Little Bear

Lately I've been getting inspired by shows like "Little Bear" and "Franklin". (I know, an odd source of inspiration for a 40 year old woman, but my life is a little limited these days). For those of you who have seen these shows, do you ever think about how well these animals keep their homes? I've also been struck by how fulfilling it looks to keep ones life "cottage simple". Mother Bear doesn't seem stressed about her career choices or keeping up with the Jones'. I used to feel a similar nostalgia when I thought back to the "Little House on the Prairie" stories. How lovely it seemed to keep your house as neat as a pin and a sanctuary from the elements.

Should we feel guilty?

Happy Thanksgiving! This post could also be titled "Dinner for Two". We decided to plan dinner around nap time. A half hour after our lovely (but nutty) three year old was asleep we were sitting with our Thanksgiving meal, a cold beer and a good movie on TV. How selfish are we? But I do recommend the movie "Transiberian". Anyone else tempted to have a kid free meal?
On another note: this is the first dinner I have made in months that included meat. I am not a vegetarian or vegan, but due to concerns about the health of the planet and our health, I have cut way back on meat and dairy. I'm not sure if it is connected, but I haven't had a cold since doing this. Anyone else have any similar experiences? 

I just finished reading this book. I was drawn to it because it is about a relationship between a mother and adult daughter. And I have to say that part of the book is lovely and I look forward to one day having a similar relationship of respect and discovery with my daughter. 

I also found the book eye opening. There seems to me to be a lot of melodrama for both the mother and the daughter with respect to their searches for vocation and identity. It reminded me of the now disputed fairy tales or the line from Jerry Maguire that everyone scoffs at: "you complete me." But I feel that instead of a prince, we are looking for an "identity" to define and complete us. Recipe goes as follows: 1. Go to distant lands 2. take yourself very seriously 3. angst, struggle and depression (underworld) 4. rise from the ashes with fabulous sense of who you are and what you do.

Is the creation of your image any more noble and complete you more than finding your prince?

I am reminded of a line I recently heard Jane Fonda say. "Be interested, don't worry about being interesting." Any thoughts....

Life's Little Lessons

I've been reading this book lately. It's a little embarrassing, but I have a habit of trying to reform myself on a regular basis. I won't bore you with too much information, but in a nutshell, I see this book as a manifesto to change your relationship with struggle. Since reading this I really have noticed how much of life's activities revolve around "pushing through it" or "just do it". 

There is much more I want to say about the book, but I will save it for a later post. (I don't want to be preachy).

Here is a quote though: "You must live in a different world, not the world you've inherited, but a world all your own."

I write it because it gave me a good chuckle this morning when I read it and thought about the image I just encountered in the mirror. I had just dropped my daughter off at pre school and and then had my first look in the mirror.  (Had people all morning really been seeing me this way?) I certainly have gotten the part about "living in a world all of my own" down!

Princesses

So princesses have arrived in our home seemly from out of thin air. We now have a Sleeping Beauty DVD and watch it most nights. Now a days before bedtime Laurel will act out scenes from the movie. For three she is quite a talented actress. Our favorite scene lately is when Princess Aurora is sobbing at her table and then follows the "mean queen's" green light to the spinning wheel in a trance.

To my surprise, the whole princess thing has been very fun. 

Bowls

Ah, my beloved sense of order. If only my brain were so. I have the gift of three mornings a week to myself since my daughter started preschool. I find myself grasping at making order of all the ideas and projects I could do....

I've decided to try to relax a bit and allow myself to stare out the window with a cup of tea. Yes, some things must get done, but a lot of my activities are a desire to be productive at the expense of enjoying this day. I like the expression "tempest in a tea pot". It is resonating with me as a warning and a silly, self induced situation.