Yes, I do have a thing for Russian doll motifs...it goes back to the 2 semesters I spent in St. Petersburg, Russia during college. Someday when we have a little girl, I'll try not to go overboard decorating her room with them, but I might give in to my urge to embroider onesies or pillowcases with such cuteness as this.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Sweet Nostalgia
A rolling pin, some round cake pans, a map of Venice, some kitschy Christmas ornaments, tools from Grandpa's workbench...these are what I chose to take home Grandma and Grandpa's house as remembrances of them. Last week I flew to San Diego to help Auntie and Grandma pack up Grandma's home, in preparation of her moving into an assisted living community in the Bay Area. We spent days sorting, packing, donating.
It was a couple very busy days, and when we'd take a break to sit for a moment (eating the peanut butter, miracle whip, and lettuce sandwiches Grandma had made), that's when I'd get a little teary from nostalgia.
It was hard to pack up and say goodbye to so many memories -- harder for Grandma, I'm sure. (She didn't get too sentimental, though. She seemed more worried about the hassle of packing and moving.) It was so interesting to me the things that evoked such memories, mostly items that she's had since we were kids: the Holly Hobbie tin for storing crayons, the red glass cookie jars (always with graham crackers or Oreos in them), the Christmas decorations.
I'm grateful that Grandma was there to tell us stories behind her mementos. And she said we could keep whatever we wanted -- she's downsizing, and she kept saying, what's she going to do with all this "stuff"? I tried to choose a few things that would remind me of the "essence" of Grandma and Grandpa.
What I didn't save that I've since thought twice about: the little perfume bottle shaped like a deer that I just loved just holding as a little girl. And one of Grandpa's pocket knives. But what would I do with those? I can still keep the memories with me.
What would you keep as a remembrance of your grandparents?
It was a couple very busy days, and when we'd take a break to sit for a moment (eating the peanut butter, miracle whip, and lettuce sandwiches Grandma had made), that's when I'd get a little teary from nostalgia.
It was hard to pack up and say goodbye to so many memories -- harder for Grandma, I'm sure. (She didn't get too sentimental, though. She seemed more worried about the hassle of packing and moving.) It was so interesting to me the things that evoked such memories, mostly items that she's had since we were kids: the Holly Hobbie tin for storing crayons, the red glass cookie jars (always with graham crackers or Oreos in them), the Christmas decorations.
I'm grateful that Grandma was there to tell us stories behind her mementos. And she said we could keep whatever we wanted -- she's downsizing, and she kept saying, what's she going to do with all this "stuff"? I tried to choose a few things that would remind me of the "essence" of Grandma and Grandpa.
What I didn't save that I've since thought twice about: the little perfume bottle shaped like a deer that I just loved just holding as a little girl. And one of Grandpa's pocket knives. But what would I do with those? I can still keep the memories with me.
What would you keep as a remembrance of your grandparents?
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Favourite things...
Oooh! Pretty things...
- I'd love to have these or these as my accessory staples this fall. You know I can rock my earrings.
- Wouldn't this be great for our family? I'd love to have hearts for where we all are.
- I adore this. The artist will custom create it -- yay for adding sleeves! Don't we all need the perfect black dress?
- I'd love to have these or these as my accessory staples this fall. You know I can rock my earrings.
- Wouldn't this be great for our family? I'd love to have hearts for where we all are.
- I adore this. The artist will custom create it -- yay for adding sleeves! Don't we all need the perfect black dress?
Monday, August 22, 2011
Yay for new job!
As you probably already know, I got a job this past week! Woot, woot!
So, few more details: it's just one day a week, and I'll be staffing a small branch library, as well as running 'bookbug' sessions. Bookbug is a programme organised by the Scottish government to encourage young children (under 5s) to read. It involves song and story sessions at local libraries, as well as handing out several book packages to each child before they start school.
Reasons I'm excited about working:
- Getting a steady paycheck. There's a LOT to be said about that.
- Having some grown-up time. I'm looking forward to wearing cute clothes, and not getting yogurt on them.
- Enjoying my chosen profession. I'm really lucky I've been able to find a part-time job in my field, and with the possibility of future growth.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Full Disclosure
Dear Co-Workers...No, I wasn't late to the meeting this morning because I got stuck in traffic. I was late because it's sometimes really hard to make a 9am meeting when I have mommy duties for my 2 year old.
Sometimes we're ready to go out the door and everything is going as planned and then he spills milk all down the front of him. Or all down the front of me. Sometimes he's had a rough night and he sleeps in later than usual, and I can't bring myself to wake him up. (I admit, I may put my child's sleep needs above work tasks, but not above you, Mr. Director or Mr. VP.)
Or maybe he's extra clingy when I drop him off at day care, wrapping both arms and both legs around mine and only being consoled when I sit and play trains with him for a few minutes. Or maybe it's like today: He was pretty distraught that his surfer shirt was dirty (he's already worn it twice this school week...and it's only Thursday), and I don't think he believed me that it was in the laundry. So he completely pulled out the drawers to his dresser and dumped all of his clothes on the floor, trying to find his favorite shirt. Sorry, Buddy. Let's do laundry tonight and you can wear it tomorrow.
So dear co-workers, I love you and all, but know that I might be a few minutes late to the morning meetings. Yes, I'm fully committed to my job. But don't be jealous -- this little boy and my role as Mommy has a bigger spot in my heart (even with the spilled milk, rough nights, and more).
Sometimes we're ready to go out the door and everything is going as planned and then he spills milk all down the front of him. Or all down the front of me. Sometimes he's had a rough night and he sleeps in later than usual, and I can't bring myself to wake him up. (I admit, I may put my child's sleep needs above work tasks, but not above you, Mr. Director or Mr. VP.)
Or maybe he's extra clingy when I drop him off at day care, wrapping both arms and both legs around mine and only being consoled when I sit and play trains with him for a few minutes. Or maybe it's like today: He was pretty distraught that his surfer shirt was dirty (he's already worn it twice this school week...and it's only Thursday), and I don't think he believed me that it was in the laundry. So he completely pulled out the drawers to his dresser and dumped all of his clothes on the floor, trying to find his favorite shirt. Sorry, Buddy. Let's do laundry tonight and you can wear it tomorrow.
So dear co-workers, I love you and all, but know that I might be a few minutes late to the morning meetings. Yes, I'm fully committed to my job. But don't be jealous -- this little boy and my role as Mommy has a bigger spot in my heart (even with the spilled milk, rough nights, and more).
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Recent Charity Shop Finds
You have to love a good charity shop. No offense, but our charity shops beat the pants off of DI.
Some of my recent favourite finds:
- A giant magnetic board with a gorgeous, bright red frame. I threw in a giant chalkboard sticker, and it's now the centre of Molly's creative station.
- Books. A lot of my standby reads, as well as some funky throw-aways. All 50p. Can't beat that.
- These beautiful plates. Don't they just make you happy? You may not be able to see it well, but they are the loveliest yellow, with a dusted gold rim. Sigh...
It might be hard to define my actual decorating style, but I pretty much refuse to buy anything new. I just love the feel of used -- it always feels to have a story behind it. Even if that story is simply that it sat in some old Granny's loft until she finally kicked, and her family donated it to the local hospice shop. And then it found its way home with me...
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Pat, Pat
One of Molly's favourite things to do in the afternoons with me is "Pat, Pat" -- otherwise known as baking. I get on with the hard stuff, and Molly spends ages patting flour around into different shapes, use cookie cutters on spare dough, and sampling things.
She loves it. And despite the mess she causes, I love sharing baking with her and letting her help in small ways.
Oh, and I love this Cath Kidston apron we just got for her in the clearance. I have one in white that is also to die for. I love having a daughter to be matchy, matchy with. 
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