The other day I received a notice via listserv for an upcoming lecture at the astronomical society on particle physics and the Higgs Boson. I'm a huge fan of particle physics, because it's insane, and nobody really understands any of it. Any physicist who tells you they do is lying, or too stupid to understand how small and lost we are in the universe.
Anyways, I really wanted to go see the lecture, but I'm still breastfeeding my 5 month old. Which brings up my question of the month. Can you bring a baby to a particle physics lecture? I didn't, I simply wasn't the brave pioneer I wanted to be, knowing I'm one of the minority being there even without the baby. Female and under 50. I wish now, that I had gone, and maybe next time I will.
I was thinking this morning about the crazy that is everyday life with these two girls. I love the little things they do that nobody else might notice. My toddler insists on having the stem pulled off of the apple before she will eat it.
I thought I had won the naked battle this morning. She's been naked for two days. So, I started turning the house down one degree at a time until she was cold enough to redress. No fuss, no screaming, no peeing on the floor. I got cocky and turned the house back up. Now she's naked on the couch again. Does that mean I lose? Or are we 1-1?
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Bringing back more happiness
I feel like 2012 was a rough year on my family. Parents, Siblings, in-laws, their in-laws. Family stress, lots of expenses, death, two stressful pregnancies and births. My dearest youngest daughter and her scares (yes, plural) during deliver, and injury recovery afterward. Those were some awful sentences there, just a thought.
But 2013 looks promising.
A year of less expenses, I mean we've practically replaced the whole house and half the appliances in the last 3 years. Since getting married it was a big garage out back, paying off my car, a new roof, new siding, new garage door on the attached garage, a new washer and dryer, and an addition. Wow. That noise? That was the bank accounts crying out in terror.
A year of less sorrow. There were 4 big deaths in the family in recent years, and that's never an easy thing to heal from. I see happy, healthy people in the family. I hope it stays that way. I hope we all have many happy years left to drive each other insane.
A year of getting more done. Being pregnant for most of last year was rough. It was harder than the first time, and scarier. My youngest was definitely a stressful experience. But it's a new year, she's growing like crazy, and dealing with two little ones isn't as bad as I expected. I'm getting more done. I will get more done. I'm going to try and write more. I'm already running again, although slowly for now. I hope to teach my eldest more things, to read and use the potty and grow things in the garden. I plan to teach my youngest to sit, and eat solids, and use a bottle someday, and walk.
We're also all very excited to hear of my brother's engagement. I feel like he's had a lot of down in his life, and I'm hoping for many happy years of up. Since he's off being busy and important, we don't get to see him much. I just want to know he's safe and happy. We're are all already planning and saving up for the wedding coming spring/summer 2014. It means I have to fly. On a plane.
Looks like 2013 will be a year of overcoming phobias.
But 2013 looks promising.
A year of less expenses, I mean we've practically replaced the whole house and half the appliances in the last 3 years. Since getting married it was a big garage out back, paying off my car, a new roof, new siding, new garage door on the attached garage, a new washer and dryer, and an addition. Wow. That noise? That was the bank accounts crying out in terror.
A year of less sorrow. There were 4 big deaths in the family in recent years, and that's never an easy thing to heal from. I see happy, healthy people in the family. I hope it stays that way. I hope we all have many happy years left to drive each other insane.
A year of getting more done. Being pregnant for most of last year was rough. It was harder than the first time, and scarier. My youngest was definitely a stressful experience. But it's a new year, she's growing like crazy, and dealing with two little ones isn't as bad as I expected. I'm getting more done. I will get more done. I'm going to try and write more. I'm already running again, although slowly for now. I hope to teach my eldest more things, to read and use the potty and grow things in the garden. I plan to teach my youngest to sit, and eat solids, and use a bottle someday, and walk.
We're also all very excited to hear of my brother's engagement. I feel like he's had a lot of down in his life, and I'm hoping for many happy years of up. Since he's off being busy and important, we don't get to see him much. I just want to know he's safe and happy. We're are all already planning and saving up for the wedding coming spring/summer 2014. It means I have to fly. On a plane.
Looks like 2013 will be a year of overcoming phobias.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Showers of all sorts
This is about all the showers I wish I had more of in my life. As a mother and amateur astronomer with a 3 month old and two year old, my time is limited. This morning I braved a shower while both girls were awake, because I felt icky and stinky and tired. One half dozed safely in the other room, and the two year old was tossed up on my bed with Team UmiZoomi on Nick Jr. Then I stripped off everything as fast as a I could and scrubbed off the cookie dough bits, chocolate drippings, baby drool, and everything else that had attached itself to me in the previous 40 hours or so. Ahhh. So refreshing to be clean, and not find your children in trouble afterwards. Although my two year old was ready to take off again and create a ruckus elsewhere in the house. So I've gotten once successful shower in, without my husband home to corral the little maniacs.
Now, shower #2, the Geminids, peaks late this week. Yes, it peaks. The meteor shower is visible for a while this month, waxing and waning like the lunar phases. The nights the news stations always report about are just the night it peaks. If you miss it by a day, you haven't really missed it. If you want to wait until Friday or Saturday night, when there's no work, and no school, to stay up late with your family to watch, it's okay. You may see a few less, but you will still see them.
It always drives me crazy when everyone sends me fb messages and e-mails about stuff like this. "ONE NIGHT ONLY!!!" Yeah, I'm a space nerd. I expect people to know this by now. And I expect my close friends and family to have listened to me rant enough to not fall for the hoax e-mails that say "Mars will be visible as big as the moon!" I promise not to get started on all the reasons that's impossible, how much more havoc that would cause than my two year old.
Happy stargazing. Go read about the Geminids.
Now, shower #2, the Geminids, peaks late this week. Yes, it peaks. The meteor shower is visible for a while this month, waxing and waning like the lunar phases. The nights the news stations always report about are just the night it peaks. If you miss it by a day, you haven't really missed it. If you want to wait until Friday or Saturday night, when there's no work, and no school, to stay up late with your family to watch, it's okay. You may see a few less, but you will still see them.
It always drives me crazy when everyone sends me fb messages and e-mails about stuff like this. "ONE NIGHT ONLY!!!" Yeah, I'm a space nerd. I expect people to know this by now. And I expect my close friends and family to have listened to me rant enough to not fall for the hoax e-mails that say "Mars will be visible as big as the moon!" I promise not to get started on all the reasons that's impossible, how much more havoc that would cause than my two year old.
Happy stargazing. Go read about the Geminids.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
More About Food
This year has been a love hate year for food. I just some something funny on the news about Cincy Chili and got to thinking about it.
I spent the first 8 months hating everything edible. Thanks to a very long pregnancy. I couldn't even eat seafood, my favorite, or think of it without puking. Since my little overdue princess was forced into the world, I have managed to get in my fill, both from my favorite sushi place, and my own stovetop, grill, and deep fryer.
I finally finished compiling my favorite recipes into one book, so I can print it out to keep in the kitchen. My laptop is just not safe being a cookbook. I'm a very messy cook. Not that I mind, I mean who wouldn't want to be covered in their favorite foods every evening at dinner time?
Even with two small children, I promise this year I'd dust off my brain and cook real food to bring to thanksgiving dinner. It's been years since I made a pie with a crust I didn't buy from Walmart, I'm sorry to admit. Hopefully this will turn out well, sweet potatoes are fresh from my garden, so it can't be that bad. I've never used the other recipe, an old one handed down from my husband's 93 year old Kentucky grandmother, who's recently passed. But something that's endured time that long must be delicious.
Happy Thanksgiving, and Happy Eating.
I spent the first 8 months hating everything edible. Thanks to a very long pregnancy. I couldn't even eat seafood, my favorite, or think of it without puking. Since my little overdue princess was forced into the world, I have managed to get in my fill, both from my favorite sushi place, and my own stovetop, grill, and deep fryer.
I finally finished compiling my favorite recipes into one book, so I can print it out to keep in the kitchen. My laptop is just not safe being a cookbook. I'm a very messy cook. Not that I mind, I mean who wouldn't want to be covered in their favorite foods every evening at dinner time?
Even with two small children, I promise this year I'd dust off my brain and cook real food to bring to thanksgiving dinner. It's been years since I made a pie with a crust I didn't buy from Walmart, I'm sorry to admit. Hopefully this will turn out well, sweet potatoes are fresh from my garden, so it can't be that bad. I've never used the other recipe, an old one handed down from my husband's 93 year old Kentucky grandmother, who's recently passed. But something that's endured time that long must be delicious.
Happy Thanksgiving, and Happy Eating.
Monday, November 19, 2012
30's > 20's
It's not just simple mathematics. The 30ths are definitely greater than the 20's. To be honest, my 20's just kinda sucked. And I spent almost all of them in a relationship and marriage that ended unpleasantly. I never guessed though, that my 30's would be so great.
Today I turned 33 years old. When I was 29, I was divorced, living with my parents, looking for an apartment, and looking for a job someplace far far away from my ex. Maybe a few thousand miles, or another continent away.
Today I'm happily married to a sane man. We have a 2.5 month old and an almost 2 year old, both beautiful intelligent girls. I quit my job to stay with them, and occasionally work freelance writing jobs when I want something to do and some extra cash.
So, Happy Birthday to me! And Hoorah! that Apple Barn Winery ships to my state, since my husband apparently ordered me a case for my birthday.
Today I turned 33 years old. When I was 29, I was divorced, living with my parents, looking for an apartment, and looking for a job someplace far far away from my ex. Maybe a few thousand miles, or another continent away.
Today I'm happily married to a sane man. We have a 2.5 month old and an almost 2 year old, both beautiful intelligent girls. I quit my job to stay with them, and occasionally work freelance writing jobs when I want something to do and some extra cash.
So, Happy Birthday to me! And Hoorah! that Apple Barn Winery ships to my state, since my husband apparently ordered me a case for my birthday.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Eclipses and Insomnia
In another universe, where I've won the lottery, and my kids are older, I would have been at the total solar eclipse in Australia this week. They did stream it live from several news websites for those of use that aren't globe trotting astronomical fanatics. It reminds me, every time I turn on my telescope, the handset screams at me "DON'T LOOK AT THE SUN!" over and over and over, while I try to remember which button makes it go away. If I had more time to get the telescope out, perhaps I would remember, and not have to dig up my manual. I'm a bad astronomer. Right now I probably couldn't even find where the planets are for you. I have half a year's worth of Astronomy Magazine sitting in a pile where I plan on reading. After I get the kids changed, fed, bathed, cleaned up after, wash the dishes, scrub the floors, and the bathrooms, shower, and sleep.
Sleep. I could complain that I never get sleep. I could blame it on my 2 daughters. But that would be silly. I've been a bad sleeper since I was a kid. If I weren't up feeding or changing diapers, I'd just be up staring at the walls, pacing the hallways. I come from a long line of bad sleepers. My children are doomed. Sorry girls.
Speaking of girls. Aren't mine cute? Also, please note that the pacifier is gone. My eldest has lost the last one, and my youngest refuses them.
Sleep. I could complain that I never get sleep. I could blame it on my 2 daughters. But that would be silly. I've been a bad sleeper since I was a kid. If I weren't up feeding or changing diapers, I'd just be up staring at the walls, pacing the hallways. I come from a long line of bad sleepers. My children are doomed. Sorry girls.
Speaking of girls. Aren't mine cute? Also, please note that the pacifier is gone. My eldest has lost the last one, and my youngest refuses them.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Driving
I am certain there should be a law against astronomers driving after sunset.
Recently we were returning from a trip out of state to visit family. Since the time change, it's been getting dark early and quickly, so it was well into night as we neared home. I remember leaving the highway and drifting closer toward the country roads where we lived. I couldn't help but stare out the windows at the stars, peeking in and out of the clouds. And since I wasn't driving myself this time, I even opened the sunroof to stare up.
As a passenger, this only gave me a crink in the neck, but had I been driving, I'm sure I would have veered off the road into a ditch, or a deer. Either way, it would be hazardous to my health.
I can drive myself at night, I'm a grown up, and I can resist the temptation to stare up and drift off into the universe. But I'd rather be the passenger at night, so I don't have to stick in reality.
Recently we were returning from a trip out of state to visit family. Since the time change, it's been getting dark early and quickly, so it was well into night as we neared home. I remember leaving the highway and drifting closer toward the country roads where we lived. I couldn't help but stare out the windows at the stars, peeking in and out of the clouds. And since I wasn't driving myself this time, I even opened the sunroof to stare up.
As a passenger, this only gave me a crink in the neck, but had I been driving, I'm sure I would have veered off the road into a ditch, or a deer. Either way, it would be hazardous to my health.
I can drive myself at night, I'm a grown up, and I can resist the temptation to stare up and drift off into the universe. But I'd rather be the passenger at night, so I don't have to stick in reality.
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