Love/Do Not Love {No. 6}

 

This month has been flying by, and it's time to write my list before the month is up. so here we go!

I love...

- Thundersnow. We had some yesterday- the first I can ever remember. I've had my fill of regular snow this year, but this was an interesting change. In case you are wondering, the correct response to it involves shutting off the vacuum and yelling "Thundersnow!" in the hallway in case anyone cared. Seeing flashes of lighting while giant snowflakes are coming down is a bit unnerving, by the way.
- Baby snuggles. Millie had no time to cuddle when she was a baby. It usually only happened when she was sick. Walter, on the other hand, wants to be snuggled a lot, and loves sleeping in my arms. And, oh, do I love that.
- Ben & Jerry's Half Baked ice cream. Brownie batter, cookie dough, and ice cream- i.e., all the basic food groups in a pint.
- Also, ice cream in general these days. Is there a diet where you just eat ice cream? Because I want to be on it.
- Also...cookie dough in general.
- Millie as a ballerina. She gets so excited before every class. I love that there is something we do that is just about her and for her. Watching her listen so carefully to the teacher and interact with the students is wonderful. We coaxed her into introducing herself to another little girl last week, and it was just plain adorable.
- New shirts in the winter that aren't wool sweaters. Polka dots and lighter shades and a breath of spring.
- Brian Williams. I was reminded of this because I think of him when I think of Jimmy Fallon, who has been newsworthy lately. Brian Williams is a cool guy. Did you know he was a volunteer firefighter for a few years?
- Bowling and pizza. We went as a family on Valentine's Day. It was Millie's first time, and she beat me. (Let's not talk about that.) I am the worst at it, but it was so much fun. Next time? Bumpers for me.
- Lipstick. I've probably worn it a total of five times in my life, but I have a couple times lately, and felt very grown up and fancy. And sometimes, it's nice feeling grown up.
- Millie's hair in pigtails. It's finally long enough, and guys? It's pretty cute.

And now, a few things I do not love...

- My hair cut. Actually, I loved my hair cut until the stylist finished snipping and trimming. She kept telling me how it suited me, and how easy it would be. Then she leaned in a little and gave me a knowing look. "I mean, so easy, which is nice. Especially," her eyes narrowing, "since you're a mom to two." Burn. Did I just get a mom haircut? Is she telling me that's what this is? Insecurity.
Also, my dad said I look, "Older. But younger. In good way. And taller." Thank you, Dad.
- Nesting tables. I don't understand them.
- February. It's when winter starts to feel desperate. Especially this year.
- Walter crawling. I do like that he's doing what he's supposed to do, and that I have a chance to see one of my babies crawl (Millie bounced- yes, really), but he's into everything, everywhere, all the time. I'm scared to turn around!
- Giant chocolate chip cookies in the grocery store bakery. You know the type, with the icing and confetti sprinkles poured on top. In my head, it sounds like a wonderful concept. But they are not good. Not at all.
- Fashion poses. No one looks natural. I don't care if you have a ten inch thigh gap or can twist your neck in some crazy angle. Just stand there, slouching or chewing gum or checking your phone, like the rest of us.
- The term "life hacks". No. Do me a favor; just say it's a better way to chop an onion.

As always, leave your link if you join in!

Love/Do Not Love {No. 5}

New year, new month, new list!

I love:
- The concept of "do one thing, and do it well". I told you I've been enamoured with this blog lately, and it's mentioned in that post (and many others). There are so many days when the to-do list in my mind seems to grow longer as the clock ticks on, and I feel like I haven't accomplished all I had hoped. This has kept me afloat many, many times. It also keeps my priorities straight. When the choices are cleaning out a drawer, folding a basket of laundry, or having a little conversation with Walter to soothe him, it's easy to choose the most important thing.
- This app. I'm not the girl who gets excited about many apps. (Snapchat is stupid. It just is.) I don't download a lot of them. But I read a post on Donald Miller's blog (one of my favorite authors), and thought the idea was so beautiful. I watched the app creator's TED Talk, and I like the way he thinks. I cannot wait to see my years this way.
- Dark chocolate. Especially dark chocolate with stuff in it. Any stuff. Fruit. Nuts. I'm on board. My brother gave me a bar of this for Christmas, and it took a lot of self control for me to save some of it for later.
- Planners! And fancy pens, and highlighters, and washi tape, and file bands, and anything else I could think to add to one.
- Downton Abbey. I was suspicious of it. I was confused by it. I didn't even like it until I'd watched at least a whole season. I'm hooked on it now. It's a soap opera really, but it's early 20th century and it's England, so that's good enough for me. Hush, children. Mama's watching her stories.
- Grown up clothes. Recently, I've realized that I tend to dress like I'm about 20. That's a problem, because I'm going to be 30. And I have two kids. I'm not saying it's time to look for sales at Christopher and Banks, but I tossed my ancient pair of beat up Chucks and bought a couple blouses at Target, and it felt really good. It's nice wearing something other than a t-shirt sometimes. (Note: pajamas are not included in grown up rules and never will be, thank you very much.)
- Millie's imagination. She spent an entire morning sitting sideways on the couch, telling us she was going to space. She'd occasionally tumble onto the carpet and say something like, "Oh no! I'm in space!" Kids with imaginations are getting more and more rare. I'm glad she has such a good one.
- Doughnuts. They've been on my mind lately.

And now, a few things I do not love:
- Picking out a purse. I need want a new bag, but I'm so picky. It has to go with all my clothes. It has to look great in every season (even though I'll probably be tired of it in a month). I look at bags at Target on at least half my shopping trips. I try them on my arm, look at zippers and pockets, imagine purse-using scenarios, and then sigh and put them all back. I cannot commit. It's a problem.
- Dry lips. Never enough lip gloss.
- Chantal moved to Korea last month. She had to take a 12 hour plane ride to get there. The longest flight I've been on was 4 hours, and by the end of it, everyone on the plane hated everyone else, there were so many weird smells, trash was all over the cabin, and I couldn't feel my legs. Thinking about a 12 hour flight makes me hyperventilate.
- Not having snow boots. I live in Illinois. It tends to snow here in the winter. Why are none of my boots waterproof?
- When babies get sick. We were all sick for a week or two recently, and it wasn't fun. But the worst was when Walter got the bug. It's rough when they don't understand what's happening, and it's harder to console them. I'm so glad he's better now.
- This weather. Snow is okay. Winter is okay. Even cold is okay. The high on Monday is supposed to be -8 degrees. The high. After a huge snowstorm we're supposed to get. That is not okay.
- Walter growing up. Sigh.


Leave me your link if you join in this time!

Love/Do Not Love {No. 4: Christmas Edition}

(a balanced breakfast)

It's time for a special Christmas edition of Love/Do Not Love! Leave your blog post link if you join in this time.

I love:
- Wrapping paper. The really elegant designs, with lots of ribbon or tags to gussy it up. My next dream job after writing would be gift wrapping. It's almost better than a good present.

- Garrison Keillor. If you haven't ever listened to him, stop what you're doing and go buy an album. He has the most soothing voice and tells the greatest stories. It's perfect, but especially this time of year.

- Santa Claus visiting our library. I'll be blogging pictures soon, but it turns out, there is something even better than a little Millie sitting on his lap and asking for toys- a Millie and a Walter.

- Christmas tree cakes (see photo). They are loaded with sugar and the icing has a consistency of wax, and I'm so excited every year when they hit the shelves. Tradition!
- Christmas lights. Driving around at night, looking at houses all lit up purely for our happiness? Adore it.
- Whipped cream. Whipped cream and I are having a moment. I usually ask for drinks without it. Now I'm piling it on any coffee or hot chocolate I drink. The higher the whipped cream, the closer to God, right?
- Tights. This is not very Christmas related, but let's discuss it anyway. I don't have many dresses...or tights...but I would wear dresses and tights all the time if I did. And leggings. But you know what's hard to find? Tunics. Moving on...
- Playing Santa. Before having kids, I wasn't sure I would play into the whole Santa Claus thing. But then Millie was born. I found myself going full steam ahead into the deception. We call the Santa hotline. We see him at the library. My dad even dressed up as Santa for her last year and brought in her presents. I emphasize that the reason we celebrate Christmas is the birth of Jesus, and we talk about stars, and wise men, and angels. But for a few short years, she'll believe in Santa.
- Christmas cards. It doesn't even look like we'll be sending them out this year, which makes me sad. Because mail + Christmas? Two of the best things ever.
- Carols. The richness and depth of those lyrics makes me a little sad that they're only sung one month each year. We've all heard them since we were small and could sing them in our sleep, but really listen to the words sometime. They're beautiful.
- A white Christmas. The actual weather condition, not the song (although that's nice, too). There's no other way to go.

And now, a few things I do not love:
- Driving in the snow. Yes, I said I like white Christmases, and I do. I like it falling. Just not on the road. Or if it is on the road, only on Christmas.
- Related: Scraping and defrosting windows for 20 minutes before going anywhere. In the (obviously) cold weather. Especially when I forget to allow time to do so. NEAT.
- A Christmas Story movie. I know. People will hate me for this one. I just don't like it. At all. Not a bit.
- I can't deal with the Elf on the Shelf business. Partly because it's a $30 little toy, but mostly because I'm scared of it.
- People making out in the Target parking lot 2 feet from me. I realize this is also not Christmas related, but I need to establish some boundaries. Hold hands all you want. Kissing is even okay. But not when I'm close enough to join in. It was weird and I wanted a shower afterwards.
- And in the also-not-Christmasy-but-loosely-Target-related category, the "word" selfie. It's a shirt at Target even. No. It's not the concept I have a problem with as much as that terrible word. I'm going to start an Instagram movement called #aselfportrait or something. #hereisaphotoofme #THISISMYFACE
- Flannel sheets. I want to like them. But they are too hot and get scratchy after two washes.
- Materialism at Christmas. Or anytime of year, but especially now.
- Egg nog. Every time I have it, I think I like it, but then I realize I do not. I've never had the alcoholic version. I suppose if I drank enough of that, I would like it.
- Running out of Christmas cookies.

Tell me your favorites about Christmas!

Love/Do Not Love {No. 3}

A new month (eek, it's November!) means a new Love/Do Not Love. As always, please leave a link to your blog post if you join in!

I love:
- Boot cuffs/boot socks. My mom crocheted me a few pairs after I'd been drooling over them on Pinterest and Etsy. They keep me a little warmer. Mostly, though, they look so darn cute.
- Nora Ephron movies. They are wonderful all year round, but they seem to ripen in the late fall. The music. The brownstones. The way they're inspired by some of my favorite old movies. The scripts, most of all. Just charming.
- Chicago. It's true; I bristle a little bit when everyone assumes that I must live in Chicago because I live in Illinois. But really? I love that city. I dare you to stand in the middle of it, with the Chicago river below you and the towering buildings above, and try to be indifferent. It's everything Carl Sandburg wrote of it and more. It's been a few years since I've visited and I can't wait to go back.
- Beverages in glass bottles. Milk from a glass bottle? Heaven. Pop tastes ten times better from a bottle than a can, too. I remember visiting my dad when he worked at the campus fire station here, and pushing dimes into what surely must have been the last bottled soda machine in the country. I'd get the grape, and that frosty, purple pop was the biggest treat.
- Since we're on the subject of glass bottled beverages, let's go ahead and mention Woodchuck. I rarely drink alcohol, and can count on one hand how many times I have in the last year and a half, but hard cider is where it's at. I'm not fancy enough to have racks of wine bottles. Just hand me a little green bottle, please.
- This exact moment of fall. It's the height of colors and smells here in Chambana. In fact, I think this may be one of the prettiest autumns I've ever seen. Millie and I love taking walks and swooning over the leaf confetti scattered all across the sidewalks. I adore the big flash of fall before everything is frozen.
- My kids in costumes. Can it be Halloween every day? I really don't like the holiday much, but they made a pretty adorable bear and puppy.
- Instagram. Oh hi, 2010. I know I'm the last one to the party on this. It's okay. I wasn't sold on the concept until I ditched Facebook, but this is a fun way to keep up with people I care about and share my own photos without all the complications and yuckiness of Facebook (see below). It took a long time to convince me, but I am now officially a fan.

And now, a few things I do not love:
- Food/diet fads. I won't name any specific ones for fear of hate mail, but they're the ones dominating recipes on Pinterest, labels at the grocery store, and hashtags on Twitter. I get burned out from hearing about them pretty quickly.
- Facebook. The truth is, I don't care what my ex best friend from first grade thinks about the president. I wanted to write a longer post about my decision, but I think I'll just leave it at this: it gets really messy. It gets awfully mean. And it steals my joy. I enjoy social media and I'm still active in it elsewhere, but kissing Facebook goodbye has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. It felt strange for about 12 hours. But after that, it felt like freedom. Despite what we're sold, it turns out we can go on living without it- quite happily, even.
- Onions. I just can't. When I have to cook with them, I either chop them into huge pieces that can be avoided, or mince them as fine as possible so I can pretend they don't exist.
-Going along with that, most pizza toppings. Basically, I'm 12. I want extra cheese and sometimes green olives. That's pretty much it. A supreme pizza (onions!) is my worst nightmare.
- Sangria. I've only had it once, truth be told. The concept of it bothers me, though. I won't tell you what it reminds me of, but...ick.
- Michelle mentioned it in her post the other day, and I agree- chevron. It's got to go.
- And finally, Daylight Savings Time. But really, does anyone on earth love DST? It's got to go, too.

So, what are you loving this month...or not loving so much?

Love/Do Not Love {No. 2}

Fran and I love most of the same things, but we disagree on college sports...

I posted my first Love/Do Not Love list a month ago, and it was so much fun, I wanted to bring it back. Several of you joined in, so like last time, if you make your own list, leave a link in the comments so we can all visit you. Without further ado, here are a few things I love and a few I'm not so fond of...

I love:
-Hanging out with Fran of Freeborboleta fame. Though I forgot to take my camera (thereby forfeiting the title of blogger and only using blurry cell phone photos in this post), it was so much fun getting to see her again. The last time, I was on her turf in Seattle. This time, Fran and her sweet mama drove hours just to spend an afternoon and evening in Chambana. It was awesome to introduce her to Millie and Walter. But mostly, it was just did my heart a lot of good to spend a day with one of my dearest friends- eating deep dish pizza, taking a cold walk around campus, and warming up with some Starbucks. The only do not love part of this? Having to say goodbye.

The rest of my loves:
-Chinese food. I order the same dish 99.5% of the time: sauteed broccoli in brown sauce with white rice and lots of crab rangoon. We have a pretty great place nearby, which means the owner lady instantly recognizes me, Sky, my dad, and Millie. In fact, Millie's managed to charm her way into free watermelon slices ever time (which aren't on the menu). Every so often I like to pretend I have room for doughnuts, eat one, and then complain that I'm dying. I could eat there every day and not get sick of it.
-Huge, fluffy bath towels. The bigger, the better. And someday, this lady is going to buy a heated towel rack (and heated floors, while we're at it). I once used one of the towels Sky takes on military trips, and I'll never get over it. It was a potholder-sized square of sandpaper, I think. Gross.
-Praise for cooking. If someone tells me twice that they love the meal, I may believe them. If they tell me once, I'm sure they're just being polite. If they don't tell me at all, I am positive they hate my food, hate me, and I should just burn down the kitchen. I might be slightly insecure about my cooking- can you tell?
-Snail mail. I love letters, packages, those random address labels- if it's not a bill, I'm excited about it. (I'd ask you all for your addresses if I thought there was hope I could write back.) I swoon over pretty stationery and fancy pens.
-Ginger. It's all I want lately. Christmas may come early in this house, because it's going to be gingerbread everything. (Speaking of, make these cookies.) Pumpkin is so last week.
-Notebooks. Specifically, the smaller ones that fit well in my purse. I think up ideas for blog posts in two main places- in bed, long after I should have been asleep, and while I'm out somewhere running errands. I keep a little lined notebook between the front seats, and grab it to jot something down all the time.
-Saying 'peanut butter' in Spanish. Google it. It sounds twenty times tastier, and slightly scandalous.

And now, a few things I don't love:
-Driving and spacing out. All I know is that I leave my house, and ten minutes later, I'm in a different part of town. I have no memory of all the twists and turns that got me there. It scares me a little, and makes me wonder exactly how I can be on auto pilot so much that I am completely unaware of what I'm doing.
- Also, driving at night. I always feel about 85 years old when I'm squinting through the windshield and complaining that everyone has on their high beams. Blind as a bat.
-Flute music, especially jazz flute. (I apologize if you play the flute.) No thanks.
-The person who invented white kitchen floors. No, it's cool. I like needing to sweep five times a day.
-Deciding what to wear. It takes me more time to pick an outfit than it does to do my hair and makeup. If I (magically) love the outfit I'm wearing, it still takes a lot of time. If I don't love it, it takes years.
-The wrong cleaning products used on things. Pledge used on glass? Glass cleaner used as bathroom cleaner? Kitchen cleaner used in any other room of the house? I can't handle it.
-The first time someone asks how old I am after a birthday. So awkward. I state at them blankly until I figure it out, and probably seem 10 years older than I am just because I can't remember.

What things are you loving- or not?

Love/Do Not Love

"I love reading another reader’s list of favorites." 
— T.S. Eliot

Is it possible to write a blog and neglect to talk about yourself? Maybe in a way. So many things have been changing in my life, and I've been writing them as they happen. But today, I'm going to sit down and write a blog post to all of you who don't know me as well- and really, to all of you who do, too. These are little bits of what I'm made of, inconsequential sometimes, but the stuff that doesn't change.

You already know about my biggest loves, of course. Today, the smaller ones.

I love:

- Starbucks. Oh, how I love Starbucks. If I suddenly became wealthy, I would definitely be a 3x a day Frappuccino addict. I want to be the cool girl that only goes to the little indie cafes in town- and I do love those, too- but Starbucks has won my loyalty, darn them.
- Accents. I could listen to them all day. British is at the top of my list, but just about any accent is mesmerizing.
- Random acts of kindness. I've had a few of these happen to me (especially since joining the blog world- bloggers are the sweetest) and there is nothing I love more than a sweet surprise. I think it's beautiful knowing you were on someone's mind enough on any given day to warrant something like that. My goal in the coming year is to do more of those kinds of things myself.
- Old neighborhoods. They have big trees and secrets.
- Sky. He is definitely on the biggest loves list, of course, but I haven't talked about him as much over the past few weeks, what with Walter arriving. I really love that guy. I'm really proud of him. And I think he's hot.
- Fall. I don't care if that makes me one of those girls who pins everything pumpkin and eats nothing but caramel apples during the months of September, October, and November. I adore it. The best season, hands down.
- My new hair. The picture above wasn't totally random- I actually chopped my hair off last week, and after a bit of back and forth, I've decided I really like it.
- Blog friends. People are so good sometimes. I have met, whether virtually or in real life eventually, the most amazing people through being a part of this community. Wonderful writers. Awesome families. The best friends. We have good Facebook groups. Hilarious Twitter conversations. Sweet email exchanges. It blesses me so much.
- Second hand clothes. I have the hardest time buying anything new now (other than jeans, because I'm a giant), because I am thinking about the dozens of things I could buy for the price of just one new item. Banana Republic has never been in my budget, but I just bought a few cardigans at the Salvation Army for $3 each. And they are pre-shrunk!
- Online shows. We don't have cable, and I don't have time to watch shows when they're on or deal with 50 commercials. I can catch up on things from six months ago, watch them in bed, and make frequent use of the pause button.
- My kids' names. Stating the obvious, right? But a stranger wandered up to me at the mall the other day, asked me Walter's name, then said, "Oh...really?" when she couldn't think of anything else. Yes, really. After hearing a kid at the mall respond to the name Lotus, I'm really not too interested in malldweller opinions. Because lady, Walter may not be to your liking, but it's a zillion years old, which means A- I didn't make it up, and B- he has a rich history of Walters to page through. Other Walters I can think of are strong and classy. For instance, Walter Cronkite is a household name. I bet Lotus Cronkite wouldn't make it very far. And that's the way it is.
- Marching bands. Going to football games do not excite me- I could take them or leave them. But halftime, when I hear the drum begin to rumble and the trumpets blare, is my favorite.
- Back to school time. It doesn't matter that I was homeschooled and that Millie will most likely be. I would buy dozens of notebooks because they were only 10 cents, get some beloved new fall clothes like a plaid shirt or corduroy pants (hey, it was the 90s), and open up my textbooks with excitement (except math).
- Seattle. Still love it. Still want to go back.

And now, a few things I don't love:

- The term "hand pies". It sounds so gross.
- Pasta salad. I've never liked it. Cold noodles? No thanks.
- Migraines. Again, obvious. They weren't quite as bad during pregnancy this time but they're coming back.
- Summer clothes. They make me angry. I don't want to wear shorts. Tank tops look horrible on me, although I wear them anyway. I want scarves and boots and heavy coats. I want sweaters with sleeves that are too long. And I want all the colors that go with fall clothes and not the florescent everything in stores right now.
- Those bad dreams that seem so real. I had one last night, and it was the first time I literally woke up sobbing.
- When people pin gross things. I will never understand this. When I am looking for a cute outfit or a perfect recipe, I don't want to see spiders, ticks, food that looks like open wounds, someone's feet, etc.
- Baby boy's clothes with skulls. Old Navy has them right now. Sky and I had discussed what our son's wardrobe would be like before we even had Walter (is that weird?). He will be sweet, preppy, and polished- classic stuff like polos and button downs (and some vintage stuff thrown in because I love it). Skulls on a little baby? Heck no.
- 90 degree weather in August. It was in the 70s for most of July and August. Now it feels like the temperature it's supposed to be, and I'm sad about it.
- White chocolate. Ew. I barely like real chocolate. That is not real. (Side note: I am currently swept up in a romance with Ghirardelli dark chocolate raspberry filled squares. I have lost count of how many bags I've gone through.)

If you make your own list, I want to see it!