Duly Noted

I was going to write :"our little nugget's due date came and went," but she isn't a nugget anymore!  Not even close!  She is feeling like a real baby in there!  All knees and elbows.  Regardless, her due date came and went on Wednesday.  This wasn't a surprise for anyone, including me, although I was hoping that maybe she would make an unexpected appearance in the days leading up to May 25th.  The good news is that Mike is done teaching for the year and I decided to make Tuesday my last day, so we have been enjoying some time together with Misha at daycare.  These past couple of days have been rather peaceful as we have finished some projects (our basement guest room is ready!), started some new ones (Mike is replacing all outlets- he is on a total home repair kick), whipped up some desserts (strawberry shortcakes with ricotta filling, one of my favorites), and organized stuff (like an electronics drawer- found an undeveloped one-use camera from 201...

I want to write more often.  Everyday, a least one idea runs through my head that pulls at me to write down, but I rarely do.  I plan to start carrying around a little striped moleskin I received in my stocking so I can capture these fleeting ideas. This afternoon, let's have a quick chat about routine. For me, routines are usually helpful and intentional.  These days, I eat before I run.  I run before I teach.  I make dinner for my family.  I read before I sleep.  During the school year and the work week, I have a pattern that I can count on for stability and balance. During the weekend, I have a few routines too.  I like to eat pizza on Fridays.  I run my longest run, usually with a friend, Saturday morning.  I try to go to church on Sunday. Then, there are my routines with little Misha.  We read before he goes to bed.  I sing him the same songs as I tuck him in at night.  He watches an episode of "Elmo" while he...

I think this kid would make a great president.

Reunions with longtime running buddies Homemade Pizza and Bezzerwizzer Getting my fill of  talk radio Run To Unite  A new book Meeting little Leo! Preparing for Summit For Courageous Conversations Double feature:  Argo  (100% recommendation) and  Looper  (I disagree with this review...it's forgettable) A pretty make-up line Dreaming about making my own shadow box of keepsakes

This list mostly speaks for itself.  I tried to keep this list short and focused on a few small changes and goals that will hopefully make a big impact.  Quality over quantity, folks.  I am going to adopt that as my 2012 motto.  Some of you, dear readers, may be alarmed that I included buying matching underwear on my blog, but everyone wears underwear, right?  So, it might as well be cute.  My thinking is that if one buys a set a month, one would have nearly two weeks worth of matching underwear by the end of the year!  That's just fabulous.  Now, I'll be honest; I was apprehensive about mentioning this resolution on Duly Noted, BUT after sharing this resolution with several female friends and all of whom except ONE immediately decided that they too would make this a resolution, I felt confident that my readership would understand that this goal is not about being seductive...it's about self-love.  (Duly note: the ONE friend who did not...

Duly note the following: 1. two TWO cozy sweaters. 2. Duffy!  He's cute but I prefer my own bearded wonderboy. 3. bonne maman jam collection. 4. oversized straw market bag. 5. having a critical distance.  I wonder how a small Minnesota cabin would fare.  Thank Lucy Chadwick for your take on the good life.

These images spoke to me and I cut and pasted them into my scrapbook a few months ago.  I think its the forest green, the tableclothed picnic table, and the utility sink that sealed the deal for me.  I wonder how this cabin would hold up in Minnesota winters.  It would definitely need a wood burning stove and a giant pile of fire wood.  I think Mike would be pretty excited about an ax and a flannel.  Or at least I would be. http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/19/le-shack/