Enumerated Update

Happy Monday, friends!  How was your weekend? Ours was busy, what with a dance recital and Mother's Day. 

Here's where we are:

1)  Met Gala: The theme for the May 6th event was Punk: Chaos to Couture.  See the red carpet slide show here.  Like the punk movement itself, the Gala was probably great fun, but the images are not pretty.  Notables include Sophia Coppola (who, in my eyes, can do no wrong) and Sienna Miller who presented an edgy leather jacket from Burberry (yes, Burberry!). 

Thoughts? Did you like the punk flashback, or are you thinking the time has come to retire the punk look forever?

2)  Lingo: Wreck shop.  Ok, this isn't a business buzz word (yet) but is a classic example of street slang that would be picked up by someone nerdy (guilty as charged) and adapted to the work setting. This adaptation is analogous to when street style makes its way to the runway.  And the term is ubiquitous at this point, but I cannot help myself. 

The example is brought to you from Kliff Kingsbury (via Skip) and a note he sent to his players:

Also, we advise you to be active over the break as you will need to be ready to work once June rolls around. Sitting at the house playing COD/2K13/Madden against 12 year olds online doesn't count as activity even if you claim to "wreck shop".

Or, as I said to Skip when I arrived home from errands Friday afternoon:

I just wrecked shop at the Hobby Lobby. 

3) Mike Jeffries/Abercrombie: The Abercrombie thing wasn't really a thing here until well after my teen years. To me, this is simply the store that renders olfactory insult each time I walk past its storefront at the mall.  If I remember in time (and I never do because I am an infrequent mall shopper), I pass on the other side. Otherwise, this brand means nothing to me. 

Given Jeffries' inflammatory statements about his target audience (i.e., an exclusive group comprised of skinny, attractive, popular types) goes against our family creed of "building up" versus "tearing down," and therefore, the Abercrombie label will not be found in any of our closets (once our children are teens, of course). 

4) Ballet: The duo's ballet recital was Saturday, and drama was running high at our house, as we shuffled downtown for the dress rehearsal and then returned later for the show, where they totally wrecked shop.  (Sorry...I can't help myself.)

Updates soon. 

That's it for us.  How are things with you? 

Friday's Quote

To be a mother is to feel the pain of all mothers. To feel bound to all children.

 -Allison Glock

Negotiator

Overheard:

Skip (opening a package): What is this supposed to be?
Me: Oh! I forgot about that!  It's a hat for George.

Skip: Are you serious?
Me: It's a Fedora, and it's so adorable!

Skip: Are you planning to bribe him with M & M's to get him to wear it?
Me: Hmmm... something tells me George would not be a "good faith" negotiator.

Daily Photo

Denial

Lauren: George, are you getting all the markers out?
William George: No?
Lauren: ...Well, I think you are. 

Gracie's Milestones, another lost tooth

When Lauren lost her second tooth, Gracie was an exceptionally good sport about the development.  When Lauren bounded into the car proclaiming the good news about her lost tooth on the playground, Gracie cheerfully explained how she helped look for the tooth and how she planned to help Lauren write a letter to the Tooth Fairy.  After dinner, we realized that Gracie's own loose tooth was the impetus for her magnanimous behavior because she asked Skip to pull her tooth, calmly explaining that she had a letter for the Tooth Fairy, too. 

Alas, Gracie's tooth was not quite loose enough, and she had to bide her time until April 29th, when the tooth was finally ready. 

Once extracted, Gracie wrote a note to the Tooth Fairy.  Like clockwork, our dutiful fairy appeared overnight, and her responsive correspondence was discovered the following morning. 

The duo were immediately ready to go shopping at Claire's for more heirloom-quality keepsakes. 

 

And they have been checking their teeth for more "loosies" nightly.

Enumerated Update

Hello, friends! How was your weekend? We had colossal rains this weekend, meaning that the duo's softball game was canceled and we were restricted to indoor activities. We finally took the trio out Saturday afternoon for a shopping trip to Claire's (for the duo) and dinner.  

Here is what's happening with us:

1) Music: Skip and I have been talking about the imminent shift of digital music to subscription-based music.  Having made the transition from vinyl to cassette to compact disc to digital, "owning" music has always been less than concrete, entirely contingent on when the medium would become obsolete (and the listener starts collecting again, in the new format).  This article (via Making It Lovely) discusses the future of digital music and how abstract the idea of ownership has become.

Speaking of relics, I have a funny 8-track story, but now is not the time...

2) Gratitude: I adore the Mighty Girl blog, and anonymously cheer for all the Mighty projects.  The recent Go Mighty movement to send thank-you notes to favorite writers was awesome, as was the surprise response.  

3) Smartest: Speaking of authors, Skip and I were discussing writers last night.  Skip asked, "Who do you think is the smartest... Tom Wolfe, Hunter Thompson or David Foster Wallace?"  We outlined the strengths of each, but what are your thoughts?

While I haven't read as much by Thompson, I have read everything Wolfe and Wallace have published (except Wolfe's latest, which I picked up at the library yesterday), and would probably give the honor to Wallace.  When I read The Pale King, Wallace's posthumous publication, I paused several times throughout the book to read sentences aloud to Skip. They were that astounding.  Yes, Wallace.

4) Lingo: In keeping with my business buzz word indulgence, this week's word is:

"Blue ocean"  a term used to describe perceived opportunity or uncharted territory. The term is most effectively used when the opportunity is very remote. 

Example (courtesy of Skip): What if we combined at-home dog grooming with pizza delivery?  Man, that's nothing but "blue ocean" opportunity!  Nobody's doing that! And people want to eat pizza while their dog is being groomed, right? Am I right?

5) Anniversary: Today is our anniversary. We celebrated by having an incredibly decadent lunch at Ruth's Chris yesterday and will be taking a trip in a few weeks. 

6) 50: In other milestones, my mom attended her 50th high school reunion this past weekend.  How cute is that?  She spent weeks helping to plan the event and had the best time.

What is happening with you?

Cousins at Play

Recently, Riley and Will (cousins) came to visit Skip's parents during their spring break.  

The duo quickly realized one of life's great injustices is that their spring break and our break do not coincide.  However, we were able to have one, glorious afternoon of some outdoor fun.  

And we will definitely - absolutely - get together again over summer break.  

The duo may or may not be counting down the days. (They so are!)

Friday's Quote

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

House Calls

Gracie has decided she wants to teach, instead of pursuing her earlier aspiration to be a physician.  

Therefore, William George has inherited her doctor's kit, and he performs frequent examinations of his Snoopys.  

Gracie has been an excellent mentor for her protege', and she sometimes steps back into her medical role for a quick examination of George.  

She cannot resist the opportunity to work on a "live" patient....

...although he often self-administers (see below shot in the leg).  

They do not make house calls; however, if you visit, they likely give your ears, nose and throat a cursory glance.

No liability is assumed.

Softball Update

Our season is coming along nicely.  Strong, fast running continues to be the duo's most significant asset.  As a side note, last year when the coach first told the duo to run to the fence and back, they were somewhat surprised.  They completed the task reluctantly.  In contrast, this year everyone is commenting on their progress and asking about their improved running skills.

All credit for their endurance goes to their physical education teacher, since she has had them running 1.5 - 2 miles weekly for the past three months.  They started the year running 1/2 a mile each week and have progressed to Gracie and Lauren running 1.5 and 2 miles, respectively.

As a side note, Coach M was "manning" the front door at school earlier in the week when I dropped them off.  She took one look at their sandals and bellowed, "You better hope you've got tennis shoes in those backpacks!!!!"  

In other news, they are fielding the ball well and are working on hitting coach pitches.  Gracie has had a few coach pitches so far this year and is working harder to be more consistent.  

 All in all, the Sweet Tarts are having a fantastic season. 

Specs

Finally, after many years with the same glasses, I ordered a new pair after my annual eye exam last week. Since I have plenty of contacts on hand and since I splurged on prescription sunglasses last year, I decided to put my vision insurance allotment toward new frames. 

"Wow! I guess you have had this pair since 2009!" the optician verified. 

No.  Not exactly.  I had the lenses replaced in 2009.  The frames were purchased in 2002, meaning they have been worn for 11 years. How I resisted the urge to drag them behind my car on the way home is a mystery.  Oddly, I guess they are still kind of in style because there were similar pairs sitting on the optical showroom floor.

But so now I am in the honeymoon phase with the new frames (Salt's Lileo in "blonde Havana"), and I want to wear them constantly.  Salt is to optics what Apple is to the computer so it's no surprise that I love them. 

Softball Senior Night

My niece's last softball game was Friday night, and they celebrated the five graduating seniors following the game.  Although there are some potential play-off games, this was the final game of the regular season, thus concluding Lexie's high school softball career. 

The duo are always excited to get to watch Lexie play, and William George had a wonderful time running around like a madman. 

After a great game (during which they trounced the competition), the seniors were recognized while parents beamed.  (Proud dad was out of town working, having previously used all of his "favors" during band season.)

The trio made for some interesting outtakes, but they were able to pull it together for a posed shot with our softball star.  

I didn't think it was possible, but the duo left the game thinking Lexie is an even bigger rockstar than ever before.  (William George only has eyes for dirt! And grass!)

We are incredibly proud to help celebrate Lexie's last days as a high school senior.  Kudos to Lexie on a job very well done!

Enumerated Update

We are having some awesome spring weekends, complete with softball games and winding-down-the-school-year activities.  Here's where we are:

1) Escapee: William George likes to be with his nuclear family at all times.  Therefore, on Sunday mornings when he is dropped off in his nursery class, he is not altogether happy about it.  Skip took the girls to their class yesterday while I took George to his class.  We said our goodbyes, and I left.  When I was almost to the end of the hallway, I heard a couple of people shout, "George! GEORGE!!!"  When I turned, I saw William George, who had escaped, running down the hallway - head back, arms pumping - as fast as he could.  When I picked him up, he truly thought he was home free... until I deposited him in his class again.  :( 

2) Mommy as an adjective: Last week there was a bit of an uproar when the WSJ published an article about Mom 2.0, and cast the conference in a less than flattering light, effectively dismissing "mompreneuers" (otherwise known as small business owners).  Emmy-winning writer and Mom 2.0 co-founder Laura Mayes struck back, first with correspondence to the WSJ and then with an article addressing the dismissive nature of using "mommy" as an adjective. 

3) Softball: We went to see Alexandria's, my niece, softball game Friday night.  Have you seen high school softball lately?  Those girls do not play around.  Maybe our frame of reference has shifted since we have been watching t-ball, but we were surprised by the level of play.  More on our fun night later. 

4) Lingo: A few weeks ago I mentioned the humor I find in business buzz words and have another one for you.  Have you been to meetings attended by individuals who contribute nothing and for whom the purpose of his/her presence is unclear?  "Room meat" is the term to describe the extra bodies in the room. 

Example:
"Is the guy in blue the project manager?"
"No. Mark's the project manager, and he was at my right. I didn't catch the blue shirt's name...  probably just room meat."

5) Zinsser: William Zinsser's latest endeavor, writing coach turned listener, is fascinating.  When his vision failed, he invited friends and former clients to bring him projects, concluding with:

"I'm eager to hear from you. No project too weird."

Such an awesome and irresistible invitation, and I'm quite sure he has more work than he can manage.

And that's it for us? What is happening with you?

Spin

Previously, I posted that toddlers laugh squillions of times throughout each day.  William George definitely meets his quota and engages in enough hijinks to help me hit a high number of laughs as well.  However, he will not perform for the camera - not even a little.

One of his more routine hobbies is to stand in the laundry room while the wash cycle spins.  He likes to dance along to the spin sounds. In a rare showing of cooperation, he didn't entirely cease his activities when I reached for my phone.



Spin from Cathi Lindsey on Vimeo.

Happy Friday!

PS:  I have no idea why the thumbnail is sideways.

Friday's Quote

The greater part of our happiness depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances.

-Martha Washington

In the Eye of the Beholder

I read Jack Welch's first book when it was released in 2004.  While describing his upbringing, he explained that his confidence was largely instilled by his parents, who told him frequently that he was handsome, capable, etc.  My parents gave me a similar gift, in that they told me daily, often multiple times, that I was beautiful, regardless of what I was wearing or how put-together (or not, as was more often the case) I was.  Skip's parents did the same for him.  While there may be some aspects of my appearance I would change, if I were given a magic wand, mostly I am accepting, and I have those earliest, encouraging words to thank for that.

Before I had my son, I would have said that we feel a special obligation to be sure we tell our daughters the obvious, that they are beautiful -- stunningly so, but that obligation so clearly extends to William George.  Self-confidence and positive self-esteem is the foundation for a healthy outlook and is not gender specific. We say this not to be superficial (after all, beauty is as beauty does, and the interior workings and motivations matter so much more), but simply to build up and keep insecurities at bay.  The real world can be critical, and they will be tempted to be their own worst critics at some point. We merely try to state the obvious in the hopes that it becomes an integral part of their core.  

With these thoughts in mind, I was fascinated with the latest Dove campaign. The Dove Real Beauty Sketches document an experience in which a sketch artist creates two drawings: the first is based on self-description, while the second is based on another person's description.  The exercise reveals how critically we sometimes view our own appearance.  To me, however, this demonstrates what happens when we view things positively versus critically or negatively.  When we focus on the positive, we see beauty.




 Believe your parents/spouse/friends tell you, and choose to see the positive.

WGL - 21 Months

Dear William George,

You turned 21 months old on April 12th, and are as handsome as ever.  This past Sunday, after church, Skip said, "You know, I think he knows he's cute.  That he can just smile and get away with things."

Yes.  That is the essence of you, and that strategy works on the four people sharing a home with you.

This is said with each update, but this is probably my favorite time.  You are incredible!  You know all body parts, you know basic colors, you are learning shapes, and you can count to 10.  You can literally say anything, and your vocabulary is extensive.  Your favorite sentences are:

Thank you very much.
Gracie's in trouble.
Lauren's in trouble.
I love you.
I missed you.
Turn it off.
I have it?
Give it back.
George's turn.
You ok momma? (or dada, YuYu or Gracie)

As for your gross motor skills, you are simply "wide open," often running at a full spring, rarely walking, and jumping.... and jumping... and jumping.  You love to climb stairs, and you recently conquered the play ground slide.  You love to jump on beds and the furniture. In the fine motor skills department, you have been feeding yourself with a fork since you were 14 months old, and you color, write, and draw well.  

You still love music and dancing.  Your favorite objects are your cloths, giraffe, Snoopy collection, truck, and books.  You adore your sisters, and the feeling is mutual.  They each say numerous times throughout the day, "He's so cute!"  

William George, we love you more than ever.  (We'll buy new furniture and mattresses.)  

Love, 

Mommy

Daily Photo

Gracie

Lauren's Milestones - Second Lost Tooth

As those familiar with the situation can attest, Lauren has been exceptionally gracious over the last few months while watching Gracie lose tooth after tooth and have frequent visits from the Tooth Fairy. Of course, that isn't to say her graciousness was effortless. No, only by dint of (self) discipline was she able to congratulate her sister repeatedly.

This photo from December captures her response to Gracie's recurrent euphoria.

 Anyrate... we are all about putting out positive feelings, and she is reaping the rewards. Last Friday (for accuracy, April 12th), Lauren climbed into the car and announced she had lost her second tooth at school that day. Because the loss occurred on the play ground, she was unable to locate the tooth, although she and Gracie searched diligently. That night we wrote a note to the Tooth Fairy:

Dear Tooth Fairy,

I lost a tooth!  Lauren lost a tooth! I can't find it.  I was at school. It was lost there. I love you so much. 

Love,
Lauren

I helped Lauren find it. I'm sure if she can't find it, the Tooth Fairy will leave money for her, Gracie and George. 

Love, 
Gracie


 Lauren found her responsive correspondence the next morning:

She is enjoying her time in the spotlight.

And Grace-bug is learning some lessons about being happy for others.  Overall, she is doing well.

I'm sure the Tooth Fairy would be pleased.