P-I-C-T-U-R-E, p-i-c-t-u-r-e, picture....When I was six I loved to spell this word. I would spell it over and over; a feverishly whispered one word mantra for my first grade mind. Picture had flow. Picture had cadence. It also had seven letters, an odd letter combination, and was not readily rhymed. All of this allure in just one word.
I found picture one night while delivering croissants with my mom in downtown Anchorage. One of her clients was an old Frenchman and his wife who owned a now defunct liquor store. Driving in our bright yellow Colt, we would pass a back lit business sign that had the word picture on it in big block letters. Every week I would look forward to seeing that sign, and for several minutes afterwards I would mutter "p-i-c-t-u-r-e" under my breath, or in my head; a secret pleasure all my own.
Spelling picture boosted my confidence. If I could spell a word like that at six, I could protect my best friend from bullies, arm wrestle my way to the top of my first grade class (wearing a dress, no less), and do a cartwheel off the high beam in gymnastics. In short, I could own my small world. I did. It was cool.
In second grade I found Mississippi...a fantastic mouthful if there ever was one. The glory of Miss-iss-i-pp-i was short lived though; it was too slippery, and having only one vowel, rapidly lost it's appeal. P-i-c-t-u-r-e has stood the test of time and remained a favored friend. Even now, I murmur it sometimes when I need a lift, or when I need to walk tall and don't feel like it. P-i-c-t-u-r-e: it still delivers a smile.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
Mamalicous
I am a goddess of all things domestic. (If you stay at home with kiddos, repeat that over and over until you can say it without laughing.)
Today I washed 5 loads of laundry, folded all of them, and got 2 put away. I did the dishes, swept the floor, found homes for everything under my bed and moved 8 boxes of laminate up the stairs and under the bed to "acclimate". I played 4 games of Chutes and Ladders with David, made three meals, changed four diapers, got two boys dressed, eventually got myself dressed and my teeth brushed, but alas, no shower today. I moved the large dresser and all it's contents into the boys room temporarily while we lay the new flooring in our room next week. I answered three personal emails, 5 work emails, made 2 work phone calls, and placed one order for medical supplies. I helped David pick up his train set and work on writing "1" correctly. I made several trips up and down the hall with Lucas as he practiced walking, tickled both boys on various occassions for 5-10 minutes, and spent time working on hand-eye coordination with Lucas. During lunch, I listened as David discussed how "Obama was going to beat Texas, but Clinton was going to beat Ohio." I gently reminded him that Texas and Ohio were not actually people-but he didn't seem to get it. I owe his dad for that bit of laughter today. Later, I found the receipt for our newly broken camera, taped it to the camera box, and then checked our bank statements and took out all the garbage in the house. After dinner, I backpacked Lucas for 30 minutes while David walked with me around the church and new condo's, then we checked the mail--returning 2 Netflix dvd's (which I had previously reported disc problems with). I then gave the boys their baths, brushed both sets of teeth-or supervised-read 3 stories, prayed and put them to bed.
Then I had my Skinny Cow fudgepop.
After my chocorama fix, I watched TV for 20 minutes before making a pass for more laundry. I flipped between The Royal Family and Girlicious for brain veg fair. Girlicious eventually won out as watching some of the girls dance badly was more entertaining than Prince Charles in military uniform. Now, to be fair, Tyra would not call me fierce when it comes to being a domestic goddess, as it would almost be impossible for me to work out, shower, and get hair and make-up on during this kind of day. That would be fierce. I can deal; it's only my pride and BO on the line. I am constantly humbled in this profession.
My real confession here is that my house is still not clean, I feel guilty for not reading to both boys more today, and though I did give/get a few real kisses in with Kiel, that will probably be all the action he sees tonight. Being a domestic goddess isn't all it's cracked up to be-don't let any stay at home mom fleece you on that one. Showering and real sleep are luxuries that are all too fleeting. Little things like yummy hand soap and good coffee make all the difference on any given day...but, hearing David wax poetic about the upcoming democratic primaries and making Lucas laugh as I kiss his belly do make it all worth it. I may never make fierce, but I'd settle for Mamalicious every once in awhile. Hmmmm, I guess that means I better get off this blog and do some sit-ups. Man, there's always something. Oh, I'll do them to TMZ: one, there's Brit, two, Brit again, three, Reese, four, Gyllenspoon, five, Tiger, six...
Today I washed 5 loads of laundry, folded all of them, and got 2 put away. I did the dishes, swept the floor, found homes for everything under my bed and moved 8 boxes of laminate up the stairs and under the bed to "acclimate". I played 4 games of Chutes and Ladders with David, made three meals, changed four diapers, got two boys dressed, eventually got myself dressed and my teeth brushed, but alas, no shower today. I moved the large dresser and all it's contents into the boys room temporarily while we lay the new flooring in our room next week. I answered three personal emails, 5 work emails, made 2 work phone calls, and placed one order for medical supplies. I helped David pick up his train set and work on writing "1" correctly. I made several trips up and down the hall with Lucas as he practiced walking, tickled both boys on various occassions for 5-10 minutes, and spent time working on hand-eye coordination with Lucas. During lunch, I listened as David discussed how "Obama was going to beat Texas, but Clinton was going to beat Ohio." I gently reminded him that Texas and Ohio were not actually people-but he didn't seem to get it. I owe his dad for that bit of laughter today. Later, I found the receipt for our newly broken camera, taped it to the camera box, and then checked our bank statements and took out all the garbage in the house. After dinner, I backpacked Lucas for 30 minutes while David walked with me around the church and new condo's, then we checked the mail--returning 2 Netflix dvd's (which I had previously reported disc problems with). I then gave the boys their baths, brushed both sets of teeth-or supervised-read 3 stories, prayed and put them to bed.
Then I had my Skinny Cow fudgepop.
After my chocorama fix, I watched TV for 20 minutes before making a pass for more laundry. I flipped between The Royal Family and Girlicious for brain veg fair. Girlicious eventually won out as watching some of the girls dance badly was more entertaining than Prince Charles in military uniform. Now, to be fair, Tyra would not call me fierce when it comes to being a domestic goddess, as it would almost be impossible for me to work out, shower, and get hair and make-up on during this kind of day. That would be fierce. I can deal; it's only my pride and BO on the line. I am constantly humbled in this profession.
My real confession here is that my house is still not clean, I feel guilty for not reading to both boys more today, and though I did give/get a few real kisses in with Kiel, that will probably be all the action he sees tonight. Being a domestic goddess isn't all it's cracked up to be-don't let any stay at home mom fleece you on that one. Showering and real sleep are luxuries that are all too fleeting. Little things like yummy hand soap and good coffee make all the difference on any given day...but, hearing David wax poetic about the upcoming democratic primaries and making Lucas laugh as I kiss his belly do make it all worth it. I may never make fierce, but I'd settle for Mamalicious every once in awhile. Hmmmm, I guess that means I better get off this blog and do some sit-ups. Man, there's always something. Oh, I'll do them to TMZ: one, there's Brit, two, Brit again, three, Reese, four, Gyllenspoon, five, Tiger, six...
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Simple Reminder
Wow! I've been jonesing to blog for a few days, but life has been a bit busy between company, work, play, and Fur Rondy activities. I did have an hour of coveted PT (Personal Time) on Sunday and put a few thoughts down hard copy style-so here it is:
I just read the story of a man had an amputation of the lower half of his body from the pelvis down; and he did so by choice. This guy and his story gave me pause. After a crippling accident in childhood, his simplest desire in life was to be able to bathe himself and have gainful employment. After his surgery he was happy to have lost legs that were of no use to him-he was happy to finally be able to sit in a wheelchair. So happy, that within days of surgery he found a job at the hospital he had been living in for years.
To me, bathing and working are things I almost consider rights. I certainly don't spend much time thinking about how to do them, or if I'm able to do them. To him, these were big, big dreams. Often I think that my happiness is based on my circumstances: Is my house clean enough? How is my butt looking today? Did the kids behave at the store? When can we replace the carpet? These everday questions often obscure the ideals of living a grateful and graceful life. Vacuuming, cellulite, the accoutrement of day-to-day, these things do not matter in the end. I'm not sure I'll ever to get to the place where I don't need this reminder; until then, I'm thankful when it comes along.
Recommended reading:
"Life in an Eggcup" by John Gamel, Alaska Quarterly Review, Fall and Winter 2007
I just read the story of a man had an amputation of the lower half of his body from the pelvis down; and he did so by choice. This guy and his story gave me pause. After a crippling accident in childhood, his simplest desire in life was to be able to bathe himself and have gainful employment. After his surgery he was happy to have lost legs that were of no use to him-he was happy to finally be able to sit in a wheelchair. So happy, that within days of surgery he found a job at the hospital he had been living in for years.
To me, bathing and working are things I almost consider rights. I certainly don't spend much time thinking about how to do them, or if I'm able to do them. To him, these were big, big dreams. Often I think that my happiness is based on my circumstances: Is my house clean enough? How is my butt looking today? Did the kids behave at the store? When can we replace the carpet? These everday questions often obscure the ideals of living a grateful and graceful life. Vacuuming, cellulite, the accoutrement of day-to-day, these things do not matter in the end. I'm not sure I'll ever to get to the place where I don't need this reminder; until then, I'm thankful when it comes along.
Recommended reading:
"Life in an Eggcup" by John Gamel, Alaska Quarterly Review, Fall and Winter 2007
Monday, February 18, 2008
Chelsea's Top Five Favorite Comedies
Seems like we had a busy weekend, though I don't think a whole lot really happened that's worth mentioning here, so I'll fill in with another of my Top Five Favorites lists...today's topic: Comedy Movies.
It's hard to rank movies into all-time favorites. The whole desert island question comes to mind and it's really difficult to say I could watch one movie over and over again without fail. I think for an all-time favorite movie list, I'll have to do a Top Ten list. Breaking movies down by genres makes it easier to pick just five. (Romanitc comedies are not going to get their own sub-genre so are included here in this broader category.) What I love best about these movies is that I can and have watched many of them over and over again and still laugh even though I know what's coming. Some are spoofs, some are silly, and some take you away from reality just long enough to remind you not to take life too seriously. Best of all, and what I consider a hallmark of a good comedy, is that they all have memorable lines that you can throw out in mixed company and get a laugh from people in the know. So, here they are:
Chelsea's Top Five Favorite Comedy Movies
1. The Princess Bride
Fave quote: "He's only mostly dead." Second fave: "Inconceivable!"
2. Tommy Boy
Fave quote: "Luke, I am your faaaather." Second fave: "Fat man in a little coat..."
3. Galaxy Quest
Fave quote: "Don't open that. Is there air? You don't know!"
Second fave: "Did you guys ever WATCH the show?"
4. Best In Show
Fave quote: "Where's my Busy Bee!?"
Second fave: Any line from Fred Willard
5. Old School (not for the faint of heart or the kiddos)
Fave quote: " Well, um, actually a pretty nice little Saturday, we're going to go to Home Depot. Yeah, buy some wallpaper, maybe get some flooring, stuff like that. Maybe Bed, Bath, & Beyond, I don't know, I don't know if we'll have enough time. "
Hopefully, I've given you a few laughs today as you remember these quotes and think of your own favorite comedies. Maybe it's time to pop one in the dvd and lighten your spirit on this presidential holiday. Keep smiling...I'm out!
It's hard to rank movies into all-time favorites. The whole desert island question comes to mind and it's really difficult to say I could watch one movie over and over again without fail. I think for an all-time favorite movie list, I'll have to do a Top Ten list. Breaking movies down by genres makes it easier to pick just five. (Romanitc comedies are not going to get their own sub-genre so are included here in this broader category.) What I love best about these movies is that I can and have watched many of them over and over again and still laugh even though I know what's coming. Some are spoofs, some are silly, and some take you away from reality just long enough to remind you not to take life too seriously. Best of all, and what I consider a hallmark of a good comedy, is that they all have memorable lines that you can throw out in mixed company and get a laugh from people in the know. So, here they are:
Chelsea's Top Five Favorite Comedy Movies
1. The Princess Bride
Fave quote: "He's only mostly dead." Second fave: "Inconceivable!"
2. Tommy Boy
Fave quote: "Luke, I am your faaaather." Second fave: "Fat man in a little coat..."
3. Galaxy Quest
Fave quote: "Don't open that. Is there air? You don't know!"
Second fave: "Did you guys ever WATCH the show?"
4. Best In Show
Fave quote: "Where's my Busy Bee!?"
Second fave: Any line from Fred Willard
5. Old School (not for the faint of heart or the kiddos)
Fave quote: " Well, um, actually a pretty nice little Saturday, we're going to go to Home Depot. Yeah, buy some wallpaper, maybe get some flooring, stuff like that. Maybe Bed, Bath, & Beyond, I don't know, I don't know if we'll have enough time. "
Hopefully, I've given you a few laughs today as you remember these quotes and think of your own favorite comedies. Maybe it's time to pop one in the dvd and lighten your spirit on this presidential holiday. Keep smiling...I'm out!
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