Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Lo-Fi, but worth it anyway

Heh, heh. Maybe it should gross me out, but it cracks me up. I do not generally encourage nose-picking, but it is a little slice of life with a 2 1/2-year old.

Finished! Here's Arlo, modeling the sweeeeeet poncho I knitted for Ava, the daughter of our friends Leah and Mark.


And another modeling shot, this one using an artsy "from above" angle.

Here we are, hanging out in the kitchen. Being the dutiful wife that I am, this is where I spend most of my time.
And here's the one that Arlo took, while peering at himself in the viewfinder of the cameraphone. This boy can rock a purple poncho like NO OTHER.

Friday, March 16, 2007

Who knew?


I just read an interview with Chris Rock on the LIFE magazine website, led there by the account on some celebrity blog (*blush* Yes, I read trashy blogs--but only on Fridays! Honest!) of this exchange:

LIFE: In the first movie you directed, Head of State, you were president of the United States. Is this country ready for an African American president?

ROCK: It's ready for a retarded president, why wouldn't it be ready for an African American president?

Upon reading this, I:

a) burst out laughing
b) instantly became a fan of Chris Rock, when up to this point I was somewhere between neutral and mildly positive on the subject
and
c) had to read the rest of the interview.

I just have to say, for whatever personae Rock has projected on the stage and screen over the years, I really like him as (presumably) himself. In this interview, he's funny (of course) but also sweet, wise, and has his head in the right place when he talks about marriage, kids, career, etc.

Check it out. It might just make you feel good. Oh, and the photos are pretty cute, too. Way to go, Chris Rock!

Friday, March 09, 2007

Ladies: Do you take this for granted?

One of my favorite things about being pregnant (okay, it was also one of my favorite things about having an IUD before I decided to get pregnant) is that I do not have to endure the monthly visits from Aunt Flo.

As much as we all hate "that time of month," can you imagine how much worse you'd feel if you had to spend your last few dollars on a box of tampons? Or if you had to go without somehow? Well, that's what many homeless women have to endure, month after month.

This week, I received messages from a couple of different friends about Seventh Generation's "TamPontification" website. The e-mails and the site explain that "Women's shelters in the U.S. go through thousands of tampons and pads monthly. Assistance agencies generally help with expenses of "everyday" necessities such as toilet paper, diapers, and clothing, but one of the most BASIC needs is overlooked - feminine hygiene products."

Seventh Generation (the leading brand of non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaning products and chlorine-free paper goods) has set up this site for people like you and me to make "virtual donations" of tampons and pads to shelters in our state. Or someone else's state, for that matter. It doesn't cost anything-- you just choose your state, and Seventh Generation will send a pack of organic cotton tampons or chlorine-free pads to a shelter in the state you choose.

As far as I can tell, you can do this as many times as you wish, and why wouldn't you want to? Think about making it your home page!

Click here to make your virtual donation.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

A Brand New Yearning


I said yearning, not yarning. But I can see why you might be confused.

At left are the most darling needle cases (oh, and I mean for my knitting needles, not for my heroin needles) I've ever seen. And I really NEED them! Not to mention, I deserve them. One of each! All different colors! Yeah!

There's a case for your straight needles, a case for your circular needles (brilliant!), and even an adorable little pouch for your notions.

I think these would make perfectly appropriate second-baby-congratulations gifts. Or, perhaps, a little something special for that gal in your life who is celebrating her golden birthday (31 on the 31st, y'all!) this May? I don't know, I'm just saying.

And, for the record, this site also has equally prosh diaper bags. So there.

http://lexiebarnes.com/collection/needle.htm

Monday, March 05, 2007

In case you haven't heard

I'm pretty sure that everyone who reads my blog knows me well enough to already know that I am pregnant, but still. It seems like the appropriate time to make an announcement. This morning, Ted and I went to see the doctor, and we got to hear the tiny one's heartbeat for the first time. It sounds like there's a hamster in there, its heart was beating so fast! It always surprised me the first time around, too.

The new Knights, currently about an inch long, is expected to arrive in late September. Stay tuned here for updates!

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Rock Star

I think I need to just keep our camcorder packed in Arlo's diaper bag. Because, if I did, it would stand to reason that if I am out and about with Arlo, I will be equipped to record for all posterity--and for that $100,000 prize on AFV--the impossibly endearing things he does when we are out in the world. At least this time I had witnesses.

Tuesday night I took the whole family with me to a party in a bar. Well, it was the annual holiday staff party for New Pioneer Co-op, where I was once employed and am now a member of the Board of Directors. Normally I would not drag my two-and-a-half-year-old son to a bar on a Tuesday night, but there was free food to be had--and I am in the habit lately of escaping drudgerous tasks, such as cooking, at every available opportunity. In my defense, the Mill does not allow smoking in the dining room area until 9 p.m..

The entertainment at the party was a staff "open mic" night, so a parade of New Pi staff members strummed, sang, and recited poetry while we devoured our lasagna. I daresay that the Co-op has a better number of talented musicians among the staff of cashiers, pastry chefs, delivery drivers, and meat cutters than does the average grocery store--and we found the performances to be pretty good overall.

Arlo definitely had a favorite.

One staff member--his forehead clad in a flame-emblazoned sweatband, no less--played the ELECTRIC GUITAR. Now, Arlo has seen, and been enamored with, many a stringed instrument in recent months, including guitars, a banjo, a mandolin, and an upright bass. He also is quite good at playing the harmonica, piano, and drums, if'n you ask me. Or him.

But the electric guitar? Arlo was spellbound. For seconds on end. He was riveted. What in God's name is that incredible sound?, he seemed to ask, his head cocked to one side, a little ribbon of saliva trailing down his chin. And then...

He ROCKED OUT.

He jumped, twisted, bounced, and spun. His mop top hairdo was flying, I tell you. I saw a glimpse of the future, and my teenage son will be in a garage rock band. And he will be the lead guitarist.

The best part? He hopped over to me on one leg, in a sort of a Marty-McFly-at-the-high-school-dance air guitar move, and I knew he wanted me to get up and dance with him. I had a better idea.

"Do this, Arlo!" I said, raising my fist above my head and nodding my head furiously up and down.

And he did. My son, my pride and joy, headbanged like a pro. It was like a light bulb switched on, and he realized that "OHHHHHHH, this is how you dance to the electric guitar!"

It was a proud moment for me. My kid rocks. I just wish I had been able to get it on film.