1. True confession: I haven’t been watching the Olympics OR American Idol and I rarely have time to read blogs and rarely comment these days. I know, what kind of American am I? (The blogging part doesn’t have anything to do with being American, I just threw that in because I’ve been wanting to explain my absence to my blog friends because that’s what bloggers do. We feel guilty if we once read and commented like mad and then don’t for a while and we have to explain it because we fear that people might start writing us off or something that’s mostly irrational.) (Ahem.) (I’m getting over it.) (Promise.) Let’s just say there’s been much going on in my life and my head and heart. (Oh look, I’m explaining.) (I can’t stop.) (It’s just that I have such faithful readers and I appreciate you all so much and I don’t like it when I can’t visit you as much.) I know this is understandable considering my other recent true confession and how it takes time to work hard on recovery, but I still struggle with…I don’t even know what…people pleasing, I suppose. (Which is part of my problem.) (I’m working on it.)
WOW. Aren’t my 7 Quick-ish Takes FUN?
2. I don’t know how much longer I can take winter. (Oh no. There goes the fun again.) I’m usually somewhat of a trooper with this whole cold thing, but this year it’s been WORSE. Bitingly, achingly, viciously WORSE. I saw a family of robins yesterday and I asked them what in the world they’re doing back. Poor little guys were all shivery, trying to eat frozen berries off the tree outside my kitchen window. peck peck peck…no reward. Heart-breaking, really. I’m so glad spring is coming. Soon. RIGHT? RIGHT???
3. Speaking of Minnesota winter. Quite a few days ago, I posted a picture of a snow blower on our roof. I didn’t do a very good job of answering questions about WHY or HOW we were snow-blowing our roof. Well, it’s a flat roof and it’s going to be replaced soonly. It had a lot of snow on it, so my Dad brought up the need to get the snow off at the local lumber yard and one of his friends (my Dad is a contractor) offered to bring a snow blower and a fork lift over. Yes. He drove the fork lift to our house in the freezing cold with a snow blower on it and lifted it up to the roof. Then my Dad and Ryan blew the snow off the roof. Without falling off even once.
(Oh look! We’re having more fun now!)
4. While surviving winter, I have much to look forward to, including a few blogging events! (There’s an exclamation point there because I’m excited!!!) The first of which is taking place in May in Utah, the
Casual Blogger Conference. I’m honored to be speaking on a couple of panels on topics that I’m keeping top secret so that you’ll come and listen to me out of sheer curiosity. Or maybe I’ll just tell you what the topics are closer to May. If you’re nice. You can click the button in my sidebar that says “I’m Speaking!” to learn more about the conference. I’ve been seriously impressed with the plans for this gig, I just know it’s going to be
good. So take a moment or twelve to consider joining us,
mkay?
5. THEN I’m going to
BlogHer ’10 in New York City in August and I really can’t even believe it. Yet. I will when I’m there. Maybe. There are many reasons I’m over the moon about planning to go, but more than anything, I’m looking forward to seeing so many lovely people I haven’t had the chance to meet yet and so many others I’ve had the honor to meet and can’t wait to see again. And yes, I communicate in run-on sentences in person too. Also, there’s something exciting in the works regarding
BlogHer too, but I’ll tell you about
that later as well. (I know. I’m just
killing you with my mysteriousness.)
6. I had an appointment yesterday (It’s like I’m addicted to appointments lately) and my Mom took the boys to get their haircut. My heart nearly exploded when they got home. Isn’t it crazy, how BIG kids look after a fresh haircut? I mean, they grew four inches while they were gone, I’m sure of it. And so their whole childhood just flashed before my eyes…how fast it’s going to go and then I felt that pressure. Like, oh dear Lord I have so little time to teach them. But instead of panicking or getting sad, my heart lifted a little and I thought
that is the best kind of pressure ever. It’s an honor.
7. Lastly, I’ll share some links you really don’t want to miss. Lately, during my scattered online time, I’ve been catching the BEST links to amazing blog posts via
Twitter. (That made no sense to my Grandma or my Dad or a number of other people, but just trust me, these are good reads. It doesn’t really actually even matter how I found them.) –
This post at Enjoying the Small Things had me weeping. Kelle writes with such raw honesty and grace, it’s simply powerful. Click on that link and feel the story of the day her Nella was born, about the moments that she realized her baby girl has Down Syndrome and how that shook her world and changed everything in the hardest and best possible way. (hat tip to my friend, Allison-who I’m crazy about-for leading me to this post.)
we won’t come back here by Lindsey at
A Design So Vast. This post did something to me I can’t explain. It was the way Lindsey’s words mixed with the words from the video she shares. It’s about a mother’s love, really. And the way we want to keep our kids right here, just as they are, and also expectantly wait to watch them unfold at the very same time. Then
today, Lindsey writes about judgment and links to some other excellent posts on the subject. Again, you don’t want to miss it. (or um…them.)
Sweating The Small Stuff at Her Bad Mother. You know it’s going to be good.
Tell me, have I missed any other must-reads? Have you written something you’d like to share? Or have you read a post that rocked your socks? Do share if something comes to mind.
This post is a part of 7 Quick Takes at Conversion Diary. Thank you, Jennifer.
(And yes, I do realize there was nothing quick about my takes.)
{ 31 comments }
YIPPEE! This year, I won't miss meeting you at BlogHer – we'll have to exchange phone numbers before we get there! So glad you're going again too. And loved that first post you linked to. Made me sob and sob, and think and think, and just loved reading it.
That's funny, Sandy UT is only about two hours from where I live.
I am so excited to meet and kick it with you!
The haircut thing… totally! It's amazing how much they "grow" and/or "mature" with an act as simple as this.
I'm completely jealous that you're going to NYC for the festivities…
I've got all kinds of funny antics happening over at my blog lately, if you get a minute.
Ooo Oooo I like number 4!
I wish I lived anywhere near Utah. I would LOVE to come hear you speak – run-on sentences and all :) I adore your run-on sentences, because that's what it feels like in my head all the time :)
LOVE the haircut pics! And they do look older! My hubby recently gave Finn a buzz cut and I just about weeped – he looked 17.
Its amazing how much kids grown during their haircuts!
7 quick-ish comments:
1) Thanks for explaining why you've been such so absent on my blog. I've been really pissed off about it.
2) Your boys not only got 4 inches taller, they got like 12 inches CUTER!!! Those faces!!!
3) That post about Nella I read like two weeks ago and I bawled for like three days about it. That has got to be one of the best posts that I have EVER read by anyone. It has stayed in my heart. Now if she stood up and read that post at BlogHer's keynote, can you imagine what would happen to us? We would disappear into an ocean of tears.
4) I won't be going to CBC but I do want to see you speak. Hmmmm…..
5) I also have a snow-blower on my roof. Still.
6) I still have NOT bought my BlogHer ticket. More hmmmmmm…..
7) The mysterious things you have up your sleeve make me smile.
Happy Friday.
xo
Ah lady, I love you. I wrote something yesterday that has been on my mind a lot lately…you should go check it out.
Um, and I can not WAIT for CBC and Blogher. I can't wait to hang out with you again and smoosh your face. I am just sad I won't have the pleasure of watching you trip out of the bathroom ;)
xoxoxo
Oh yeah, and kids after haircuts are TOTALLY bigger. It kills me everytime.
1) I am enthralled with the Olympics too…I am giddy with like what's on tonight??? My husband thinks I'm crazy.
2) your boys are awesomely adorable!
3) Hugs just because I thought you might want one!
Love these seven things. Never apologize for your lack of blog-hopping. We all get it. And we all feel the same guilt when we step back too! I really, really hope to meet you in NYC this summer!
Loved that post by Lindsey. Loved it.
And I'm with Aidan: going to BlogHer and hoping to meet you there!
love the snippets into your life.
I also love how there was a snowblower on your roof, but we already talked about that.
I'm jealous of your Bloggy Conferencing. :-p My season will come….it's just not right now! Not with a 3 and a one year old. LOL (But ALSO bummed that BlogHer is coming to NYC…and I'm moving AWAY from NYC in June! Even if I didn't attend the conference, I'd still have tried to plan some meet ups!! Oh well. BlogHer '11 in Seattle anyone??)
That post about Nella's birth was impossible but imperative to read. I loved it. I'm blaming the gorgeous background music for making me sob and choke on my tears, because surely such a heartbreaking story wouldn't do that all by itself, right?! Never mind. The story would have done it all by itself.
I hope if I'm ever put in a place where all my hopes and fears are questioned, I'll react with such grace and love. I hope.
Hmmm. I thought I already commented… Maybe you moderate. Anyway – I forgot to add to the comment you hopefully already got…
If you need a good laugh – this is a great post: http://www.motherhoodinnyc.com/coffee-chat
Okay – so apparently my first comment was lost so THIRD COMMENT (paraphrased version of #1):
I am not going to the casual blogging conference even though I've gotten many FB notices about it. Sadly – UT is too far.
But I AM going to BlogHer in NYC which is quite close. So I'll see you there!
I would never see any of the Olympics if it wasn't for my husband. He is very worried about me since apparently, this is abnormal – for humans.
Cannot wait to meet you at BlogHer!
And thank you so much for linking to my post – I love your writing so much that it's an astonishing honor to have you like mine.
xoxo
Quick or not, I love your takes. And you'll be at the CBC?! It's right around the corner from my house! Oh, I have to be there now–if only just to see you!
for some reason it makes me feel better to know I'm not the only one who hasn't been catching the Olympics.
Can't wait to hear what you're up to, you sneaky little thing! :)
Have a great weekend.
I'm SO excited you're going to BlogHer! It'll be so nice to meet you (hopefully) and give you the most gigantic hug!
Can't wait to meet you at CBC! And if you'd like *my* recap of the Olympics, come on over. You know how deep and comprehensive the coverage will be, just like everything else I write.
A snow blower on your house? Everything is in bloom here in Vegas. Weird.
I so hear ya on #1. There has been very little Olympic watching at my house. And very little time for blogging or blog reading/commenting. I wonder is it ok to keep my blog if I am unable to post real regularly?
(i hate the winter olympics)
(also, you can NOT read my blog for months on end and i will still love you dearly)
Hey,
Your email has been hacked. It is sending out links to buy viagra online. My husband's yahoo account had the same thing happen him a couple weeks ago. So far there has been two emails. I just wanted to let you know. He had to reset all his passwords and stuff.
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I found the blog about Nella last night, had a good cry and sat there reading the rest of her posts to current.
AMAZING. So inspiring.
I will check out the others.
It sounds like you've already been validated on the Olympics, but I don't watch either. The only bits and pieces I've seen were on TVs in restaurants.
And WINTER?!? Let's not get me started. I. Am. Over. It. The weather the last week or so has been beautiful. But I'm jaded since we have all of March still to come.
Thank you for sharing the link to Nella's story- cried the whole way through.
I'm so glad I got to witness that moment your boys came home with the haircuts. Even though it was only over the phone, the joy in your voice was a pure and dazzling visual. I knew I was bearing witness to one of those vivid little peace explosions sobriety brings–now I see the picture to prove it. Yay.
Love you lady.
I love your 7 quick takes. All of them. And I'm wondering if you might have some room in your suitcase for me for CBC. I'm trying to figure out how to get there for free. :) My boys got haircuts yesterday, too, and I of course had to go look at their baby pictures.
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