Books I Enjoyed in 2021

Source: Look and Learn

Several years ago, I realized how separated I was from my love of reading. I decided to do something about it, and so for the past several years, I've set a reading goal via Goodreads. My goal in 2021 was 32, and I hit 35! I'm proud to say that only a handful of books are "easy reads." The rest are pretty hefty, both in volume and content, so 32 is pretty reasonable. But, I think I'll challenge myself in 2022 by hiking my goal to 35. 

Book recommendations flood the internet and social media, but just in case you're in need of some ideas, here are my top recs from what I read last year in no particular order. They made me laugh, think and rethink. They filled me with inspiration, awed me with their writing, reminded me of people I love and people I've lost. They helped me understand life, reminded me I'm not alone when it come to certain thoughts and feelings, and encouraged me on my quest to mesh my ideal reality with my real reality. 

• She Come By It Natural - Sarah Smarsh
• Caste - Isabel Wilkerson
• The Biology of Luck - Jacob Appel
• The Restoration of Celia Fairchild - Marie Bostwick
• One Good Mama Bone - Bren McClain
• Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
• The Bridge Ladies - Betsy Lerner
• Home - Marilynne Robinson
• Lila - Marilynne Robinson
• Henderson the Rain King - Saul Bellow
• The Book of Delights - Ross Gay

What should I add to my list for 2022? Put your recs in the comment!

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

Happy New Year!

Let People In Your Life And ...

Source: Quotefancy.com

In my previous two posts, I shared I had just finished reading the adult novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie and that three scenes really stuck in my my mind after closing the book for the last time. 

Scene No. 1: The concept of metaphorical boners 

Scene No. 2: The dreams we all hold in our hearts

Last but not least, Junior's realization that ...

If you let people into your life a little bit, they can be pretty damn amazing.

Whew ... such a scary, hard truth for me. 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.  

 

Where Do You Want To Go? Everywhere

In my previous  post, I shared I had just finished reading the adult novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie and that three scenes really stuck in my my mind after closing the book for the last time. 

Scene No. 1: The concept of metaphorical boners 

Scene No. 2 touched on my ideal reality of seeing the world. In the book, Junior (Arnold), and his kind of girlfriend Penelope about dreams and how everyone in her town had small dreams.

Junior: "What do you want to do?" 

Penelope: "I want to leave here as soon as I can. I think I was born with a suitcase."

Junior: "Where do you want to go?"

Penelope: "Everywhere. I want to walk on the Great Wall of China. I want to walk to the top of pyramids in Egypt. I wan to swim in every ocean. I want to climb Mount Everest. I want to go on an African safari. I want to ride a dogsled in Antarctica. I want all of it. Every single piece of everything."

Same. And I have no idea how to make it happen. I have felt so stuck for so long. Not unhappy. Just stuck. 

What about you? What's your ideal reality? 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real. 

Be Open to Life's Metaphorical Boners

Source: Max Pixel

Last week, I finished reading the young adult novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. It's a book I've been wanting to read for years, and I stumbled across a copy at Once Upon a Time Books on our mini vacay to Bentonville, AR, earlier this year. It's a funny, engaging, heartbreaking yet hopeful story about life on the Spokane Indian reservation told from the perspective of a 14 year old boy. Give it a read. 

I marked three scenes that really stood out to me because they spoke to my never-ending quest to merge my ideal reality with my real reality. The first scene was part of a conversation between Gordy and Junior about books and the mysteries they hold. 

Gordy: " ... you should approach each book — you should approach life — with the real possibility that you might get a metaphorical boner at any point." 

I don't know about you, but for the past 18 months, nothing in life has given me a metaphorical boner. In my ideal reality, I'm full of hope and curiosity and excitement for what life holds. In my real reality, every day is filled with the same responsibilities, obligations, tasks, arguments, fears and exhaustion. When I realized that, it made me sad. 

So, here's to seeking, discovering, being open to, and embracing life's metaphorical boners. I know they are out there. 

What about you? I hope you've had a few metaphorical boners lately, and I hope you'll share in the comments. 

Looking for my insight from my other two scenes? I'll share in later posts. 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real (and keep your boner radar on!)

Ideal Reality Vs. Real Reality: Anna Karenina

When I started this blog way back when, I did it on the premise of finding ways to reconcile my ideal reality with my real reality. 

I love it when I stumble on examples in the world. One of the books I'm reading right now is Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. I love a good Russian lit drama, and this one does not disappoint.

Anna Karenina is cheating on her husband with Count Vronksy. And she's pregnant with his child. Yet, the excitement of a new (albeit illicit) relationship is wearing off. After the couple quarrels, Tolstoy writes,

"She placed both hands on his shoulders and gazed at him for a long time with a deep, rapturous and at the same time searching look. She studied his face to make up for the time in which she had not seen him. As at every meeting she was bringing together her imaginary idea of him (an incomparably better one, impossible in reality) with him as as he was." 

A perfect example of ideal reality vs. real reality ... and one that beautifully captures human nature. 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.  

Content Share: There's Now a Willy Wonka Hotel Room With Lickable Wallpaper

Image Credit: LateRooms

This is the ultimate example of ideal reality meeting real reality.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is my all time favorite movie. How awesome would it be to experience an Willy Wonka hotel room? 

Read all about it on Hunker Willy Wonka and LateRooms' blog. Would you splurge for the chocolate bath? I'm a little on the fence about that.

Anyone else looking forward to the Willy Wonka prequal flick starring Timothee Chalamet?

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real (even when licking wallpaper).

10 Books for Your 2020 Reading List

Happy New Year! I hope the first few weeks of 2020 have been full of hope, fresh perspective, kindness, love and curiosity. 

I'm still swirling around ideas of what I want to accomplish this year. So many things! But, I want to really narrow down the list. I'll share as soon as it's ready. Hopefully, that's soon. 

One goal I set last year was to read at least 30 books. I added No. 31 to the list on December 30, just making my deadline. I do the Goodreads Reading Challenge. It is so easy to track my reading there. If you use Goodreads, look me up!

I enjoyed each book I read for various reasons, but here are my top 10 faves, in no particular order, in case you're looking for something new, different, serious, sad or fun. 

1. The Fortune Hunter by Daisy Goodwin
2. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
3. A Window Opens by Elisabeth Egan
4. Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd (Flavia de Luce #8) by Alan Bradley
5. The Grave's a Fine  and Private Place (Flavia de Luce #9) by Alan Bradley
6. Becoming by Michelle Obama
7. Shortest Way Home: One Mayor's Challenge and a Model for America's Future by Pete Buttigieg
8. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
9. The Art of Noticing: 131 Ways to Spark Creativity, Find Inspiration, and Discover Joy in the Everyday by Rob Walker
10. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

I'd love to hear about what you're reading. Drop a note in the comments!

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real. 

Mini Trip to Michigan

Source: Wikimedia Commons

We took a quick trip to Michigan last week as a last ditch effort to forget school was starting. It was so beautiful and relaxing. Temps were in the 70s and no humidity, which was a lovely break from the August heat and humidity in Kansas City. 

For the past few years, we've flown to our vacation destination. This time, though, we decided to drive. I love a good road trip, and this one didn't disappoint. From Kansas City, Grand Rapids is about 10 hours, with a few stops included. Here's the run down. 

We stayed in Grandville, MI, which is west of Grand Rapids. By the time we decided where and when we wanted to go, all the lake front rentals were either taken or crazy expensive. So, we stayed at the Marriott's SpringHill Suites Grand Rapids West. It was pretty conveniently located for what we wanted to do. Nice and new, too. 

Lake Michigan Shore Towns

Source: Sherman's Ice Cream

What was left of our trough of ice cream. OINK!

On our first full day, we toured several shore towns. Our first stop was South Haven. I loved this little town. Definitely on my top 10 list of places I'd like to live when I retire (17 years and counting! Ha!). 

The National Blueberry Festival was gearing up the weekend we visited. We were there on Friday, when things were just starting to get rolling. From the looks of things, it's a fun party as the weekend progresses! We browsed a few shops in the downtown area, walked the pier down to the red lighthouse, then headed to Sherman's Ice Cream for lunch. 

Sherman's has been cranking out homemade ice cream since 1916. We had The Pig's Trough: includes eights ginormous scoops of ice cream (we had four flavors), four toppings, bananas, nuts, cherries and whipped cream  served in wooden trough. It looks like this, and we ate every bite with no regrets. We wanted to check out the Michigan Maritime Museum and maybe book a cruise, but we ran out of time. 

Next, we went to Holland. We visited Windmill Island Gardens, which I recommend. Really interesting tour of a fully operational windmill that produces stone ground flour. We also went to Nelis' Dutch Village, which was fine, but it's for the younger kiddos. I would have loved to Holland State Park, but we wanted to keep moving through our itinerary. 

Our last stop of the day was in Grand Haven. We browsed the downtown shops and strolled to the marina to gawk at the yachts. We ate dinner and tried a couple of beers at Grand Armory Brewing Company After that, we hit Grand Haven State Park. After walking the pier, I relaxed on the beach while Audrey played in the water, and Mark and Ruth explored the area. I really wanted to see the Grand Haven Musical Fountain, but it didn't come alive until dusk, and after a full day, we were all ready to head back to our hotel. 

Sleeping Bear Dunes

View from Piece Stocking Scenic Drive, Stop No. 9

View of Sleep Bear Dune Climb from the parking lot.

The highlight of the trip for me was going to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Empire, MI. It's about a three-hour drive from Grand Rapids and totally worth it. We drove the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, which the park ranger said would take an hour, but only took us about 30 minutes. If you go and stop anywhere, stop at No. 9. Then, we tackled the Sleeping Bear Dune Climb. In my ideal reality, it was going to be an easy climb up 150 feet of sand. In real reality, it was a tough mother! About halfway up, I started thinking it wasn't such a great idea after all. All four us made it to the tippy top, and the views made it well worth it. That said, I wouldn't do it again. I put it in the "once and done" category, along with skiing. 

After climbing the dune, we piled back into the car and went searching for something to eat. We drove up M-22 and through some adorable small towns filled with boutiques, breweries and ice cream shops. We stopped in Leland, MI, and grabbed lunch at The Cove in the historic Fishtown District. We had a three hour drive ahead of us, so we didn't stop to browse. But, to switch things up, we cut across through Suttons Bay and Traverse City, both of which had beautiful views of the water. 

Grand Rapids
On our final day, we explored Grand Rapids. We took a walking tour of the Heritage Hill Historic District, which is filled with beautiful old homes. Then, we headed over to the Grand Rapids Public Museum. To be honest, we were only going there to kill some time. As it turns out, this museum was probably one of the highlights of the trip. It had something for everyone, a little bit everything, but not too much of anything. It was amazing! I highly recommend it. 

We had to cut our museum tour short because we wanted to tour the Meyer May House, a Frank Lloyd Wright house that was painstakingly restored back to its original design and condition. The tour was free, so we expected it to last 30 minutes tops. The introductory film, which showed in great detail the restoration process (down to an original mural rescued from five layers of paint), was 30 minutes. The house tour was about another hour. It was fascinating! 

After the tour, we headed to Founder's Brewing for beer, beer cheese dip and some really good food. We topped off our last night with a dip in the hotel pool and laundry. 

Now, we're back to regularly scheduled programming, with school, work and life. Hope you all had a great summer! Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real. 

Time in New England: A Vacation Recap

My love affair with New England began two years ago when we took a work/vacation trip to Long Island, NY. 

We were so smitten with the New England area that we vacationed there again last year, this time visiting Connecticut and Rhode Island. I fell even deeper in love. Everything about it just feels right, like I was meant to be there. It was one of those rare vacations in which my ideal reality and my real reality were one and the same. I love it when that happens.

Here's a glimpse of how we spent our time. Maybe it will inspire you to make a trip of your own. 

Long Island Sound from Lighthouse Point Carriage House

How We Got There & Where We Stayed
We visited in early August. Perfect weather. High 70s-low 80s. Completely comfortable. We flew in to/out of Bradley International Airport (Windsor Locks, CT). We rented the Lighthouse Point Carriage House in New London, CT, through HomeAway. The rental was AMAZING! It's probably one of the top five places I've stayed  ... ever. In addition to having over-the-top amenities and lovely owners, it had a private beach. New London has a lot to offer, including great highway, train, and ferry access (Block Island and other points).

Where We Explored
The carriage house was the perfect base for exploring Connecticut and Rhode Island. I would recommend all of the below except maybe the aquarium. It was pretty pricey for what was actually there, and it was crazy crowded. (I recommend the Long Island Aquarium).

Fort Trumbull (New London)
Ocean Beach Park (New London, within walking distance from our rental, such a cool, retro  place)
Mystic Aquarium (Mystic, CT)

Gillette Castle, East Haddam, CT

Mystic Seaport (Mystic, CT)
Newport Mansions (Newport, RI) These were the summer "cottages" of America's original one percenters. There are 10. We had limited time, so we picked purchased the two-house ticket and toured The Breakers and The Elms. If you hate crowds, plan to get there when the mansions open. The extra tours fill up weeks, if not months, in advance, so plan ahead. We would have loved to take the Beneath the Breakers tour, but it will full up.
Sailing Excursions Day Cruise - Adirondack II (Newport, RI, harbor)
Essex, CT - We stopped in this beautiful town for a picnic lunch and a look around. 
Gillette Castle (East Haddam, CT) - This little gem is a MUST SEE. Well worth the time. It impressed us more than the Newport Mansions. 

Where We Ate
I recommend all of these. Great food, great service, great views. 
Fred's Shanty (New London)
Michael's Dairy (New London)

The fam getting ready to chow down at Abbott's.

Abbott's Lobster in the Rough (Noank, CT)
2 Wives Brick Oven + Eatery (New London)
Aloha Cafe (Newport, RI)

Stuff We Thought About Doing
Napatree Point Conservation Area (Westerly, RI)
Watch Hill Beach & Carousel (Westerly, RI) - Taylor Swift has a home in the Watch Hill section of town.
Sugar Bakery & Sweet Shop (East Haven, CT) 
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat (Essex, CT)
Connecticut Science Center (Hartford, CT)
Cushing Brain Museum - Yale Medical Library (New Haven, CT)
Coltsville National Historic Park (Hartford, CT)

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real (and go on an adventure this summer!)

Happy Thanksgiving 2015

Keeping up with my writing was tough this year. Admittedly, for quite awhile I didn't even think about this blog. A true case of my Real Reality taking over my Ideal Reality. Nothing bad has happened, nothing life changing. Just life. Just me in need of a break.

But over the last several weeks, I have found myself collecting little bits here and there with the thought that, "Hey ... I'd like to write about these thoughts and experiences."

So, here I am, on the last day of what has been a lovely Thanksgiving weekend, snuggly in my bed tip-tapping away and thoroughly enjoying myself.

No guarantees of regular posts or content worthy of your time. Just me back to dinking around online.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Stay tuned!

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

Fashion for the Over 40 Crowd

Trying to find a fashionista image of myself to accompany this post was tougher than I thought it would be. Images of me are few and far between, and images of me looking stylish even farther! This one is from August 2014. My husband snapped it as the peeps and I were preparing to leave for their first day of 2nd grade. I like this picture. My hair looks good, my smile is genuine and I am rockin' that cardigan! 

I'm a classic dresser. I love comfortable clothes that look nice and fit well. But when I went back to work last fall, I wanted to up my game a bit. Add some color, some flair, some fun. But remain classy, definitely age appropriate and professional. Can you tell from the photo I'm not a big "show some skin" gal? All buttoned up, baby! That's me. 

But where to start to find what's in, what's out, what's apropro, what's not? 

The blogs below focus on fashion for women over 40, and they are fabulous! They offer inspiration, ideas and courage as I step outside my comfy comfort zone and try new styles, colors and ... gasp! ... showing a little skin.

Maybe the fashion gal in the mirror (Real Reality) will one day reflect the one in my head (Ideal Reality)! 

Enjoy!

Fabulous After 40

Style at a Certain Age

Who's a Pretty Girl

So What to Twenty

Truffles, Sewing, New Recipes & Colin Firth

Homemade truffles! The End

Earlier this year, I posted my Little List of Learning. My Ideal Reality inspired this list, but I suspected my Real Reality would come roaring in, putting a halt to my plans before I could stop it. And for many months, it did. 

And then, I realized the only thing stopping me from starting my list was ... ME. Well, enough of that! I made my first batch of truffles, and I dusted off the sewing machine and sewed new curtains for the peep's bedroom. As long as you don't look at them too closely, they look professionally made. If you do look at them closely, well, ... just don't. 

I've tested several new recipes, including a Shrimp Avocado Salad I whipped up tonight. I  created six freezer recipes, with varied success.

So, it looks like my British boyfriend, Colin, is the only one who hasn't gotten any love except for a few adds to my Amazon Instant Video watch list. 

As for my theme and my three words ... I'm working on making them each a bigger part of my life. It's one thing to write them, but another to live them. 

How are you coming along with your three words? Your theme? Please share! 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real!

You Must Be New Here: My Adventure in Going Back to Work

Willy is one of my all-time faves.

In last week's post, I hinted about an upcoming adventure. Well, that adventure is in full swing! Last Monday, I started a new job as the content development coordinator at an area hospital. Not as awesome as Mexico, but still awesome in my world. 

The whole thing happened pretty quickly. In fact, my head is still spinning. I decided over the summer that I would start poking around the job market. I knew I wanted something close to home and that I wanted to work for a community-oriented company I also wanted to transition to marketing. 

I revamped my resume with the help of a friend/mentor and sent it out into the universe. Actually, I sent it to just three places. I expected no bites. At the very least, I thought I'd brush up on my interview skills. Very high expectations, yes? 

The hospital called me almost immediately. Two interviews and a writing assessment later and BAM! I had me a job that met all of my criteria and a nice salary! Ideal Reality Meets Real Reality! In my world, that translates to "meant to be." 

My first week went well, and I think I'm going to like the position and my co-workers. What this means for my blog and my freelancing, only time will tell. I think this job is going to keep me hopping, which I love. 

What about you? Any new adventures or job stories to share? I'd love to hear them! 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real!

Home Improvement Phase 6: It's Beautiful!

Last Friday, the Old House Magician and his Trusty Assistant packed their bags and left. With the exception of a few odds and ends, our big kitchen remodel is done! And I love it! As I mentioned previously, the picture in my head is what unfolded before my eyes. I can't believe it!

Added cabinets and counter tops to this wall

The long view. Excuse the fan. 

Another gorgeous view!

Hey! Hey! Goodbye! The old kitchen

I do have a confession to make. Around Thursday of last week, I was starting to backslide toward Phase 4. The end was in sight, and I was just ready for it to be done and for everyone to get out of my house! But I held it together. 

(Side note: I doubt I'll post next Monday. I'm headed to Riviera Maya later this weekend, and a little R&R and girl time will take priority.) 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

The Light at the End of the Kitchen Remodeling Tunnel

Here we are at the beginning of Week 6: 

See the Blue Pearl granite counter tops? See the subway tile?

Picture my stainless steel oven where the ladder is. I'm lovin' this tile job!

What do you think? I am in L.O.V.E. with this space. This is one of those rare moments in life when Ideal Reality meets Real Reality and my little world explodes in sunshine, Oreo cookies, hugs and good beer. In other words, the picture I created in my head exactly matches what is happening in my kitchen.  

The OHM and his Trusty Assistant should wrap up this week! There will be a few odds and ends that I need to take care of, such as finding some knobs and pulls that match the ones we salvaged from the tear out. That task has proven to be a tad more difficult than I expected. And, of course, we have to put everything back into the kitchen and clean the entire house, which is idling under a layer of construction dust. 

My plan is to post Phase 6: It's Beautiful! soon, with Before and After pix. 

Until then, wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

The Six Phases of Home Improvement - Phase I: Super Excited!

Our big home improvement project for this year is a complete kitchen remodel. We're talking new cabinets, counter tops, floors and back splash. This is what we have now.

Our current kitchen

It's a charming galley kitchen, perfect for the family who designed it in 1942. But we need (OK, want) something a little more functional. 

Our new cabinets have been sitting in our basement since April, waiting for our contractor to clear his schedule. I call him the Old House Magician, and he is well worth the wait.  He arrives tomorrow. Tomorrow! The cabinets come out tomorrow (cue "Annie"). I can hardly believe it. It's finally our turn! 

In anticipation of the big event, our house currently looks like this:

Our dining room pantry

Our sun room storage area

I cannot wait to get this project underway! Yes, I am in Phase I of Home Improvement: Super Excited! I am living in my Ideal Reality where, with a strike of a hammer, my kitchen will be transported into 2014.

The Real Reality in which I will be without a kitchen for at least a month while home with two 7-year-olds while trying to interview company CEOs for freelance projects has yet to sink in. That's Phase 2 of Home Improvement: What the Hell was I Thinking? 

Stay tuned for that as well as the remaining four phases ... 

Phase 3: Unexpected (aka Expensive) Problems
Phase 4: I Don't Care If It's Not Done. I'm Ready for These People to Get Out of My House.
Phase 5: I Hate Everyone.

Phase 6: It's Beautiful!

Interested in one of our previous home improvement projects? Here's what we tackled in 2012: When Ideal Realty Becomes Real Reality: Home Improvement. I just realized I never posted our 2013 project, which was where the Old House Magician transformed our dungeon in to a third bathroom and a revamped laundry room. Maybe someday I'll at least post pics. 

What are your Phases of Home Improvement? Any tips on surviving? 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

Gardening With Children: Ideal Reality Vs. Real Reality

Like every other sick-of-winter person on the planet, when the seed catalogs start appearing in February, I start planning. I make detailed lists and charts and diagrams of everything from the seeds I want to buy to which plants will go where and why. I am all up in it. 

And then, I wait. And wait a bit more. Because spring doesn't really arrive here until May. Sometimes June. Last year, I planted my garden on May 2, when it was 80 degrees, and it snowed on May 3. And while I'm waiting, I revel in my Ideal Reality of family gardening. In this annual indulgence, I visualize a Norman Rockwell-esque day of garden planting with my peeps. Laughing, giggling, playing with earthworms, chatting excitedly about anything and everything. Tired and exhausted at the end of the day, we lounge around with Flavor-Ice (them) and beer (me). It's the quintessential "mother-and-child gardening together in true harmony" picture. 

Enter Real Reality. When I have a plan, especially one that includes lists and charts and diagrams, everyone who is not on board or who has no intention of following my directions, needs to steer clear. I am a big 'ol ball of OCD and anal retentiveness. The peeps just want to dig for buried treasure and dinosaur bones. They have no need for straight lines, organization or directions. And I have no patience. So ... about 15 minutes into our day of gardening, I am alone. And I am in heaven. La la la. 

While the kids and I might not make the best planting team, we harvest like beasts. As we tiptoe through the vines and narrow rows, peeking under leaves and snapping off veggies, we laugh, giggle, play with earthworms and chat excitedly about anything and everything. Yep, harvest time is rather Norman Rockwell-esque. 

On a related note, check out Amber Dusik's post on SheKnows. It's called Gardening With Young Children: What Could Go Wrong? Amber is the author of Parenting: Illustrated with Crappy Pictures, and the writer and illustrator of the blog Illustrated With Crappy Pictures. And I am thankful for her every day because she reminds me I'm not alone. 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep it Real

My Blog Writing Process and a Little Spring Break Action

Some of you may have noticed that I've gotten into the groove of posting something new each Monday. As part of the regular posting goal, I try to plan topics ahead of time. I sit down with a blank monthly calendar printed from here or here and jot down my topics. Usually, I'll have a blank calendar of the following month close by in case my brainstorming session gets out of control. I slide the calendars (printed double-sided to save a sheet of paper) into a plastic pocket protector and create my own dry erase board. That way, if I change my mind about a topic or want to switch things up, it's no sweat. Right now, I have topics through April. My next goal is to find a day each week where I spend a few hours several crafting drafts at once.

On a completely different note, the peeps went back to school today after a 10-day spring break. When I jotted down "Spring Break" on my blog calendar, I had in my head that our time together would be packed with memory-making excitement (Ideal Reality). I was like Julie on The Love Boat, dreaming up activities to amaze my little loves. I even created a Note in Evernote just to track my marvelous ideas.

Real Reality: The week wasn't all that excitement packed. For the most part, they just wanted to play on the computer. Yay. As for memories, both girls definitely remember the day I got lost in Kansas City's Union Station labyrinth of a parking garage. That was fun. Not really what I had in mind. We did manage to get in a few activities, including much-needed hair cuts, a viewing of Mr. Peabody & Sherman, picnics on the living room floor, attending Theatre For Young America's production of Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business, a rare breakfast out at our favorite diner, Kate's Kitchen, a tour of the Shatto Milk Company and a trip to The Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium for "Dinosaurs at Dusk: The Origins of Flight." We brought Spring Break to a close with a sleepover in the basement. Overall, not a bad haul.

How about you? Any awesome - or not so awesome - spring break plans?

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

When One Door Closes ...

These signs are taped to my daughters' bedroom door.
Translation: If you come in, you will have a bad day. Danger.

Some of you know that I used to be a classroom teacher. I loved teaching middle school Language Arts, but I loved teaching striving readers even more. One of the best jobs I've ever had was teaching middle school remedial reading in Pennsylvania. I looked forward to going to work every day.

When we decided to return to KC, my Ideal Reality included finding a spot-on replacement for that position. By the time we had settled into our KC lives and I began my job search, the economic recession had settled into everyone's lives, and it drastically altered the landscape of education. My Real Reality = very few permanent teaching jobs. So, I worked as a long-term sub for more than a year, thinking that building new connections and a reputation as a quality educator would lead to something permanent. But when I heard someone refer to me as "The Baby Sub," (the endearing term for the go-to person for teachers taking maternity leave), my hope faltered.

I continued my job search and landed a spot in a charter school. I stayed a year. The demands of the position and the general working environment strained me and my family, and I made the decision to walk away. I also decided to hold off looking for another teaching position right away. Instead, I returned to my writing and editing roots in a freelance capacity. Still, I hung onto all of my teaching supplies and materials, waiting for the day when I was ready to jump back into the classroom. I thought numerous times about purging my teaching closets, but could never quite bring myself to do it.

Until this past weekend.

I hosted a "fire" sale consisting of most of my teaching supplies, classroom library novels and lesson plans.What I didn't sell I either tossed or donated.

It's all gone. Poof. One door closed.

And now, I'm trying to find the open door. (You know the saying, "When one door closes, another door opens," right?) Instead of waiting for one to open, I'm trying to make it happen by expanding my freelance services. It's tough. I hate putting myself out there, marketing myself, dealing with rejection, constantly figuring out how to create my own opportunities, pushing  myself. I just want something to come to me. I want it to be easy. I want someone to hand me the next opportunity (on a silver platter would be a total bonus). That's my Ideal Reality.

My Real Reality is that I must continuing taking risks, learning lessons, educating myself and making things happen. Whatever those "things"  may be.

How about you? What challenges are you facing? Or, what exciting opportunities have you created? Or stumbled upon? Please share.

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing  ... Keep It Real.

Did You Just Call My Kid a Tomboy?

My twin daughters just turned 7. Their interests range from My Little Pony to digging in dirt to shooting Nerf guns to engaging in planned physical warfare with one asking the other, “Hey, do you want to battle?” They prefer stuffed animals over dolls (actually, they hate dolls), and we hosted a Lego Legends of Chima party for their birthday.

Ruthie, especially, gravitates more toward activities that traditionally have been considered “boy” interests. Her favorite colors are blue and red, her best friends are boys, and most days she prefers to play Legends of Chima or TMNT at recess. She avoids skirts and dresses like the plague. As a toddler, she wore Lightening McQueen and Thomas the Train t-shirts. I’ll admit, in the early years I worried about her love of all things “boy.” Even more so when she told me she wanted to be a one.

But I soon traded those worries for reality. I was blessed with a smart and sweet little girl with a variety of interests who prefers the toys and clothes geared toward boys over the pink and purple frills that delight so many girls. I think that's awesome. And if it makes her happy, who really cares?

That’s why I was was a tad shocked and even a little offended when a classmate’s mother asked, “Is she a tomboy?”

Some part of me - the Ideal Reality part - thought gender roles had evolved beyond that term. I thought most people believed that girls have every right to engage in activities all along the gender spectrum. I thought the label “tomboy” had fallen out of favor. Apparently not. Yet, when I think about it, I recall all the times I tried to find red or blue girls clothes among the cotton candy pinks and purples that still dominate the girls' department. Or the challenges I've had in find a dressy outfit that wasn't a dress. Mission impossible unless I'm willing to pay some big bucks. Toys for girls? Dolls, makeup, jewelry kits. (Although Nerf is stepping up its game with the Rebel series. But even those weapons are pink and purple.)

According to The Grammarphobia Blog, the word tomboy popped up around 1553 as a term to describe a “rude or boisterous” boy. Twenty-five years later, tomboy defined a bold or immodest woman, and 15 years after that it was “applied to a girl who acted like a spirited or boisterous boy,” which is the meaning used today.  There’s no denying that both of my girls can be spirited and boisterous. Most girls can. As can most boys.

Look up “tomboy” on UrbanDictionary.com, and synonyms include “butch,” “lesbian” and “dyke.” Really? Seriously?

Not everyone views the word with a negative connotation. Articles such as “How to Be a Tomboy,” offer step-by-step guidance, and there are entire fashion sites and blogs that focus on “tomboy” style.

I do know this: My daughter thinks it has a negative connotation. Every time someone says the word, or applies it to her, she gets an odd look on her face. Like she’s done something wrong. It’s sad. She just wants to like what she likes and be happy. She’s 7, and she doesn't understand society and it’s desire to pigeon-hole people and guide their interests based on outdated thinking. I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure she stays engaged in the things she genuinely enjoys. Like I tell her when she asks me if I like something she's interested in, “It doesn't matter if I like it. If you like it and it makes you happy, that’s what counts.”

Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing … Keep It Real.