Project 2011.... yeah ... I'm serious this time.....

I stopped doing my blog on Halloween, my absolute favorite holiday, in 2010. Seemed an appropriate denouement for about two years of, first, kvetching and rambling into the abyss – once every two weeks mostly to… finally, hitting my stride and becoming the voice of a school, a neighborhood, a life lived … well….. like yours. Nice to meet you. Anyway, the very next day, I was standing in my kitchen, knee-deep in groceries just lugged in from the car, perusing my dry erase board for the exact time of my three year old’s well check-up the next day, and…. deciding what to make with the acorn squashes from our last CSA, which I had just spied in the refrigerator. I was listening to my preschooler and kindergartner ask for just one more piece of Halloween candy, I could smell the paint from where my hubby was painting our bedroom (long-awaited occurrence, so… I was NOT complaining), and I was trying to answer my teen, who was yelling down the stairs, asking if I had downloaded her homecoming dance photos yet. I absorbed all of this, sighed, and…. immediately wanted to tell someone about my plight, ask advice, write it all out and analyze it with jokes and reminders of how rewarding it all truly is – this daily business of looking forward to baby well check-ups and deciding what exciting recipe to make with an acorn squash. But… I couldn’t. I wasn’t blogging anymore.

This internal monologue continued well into the evening. Is it OK / normal to be baking chocolate chip cookies and fixing my preschooler’s bloody pinky toe at the same time? Is it OK to let the kindergartner miss a day of school for a cough AND slack on homework as well? Did I have time to try the new stain remover on the carpet AND go out for a beer with my hubby? AND was THAT fair to the high school freshman diligently plowing through homework? I mean, would the “just turned three year old” flip out if we left – or , worse, would she not sleep at all? Hmmm … who to ask. Not my blog readers, for sure. Again, I couldn’t. Yeah – you can bet I was questioning my decision to stop for a while.

I pondered into the night – thinking of how my one friend cracked me up with stories of her son under twilight anesthesia before his tonsillectomy talking to the “guy with two heads” – another friend threatening me with photos of my teenage ballerina / budding modern dance self – another friend’s fashion advice – still another’s sympathetic ear and family advice. Would I have it again?

And, so, you all know the end to this story…. I started blogging again. NOW, however, I have come to another crossroads, and I am, once again, pondering why I do this AND why I haven’t launched my new super cool helpful site. THAT is precisely what I will be doing soon. So… please excuse my brief hiatus (seriously – I will take a break this time – no more jumping out of the woodwork to say hello for no reason, right?) while I attend to the "bizness" like ASAP. Seems a good project for the first month of 2011, don’t you think? See ya!

School drop-off, a Blogher response

Currently, we have icy pavement, muddy grass, chilly air, and a lot of mittens, hats and coats to track on our way to school. Post-holiday, we are a little slower with lunches, back packs and gym shoes, but... both my boys, the preschooler and the kindergartner, head off cheerfully and ready to start their days. My high school freshman is a little more reluctant, leggings under her uniform skirt, back pack so heavy with homework that I don't know how she makes it into the school, she does head out, encouraged by her involvement with youth group, class council, and indoor lacrosse :-) later in the day. Of course, the three year old is with me - happy to have her one on one time, though full of warm weather memories - days on which she would "help" me get the boys to school (daddy having driven the teen). Way back when school first started, it WAS sunny and warm - everyone still tanned and rested from summer. Back then, it was light and people chatted and played on the playground, walked the neighborhood, met for coffee - love that our little school in an urban neighborhood has that feel to it. Now, it is so dark - streets stained with salt (but the snow all melted ;-(, so we all head back home, like hermits, to our fires and our coffee ;-).

So .... meditating on the photo of warm weather fun - laughing (again) at the sweet little paper and marker "friends" hanging on the wall welcoming us back during "back to school season" - AND looking forward, in this new year :-), to helping kindergarten with some winter crafts, my teen's birthday, a skiing outing on the horizon, my three year old's return to her "morning out" program, and a big gymnastic party for the preschooler this coming weekend. All good. All school stuff :-).

A view from the sickbed...

Just had to post an update..... Lil is up and around - acting like a kitty - eating salad and mac n cheese - taking an aromatherapy bath and watching movies. Poor Milo is still down and out ... though I have waited on more Tylenol to get him on a better dose "schedule" in case we need to take him this evening (and he keeps asking if he can go), and.... gladly, the fever has not returned with such force - if it has at all, it is very lowgrade. Poor little boy is lethargic and often moans that his stomach or his head hurts (just like Lil did yesterday) and then.... has moments in which he is chatty and semi-cheerful - sits and sips his drink.

And... I did get ahead in my editing / writing project, I am charging all the camera batteries for tonight, I even have everyone's outfits laid out plus I am doing a big load of laundry. Why do I place such huge importance on these things - these performances - these little snippets of my kids' lives? I mean, so much more on a daily basis is just as important - the little things they say - even our "sick time" with them ;-). I guess it is because these moments are BIG in these little lives - filled with pride - surrounded by family and friends. We DO want to remember them, and we do want them to be perfect. I am beginning to think, however, that perfection is overrated ;-).

Oh - the things we "make it" through (and I have yet to get these sick little ones out in the cold to get my kindergartner - hubby working on some deadline projects and Olivia caroling at Shadyside Hospital for Oakland Catholic today, a noble thing :-), but no one can help me... all good :-)... Managing to get work done, supporting our kids in their endeavors, staying attentive to extended family, and... well.... just making it all work. Pats on the back to all today :-)!

So... stay well, all. SOMETHING is going around AGAIN.

Notables

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1) tonight - midnight.... Olivia is going with friends (I'm ashamed to tell you what we're doing about school Friday morning... I'm such a slacker mom). Can't wait to see it myself.

Hit East End Food Co-op this am (need to actually rejoin that place again) for some Tea Tree Oil conditioner.... yes, it looks like lice has made an official outbreak again this year in the schools (a few years ago, it spread like wildfire), and this is supposedly a good, natural deterrent for the nasty little buggers.

Photos: Milo in action in gymnastics - Lilliana with her guest award (it was observation day), and...brother and sister share a juice as Lil joins us for our ritual "donuts out" on Thursdays :-).

I have serious, serious, serious brain fry lately. Forgot to eat dinner last night - doing laundry into the wee hours - house a total mess - kids, thrown off by time change, are up at 2am, 3 am, 4am (so tired lately that, today, I wasn't even fast enough to grab Milo before he spit his gum into the Community Food Bank bin collecting for the holidays, and... I'm usually pretty quick - anticipate such things)....I really have no words...... AND... I have taken my 5 min for the day.... I hear fighting and requests for eggs with cheese and the "baby yogurt with blueberries" AND apples with honey.... plus my jacket is still on, groceries still in bags on kitchen floor, I have still not eaten solid food in HOURS, I am behind in emails, cleaning, etc...... Aaaahhhh....

Quick note about today, in general: It is a childrens' grief awareness day (see my blog list for a couple of posts), so... just be aware.

Zombie Gingerbread Update

Decorated. Voila! That's a lot of cookie "bling" :-).

Missed Conan O'Brien's debut on TBS last night, and he had Jack White on - bummer. Just heard a song by that band that even my teen loves right now - The Neon Trees (Animal - yes, I know - the song is now permanently in your head - at least for a few hours) - and the song is entitled "1983" - AND they reference crawling and eating lollies at the age they were.... well way back then. OK - I think I was definitely walking - probably doing algebra..... sigh.

Aaaahhhh!!!!

We're painting.... we're rearranging furniture..... we're stripping doors.....I'll say no more. It is partly why I am "not back".

The return of....

... well... me. The weekend after Thanksgiving (just in time for more birthday recap - holiday chaos, etc.). I will not be redesigned yet, but reconceptualization will be in place, and .... well - I'll see you then!

Thanks for all the emails, in person chats and encouragement. I feel like I should be baking and sending you all virtual cupcakes right now.... or real ones, I guess.

In the meantime... for you "locals", here's a public market that looks awesome in the Strip... Visit.... I'm going to.

See you soon.

S.

My cupcakes are the best!

And by cupcakes .... I mean my kids. The cupcakes I bake are... admittedly.... so so :-), which reminds me to get ON that birthday treat for Enzo's class - a couple dozen brownies, actually, for tomorrow (aaaaallllll good), BUT my kids are super cool!

Olivia DID get secretary (and Olivia B got prez - that's my girls! ;-) - Milo's bloodwork came back much improved (one more "pinch" in a few weeks and we may be scott free!) - got Enzo's birthday invitations rolling - and, Lil.... well - she is super cute in her morning out program now :-).

Happy, happy. Joy, joy.

Photo: The cupcakes, of course (late summer - a couple of weeks ago)!

I have Olivia's Open House tonight (or, as her school puts it, the "Stakeholder's Night", which.... seems appropriate... all that tuition.....;-). Anyway, I get to walk her schedule. Yikes - I got a lot of detentions for being late back in the day - hope I make her proud tonight :-). And.... send some good karma to her field hockey team.... playing yet another game tonight :-).

Pullin' for the "teen".

So ... forgot to mention that Olivia is running for class secretary (and I am superstitious, so ... maybe did not forget - just did not speak aloud - though not afraid to admit defeat - neither is Olivia). She has a long history on class council (as do I - and, yeah, I know - does NOT necessarily fit the picture I paint from those days - aside from the cheerleading - damn, mentioned it again - enigmas, all of us ;-), and she knows a lot of girls in the school. This morning, when I stopped by her old school to prep paper apples and paint starry nights for display in the kindergarten (such a good feeling to be in the hall, toiling away with my paper and scissors and hear both my boys in their respective rooms just totally enjoying their days - same experience from when Olivia was little though then I remember doing scarecrows :-), her old principal was talking about how a lot of the girls from St. Bede are running - obviously proud :-). We'll see.... just did the text exchange to find out: No word on elections yet (and go, Olivia B, for prez too :-). I had forgotten to ask her how her speech went yesterday.... TOO MUCH going on, but... as I always say - would NOT have it any other way.

Enjoy this beautiful day, all. Oh - and... did I mention that, yeah - still lovin' this iPhone thing.....

Photo: The icy, sweet, tasty coffee break I mentioned the other day in recounting our shopping excursion..... Hi Olivia.

Brave Boy

So ... the blood test at Children's went well. Milo is a brave boy - unfortunately used to such injustices given his medical history. Recently released from urology AND given a two year reprieve from nephrology, we now have to work on his iron saturation in his blood. It is going Ok. Since he's still not a great eater, we've had to resort to vitamins and fitness bars with citrus over and over again for maximum absorption (though suggestions to add Nutella, etc. to his diet are great ones - and... maybe I can get him back on raisins and other dried fruit).

So ... these trips bring back memories of surgery in the NICU and monthly visits to the hospital with Milo as an infant - tests in radiology when he was toddler (and looked so cute in his hospital issue pjs - though felt just horrible when the tears would flow :-) - I mean, we know the old hospital and the beautiful new one inside and out - total veterans used to the crowds, the waits, scheduling issues that leave you there all day - eating in the cafeteria - paying for parking - the WHOLE drill. It is familiar, and it is life-affirming in that so many families and children, either sick or with chronic conditions like Milo, just take it all in stride - accept their situation as normal - and remain grateful that they are not one of those so sick they may never leave - or grateful that they do have something manageable - of course, feeling for and thinking of those who do have something more serious or who do not lead normal lives.

For now, we are happy that our blood work is over AND that it is all we had to do today. My brave boy - who I am watching from my window as he throws a pumpkin (that he just HAD to buy at Whole Foods) like a shotput, smashing it again and again on the ground with his brute force. Looks like I need to intervene for the poor pumpkin (and looks like I need to be thankful that I do have a tough boy who can handle so much again and again when he needs to :-).

Reminders (i.e. picture me with Post-it notes stuck all over me :-).

Tomorrow morning - Run Around the Square

Tomorrow Night - Hothouse, the Sprout Fund's annual fundraiser

Sunday - Crafts n'at (100 artists total this year, I hear) - at Soldiers and Sailors Hall, Pitt - 12 - 5

I think I'll do all three this weekend :-).

Throwing in the towel - another SAHM gives up...

And, yes - I am thinking of heading back into the workforce fulltime (after some years in freelance work here at home). I have thought about it for a long time - even interviewed for jobs when I was 4, 5 and 8 months pregnant with Lilliana - then again when she wasn't even two weeks old - just days after my c-section and on driving restrictions, I ignored all post-surgical warnings and ventured out, bent on getting that job (and I almost did). At the time, I was scared I could not handle a new baby with such small boys and a grade schooler - no family to help - hubby working long hours and traveling. But... I did make it work. I tried so hard to be a good stay at home mother - attentive, loving, productive - whatever.

Truthfully, my kids deserve more than what I can give. They are spirited, eager, sweet and loving. By contrast, I am cranky, angry, weepy and frazzled lately. I am not worthy of being home. They will be better off in school, responsible and nurturing daycare situations and / or after school programs with their little friends. Others can do it, but I am totally unable to manage the demands of a high schooler, a kindergartner, preschooler and toddler - too diverse - I'm spread too thin, and.... while I want to make it work, I'm thinking I just can't. I am a bad "CEO of the Home" - ineffective (though - kudos to you who are successful).

Over the past few weeks, I've ruined more dinners than I've cooked (poured a whole container of peppercorns into some corn I had just cut, buttered and salted on the stove and got my poor Enzo and Lil excited about - burned roasted veggies - over-reduced sauce - dried out some chicken - under salted my kids' beloved mashed potatoes) - I've yelled more than I've cuddled (and today was awful - no one would listen - while shopping for field hockey supplies for Olivia, it was tantrum after tantrum - and I intensely dislike being the mean Mommy - can't even enjoy lunch out with the kids because I've lost control and no one wants to be around me anyway) - and it appears they are more excited to see Daddy or big sis, Olivia, at the end of the day anyway (who wouldn't be - I am no fun - all work and no play these days). I am kidding myself with this SAHM thing. I am not good at it. A couple of "signs" (conversations, chance meetings, serendipitous memories or connections...) over the past few days have convinced me that it is the right thing to do, so .... will probably need to decide what to do with my silly old "mom blog" too ;-).

I'm sad because I will so desperately miss them during the day, and I'm disappointed in myself for failing so miserably, but... I'm trying to stay positive and... do what's best for my kids, of course. They don't need to be around cranky, tired, overworked, mean Mommy - I need to direct some of that to some co-workers who might deserve it ;-) - and, yes, I do realize that I am using the winking emoticon like punctuation again - hard post for me - have to keep it light ;-).

Anyway - off to Kennywood tomorrow where Enzo will ride roller coasters - Milo will play games - and Lilliana will be amazed, all of it new to her. Olivia is bringing a friend and is excited - hubby took the day off. We are meeting my cousin and her family (and possibly another cousin :-), so.... I'm excited too. I am not from the area, but my Dad and his family were - so... back when I was a kid, I do have memories of Kennywood - riding coasters with my Dad and uncle (the cousin I'm meeting is younger than I am so was a baby back then) - I remember the picnic lunch my Grandma would pack..... Should be fun.

Photo: Me and all my kiddies plus a couple of silly summer scenes.... Images seem kinda more important now that I know this may be the last summer home. Hmmm...... a new emotion.... sniff?

One last thing (a little lift): Women 40 somethings and 30 somethings outselling 20 somethings on magazine covers (and becoming top earners in Hollywood) - even though demographics should say otherwise - here. Hurray! Maybe I will actually get a job with this kind of trend :-). Hopefully .....

Gonna need support on this. Hard decision for me.

Taking a quick break.

Enjoy your day, all.

And... thanks for comments, emails and, yes, comments in person regarding my query the other day (what to do with downtime ;-). Really - thank you - helps me to hear what others do to rejuvenate, stay on top of things, etc. It all gets overwhelming sometimes, doesn't it? As much as we hate to admit it....

Speaking of duty...

This is awfully late notice, but... you can attend a "walk in the woods" and get more info. on Kate and Peter's Treehouse tonight at 6:30 (run!) at the Frick Environmental Center. The group will meet at 6:30 and meet on the latest developments before embarking on the regularly scheduled walk. See Amy at Callapitter (my blog list!!!) for more info.

And... don't forget about Haiti. We have friends who are volunteering to help with clean-up down there now - one through a corporation - one through a non-profit AND I know two photographers who have been down there to document the horror. It is still awful and they still need donations - cities in ruin - orphans with nowhere to sleep.... You can always try here or my "go to", Unicef - though, there are other initiatives - like if you go to the band, The Arcade Fire's, fan site and donate, they will duplicate up to one million dollars in fan donations. Not too shabby. Google it all - I am in a hurry to post.

And ... see the chuckleheads pictured above (you've seen these girlies before)? They have decided that, tonight, they want to have a sleepover and get chinese food and eat it out of the containers like they do in the movies (and laugh, of course, and do Facebook Photo Booth AND talk about boys...). Know what I mean? Actually, that doesn't sound like such a bad idea....;-). Wish I was going :-).

Morning House

So this post isn't done during the wee hours, though.... I was up again - just able to get back to sleep this time.... Again, thanks all - your suggestions are really hitting home in that I guess I often don't view insomnia as a big problem, having been sleepless and dragging with babies up all hours or toddlers teething, preschoolers putting off bedtime, etc. for the past few years - AND having dealt with insomnia my whole life off and on (albeit without a family to take care of). Now, however, with some additional "stuff" on my mind, I'm finding that I need my sleep to handle the kid-related nighttime surprises along with all the daily stuff - all our sports and activities - my new amped up workout schedule - my writing - my cooking - my new biz venture currently in the works, etc. I need to finally DO something about it. I think I'll try the "routine" sent to me by a long ago friend with whom I have recently reconnected. His plan seems to make the most sense and may be a longtime "cure". I'll implement then share with all of you (though, again, thanks for all the emails, FB msgs and face to face advice).

Anyway - sharing some images of my morning house today. I am foggy lately - feeling like the clean house we had ready for our houseguests a few days ago has gone way messy again and I am in desperate need of a grocery outing (I think two of my kids just had M & Ms for breakfast ;-)... PLUS I am so sleepy and shaky all the time that I'm spilling sugar, coffee, pasta, soup, etc. all over the floor and counter, breaking things like my favorite retro butter dish (I mean shattered it - along with a mug, a terra cotta pot, etc.).... gotta get back on track.

So... sleepless in Pitt is signing off again but not without mentioning that Men who Stare at Goats is a bizarre movie (love everyone in it, though - Jeff Bridges who really does have shaman-like qualities, Ewan MacGregor who I have loved forever and George Clooney who just cracks me up). Followed that last night by Weird Science. Gotta love that ;-).

Edgewood Eels won their swim meet last night (and Olivia brought home two first place blue ribbons - one for individual - one for a relay - as did many of her friends / teammates). We took all the kids - I filmed Olivia swimming like a jet - got some footage of the wee ones in the baby pool with their funny goggles on (in fact, I missed a great end of the lane perspective video of Olivia to take the opportunity to show Enzo how she and other people he knows swim in "races", as he calls them - I think he wants to swim next year! Just like big sis Olivia, and... just like mommy years ago :-). The long walk around our little 'hood to get to our car - sitting outside the club, backpack on, kids all around me, waving to friends as they drove by on their way home, all of us happy after an evening eating bbq and pizza, watching our swimmers and chatting all night long was JUST GREAT. I do love my life.

OK - brain fry..... I'm beginning to not make sense plus I'm hearing "mommy" every five seconds from my wild bunch. Have a good day, all!

Some "stuff"...

Danced to Juan de Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All-Stars last night. Really fun. Would suggest going if / when they come back.....

Heat wave continues.... Stay cool. Our AC is not doing well in this humidity - old system - old house - unrelenting heat. Anyone else having trouble? Supposed to end Sunday, so... that will feel better.

School uniforms already out in the stores if you're in the market.....

As you know, I love my Zoku Quick Pop Maker from Williams Sonoma. Nice way to beat the heat. Read reviews and decide for yourself here.

Lovin' our Urban Active Fitness membership - use it all the time - work out at least every other day. Getting good info. and feedback from friends who use the personal trainers too. Check it all out here.

Cliched, but... we all grill in the summer, so... check out some ideas from Bon Appetit.

Last bit - Oakland Catholic is having language placement testing next week. Olivia is doing Spanish - and... I know there are a couple of time slots. Also, incoming freshman (probably other grades too) need to go online to fill out some necessary forms - IN ADDITION to what we received in the mail. The first of the two new student orientation dates is next week too. Just fyi, all....

Have to mention this.... my poor Milo has to go to Children's for his annual bloodwork today (Nephrology apptmt. tomorrow - he has Stage 2 Chronic Kidney Disease - was born with the issue - doing fine though), so... keep him in your thoughts, but... more so - keep hubby and the poor lab tech doing the bloodwork in your foremost thoughts as well; if neither is wearing protective clothing, they may sustain some injuries.... Milo is a thrasher ;-).

Snow?!?!

Winter storm 2010 images. Seriously... here's what we were doing just a few short weeks ago. My kids are still adjusting to the schoolday after so much time off - I'm looking at some pretty big dirty piles of snow out my window now (though now I see birds picking through potential food on these piles, and I see melty puddles all over the street. Been sayin' it all week...spring?)... It happened - just seems a lifetime ago...

Photo 1 - The sledding / boarding "hill" in our normally flat front yard
Photo 2 - Olivia and friends waist-deep in snow - less than 24 hours after they headed off to ski on snow-free roads
Photo 3 - The view from our porch the morning after...
Photo 4 - Self-portrait outside, midnight-ish, the night the storm swirled

Now We're Happy!

One Trader Joe's run (tantrum nonexistent EVEN when they were out of Milo's favorite organic fruit lollies and granola bars - in fact....check out this Trader Joe's chocolate chip granola bar recall) and a few errands later - eating chicken nuggets and fruit jellies (well... iced soy Chai and raw green beans for me) and listening to The Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs in the car - AND we are fine. I am not frazzled. Milo is happy, happy, happy (great day at school). Lilliana is enjoying a day of "go with the flow" with Mommy. We took our jackets off - we splashed in a few puddles - we made "telescopes" out of recycled paper towel holders and went exploring - we bought stuff for dinner - we got green and white balloons - a life / day well-lived :-). Doesn't matter that the snow has melted to reveal a broken bird feeder (lovingly painted and hung by Enzo in the fall) - our Radio Flyer wagon that was somehow buried after use a few months ago - a dirty, deflated soccer ball (that still has some KICK in it - Lilliana scored a couple muddy goals) - Just matters that we are out enjoying the day (and each other).

A couple of observations on this beautiful day:

First, I saw a beautiful white-haired older woman quite brilliantly turned out in a posh and tailored black coat (definite retro feel) and matching shoes, taking her walk near Frick Park. Just loved her look....

Second, Lilliana likes to grab flowers on our many Trader Joe's runs, and... today picked out some droopy sunflower-ish blooms that we will refresh in our many vases indoors. Good idea - I should listen to my kids more ;-).

Finally, if you are driving and have to slam on your brakes and stop short (groceries spilling everywhere) and then yell, "I can't freakin' believe this!", your two year old will do the same - intonation correct, gestures dead-on, but... "look" definitely much cuter. Let's hope she doesn't repeat anything...

Photo: Dancin'!!! What else?

The formula for "out the door" success ;-)

Pretty much - up VERY early obtain breakfast orders as their sleepy little eyes are opening (today's order was easy - toast, chocolate milk, Pop-Tarts, juice - for me, my new favorite - Stonyfield Organic Soy Yogurt - chocolate!) - clothes laid out - socks already inside boots - hats and gloves stuffed into coat sleeves - assigned areas for grouping backpacks, lunches, etc. (this morning, for example, Olivia's UGGs were waiting next to a Vera Bradley lunch box and her now very worn LL Bean backpack - Enzo's school shoes were next to his monogrammed green Pottery Barn backpack and his Transformers lunchbox, both of which he is so proud :-) - and Milo even had his little blue PB backpack AND... since he was snack helper today in preschool... he had napkins inside his Cars lunchbox, which he insists on carrying himself, and a big Whole Foods bag filled with his favorite whole grain crackers and lemonade that has, btw, been checked for stray toy dragons, etc. that might be riding along - AND, finally, Marcello had his little cooler filled with leftovers next to his laptop). New carseat in new Jetta? Check. Show n Tell items today? No - Italian class for K - scrapbooking elective and yearbook photos for Gr. 8 - no change of shoes necessary for P3.... All issues addressed .....Out the door and to school - EARLY today! I even have a little sweatshirt and jeans ready for Lil (and her green herringbone Saks Fifth Avenue back pack that used to be her stylish sister's - stuffed with a sippy cup, Gerber Graduates fruit leather and some extra diapers :-), who may go to her beloved morning out program today (and I REALLY should highlight this place more often - great care, books, toys, snacks, little pets, crafts, nurturing wonderful people - all convenient and inexpensive - right at the 2nd Presbyterian Church in the Regent Square / Wilkinsburg area - Braddock Ave. to Biddle St. - just love it).

And a friend just sent me this earth-shaking information...that a coffeehouse / cafe catering specifically to kids and moms (ages 0-6 mostly - some play areas for ages 7 - 9, apparently) is opening in Squirrel Hill! Oh the joy! To quote my pal, "If it has good coffee - I may become a regular." Thanks for this info., Elaina! Check it OUT!

Something to note.... check out the Serious Eats blog on my page again (see my "follow" sidebar) - coffee issues due to climate changes and issues. See - take care of the environment or, I don't care who you are, it WILL affect you in some way.

Thank you to everyone, btw, for emails and /Facebook messages regarding photo organization and ideas. Still working on it all....

And, lastly... a recipe ..... total 1970's chicken and rice casserole that I had at like a potluck somewhere and just had to have the recipe.... I was sure that it was full of cheese and mayo and other southern ladies that lunch shortcuts and fillers.... so was leery at first.....AND it is easy, uses convenience foods - whatever - but can also be a good way to sneak a bunch of vegetables and a lean protein into a tasty, hot meal for your kids. I use lowfat versions of the ingredients - fresh or flash frozen organic veggies when possible - and vary it a bit if I make it for a school thing or a new baby family (actually find that peas and broccolli or spinach are FAR better greens to use than the beans suggested in the recipe)...... And ... let's face it - isn't the chopping, mixing, measuring that is involved with casserole making VERY satisfying - like giving your baby a thorough bath - planting vegetables in a garden - washing your own car.... You know what I mean.....

Enjoy the day! Good Karma to others in the world experiencing difficulties. Don't forget your favorite charities today :-).

Kinda like hitting a "replay" button....

So - another snow day. This time, we are semi-prepared - have all the board games out - batteries in the handheld games for when boredom sets in - dug the sleds, etc. out of the latest snowfall - have soup, cookies, hot chocolate on deck and ready to go - possible plans to ski later in the weekend (have to get "Mad Milo" on a board and curious Enzo BACK on skis plus Olivia and her friends are into it lately) - tentative plans to run out for a quick and close late lunch today..... It'll be fine :-) - though I am sensing some cranky / antsy - and it's not just the kids :-(. And, by the way - we've already done some glitter (like A LOT of glitter - all over the front hall glitter) and glue - painted some dinosaurs (and, yes, Milo did ruin his brand new very cool stripey retro shirt that I bought him for v-day - I am not shocked or saddened - merely ready to check it off as the "thing" that got ruined TODAY - there will be another tomorrow - I'm just kicking myself because I did not make it into the room in time to undress him for the craft :-) - and we've all pummeled each other with snowballs from the front yard onto the porch (and through the door!!!)... and MORE :-). The down side thus far? Lilliana has become obsessed with Oreos - Milo, now shirtless, will not redress for the day and will look like "jungle boy" until bathtime - and Enzo had a meltdown, feeling like he was being judged for not wanting to touch snow. Also, poor Olivia has homework - and I HAVE to mention here that I am exceedingly proud of her mature voice, incredible insights and great use of vocabulary in her latest book report (Bridge to Terabithia - sniff - I know there is a movie, but I remember reading it when I was O's age - maybe younger - and here I am proofing my middle schooler's book report....).

Olympic watch continues... though, there is so much going on - DQs for the strangest offenses - odd things like alternates not showing up for races - crashes - surprise medals - world records..... I can't keep up with the details - though I still love watching :-).

Stay safe - I see the same slippery slush that caused our pre-Christmas accident out my window. Enjoy time with family because, if anything, that's what snow-ins allow us to savor :-). Unfortunately, I am, again, sending positive thoughts to more friends and family experiencing loss or pain this season..... Many good things to celebrate too, but let's think of others less fortunate when we can....

Photos: Someone just sent us this photo of me and my Milo at a volunteer luncheon last year. I didn't know it existed - happy that it does, so... am posting it. Evidence that Milo really can stay calm - especially with Mommy (who was just like him as a kid ;-). And ... a pre-snowstorm(s) photo of Olivia and her confirmation class.