </p><p>I have been with my kids, consistently, every day, for more than 50 days straight. We have developed a rhythm, the three of us. </p><p>Breakfast to the sound of Abby Hatcher or Wild Kratts, or—when they look at each other and smile, their own secret signal—Ryan!, they scream. Schoolwork to the sound of a 5 year old counting to 100 and a 2 year old repeating, repeating, repeating the numbers alongside him—15, 16, 17, 41, 73, 89. Late morning, as I type emails, and fix sentences, as I check in with invoices and scroll through social media, it’s the tapping of lego’s, the screaming from the bedroom that she wont leave me alone and he wont stop that. I sit quietly, and mostly ignore them, drinking more tea. Usually, it calms down. Sometimes it doesnt, and I stomp my feet up the stairs, the high-pitched tone of my voice echoing through our small hallway: I said stop! I need 10 minutes to write this! I’m going to separate you! </p><p>Lunch is another episode of Wild Kratts or Abby Hatcher, sometimes Ryan. Sometimes, they eat as they talk to my parents, my brothers, my sister in law on the phone. They talk about their day, they do puzzles. Then I take the phone, prop it up in the kitchen while I make something quick, eat it while I’m standing up. I’m done says the 5 year old, can I have the computer now? Yes, I tell him. Can i? asks the little one. Sorry lady, I say, it’s nap time. </p><p>We lie in her bed, read her a book. When it’s closed, she turns her face toward the wall and I wrap my arm around her. I love you, I say. She whips her head around, her dirty blond curls covering the pillow, I love you she mouths, exaggerating her L’s. I cuddle with her and I close my eyes. Almost every day, I fall asleep for 10 minutes. Almost every day, I count down to 10, then force myself to get up. </p><p>It’s quiet then, for the next hour. I walk through the living room, picking stuff up on my way. Sometimes, I go into my room and close the door. Type some more. sometimes, I put on bravo and watch the real housewives or summer house or vanderpump rules. Occasionally, I go downstairs on the treadmill. That doesnt happen very often, but when it does it feels nice. Mostly, I listen to the silence. </p><p>She wakes up shortly after, her head sweaty and her curls slightly matted. Her face has those sleep creases, and she looks softer than usual. She asks for the phone, and I usually say yes. She sniffs out her brother and lays down next to him. Today, she was on her back on the floor of her room and he was on her bed. It reminded me of those long summer days as a kid, when you had a book or a tv show, and not much else. </p><p>Soon after, our day starts up again. We go outside or we go to the kitchen or we go in the living room. I don’t know, usually, what we do. </p><p>John comes home and, once he’s showered and back with us, they jump all over him. We talk about dinner, usually I sneak back into the bedroom for a few minutes to be by myself. </p><p>Our dinners are the same as they’ve always been. The four of us facing each other across our rectangular wooden table. We play a game called trivia, where we make up questions to ask the kids. We quiz them on their favorite parts of the day and their least favorite parts. They always choose wisely, mulling it over. sometimes all four of us favor the same things. </p><p>There is clean-up, and there are sometimes baths. There is arguing over teeth brushing and arguing over how tired we are. But then there is bed, and books. </p><p>I turn the TV on, eat something else. There is a glow, and I am tired. </p><p>There is a rhythm to all this, as there always was. But there’s a rhythm to us, as there wasn’t before. </p><div><br /></div><p><br /><br /></p>marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-88077946003293293462021-04-11T10:36:00.011-04:002021-04-11T22:03:35.361-04:00Reflecting, Finally <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQ-bm8wOWPOt3bLAVV2Mfkl7gPd3OTi-zRXIT-2RvnnGeU95rZxC7CmJzB_sMCEDIcnj75qW0XLK843aY2QXuhD5WoltGKqHJQBXLpwyVFegisbrwwWCO_8-bwBoIJ0Lv0wbXXeIdhac/s2048/sergey-shmidt-koy6FlCCy5s-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQ-bm8wOWPOt3bLAVV2Mfkl7gPd3OTi-zRXIT-2RvnnGeU95rZxC7CmJzB_sMCEDIcnj75qW0XLK843aY2QXuhD5WoltGKqHJQBXLpwyVFegisbrwwWCO_8-bwBoIJ0Lv0wbXXeIdhac/w640-h427/sergey-shmidt-koy6FlCCy5s-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div>I spent three months at home with two kids under 6. My husband’s job is essential, so he was out of the house 5, sometimes 6 days a week for 10 hours at a time. I would lie down on the bed almost immediately when he got home. I let the kids watch their screens, videos of kids they started to mimic. I won’t say ‘too much’ time, not anymore. <p></p><div><div>We went on walks, put up a wall of homemade art, and I made their favorite ‘charcuterie boards’, which, if you’re a parent, you know are the easiest to make of all the meals. I wrote maybe one article a week, at the height of it, and I was grateful for those early morning hours making sense of scientific studies, even though I worried the whole time if I would ever write more than that, if I was losing so much steam in the process. </div><div><br /></div><div>We spent time at the beach with our families in July and August. Days here and there in houses other people had rented, that other people had created their lives in. I’m grateful for this stroke of luck. For these people. </div><div><br /></div><div>I wrote more stories. People cried during interviews. A rawness I swallowed as I continued asking questions. </div><div><br /></div><div>One of my best friends passed away in September. She had been sick for a long time. She beat Covid, and she lost too much. It felt devastating in a quiet way. When someone is so tied up in your growing up, in your becoming-who-you-are, letting go of them is like letting go of a part of yourself, too. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mourning her was so different, the fact that it even had to happen so far from fair. There were no long dinners, sharing memories and hummus in a dimly lit restaurant in Williamsburg. We texted photos and memories back and forth. We double masked to talk to each other in the parking lot. </div><div><br /></div><div>That same month, and the couple months that came after, hit so much harder. Work went back to its normal pace. Life was somewhere in between. A 6-year-old learning to navigate virtual math lessons in his orange and green bedroom. A 3-year-old learning to not touch the front of her mask. A 37-year-old learning to buy flowers from Trader Joe’s, to spread a puzzle out on her office table, to cut herself some slack. (The hardest part of all.) </div><div><br /></div><div>I missed my coffee shop, I missed my yoga class, I missed the stack of magazines at the book store. I can tell you it takes exactly 45 minutes to walk that loop around the neighborhood. </div><div><br /></div><div>Things felt stripped away in a way they never had before. I started therapy, and I think it’s helping. Someone else helping connect the dots between then and that. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the fall, we did a soccer league in our backyard with a few kids. It felt like breathing in a way I never thought something like that could. How could I, really. Our masks on, our blue Adirondack chairs side by side. Kids eating pizza and cupcakes together for the first time in months. A neighborhood birthday party like you imagine from the 1960s. </div><div><br /></div><div>Our stories are so similar to others, and also so undeniably our own. </div><div><br /></div><div>I saw my niece only a couple of times between September, when she was born, and January. I haven’t met my new baby cousin yet. Didn’t get a chance to congratulate my cousin, in person, on his engagement. Etsy gifts and Amazon thoughts take the place. </div><div><br /></div><div>One thing standing in for another. </div><div><br /></div><div>We spent long Saturdays with one of our favorite families, ordering lunch and sometimes dinner on the same day. Kids playing video games and walking, pajama-clad, down hallway runways. Something we never would have done if there had been sports and dance class and required activities. The pro list. </div><div><br /></div><div>Back in May, we went to a park. We hadn’t been out of the house much, at that point. Masks still felt new and awkward on our faces. We parked far away, put our picnic blanket down on a spot of grass far off from the rest. We were nervous as we ate our sandwiches and strawberries. </div><div><br /></div><div>We went to that same park this past Saturday, two days after my first dose of the vaccine. The kids put their hands out for their masks, Ellie knows how to adjust hers to fit around her ears. They feel normal on our faces. We asked to borrow someone’s sanitizer when we forgot ours in the car. We ate our snacks on the side of a bridge, overlooking a waterfall. School is open every day now. </div><div><br /></div><div>Is this what it feels like to feel normal right now? Is this grief, just the same as it always was and always has been, since forever? Some days those coffee shops full of people don’t feel far off and sometimes it feels like my home office might swallow me up. </div><div><br /></div><div>There’s jealousy and resentment, gratitude and grief, sadness and emptiness, all mixed together. Hope even too, sometimes, when we say we’ll meet in Boston in September to remember that first place we met our friend, when we swap links to beach hotels in Mexico, when we know we’ll be fully vaccinated by May. </div><div><br /></div><div>And maybe this is just now. Trying to connect the dots between then and that. Trying to make the deadlines, and the dinners. Watering the flowers and watching them grow. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div></div>marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-84626122494355218742020-04-23T16:43:00.003-04:002020-04-23T17:06:24.810-04:00Quarantine, Day 40 <div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
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Next door, my neighbors are planting a garden. They are mowing the lawn, and pulling up weeds. Sometimes, their sons play badminton on the lawn, a net that goes up and comes down.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Outside, there are people walking. In singles, and in pairs. Sometimes there’s a family of five—two kids on bikes, one in a jogging stroller pushed by a mom in yoga pants, followed by a dad on the phone. White masks, blue masks, patterned-scarf masks.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s still cold out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve been inside, mostly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My days are similar and not. I am still working from home. I am still parenting at home. I am still making breakfast, and brushing toddler-sized teeth. Calling after them to get changed, and to wash their hands, and to clean up their messes. I am still folding laundry, and I am still making grocery lists, and I am still sending emails. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I am drowning.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In worries about work and about family. About making sure that’s wiped down, and that’s washed. About baking that, and starting this. About finding the right words, and about when that check is going to come in.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve been wanting to lie down, mostly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I try to string words together and I get about halfway there and then it peters out, as if the string fell slack and everything followed suit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I think about reading that career-focused book. I think about reading that inspirational book. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I miss things, and I don’t. I want to sit in my usual spot, surrounded by magazines. I don’t want anyone else to know what I do with my day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I feel guilty, mostly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Every meme and every post and every everything tells you: It’s ok! It’s not the time! Just be happy to be! Look at all this time we have! Look at the puzzle I made! The signs I made! The detailed multi-colored projects I made!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We all rationalize it in different ways. My best friend who works till 2am every day, tells me that she woke up at noon, but it was ok, because sometimes you need it. No schoolwork got done today, someone else says, too many things were ordered today, someone else says, but it's ok because sometimes we need it. The friends whose kids are on iPads, and the friends who kids aren’t. But it’s ok, because sometimes they need it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A collective convincing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I watch TV and read my books and think and think and think. But it’s ok, because sometimes I need it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Every thought I have is fragmented. Starts and then stops. There’s nowhere for them to go. And then: if I didn’t waste this hour, if I didn’t waste this thought, I could have read something, or finished something. Accomplished something.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But it’s ok if you don’t! Now’s not the time! But the time feels crushing. And it takes so much effort to talk, to fix, to pretty. It takes so much effort to get your shoes on, and your jacket on, and your patterned-makeshift mask on.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s so much.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s ok! Not right now!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Because sometimes we need it.<o:p></o:p></div>
marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-58301161382933947192019-11-14T19:18:00.000-05:002019-11-14T19:18:44.243-05:00A Regular Day <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURkzTqBO-Gb1zeW8xOAmbmE2VhRMYBaiC5TEE2oMk7BU601npivjRgovl7l0VcXSlnf9nTGPNyAzJxmS4Bs0LMiNzOvV5eNgQgC2GMyW1P5RhkR4CGgGKyeVGgbUmR48ryyWHm9Rx4AM/s1600/nicole-angelova-T9XpN6kjMlM-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURkzTqBO-Gb1zeW8xOAmbmE2VhRMYBaiC5TEE2oMk7BU601npivjRgovl7l0VcXSlnf9nTGPNyAzJxmS4Bs0LMiNzOvV5eNgQgC2GMyW1P5RhkR4CGgGKyeVGgbUmR48ryyWHm9Rx4AM/s640/nicole-angelova-T9XpN6kjMlM-unsplash.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Two things happened yesterday, a Wednesday. <o:p></o:p></div>
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John dismantled the crib and replaced it with a mattress on
the floor of Ellie’s room. She’s been waking up every night and coming into our
bed, and we suspect it’s partly because the crib—set up like a toddler bed for
the past couple months—just isn’t comfortable anymore. There is no sheet to
cover her growing two-year-old body, no comforter to be wrapped up in, no
pillow to lean on, even though we did put one in there. So we thought switching
to a real bed might help. But since we haven’t bought any other furniture, it’s
a twin-size mattress on the floor for now. Pink, gold, and teal polka-dot
comforter from Target, pink fluffy pillow, new sheets. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This all happens while I’m sitting at Starbucks, finishing
an article I have due. I come home and walk into her small bedroom—the changing
table, the rocking chair, and other remnants of a nursery still visible—and at
first I’m excited. How cute it looks! Should we add twinkle lights? Some
netting, to make it look like a tent? To make it look like one of those cozy nooks
you save on Pinterest, and think, maybe, someday. When she’s old enough. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But then I look in the closet. And it’s all there: The crib,
in pieces—big ones, and small ones, the bars flat up against the wall. The box
full of her brother’s baby clothes (coming home outfit, first walk outside
outfit) is sitting there too. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Just like that, it’s gone. That crib that’s been there for 5
years. More, if you count the months it sat set up and empty, waiting for its
first occupant, and then its second. The crib where we put them as 4 month
olds, as 6 month olds, as 12 month olds. That we covered in pacifiers for
Ellie, so she could find them in the middle of the night. That we worried Luca
would climb out of, even though he never did. That we lined with blue sheets,
and green sheets, and grey chevron-patterned sheets. That we leaned too far
into as we put one down, then the other, holding our breath the whole time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There are pictures that stand out: The one of Luca waking
up, dressed in only a diaper. The one of him on his first birthday, balloons in
hand. The one of the two of them, sitting inside the crib paging through books—something
they did every morning for months. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And there it is, and there it goes. And that’s how it goes, I
guess. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Later that night, I’m in Luca’s bedroom with him as he gets
ready for bed. He was about the same age as Ellie when we switched him to the
bed he’s in now—this boy who now takes the bus to school, who is up for his
first taekwando belt test. Camping comforter from Target, fox pillow, blue
sheets. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Every day, he comes home from school with a blue pouch full
of books. One about a day at the beach, another about insects, another about
hippos. The sentences are short and repetitive; there are power words, sight
words, whatever you want to call them. He’s a 3Y reader now, which means something
important, they say—and means it’s working, since he was 2Y just two weeks ago.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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He starts reading, quickly flipping through the pages,
getting stuck on a few words here and there, but mostly making sense of all of
them. Are, the, hippo, water, waves, hat. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I think about all the books I’ve read over the years that
meant something to me: Bridge to Terabithia, The Baby Sitter’s Club, A Tree
Grows in Brooklyn, On the Road, What She Saw, Bird by Bird. How all those first
words added up to summers spent reading in the backyard, to airplane rides to
Italy with a stack of Superspecials, to a day in bed during the first trimester
of my first pregnancy, reading, and reading, and reading. How lucky he is, to
be on the brink of all that, I think. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Then Ellie walks in, with a Sesame Street book about colors
in her toddler-sized hands. It’s not a book from Luca’s pouch, from his reading
list. But we lie there in bed, me in the middle and one of them on each side—and
he reads it to her. He asks her questions, gets her to point to the colors. She
claps her hands when she gets them right, and he quickly picks up on the
pattern of the story, doesn’t miss a word. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There was a quote in a beautiful article I read today about <a href="https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2019/11/14/i-am-the-tooth-fairy/?fbclid=IwAR2RSdFh599_obebfhoyqSQEulAINe12ksqSZITnp3RSJ_2TUfLwjrooCJk">the
tooth fairy and baby teeth</a>: “Sometimes I just hold them. Noah’s in one
hand. Eli’s in the other. Proof of their babyhood. Proof of the mouths they
left behind.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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And I think how true, how true, how true. Baby teeth, cribs,
first words, first books. <o:p></o:p></div>
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They say it all moves so fast, which it does. But sometimes,
not fast enough that we don’t stop and see what’s happening all around us, as
it happens. As we pick up Cheerios from the floor, as we step on broken crayons
in the middle of the living room, as we fold crib sheets and put them away. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So here we are, when a regular Wednesday becomes a milestone,
one to remember. Or maybe not. Maybe it’s just another day, in a long line of
endings and firsts—that sometimes we notice, and sometimes we don’t. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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But that mostly, we’re glad we get. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<i><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: nowrap;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@angelovanicole?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #767676; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-skip-ink: auto; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out 0s; white-space: nowrap;">Nicole Angelova</a><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: nowrap;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/crib?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #767676; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-skip-ink: auto; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out 0s; white-space: nowrap;">Unsplash</a></i></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-41230193384111981662016-10-16T15:11:00.000-04:002016-10-16T15:11:38.984-04:00Five Things I Learned from My 100 Days Project <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUhxI2iwwUqqxit008wh0U9y0E-JF1YSyI5ywU0q-kxBpUVsp_GGmGzPESAykm77yGVZkwoKkvDgQXuaKfO_zYTlLK26BNdnfC6js6tl9DzBl0rwqcngNhRc4atQrRk5QKC3YnkFa-xY/s1600/100daysproject.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUhxI2iwwUqqxit008wh0U9y0E-JF1YSyI5ywU0q-kxBpUVsp_GGmGzPESAykm77yGVZkwoKkvDgQXuaKfO_zYTlLK26BNdnfC6js6tl9DzBl0rwqcngNhRc4atQrRk5QKC3YnkFa-xY/s640/100daysproject.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So for anyone keeping track, back in August, I decided to
do a <a href="http://www.150andhere.com/2016/08/100-days-with-words.html">100
Days Project</a> wherein I would write something every day for 100 days. But
my last entry was written on Monday and today is Sunday. That’s basically a
whole week where I haven’t written anything here. And I think I’m done—at least
with this project. So the real title of this post should be: Five Things I Learned from My 60 Days Project. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now, don’t get me wrong. Writing is still my number one. I
still do it, in some form or another, every single day—both for my day job and
for fun. And doing this for the last 60 days has actually taught me a ton:
about priorities and timing and choosing the things that are really important. Here
are a few of the things I learned: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You can make time</b>:</i>
When I first started this whole thing, I was most worried that I wouldn’t have
much time to dedicate to it. I work a full time job, have a house and a family
and a whole bunch of other boring life responsibilities. But I found that,
since this was something I wanted to do, I could find the time when I needed
it—in the morning, after Luca went to bed, on my lunch hour. And I also found
that since JB knew how important it was to me, he was up for helping me find
the time too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Three times a week is
a charm</b>:</i> What I did notice though, was that I really only wrote things that
I felt were of quality about three times a week. The other days, especially on
Fridays and Saturdays, often felt forced—I was doing it more because I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">had to</i> then because I wanted to. And
while I know that sometimes the best things comes out of holding yourself
accountable, I also want to be able to put the time into the things I actually
want to write. Which is basically how I ended up at 60 days instead of the full
100. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Planning is good</b>:
</i>Some weeks I would look ahead and think of the things I could write about. It
was good to work sentences around in my head and think about new or different
ways to structure things. Those were about <a href="http://www.150andhere.com/2016/08/where-to-eat-on-cape-cod-with-toddlers.html">where
to eat on Cape Cod</a>, and <a href="http://www.150andhere.com/2016/08/how-to-actually-wake-up-early-for-gym.html">how
to wake up early for the gym</a> and what <a href="http://www.150andhere.com/2016/09/this-is-33.html">33 looks like</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">But off the cuff
works too</b>: </i>But then there were the days when I had nothing and I sat down
in front of a black screen and something came out. Some of my favorite pieces ended up being written that way: the were about <a href="http://www.150andhere.com/2016/09/values.html">values we want to pass on
to Luca</a> (this is one of my all-time favorites, actually), on the <a href="http://www.150andhere.com/2016/08/on-practice.html">importance of
practice</a>, and on <a href="http://www.150andhere.com/2016/09/on-being-mindful.html">being mindful</a>.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Inspiration is
everywhere</b>: </i>That’s a super trite statement, I know. But the truth is it’s
the truth. I learned this from my magazine days, but if you’re paying
attention, ideas are all over the place. In the moment that makes you stop in
your tracks. In a podcast you listened to. In a conversation you had. Hell, in that
random thing you overheard or that comment you read in that Facebook group you
just can’t seem to pull away from. Of everything this project has made me think
about, this is the one I want to keep on hand the most. Realizing that even the
most mundane, everyday things are full of inspiration and meaning is the secret
to making it all worthwhile, I think. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So here we are, 60 days out, and I’m pretty proud that I’ve
kept it up this long. I’m still going to write as often as I can, and I’m so
happy that I was able to find this space, to find myself here, over all this
time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s been like getting back to the core of things—and now it’s
figuring out what it all looks like from here. <o:p></o:p></div>
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marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-40613916290693480382016-10-10T21:55:00.000-04:002016-10-10T21:55:03.773-04:00A Weekend in Burlington, Vermont <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeuNrH8yeJRY4gD4Xln-B7K8u-fQ6_ojokljtl2kom-ZKZii8kgW7M6b6noFNIyTqnjgRbqbsM2LHKrFuAepKFFtGJ51G2GGoAQb5DyeamvlSKRF_ANkVvsw0y9LiHjmy0zlrVM0vFcg/s1600/downtown+burlington.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeuNrH8yeJRY4gD4Xln-B7K8u-fQ6_ojokljtl2kom-ZKZii8kgW7M6b6noFNIyTqnjgRbqbsM2LHKrFuAepKFFtGJ51G2GGoAQb5DyeamvlSKRF_ANkVvsw0y9LiHjmy0zlrVM0vFcg/s640/downtown+burlington.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />One of the most common things you hear after you have a kid
is the importance of “date night.” I’m not putting it in quotes because it’s
not a real thing, but mostly because it IS such a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thing</i>. Some people complain they don’t get to do it enough, other
people seem to do it every week—and I would guess most of us fall somewhere in
between, trying to hang with our person whenever we can, while still dealing
with all the daily life stuff.</div>
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Which is why, other than an overnight at our cousin’s
wedding last year, JB and I haven’t actually been away, by ourselves, since
Luca was born. (Though lots of times when we go out to dinner or out with
friends, L will sleep at my parents’ house.) They were up for extending
the babysitting a couple days, and so we decided, in part to celebrate our 5-year
wedding anniversary, to head up to Burlington, Vermont for the weekend.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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It's a 5 hour drive and though we planned to get on the road early, that didn't actually happen. We wound up stopping in Albany for dinner at <a href="http://newworldbistrobar.com/" target="_blank">New World Bistro Bar</a>, though, and it was totally worth it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1R1OpyBPyoObN2-EwDjeeDhBRruLeoIoeEkKR52d0EhFD1AAAKrk9nX3NbpcmFvj6z3nRYzPQdMbLDy8slyK84b47O-lr4MgOHiL8NCf-JDagcIhz-1Z9hfxBk9DAHIbjIpfD16QrB0/s1600/IMG_1496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1R1OpyBPyoObN2-EwDjeeDhBRruLeoIoeEkKR52d0EhFD1AAAKrk9nX3NbpcmFvj6z3nRYzPQdMbLDy8slyK84b47O-lr4MgOHiL8NCf-JDagcIhz-1Z9hfxBk9DAHIbjIpfD16QrB0/s640/IMG_1496.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was late by the time we got up to Burlington, so we called it a night. The next morning we were up--not that early!!--and were happy to be in walking distance of basically everything. They have a great farmers market on Saturday mornings, so we walked around there before have breakfast at <a href="http://www.monarchandthemilkweed.com/" target="_blank">Monarch & the Milkweed</a>. The waffles are basically four mini waffles stacked high, and are so good! (I tried to take some artsy food photos but, a food photographer I am not, so no go on those.) </div>
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It was overcast and a little windy, but it wasn't cold or raining so we decided to go for a long bike ride along the <a href="http://enjoyburlington.com/venue/burlington-bike-path/" target="_blank">Burlington Bike Path</a>. We wound up doing 20 miles total, which was awesome. I was pretty proud of myself until we turned around to go back: it was so, so windy and so much harder that I almost couldn't hang. I made it in the end, though, hah.<br />
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After the ride we went to <a href="http://americanflatbread.com/" target="_blank">American Flatbread</a>, which <a href="http://www.150andhere.com/2011/10/apple-picking-success.html" target="_blank">Dorna</a> and Maulin had recommended--and it was great. </div>
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That night we walked around <a href="http://www.churchstmarketplace.com/" target="_blank">Church Street</a>, going into a few stores, before finally heading to <a href="http://www.farmhousetg.com/" target="_blank">The Farmhouse Tap & Grill </a>for a late dinner. I loved the vibe of the whole town--it's young and fun and just so charming. I could totally imagine living there. (We obviously Trulia-ed all the cute apartments we saw :) </div>
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On Sunday, we went to <a href="https://skinnypancake.com/" target="_blank">The Skinny Pancake</a> for crepes and then walked around a bit more before getting on the road. The foliage was sort of half and half the whole time, but on the drive home it was amazing. Despite all the hype, fall still manages to get you every time. </div>
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Anyway, I know everyone says it, but the weekend away was just so nice. JB had picked the place and the hotel and it was perfect. I get why people stress the importance of the whole date night thing--it was <i>good</i> to reconnect and put ourselves first and all that. And of course we missed L and talked about him a ton, but from the photos we were getting, he had himself a pretty good weekend too. </div>
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So, here's to connecting and to remembering who we are, and to being ourselves, all at the same time. </div>
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marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-61311122112534294262016-10-06T21:29:00.000-04:002016-10-06T21:29:00.917-04:00Here and Now <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sometimes, when I'm not sure what I want to write, I let my mind wander. I could come up with this kind of list, or that kind of list. I could write about one thing or another, on and on until something clicks or settles and there you go. One of my favorite parts of working in magazines has always been the pitching and the brainstorming. I'd sit on the train and let my thoughts jump from one thing to another, a concentrated effort to be creative that usually resulted in at least a couple good ideas. </div>
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Nothing has really stuck out today. Maybe a list of things I did today? That's navel gazing at its finest. Does anyone else care that I folded a couple loads of laundry today? That I went to work, that we had burgers for dinner? Maybe I will one day, though probably even I won't give much of a second thought to that. </div>
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I could write about other things: that Amanda Knox documentary was, in the end, super interesting. I didn't follow the case much at the time, but I'm going to wholeheartedly <a href="https://www.romper.com/p/does-nick-pisa-still-work-for-the-daily-mail-the-amanda-knox-star-has-a-new-job-19721" target="_blank">agree with the Internet </a>that that Nick Pisa guy was the worst of the worst and basically gives all journalists a bad name. Same goes for that misogynistic investigator. Definitely worth a watch. </div>
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But mostly I've got some of the <a href="http://www.150andhere.com/2016/10/balance-in-bigger-picture.html" target="_blank">same things </a>on my mind that I've had all week--about balance and decisions and trusting the process. </div>
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And so I'm going to choose the here and now, forget about the rest and go put those folded clothes away, instead. </div>
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marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-4913611632115856202016-10-05T22:11:00.001-04:002016-10-05T22:11:42.396-04:00Taking Stock this Week <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVe4Jkjew4TBdhd2upOfmdH0TGYjb3I626ZwWoNZcfvIpC_rPDKD5_elZyHiTiLA00AOyp0VUHh0N9jdss6kLi46V7s6cmfu-2PlxJeKTDQJkYlljF08QayDVn5LyuhPCrwfy8gv9iLc/s1600/pumpkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVe4Jkjew4TBdhd2upOfmdH0TGYjb3I626ZwWoNZcfvIpC_rPDKD5_elZyHiTiLA00AOyp0VUHh0N9jdss6kLi46V7s6cmfu-2PlxJeKTDQJkYlljF08QayDVn5LyuhPCrwfy8gv9iLc/s640/pumpkins.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cooking</b>: <a href="http://www.150andhere.com/2016/10/balance-in-bigger-picture.html">Last
night</a> there was chopping and cutting and sautéing. Tonight there was Greek
food from our favorite place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Drinking</b>: I’m
actually just about to try this pumpkin rooibos tea I got from Trader Joe’s.
But actually, Anish bought <a href="http://www.wegmans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=778952&storeId=10052&langId=-1">this
green juice</a> from Wegman’s when we were in Pennsylvania over the weekend. It
has apple cider in it, which I’m guessing is part of why it taste so good. We
don’t have the store near us, but if you do, I highly recommend. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Reading</b>: Still on
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-Brilliant-Friend-Neapolitan-Novels/dp/1609450787">My
Brilliant Friend</a>, which I’m sure I’ll get into once I stop falling asleep
after reading a page—which is my fault, not the book’s fault. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wanting</b>: To go
through my latest Stich Fix again. I tried on everything quickly, but so far
there’s a blouse and a sweater I want to keep. I’m debating the jeans, so I want
to go through it all again. Why didn’t I do this sooner?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Looking</b>: Forward to
a weekend in Vermont, just me and John. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wishing</b>: For bikes
and hikes and leaves and good food <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Enjoying</b>: Spending
time with good friends, talking over dinner <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Watching</b>: During
lunch today I started watching the <a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/80081155">Amanda Knox</a> documentary on
Netflix—the first half hour seemed pretty interesting. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wondering</b>: What
we should get Luca for his birthday—he turns 2 at the end of the month <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Loving</b>: That
Minted’s online invitations are free (at least until Dec. 31)—I used the site
to make the invites for Luca’s birthday and getting the RSVPs emailed to me has
been the best. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hoping</b>: This cold
finally gets better. It feels like it’s been forever. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Needing</b>: To make
a list of what we need to get accomplished in the house over the next few
weeks/months. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wearing</b>: Fall
scarves again! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Noticing</b>: (And
loving): Fresh flowers, a surprise today from JB <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Knowing</b>: Timing
is everything. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thinking</b>: About
how to make a firetruck costume for L for Halloween—every time you ask him what
he wants to be, he says firetruck. Not firefighter, mind you. Just the actual
truck. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bookmarking</b>: Everything
on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/marisai/baby-love/">Pinterest</a> related
to a lumberjack/woodland creatures birthday party. We’re just doing a family
thing for L this year, so I wanted to do something not super kid-ish, but still
cute. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Snacking</b>: On
popcorn, as usual <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Giggling</b>: Over “old”
videos of Luca—I put old in quotes because these are from just a few months
ago, but already he’s changed so much. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Feeling</b>: Content</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://unsplash.com/search/pumpkin?photo=aNDOKntGD0c" target="_blank">[photo via unsplash] </a></span></i></div>
marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-90366503795655124552016-10-04T22:33:00.000-04:002016-10-04T22:33:24.962-04:00Balance in the Bigger Picture <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZ78ZnWVh7YyWfrzd0h85l5WUPhgmv5xxdMqti1CBqWQ0D4vGu14F_eNaCYD-i3b-6J4nxuCUE949-BaO8FosR0_ePhhM8rH5UsOC1-jnm4AlGPbFpQMm2nWFLnBJ4GIHjfDQJW3L68E/s1600/watercolors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZ78ZnWVh7YyWfrzd0h85l5WUPhgmv5xxdMqti1CBqWQ0D4vGu14F_eNaCYD-i3b-6J4nxuCUE949-BaO8FosR0_ePhhM8rH5UsOC1-jnm4AlGPbFpQMm2nWFLnBJ4GIHjfDQJW3L68E/s640/watercolors.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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After dinner, I was downstairs with Luca in the playroom. We
were painting and playing tools and building a racetrack. It was the most
ordinary of nights—and I found myself feeling so grateful for it.</div>
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For coming home from work and cutting up sweet potatoes and
chopping peppers and setting the table. For talking to John while Luca built a
pile of stuffed animals and jumped into it, over and over. Even for the yelling
when Luca threw the rest of his food on the floor, saying he was “all done.”
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our nights can sometimes be all over the place, and so often
we’re tired and have to-do lists full of all the things that likely won’t ever
even get done. Sometimes having a regular, old, plain, routine kind of night is
exactly what you need. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Life feels so different sometimes these days. Things that I
would have prioritized at one point, I just don’t now. Things that I would have
jumped into full force feel like they just have to wait a little longer. Goals
and thoughts sometimes have to hold on for a second while I find my footing—or instead
they just have to be put on pause for more than a few seconds. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I wrote this whole thing a few days ago that wasn’t coming out right, but it was basically about how I’m learning about balance
in a new way these days. Not balance in the loaded sense, of course—that awful
word that gets dressed up in better work benefits and conversations about
coming in an hour late and then staying at hour later. Not in flex time or time
off. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Not in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">measured</i> time,
I guess. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I'm learning about balance in the bigger picture. That some things
work right now, and some things will work better later on. It’s a fine art this
balance—figuring out what to go for and what to hold off on. Figuring out what
makes the most sense in this given moment, in this season. Will you regret, or
will you not even bother looking back. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And, no matter what, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">it’s
hard</i>. It’s hard to remember that life isn’t linear. That this may be your
season of racetrack building and construction paper coloring or your season of
60-hour work weeks or your season of loud music and late nights. <o:p></o:p></div>
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That it’s compromise, in the best sense of the word. It’s
betting on yourself, really. </div>
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And maybe that’s what these regular, old, plain, routine kind of nights
help me remember.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-50240980244211462292016-10-03T23:33:00.001-04:002016-10-03T23:33:58.066-04:00Weekend Scenes: Sesame Place <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The rain wound up holding out for us this weekend, which was great. Also great? The fact that the threat of rain meant that the crowds weren't too bad at <a href="https://sesameplace.com/en/langhorne" target="_blank">Sesame Place</a>, which I can imagine is <i>crazy packed </i>in the summer. I'm guessing this is the secret to amusement park going? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLU7Z_7TEKE3sDczVg32FxC6mxN9vYA7lFdi0rDwBWflvFBGS_1ZjmAbBfqdyUiQhBEs6wTqrsoRLIWGxuFTbFe21j1RjUphBLnJZPp86fKDxmmIbW4HR_uz-nfA3NveZXK_zkgcMXM4/s1600/sesameplace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLU7Z_7TEKE3sDczVg32FxC6mxN9vYA7lFdi0rDwBWflvFBGS_1ZjmAbBfqdyUiQhBEs6wTqrsoRLIWGxuFTbFe21j1RjUphBLnJZPp86fKDxmmIbW4HR_uz-nfA3NveZXK_zkgcMXM4/s640/sesameplace.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We went down to Sherry and Anish's on Saturday afternoon, had dinner and the hung out for a bit before calling it an early night. Parenting life and all that...but seriously, one day we won't be tired all the time, right? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS04XbHJnEej250EYeQrVJCx4QZ8uOiU2ZNMIL-hNOdkSWh1Da0tc2f2q40buK9u8CUKcnU-eNHoV4FIRR7mGUyn7V4vxW-34EvfSLqaxPPtTPCStdzJFgVa4ipJQScKwcApxaLRobwtY/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS04XbHJnEej250EYeQrVJCx4QZ8uOiU2ZNMIL-hNOdkSWh1Da0tc2f2q40buK9u8CUKcnU-eNHoV4FIRR7mGUyn7V4vxW-34EvfSLqaxPPtTPCStdzJFgVa4ipJQScKwcApxaLRobwtY/s640/FullSizeRender+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The park itself isn't huge, which is great with little kids--and it was even smaller since the water rides were closed for the season. Everything was dressed up for Halloween, including lots of the kids who came in costumes. (Ours didn't.) They had lots of cute things set up, like trick or treating stands throughout the park where kids could stop and get some cookies/pretzels/etc. </div>
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We started off at the carousel, and then went on a bunch of other rides. I know the park is geared towards younger kids, but I totally appreciated the fact that Luca, at almost 2, could go on almost everything. </div>
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The lines weren't bad either, though we did learn a thing or two about patience and waiting your turn. </div>
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This happy baby hung out in the carrier most of the day and barely made a peep--she was just taking it all in. It's crazy to think that next year she'll be running around with the boys. </div>
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We stayed for the parade, which was adorable--and worth the wait till 4pm. The boys also got some pre-parade lollipops. Let's just say that one fell on the floor, there were some tears, a replacement and then all was well with the world. </div>
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It was such an awesome day and I'm so glad we got to hang out for the weekend. I wish these three kiddos lived closer--Sherry and I grew up across the street from each other--but hopefully these kinds of days will mean they'll stay close, no matter how far they are. </div>
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marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-63425787529096265892016-10-01T13:41:00.003-04:002016-10-01T13:41:54.621-04:00What to Take on a Road Trip <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We're spending the night at Sherry's and we're headed out in a few minutes. Even though it only takes a couple hours to get there, we're still gearing up. And by that I mean that we're taking the 5 things we always seem to take with us on road trips these days. (The truth: this list is nothing new, just getting it down for the record of it): </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Coffee/tea. Because if one of us falls asleep it's all over. (And that someone is usually me.) </li>
<li>Change of clothes for Luca. We learned this one the hard way when we were driving from San Francisco to LA this summer and wound up with a car full of um, gross goldfish. (Sorry.) </li>
<li>Podcasts. We did Revisionist History on the trip to Cape Cod and we're going to listen to How I Built This or Young House Love Has a Podcast this time. </li>
<li>Snacks. When we drove through Spain on our honeymoon our snacks were much tastier/healthier things like manchego cheese. These days it's Trader Joe's trail mix for the win. </li>
<li>Stickers. Maybe it's just our kid, but stickers can keep him occupied for so long. And when that fails, I'm no where near above giving him the phone. :) </li>
</ol>
<div>
What do you bring with you? </div>
</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://unsplash.com/search/open-road?photo=q4uzLSrImek" target="_blank">[photo via unsplash]</a></span></i></div>
marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-48815511270100804302016-09-30T20:52:00.000-04:002016-09-30T20:52:10.525-04:00Friday Night <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
For some reason I can't seem to totally kick this cold, so John's going solo on the toddler bedtime routine and I'm hanging back and drinking lots of tea and binging episodes of Call the Midwife. Does anyone else find that whenever they watch that show they want to have all the babies? Well, that and every time I see those women giving birth in their beds at home I can't help but imagine myself doing that--and delivering the 10 pound baby I wound up having...<br />
<br />
Anyway, so all that to say that I'm taking it easy tonight, especially since we're headed down to Sherry's tomorrow for some much needed Nemmy, Luca and Lexi time and a trip to Sesame Place. I'm actually excited to go to the park (who have I become?), so I'm hoping the rain holds out.<br />
<br />
So on that note, it's back to tea drinking for me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-22628027957817276662016-09-29T22:05:00.000-04:002016-09-29T22:07:10.364-04:00Summer to Fall <div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s a part of me that’s blaming all this on the change
in seasons. Maybe it’s the extra light that comes with the summer, the longer
days, the fact that there’s always someone in the office on vacation. It all
feels a little more free, doesn’t it?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Things didn’t feel that crazy this summer, not in the way
they did last summer, at least. We did a million things and we went a million
places, but there were lots of other days when we hung out at home, in the
backyard, walking to the park and around the block. I worked out and we grilled
burgers and we went on vacation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But then quickly, it all kind of changed. Fall is always
busy for us, with birthdays and long to do lists that involve apples and
pumpkins and changing leaves and buying big, bulky scarves. They’re good
things, for sure, but they’re all things that kind of snuck up on me. One day
we’re bbq-ing and the next we’re ordering butternut squash soup and wondering
why it’s dark at 6:30. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can wax poetic all you want about how much I love fall and
how I’m happy to wear plaid anything. (Catholic school forever!) But it just
feels really fast this year. Like the rug was pulled out from under me or
something. The routine I had going has changed and my workouts are all over the
place (slash non-existent at the moment), we’re doing lots of leftovers and I
still haven’t folded the laundry from last weekend. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mostly, the idea of just sitting on the couch and watching
lots of TV sounds super appealing. Maybe it’s the all-over-the-place-ness of
the summer that’s finally catching up with me? Maybe it’s just my body gearing
up for a long winter spent mostly inside? Maybe it’s just me making 1 million
excuses? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week when I was <s>eavesdropping on</s> listening to some
<a href="http://www.150andhere.com/2016/09/4-things-i-learned-today.html" target="_blank">conversations</a> in the nail salon, one woman asked another if she liked working and
having a baby. And the woman said it depends on the week. I can relate to that
on a few different levels—but mostly to the fact that these days, things in
general just seem to change week to week. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One week we’ve got it all under control, the next week we’re
down to the last diaper and hoping that the “emergency” one you keep in that
pocket of the stroller is still there. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m trying to get back on track—crossing those small things
off the list that feel like they take up the most mental room and making
decisions that will hopefully free up some more time for us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then mostly I’m trying to remember that one week it’s this,
one week it’s that. That fall comes with it’s own feelings. Maybe the days are
shorter and maybe we need more layers, but maybe there’s a freedom in that,
too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://unsplash.com/@autumnmott24" target="_blank">[photo via unsplash] </a></span></i></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-54075733397182202472016-09-28T23:36:00.000-04:002016-09-28T23:36:11.143-04:00Taking Stock this Week <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKOn4gaSj_Zh6NMnWy0aI1qzGbiRuNe_4AwiaIM7VMLb6xbxDu4Mq2TXBXe4FeEzDKo8lpAkG4gVa0IIucZHxCSqcSRT4b5EacCKjTa0QUJurw03Z9jAq-GeQhDLvFzr1y6QmjqSb78w/s1600/photo-1473256599800-b48c7c88cd7e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKOn4gaSj_Zh6NMnWy0aI1qzGbiRuNe_4AwiaIM7VMLb6xbxDu4Mq2TXBXe4FeEzDKo8lpAkG4gVa0IIucZHxCSqcSRT4b5EacCKjTa0QUJurw03Z9jAq-GeQhDLvFzr1y6QmjqSb78w/s640/photo-1473256599800-b48c7c88cd7e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Cooking</b>: If heating up counts as cooking, then we’ve heated
up soup that my mother-in-law made this week. so good and so needed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Drinking</b>: Tea, orange juice, seltzer. I’m not feeling that
well and it totally shows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Reading</b>: I ditched Commonwealth for a second and started My
Brilliant Friend—Miriam and Joe got it for me for my birthday and I couldn’t
wait to read it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Wanting</b>: To get back to the gym—since I haven’t been feeling
that well I haven’t gone and it’s about time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Looking</b>: For those photos, still. Did I mention my thoughts
on <a href="http://www.150andhere.com/2016/08/for-love-of-last-minute.html" target="_blank">procrastination</a>? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Wishing</b>: That a chef would magically appear in our kitchen
every day and make us super healthy breakfasts, lunches and dinners and also
have snacks just out and ready to go when we walk in the door. A girl can
dream? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Enjoying</b>: Fall clothes. I went to a couple stores with Luca
today after work and got him some new pajamas and a fall jacket, and then I got
myself a couple new tops. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Watching</b>: How to Get Away With Murder. Pitch. New Girl.
Bring on all the fall shows! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Wondering</b>: If Luca being in school means we’re going to be
sick all year <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Loving</b>: What a small world it is <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<b>Hoping</b>: It doesn’t rain this weekend <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Needing</b>: A clean house <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Wearing</b>: My new leather jacket. It was my birthday gift.
(And also on super sale, which made me happy)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Noticing</b>: That there are three different sized trucks on my
coffee table <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Knowing</b>: That things will work out the way they’re meant to.
I think I always say some form of this, though it often relates to different
things. This time, I’m feeling like we need to take a step back and look at the
whole picture and what we can do to streamline some things—and then we need to
actually do them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Thinking</b>: About how far we’ve come. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Bookmarking</b>: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sweet-ikea-ad-shows-heartache-of-watching-kids-grow-up_us_57ea9274e4b082aad9b718ce?section=women&">This</a>
commercial. Yes, I realize it’s a commercial—for Ikea no less—but it all goes
by so fast, doesn’t it? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Snacking</b>: On Toblerone<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Giggling</b>: At how everything is “great” to Luca these days.
And mostly to the little conversations he has with himself. He’s just such a
happy kid, and I really hope he’s always that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Feeling</b>: Comfortable <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://unsplash.com/@fableandfolk" target="_blank">[photo via unsplash] </a></span></i></div>
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marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-78932320195235078632016-09-27T07:04:00.000-04:002016-09-30T20:58:20.293-04:00This Is 33 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXUpIoE-Q00R2zl8OPBm6VtvgCQuRzxKT0Sgp7TCBCRSHUnXHxETzhOSFl4Y6hkGqiCJm32QViM6cMiynmRs9e5XG1t-oyU1YyhQPVxtBPVGqOy2v_43fNA3dSuSjasExf38LRvg_OsI/s1600/birthday+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXUpIoE-Q00R2zl8OPBm6VtvgCQuRzxKT0Sgp7TCBCRSHUnXHxETzhOSFl4Y6hkGqiCJm32QViM6cMiynmRs9e5XG1t-oyU1YyhQPVxtBPVGqOy2v_43fNA3dSuSjasExf38LRvg_OsI/s640/birthday+cake.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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I turned 33 yesterday and I’m not really sure where to
start. The truth is, maybe I don’t have as many thoughts on this as I thought I
did. It’s not a milestone, which we’re taught to reflect on and measure against
and so I’ve been writing and deleting sentences for the last half hour.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some start with today: It’s early and I’m on the couch with
some tea and not enough hours of sleep. John left for work already, a long
drive to meet a client, and Luca is still sleeping. I can hear him turning over
in his crib, sighing just slightly. He’ll wake up and there will be Sesame
Street episodes and sippy cups full of milk. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some start with a reflection: Yesterday, I was buckling Luca
into his car seat as we were leaving for school and work. He was talking to
himself, as 2 year olds often do, and I was running late, as 33 year olds often
do. And I stopped, thinking that this is what life looks right now: breathless
and always running a few minutes behind, caught up but also as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in it</i> as I can be. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Some start with nostalgia: I am in a dorm room at the start
of a new semester and we are sitting cross-legged on the floor. I am wearing
heels and buying a “going out” shirt, it was blue or black and paired well with
jeans. I am waiting in line somewhere, reminding someone of a reservation. I am
dropping expensive drinks and I am dancing and I am laughing. I am wine tasting
and cake eating and I am in a furniture-less room, in a new house, with my
favorite people. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Some start with lessons learned: This past year has been all
about settling into a routine—what works and what doesn’t and what we can
change to make it work for the moment. I’ve slowly, slowly, slowly started to
realize some standards I need to let go of, some expectations that don’t need
to be met. Some messes that are ok as is. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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You probably know where this is going: maybe <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this</i> is what 33 looks like. All these
sentences taken together, the then and the now, jumbled up to come up with
something new. And I have to tell you, as flawed and tiring as it can all be, I
really really like the way it looks from here. <o:p></o:p></div>
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marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-18436564020742105652016-09-25T22:15:00.000-04:002016-09-25T22:15:28.848-04:00Weekend Scenes <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMweMSEErL2XfDfWJsRKtJwQWJCnOwblHrXXGLrmR_CEV6gwd5moqyCTjp7kMLtEX6tFUMy4dpjwTDRgvPF43adkele2uoDQeKqwlrbI5oliFPSxh28rCECmQIpKzpEaQFzhiz8Jgvn2s/s1600/14463139_10104264257031530_5055576640064350073_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMweMSEErL2XfDfWJsRKtJwQWJCnOwblHrXXGLrmR_CEV6gwd5moqyCTjp7kMLtEX6tFUMy4dpjwTDRgvPF43adkele2uoDQeKqwlrbI5oliFPSxh28rCECmQIpKzpEaQFzhiz8Jgvn2s/s640/14463139_10104264257031530_5055576640064350073_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm not proud to admit that I wound up falling asleep while watching the 2014 season of the Real Housewives of New Jersey and when I woke up close to midnight I just couldn't bring myself to write anything. Or look anyone in the eye. </div>
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The weekend, though, has been great. Coincidently, great is Luca's new answer to everything. Luca, how was school? Great. Luca, how are your trucks? Great. Luca, is that ice cream good? No...great. Here's hoping his enthusiasm doesn't wane in the coming years. </div>
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I had to work on Saturday, but afterwards we went to my cousin's house for my little cousin's birthday. There were burgers and hot dogs and pastiere. Pastiere is basically a spaghetti pie, which looks like <a href="http://www.davidlebovitz.com/spaghetti-pie-torte-recipe-cacio-e-pepe/" target="_blank">this</a>. And also <a href="http://www.chiarapassion.com/2015/04/pastiera-di-pasta.html" target="_blank">this</a>. So we call it pastiere, but I just looked it up and it seems like other people might not call it that? Italians, what's the actual name? Pastiera di pasta? Frittata di pasta? It seems like it, according to that Chiarapassion blog I just linked to. Anyway, I have to get the recipe from my grandmother because it's amazing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuvniJbDAs_8A4hCfOFp16Y3wHvQapxfvXPGDBLMrvazhYehY2Uf4uW1m3Lns2lVK3g_fZ2wbQe_JnreB0kEf8q8xOpCTuh1kWzTrN_Kpr3jurZqPTPpr8NI8NJxQvFYfjPZJIQSAZ0k/s1600/14448877_10104262737756170_5857385188671040453_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuvniJbDAs_8A4hCfOFp16Y3wHvQapxfvXPGDBLMrvazhYehY2Uf4uW1m3Lns2lVK3g_fZ2wbQe_JnreB0kEf8q8xOpCTuh1kWzTrN_Kpr3jurZqPTPpr8NI8NJxQvFYfjPZJIQSAZ0k/s640/14448877_10104262737756170_5857385188671040453_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After the party, we walked down to this outdoor concert (birthday boy is on the right!) and hung out for a bit before Luca passed out in the stroller. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpf0LrydaRz6qu3Yabd8DA41ZeqkUuIZ5Tx5QqWu3-0DlqRxuldrylJtKegD9yMsr2y2AH3ZxpI2EkDRrt-OA_PuSfmJF1AAkW7x38W2jWl7DvuiGQftBKHb06kNsiyDazwYdgc8irc0/s1600/14469689_10104264257006580_721264491558847508_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpf0LrydaRz6qu3Yabd8DA41ZeqkUuIZ5Tx5QqWu3-0DlqRxuldrylJtKegD9yMsr2y2AH3ZxpI2EkDRrt-OA_PuSfmJF1AAkW7x38W2jWl7DvuiGQftBKHb06kNsiyDazwYdgc8irc0/s640/14469689_10104264257006580_721264491558847508_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My birthday is on Monday and on Sunday, JB and L gave me an awesome birthday gift, plus this wonderful surprise right here, which I tend to take full advantage of this week. ;) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbM-_UNNOz8n4mnmK23y3OGPgJriMpkLLIcgASP3BPza1EJtgzBlsEKZ2Kwo2U9sDVU2STcnIv-XcArvzfhJC2lh5MK6LDp3cTFWBTQMbdmR4d8V7rJGhC8kXLMJvb57XdKGKNupVhLAA/s1600/14502866_10104264256577440_8760256011488900725_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbM-_UNNOz8n4mnmK23y3OGPgJriMpkLLIcgASP3BPza1EJtgzBlsEKZ2Kwo2U9sDVU2STcnIv-XcArvzfhJC2lh5MK6LDp3cTFWBTQMbdmR4d8V7rJGhC8kXLMJvb57XdKGKNupVhLAA/s640/14502866_10104264256577440_8760256011488900725_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We went to brunch at <a href="http://rivermarketbarandkitchen.com/" target="_blank">Rivermarket</a> in Tarrytown with my family to celebrate and wound up spending about 4 hours hanging out, talking and admiring Carmine's new car. (The car's up on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/marisa_i/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> story...) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SmxM2VJGRgSS2WuUpcmUnZGR2rtYq9rhU3PgJVCA9iaxcDDXs9kgVmmSHovy-jWSg-fBawqmSsFiOxlC8vSCn2Ye0mrGKZ6LAwV6UwAs-Wq99XDBfM2Pyg4lQmELnolnLkYvIW9Gjw4/s1600/IMG_1259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SmxM2VJGRgSS2WuUpcmUnZGR2rtYq9rhU3PgJVCA9iaxcDDXs9kgVmmSHovy-jWSg-fBawqmSsFiOxlC8vSCn2Ye0mrGKZ6LAwV6UwAs-Wq99XDBfM2Pyg4lQmELnolnLkYvIW9Gjw4/s640/IMG_1259.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I don't take for granted for one second the fact that not only do I get to be related to these awesome people, but that I'm lucky enough to love spending time with them too. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUyRjXaEiU2FJB-jsi76IXMTGnWFrhuAsv0YW29XSN0r_u4eel4Nv-gWLrwnPOpnGfsYhPImtu1V1oCStMPNTQxJcTZ3px0FNANQyYtsl71ienHr2B1wp2W2Ls7L1ifm_oekiLvjB9eA/s1600/14485126_10104264256587420_486735917616630450_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUyRjXaEiU2FJB-jsi76IXMTGnWFrhuAsv0YW29XSN0r_u4eel4Nv-gWLrwnPOpnGfsYhPImtu1V1oCStMPNTQxJcTZ3px0FNANQyYtsl71ienHr2B1wp2W2Ls7L1ifm_oekiLvjB9eA/s640/14485126_10104264256587420_486735917616630450_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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As might be expected, I have lots of thoughts on turning 33, which I'm hoping to actually collect and write out tomorrow, but in the meantime, I'm spending my last night of being 32 drinking tea and hanging out on the couch. It doesn't get much better than that, friends. </div>
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marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-36092216977779972892016-09-23T22:12:00.001-04:002016-09-23T22:12:42.379-04:004 Things I Learned Today <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoim1Wv5tF1mCgD934WoFVm6gLw_XOnrbN9eP_LlNjFOtxuHMDOq0Bl-bc41zurSMifdcVU3SczK2LwxS6UUK44UUHMTQiRa91BvaT9OvG12jY57uP0UxZfvhwj16zH1-wPQ7enh0DdI/s1600/learning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoim1Wv5tF1mCgD934WoFVm6gLw_XOnrbN9eP_LlNjFOtxuHMDOq0Bl-bc41zurSMifdcVU3SczK2LwxS6UUK44UUHMTQiRa91BvaT9OvG12jY57uP0UxZfvhwj16zH1-wPQ7enh0DdI/s640/learning.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><b>There is no point in
cleaning when you live with a toddler</b>.</i> Before leaving this morning, I straightened
up the living room, did the dishes, put the clothes away etc. This afternoon,
Luca was home for maybe 5 minutes, and all the pillows were off the couch, his
trucks were on the floor and his little motorcycle was tipped over in the middle
of the living room.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Nail salons are the best
places to hear people’s life stories.</b> </i>I went to get a manicure after work and
listened to a couple different women talking about their jobs, the small
apartment their kid lives in, how much their husband works, who takes care of
their toddler, where to go on vacation and a whole bunch of other
personal/interesting details about their lives. Way better than watching the
local news. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i>Sometimes it’s a good
idea to take a walk outside and leave your phone at home.</i></b> <a href="http://nymag.com/selectall/2016/09/andrew-sullivan-technology-almost-killed-me.html">This
article</a> in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New York</i> magazine was
so interesting (thanks for passing it on, Julia!) and while I don’t think most
of us are going to let go of our phones/TVs/computers/ipads completely (or
anytime soon), the idea of just the complete <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bombardment</i> of constant information is staggering. This is
particularly crazy: “We almost forget that ten years ago, there were no
smartphones, and as recently as 2011, only a third of Americans owned one.” I wish
I could take a class on the impact of this constant stream of media on people. Anyway,
this is worth the read. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i>Do not speak too
soon.</i></b> I gave Luca a bath, read him two books and put him in his crib,
turned off the light and walked out. LIKE A REAL PARENT. I gloated to John and
10 minutes later, he was standing up in his cribs asking to play with trucks. I
should have quit while I was ahead. <o:p></o:p></div>
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marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-20342426123893673742016-09-22T21:35:00.003-04:002016-09-22T21:36:34.654-04:00Thursday <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIf5SY48qbHxOAlvCWnTAXfnoos0gh0hXUSfkyIjwy3VovjleqOf4OxtcS49G30aYM9BE_QLYB6m15aMoC46E3IvWUjPMk0JO5OnF-zfZJx9V0yzKZ4QLsXto67-lxW0mEGYZ6jBkDo8/s1600/photo-1469920783271-4ee08a94d42d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIf5SY48qbHxOAlvCWnTAXfnoos0gh0hXUSfkyIjwy3VovjleqOf4OxtcS49G30aYM9BE_QLYB6m15aMoC46E3IvWUjPMk0JO5OnF-zfZJx9V0yzKZ4QLsXto67-lxW0mEGYZ6jBkDo8/s640/photo-1469920783271-4ee08a94d42d.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Luca wasn’t feeling well, so he was up at 5 this morning—and
even though he seems fine now, I’ve been going ever since. So for the second
time this week, I’m using my two-sentence pass and calling it.<br />
<br />
The truth is, there are a whole bunch of things on my mind. Things
I started writing over the last couple days and never really finished. I’ll get
to them eventually. In the meantime, I did manage to take some time to get my
hair cut/colored today. Ugh, it’s at that point, guys, where I have to get my
hair color done otherwise you see a whole bunch of grays. We are squarely out
of the stage of dying red streaks in your hair in Joyce’s basement. </div>
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Life still
feels like we're there sometimes, though, no? <o:p></o:p><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://unsplash.com/@impatrickt" target="_blank">[photo via unsplash] </a></span></i></div>
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marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-4197852387090677152016-09-21T17:59:00.001-04:002016-09-21T17:59:26.009-04:00Taking Stock This Week
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJP8s91DcaUKGGVsCdMMIQ45T4KR0J9xTdZEJhfGNDJrW9UcPeCQyrI4DLWFMB6srTHq_wL84Nc4SE6DkLgU5Hov0Fcx2RFb4qaS8xI9xDAEp8b4c-A3gub93_HF5K4z_MrV35gVzhWU/s1600/IMG_0412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJP8s91DcaUKGGVsCdMMIQ45T4KR0J9xTdZEJhfGNDJrW9UcPeCQyrI4DLWFMB6srTHq_wL84Nc4SE6DkLgU5Hov0Fcx2RFb4qaS8xI9xDAEp8b4c-A3gub93_HF5K4z_MrV35gVzhWU/s640/IMG_0412.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Making</b>: Something with apples? Our friends dropped off some
apples yesterday from Saturday’s visit and I’m thinking maybe I can find a few
minutes to make something out of them. The much greater likelihood is that
they’ll wind up as part of our breakfast and/or snack.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Cooking</b>: Our first spaghetti squash of the season. Wasn’t
fooling pasta-loving Luca tho. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Drinking</b>: Pomegranate seltzer. Fall-ish? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Reading</b>: I just started <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Commonwealth-Ann-Patchett/dp/0062491792/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1474493460&sr=1-1&keywords=commonwealth">Commonwealth</a></i>
by Ann Patchett. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0399184511/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_3?pf_rd_p=1944687682&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=1451697252&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=EZQ4JPTHF30RHR9PFYVJ">This
book</a> looks so good too. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Wanting</b>: To be more creative <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Looking</b>: Forward to the weekend <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Playing</b>: With watercolors. I picked up the $2 pack from
Target over the weekend and Luca and I went to town. He didn’t totally grasp
that you had to put paint on the brush <i>after</i> you dip it in the water, but you
know…art takes time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Wasting</b>: Time watching the Real Housewives. I can’t help
myself. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Wishing</b>: For daily naps <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Enjoying</b>: Slightly cooler weather <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Watching</b>: This is Us. It filled my Parenthood void and
sorry, but overwrought dramas never get old in my book. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Wondering</b>: About, about, about (It’s not an answer, I don’t think.)
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Loving</b>: The top photo, which my brother Carmine took on a recent hiking trip with John. He has so many good ones, I can't even tell you. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Hoping</b>: Luca feels better. He wound up with a fever this
afternoon and he’s sleeping on the couch as I type <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Marveling</b>: At all the things I want to remember. I make up
lists in my head sometimes, even though I know I should just record it all
here. But there’s so much I want to make note of—what Luca says and how we
react. When he started doing this or that. I look back on pictures from even a
year ago and it feels so fast. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Needing</b>: A haircut, which I'm finally getting tomorrow. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Wearing</b>: The post-work uniform of sweats and a t-shirt. Though
I really need some new shirts to wear to work—I always wind up buying new
ones for spring/summer and fall/winter but I don’t know if
day-to-day shirts are even worth investing in or if it’s better to stick to the
H&M staples? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Noticing</b>: Chipped nail polish, crumbs on the counter <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Knowing</b>: What’s meant to be will be, always <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Thinking</b>: About turning 33 in 5 days. The jumble feels like
it’s starting—the years where you’re “in your 30s” instead of focused on a
specific number. I’m sure there will be more to say soon. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Bookmarking</b>: <a href="http://designformankind.com/2016/09/india-2/">This piece</a>, over on
Design for Mankind. If you don’t read Erin’s blog already, it’s exactly what
blogging should be. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Snacking</b>: On Trader Joe’s dark chocolate almond bark. So
good. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Giggling</b>: At Luca singing Happy Birthday in the car over the
weekend. He went through the whole list: Mama, Dada, Nonno, Nonna….<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Feeling</b>: Distracted <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>[photo by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/carminooch/" target="_blank">Carmine</a>] </i></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-54753458978925568842016-09-20T22:28:00.001-04:002016-09-20T22:28:23.034-04:00Short <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sxl3Qhw37LWCtRzflF7mezPO8OBTmQFLHKrtVr5CagbIHpTGD6v6s5T6aAzYZXiVpminfMnZj5TQC7-bon7hzaRnMB9qh6IkzzUwQCOW1UPL5TVTAZLq1QewKZ3Xt6f4xtkZ4VBsqaI/s1600/photo-1473186505569-9c61870c11f9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sxl3Qhw37LWCtRzflF7mezPO8OBTmQFLHKrtVr5CagbIHpTGD6v6s5T6aAzYZXiVpminfMnZj5TQC7-bon7hzaRnMB9qh6IkzzUwQCOW1UPL5TVTAZLq1QewKZ3Xt6f4xtkZ4VBsqaI/s640/photo-1473186505569-9c61870c11f9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It’s a two-sentence kind of night. I’m tired,
mostly, which comes as a surprise to basically no one. It could also be because
I’m sitting down to write this at 10:30, when I should probably be sleeping.
I’m going to call it short, going to call it quick.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are days when I wish I could write early in the
morning, sitting at the table or on the couch with hot tea and sunshine. And
then there are days when it’s best at night, when the day is done and it’s time
to think and reassess what happened. They’re both right, I guess. The grass is
green on both sides, I guess. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway. That’s all I’ve got right now.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="https://unsplash.com/?photo=hjwKMkehBco" target="_blank">[photo via unsplash]</a></i></span></div>
marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-62696849655500220952016-09-19T19:59:00.000-04:002016-09-19T19:59:58.694-04:00Reading Update <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BZkM4K7-j1zzWrvtTHsPYvEpfTnBIwUcthDADT3YRamuMIRKvg25bIOqHuhrPuhza7idG_dnFVy2hM1lHvSiitQTgTj4HtslCrLJxpNSEZtXJ6Y4r4vZtht-4U0tkVAZESzjftpp4j4/s1600/photo-1424115087662-5845efc6b366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BZkM4K7-j1zzWrvtTHsPYvEpfTnBIwUcthDADT3YRamuMIRKvg25bIOqHuhrPuhza7idG_dnFVy2hM1lHvSiitQTgTj4HtslCrLJxpNSEZtXJ6Y4r4vZtht-4U0tkVAZESzjftpp4j4/s640/photo-1424115087662-5845efc6b366.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Back in January when I <a href="http://www.150andhere.com/2016/01/books-i-want-to-read-in-2016.html" target="_blank">wrote this list</a>, I was pretty
convinced I’d get through it in about 6 months. And while I’ve definitely read
a whole bunch of books since the start of the year, I didn’t exactly stick to
the syllabus.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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So here's a look at what I <i>did</i> read. <i>(Just a quick aside, I'm trying out the Amazon affiliate program, so there are affiliate links to all the books in this post, which just means that if you click and buy it, I get a small commission.) </i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2cLC5T5" target="_blank">All Joy and No Fun</a></i></b>: This book was so good. I don’t read a ton
of nonfiction, but I found myself totally engrossed with the subject matter.
It’s more about parenthood than <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">parenting</i>—less
“here’s how to sleep train your kid” and “here’s how to get them to eat
broccoli at every meal and totally love it” and more about concepts like
scheduling and burnt out and what parenting looks like now. I found myself nodding
through the beginning, which focuses on early parenting and my current stage. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2dc99BV" target="_blank">The Stories Life of AJ Fikry</a></i></b>: We read this book for our
bi-monthly book club, which has, as you might imagine, morphed into our
bi-monthly lets hang out and maybe talk about books we’re reading that the
others are totally not club. That’s totally ok with me. So it’s been awhile
since I read this one, but I remember thinking how the beginning threw me off a
little bit—at first I couldn’t tell if AJ, who owns a bookstore and whose wife
had passed away, was imagining things happening (like the baby being left in
the store) or if it was actually happening. I’m happy I stuck with it though,
because it definitely gets better—the story centers around the bookstore and
his raising of his daughter, as well as a relationship that develops with a new
love interest. I particularly liked going back and reading the book reviews
written from AJ’s perspective at the start of each chapter. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/2cq5KAI" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All the Light We Cannot See</i></b>:</a> This is a story in the true sense
of the word: the writing is amazing, the characters are developed and it takes
place in a time and setting most of us haven’t experienced. There are so many books
about World War II out there, but this one takes it from a totally different
perspective—a young German orphan turned soldier and a blind French girl living
with her reclusive uncle. It weaves the stories together in a seamless way, and
since the characters are younger than in many other war stories, I found the
perspective to be a different one as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/2ckX7ZJ" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My Antonia</i></b>:</a> Ok, I got to the second chapter—I think?—and
abandoned it. I’m still determined to get back to it one of these days, so….<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, while I only got three on the main list, I did read a
whole bunch more. Some other recent books I’ve read and liked: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2cXP0QP" target="_blank">Modern Lovers</a></i></b>: This book was everywhere this summer and it had
be totally engrossed. I think I read it in just a few days. It’s also happens
to be the exact kind of story I like to read: character driven, generationally
driven, and about every day life, which to me, can be the most interesting
subject of all. It’s basically about college friends who went on to live near
each other and whose kids have grown up together—and the relationships that have
developed. I totally recommend this one. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2cE7gSw" target="_blank">Homegoing</a></i></b>: The structure of this book might have been my
favorite part: it jumped from generation to generation with each chapter, so
that before you know it you’ve gone from the 1700’s to the 1900’s. The story
focuses on the start of the American slave trade in Africa and traces the
family lines of two half-sisters through the centuries. It’s ambitious, for
sure but I found it completely mesmerizing. I loved, in particular,
the role of motherhood in the stories and what it meant throughout those years.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2cDiNOH" target="_blank">A Window Opens</a></i></b>: I recognized so much of my own daily life in
this book, which is about a mother who goes to work for a tech company. I don’t
work for a tech company or anything, but just the whole daily juggle of working
and parenting and marriage. There was so much of what I imagine life will be
like when Luca is a bit older. There were parts that I wish were a bit more
developed, but overall, it was a quick, good read. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Well, based on the original list, I still have a few more
books to tackle before December. Here’s to lots more reading in the coming
months. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>(And just one more time: I'm trying out the Amazon affiliate program, so there are affiliate links to all the books in this post, which just means that if you click and buy it, I get a small commission.) </i></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="https://unsplash.com/@gaellemm" target="_blank">[photo via unsplash]</a></i></span></o:p></div>
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marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-21149078739809779302016-09-18T23:18:00.000-04:002016-09-18T23:18:38.598-04:00Weekend Scenes <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsEQUa04hTxC-N_2mCtiqBf69m3gDGeg5JdeKuVYr9jzFC1_2N-qDksc-7yUwsq-QM-s196Gh_zimOhhfZrjPBt7uLi0NlbNN715Z218xSAr-5akCGZrr9CmLVqxwEnwEaZImbO3TRp0/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsEQUa04hTxC-N_2mCtiqBf69m3gDGeg5JdeKuVYr9jzFC1_2N-qDksc-7yUwsq-QM-s196Gh_zimOhhfZrjPBt7uLi0NlbNN715Z218xSAr-5akCGZrr9CmLVqxwEnwEaZImbO3TRp0/s640/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Well, I missed a day yesterday—I’m about a month and a half
into <a href="http://www.150andhere.com/2016/08/100-days-with-words.html" target="_blank">this thing</a>—but I have a good excuse: we happened to have parked only a
block away from that explosion in NYC on Saturday night. We weren’t by the car
when it happened, thankfully, but getting home took a lot longer than expected.
Hopefully everyone that was hurt makes a quick recovery. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p>Other than that , the weekend itself was great. Saturday morning we went up to an apple orchard and got to celebrate one of our favorite little guy's turning 2 with a hayride and some time in the pumpkin patch. Max and Luca are only a few weeks apart in age and I love watching them grow up together. </o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimreHLv22q1ojJEABwnIvQH8HbOUs_wmEn5tZpF_MY9dxOTmdZbfJRgALSJt-bNW6_bFhp6Kr7P7LapVM-UuVxZewXwIWrUtuSiVvKlSDFQLFbPUdv3I8LgVHZiRi9kuE-4xnzwED54lw/s1600/IMG_1073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimreHLv22q1ojJEABwnIvQH8HbOUs_wmEn5tZpF_MY9dxOTmdZbfJRgALSJt-bNW6_bFhp6Kr7P7LapVM-UuVxZewXwIWrUtuSiVvKlSDFQLFbPUdv3I8LgVHZiRi9kuE-4xnzwED54lw/s640/IMG_1073.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<o:p>Also, even though it was 80 degrees out, being at the orchard--and eating some apple cider donuts--made me want all things fall. </o:p></div>
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<o:p>After that, we headed into the city to see one of my friend's from Italy, who was here on her honeymoon. We hadn't seen each other in probably about 10 years--and I hadn't met her husband until the other day--but we all just fell right back into it. </o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5qMUXEqb0iMjZfXH6v5rw66PwFTzJQ_BGPE9COKr6VC38of90hHWxRUDpwc5VSzGuoNukh2s7be-agYg-BIzlPapfEq6uE1ob66hzOQO5TZIOetrD1_RcmsURho7d9pmfZEH6B8JvVo/s1600/IMG_1091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5qMUXEqb0iMjZfXH6v5rw66PwFTzJQ_BGPE9COKr6VC38of90hHWxRUDpwc5VSzGuoNukh2s7be-agYg-BIzlPapfEq6uE1ob66hzOQO5TZIOetrD1_RcmsURho7d9pmfZEH6B8JvVo/s640/IMG_1091.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We totally spent some time reminiscing about summers past--and many of the stupid things we did--and even though I know I say it (or at least think it) all the time, I just feel so grateful to have had them. </div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eZg5hwx3xnoiTf9JPClQ5Ko-5XSBEDyiO6TxV-YGmZGA163u4kIErJg5JcmHUiHXCubJ6E0D7yokOadNuDf_Q71k_JC_59WlRnvzcmUahxI6XnHSm8FQUw-98Gpo416iWCF8UoWEuOI/s1600/IMG_1118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eZg5hwx3xnoiTf9JPClQ5Ko-5XSBEDyiO6TxV-YGmZGA163u4kIErJg5JcmHUiHXCubJ6E0D7yokOadNuDf_Q71k_JC_59WlRnvzcmUahxI6XnHSm8FQUw-98Gpo416iWCF8UoWEuOI/s640/IMG_1118.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<o:p>Simona and Alessio wound up staying at our place on Saturday night, so we got some extra time to hang out--and then were able to get breakfast this morning before they headed back to their hotel and then back home. </o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxfoe1fTYcbAayysXep7P54OWOrCoJyoJYtim5wRdQJepQkBBFrjyFCVbB4TZ_7q_RxgvIGBxJYlOHrSSEHVYSaCm0s_VrDCW8Op5D3Pm_6N5gRtJRV2SlHOe_yLvBdZXaVHS1jCy8ok/s1600/IMG_1120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxfoe1fTYcbAayysXep7P54OWOrCoJyoJYtim5wRdQJepQkBBFrjyFCVbB4TZ_7q_RxgvIGBxJYlOHrSSEHVYSaCm0s_VrDCW8Op5D3Pm_6N5gRtJRV2SlHOe_yLvBdZXaVHS1jCy8ok/s640/IMG_1120.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not the best picture, but in case there was any doubt that Italians will always choose cake and pastries over eggs and bagels for breakfast, here's proof. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtik-zwxsWUrCZ1G8tpa5n1ujYKqh-DDqlatrTjnUIg_JR2EBQDESsaki_igzNX7s1o36UdSPZ1mhTm0k0jf0XTzeHOwpqRgkh9ofr3kZh-8sNa18taSeNjnL3IvLsyi8XYdv43T6xzG0/s1600/IMG_1116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtik-zwxsWUrCZ1G8tpa5n1ujYKqh-DDqlatrTjnUIg_JR2EBQDESsaki_igzNX7s1o36UdSPZ1mhTm0k0jf0XTzeHOwpqRgkh9ofr3kZh-8sNa18taSeNjnL3IvLsyi8XYdv43T6xzG0/s640/IMG_1116.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I just love his face. I'm not feeling super hot, so I'm headed to bed, but here's to a good week ahead. </div>
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marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-51754336499165653202016-09-16T23:51:00.000-04:002016-09-16T23:51:45.777-04:00Friday Vibes <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zeBRLOgHlA4GoSDIwmQ-ukI9jAuccEeU5ega1mhWEXgvrsyUdbKlkMcwRbmM7nYlQj7G_a1R0Nl5VYemT0Xd9FFT0_hKm7OqJCIaCtmSPrXFe6jOTt8yIXF0m-6AOGVcEq8BugR6FXo/s1600/friday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zeBRLOgHlA4GoSDIwmQ-ukI9jAuccEeU5ega1mhWEXgvrsyUdbKlkMcwRbmM7nYlQj7G_a1R0Nl5VYemT0Xd9FFT0_hKm7OqJCIaCtmSPrXFe6jOTt8yIXF0m-6AOGVcEq8BugR6FXo/s640/friday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We had dinner at a place called <a href="http://wujirestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Wuji</a> tonight and though we’ve
ordered takeout from them before, we had never actually been. Turns out they
give you a giant cone of cotton candy with your check. I tried to get a photo
of Luca holding it, but it came out so dark. Needless to say, it made my Friday
a little more fun.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The whole weekend should be fun, actually—we’re seeing one
of our favorite now 2-year-olds tomorrow morning for some apple picking and
then meeting up with our friends from Italy who are here on their honeymoon. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We got home and I fell asleep while putting Luca to sleep—and
reading the same book 3 times—but I managed to wake up for another episode of
Homeland and then some mindless Instagram scrolling. <o:p></o:p></div>
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What I did manage to find this week though, were a couple
good reads: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<ul>
<li>Luca waved and got straight to playing with the trucks on the first day of school on Monday. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1334276290"></span>This explains why<span id="goog_1334276291"></span></a>, at least a little bit.<br /><br /></li>
<li>I need to figure out a Halloween costume for L and while he's too little for <a href="http://www.purewow.com/family/kids-halloween-costumes-2016?utm_medium=email&utm_source=national&utm_campaign=Best_of_Web_9_16_2016_09_16_a&utm_content=Food_editorial" target="_blank">most of these</a>, holy cuteness. That deviled egg costume, tho!<br /><br /></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The issue of guaranteed/paid parental leave is near and dear to my heart, and <a href="http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/09/ivanka-trump-lies-about-candidates-family-leave-policies.html" target="_blank">this piece </a>covers some brief history and lots of what's going on in the election right now.<br /><br /></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>And on a bit more of a serious note, this story, <a href="http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a48031/the-falling-man-tom-junod/" target="_blank">The Falling Man,</a> is chilling and gripping and beautifully written all at the same time. (Originally found it over <a href="http://www.talesofmeandthehusband.com/2016/09/weekend-links-24.html" target="_blank">here</a>.) </li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://unsplash.com/@punttim" target="_blank">[photo via unsplash]</a></span></i></div>
marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-80821082185789209212016-09-15T22:20:00.000-04:002016-09-15T22:38:23.561-04:00On Being Mindful <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYjmMRfPjYaJIno8N_1HBv_znqHChaJCtBcukzFsg3k_eYyWXEwcMMKFwOppgmRhndlA7qMpzCWs1D3AlgYYBMKzcPgjbrG5nUWfI5Ta3FKJpvg11YwSswWFfNYWXu6DlLk0T4q5DaXU/s1600/mindfullness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYjmMRfPjYaJIno8N_1HBv_znqHChaJCtBcukzFsg3k_eYyWXEwcMMKFwOppgmRhndlA7qMpzCWs1D3AlgYYBMKzcPgjbrG5nUWfI5Ta3FKJpvg11YwSswWFfNYWXu6DlLk0T4q5DaXU/s640/mindfullness.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I listened to a lecture on mindfulness today. We hosted it,
actually, at work, and so I was standing in the back listening and nodding my
head, particularly when the presenter, (who was great) talked about things like
procrastination, how many hours we spend on media and the negativity bias. I
don’t know about you, but my negativity bias works astoundingly well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But it did make me stop and think about what being mindful
means to me—and when I actually find myself in that state. Life seems to be
moving so fast these days. I know it’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">these
days</i>, but between Luca and work and the house and friends and family and
just regular life things like emptying the dishwasher and buying conditioner,
it all feels like a blur sometimes. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are days when that blur, that constant movement, feels
good. When it feels like I’ve got everything I needed done and I tended to all
the most important things in my life. Those are the days when I went to the
gym, and I chose the vegetables and I spent time with Luca and I hung out
with John and I even managed to pick up the 8,000 blocks strewn around the
living room. That’s when I walk away thinking: yes, I got this. I can do this. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then there are the days when the blur and the constant
motion feel just that. Like a whirlwind. Like I haven’t sat down all day. When
I just want time to slow down so I can take a really long nap. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like I said, I know it’s these days. The days that I’ll
probably miss when things really are slow and really are quiet. I’m not wishing
them away at all. I like crazy. I like messy. But I also like being <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in it</i>, when I’m in it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And that’s what I took away from today. That it’s not
wishing away your time or whatever’s going on in your life, but rather,
recognizing the moments—cultivating the moments—during which you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i> most present. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For me, those are when I’m sitting on the floor coloring
with Luca. When I’m <a href="http://www.150andhere.com/2016/05/about-books.html" target="_blank">reading</a> to him at night, books about trucks and about a pig
named Olivia. When I’m at kickboxing, <a href="http://www.150andhere.com/2016/08/how-to-actually-wake-up-early-for-gym.html" target="_blank">in the morning</a>, and I’m not thinking
about anything else except finishing 10 burpees. When I’m writing and it’s
going and I’m reworking a sentence, swapping words and order, and manage to get
it to fit together exactly the way I want. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I know that there are other times I can start to be more
present, too: To not bring my phone with me on walks; to eat lunch outside while
the weather is still nice instead of watching TV or looking at the computer; to
actually play trucks with Luca without thinking about what I’m going to make
for dinner or what else I have to do for the day. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But listen, I’m not about to sit here and say that I’m never
going to multitask again. Or that sometimes, you don't need 5 minutes on your
phone while you’re at the park. (Hell, how would get all the cute pictures
then?) But that was another takeaway from today. Small to start and baby steps
and all that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And truthfully, just spending the time listening to that
lecture, just taking the time to think about it and recognize it in my
own life felt <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">good</i>. Recognizing that
all those things I mentioned a couple paragraphs up are the things that I enjoy
the most: reading and coloring and writing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
I know mindfulness is a big, huge topic and there is so much
more to say about it. But for now, I’ll stick with this. With looking inside
the constant motion and finding a couple moments of quiet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://unsplash.com/@dsmacinnes" target="_blank">[photo via unsplash]</a></span></i></div>
marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1791303055105194749.post-10137222424984468632016-09-14T20:00:00.000-04:002016-09-14T20:00:40.301-04:00Taking Stock This Week <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_c8ZmWHn3XcNSLwmSwE9m_vt2h3WufoD-6E7Lx6Kx3abdsmREI-qk76fn9TxeHdoJvpZC_6IkEO3P8C19GdMxSRHwrZg_LA75GyU0_ByxONVa5J1WECTqBCKTO5zC6VbnVo72n5RaMw/s1600/13254341_10103934015318570_8839937188566555919_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_c8ZmWHn3XcNSLwmSwE9m_vt2h3WufoD-6E7Lx6Kx3abdsmREI-qk76fn9TxeHdoJvpZC_6IkEO3P8C19GdMxSRHwrZg_LA75GyU0_ByxONVa5J1WECTqBCKTO5zC6VbnVo72n5RaMw/s640/13254341_10103934015318570_8839937188566555919_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Cooking</b>: John and I made the <s>mistake</s> smart decision
to tally up how much we spend on eating out/takeout in a month and the results
weren’t particularly favorable. So the plan is to cook at home a lot more. Any
recipe recommendations?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Drinking</b>: Flavored seltzer—but only lemon and orange. I
bought coconut the other day and I think I just need to stick with the usuals. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Reading</b>: I need a new book, asap. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Wanting</b>: A manicure <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Looking</b>: Forward to fall clothes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Playing</b>: With crayons and construction paper. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Enjoying</b>: Getting back to the gym this morning after a week
of not going. Getting up at 5:15 isn’t exactly fun, but it always feels worth
it when I go. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Waiting</b>: For the weekend—we’re seeing some friends from
Italy that I haven’t seen in years, and I can’t wait. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Deciding</b>: That I’m only going to keep the sweater they sent
in the Stich Fix—but I’m super excited for the next one. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Wondering</b>: How everything will play out <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Watching</b>: Homeland, still, but also old episodes of Cheers
in the meantime. Even 25 years later, they still hold up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Hoping</b>: That Luca has an awesome experience in school—he
seems to love being with the kids and in the classroom so far and as a total
nerd myself, I hope that stays with him always. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Wearing</b>: Yoga pants. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Knowing</b>: That I need to do something with my hair. It’s just
lying flat these days and it’s about time to figure it out. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Loving</b>: That Luca says his full name now. For the past few
months it’s just been “Lu” then yesterday he randomly said “Lu-ca” with a
strong emphasis on the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ca</i>, lol. He
also keeps saying “Trader Joe’s” and it’s the best. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Getting</b>: Excited for October. I’m not wishing time away or
anything, but we have a bunch of things planned and I can’t wait for them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Thinking</b>: Too much, as usual. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Snacking</b>: On Trader Joe’s pumpkin spice kettle corn. I’m all
in on this bandwagon and I don't even feel guilty about it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Bookmarking</b>: The website <a href="http://andnorth.com/">And
North</a>, which is an awesome collection of things to do in upstate NY, like
the Catskills and such. John loves going hiking up there and it’s nice to see
what else there is to do, too. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Giggling</b>: At this article on the “<a href="http://www.theuglyvolvo.com/the-museum-of-things-im-absolutely-going-to-get-to-eventually/">things
I’m absolutely going to get to eventually</a>”—yes to that whole photo thing.
Also the cords.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584150682068548518noreply@blogger.com3