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Monday, March 3, 2014
Goal Accomplished: Number One: Get a Tattoo
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Labor Day...
I did say I was going to try to update more and here we go :)
Tonight I went with a friend to see the move "Labor Day" based on the book I read a few weeks ago by Joyce Maynard. This post won't spoil the movie or the books, no worries there. The book was excellent however I'd say the movie was infinitely better than the book actually, mostly because of the way the book was written, it left things open to interpretation for a screen writer and it worked well.
So in the story, the main character has been experiencing multiple miscarriages; the first time it happened she said she awoke to cramps and as "I sat there, I felt something tiny slip away and all I could think was, 'if only, if only I could have held on just a little tighter' and the times it happened after that, I woke to the feeling of betrayal by my own body"
AND that, my friends, is when I turned in to a sobbing mess.
I have had more than one miscarriage and, of course, Gabriel was born with a disability and I've always felt...something. A type of grief I couldn't put in to words; a betrayal by my own body, something that no one could have prepared me for. I literally had no words for the way I have felt for the last 12 years until now.
I sat in the dark theater crying silently, trying to catch my breath and not let on to anyone near me that my heart was literally breaking and healing at the same time. I sort of tuned out the movie for a moment and became aware that there were other women in the same space as me crying for the same reasons...and suddenly it didn't feel like such a damn burden to be carrying anymore.
Why are we not talking to each other about these things? Why are women not telling each other these things after we lose pregnancies and have complications with pregnancies and give birth to children whom we love with all of our hearts but came with challenges that we definitely not prepared to deal with? Why do bear this sort of grief by ourselves? Why do we feel like we HAVE to bear this quietly and go about our days damaged? Why can't we speak freely about the pain these things cause?
Why? Because we are told that it happens "commonly" that "lots of women have it happen". We are told "it's 'god's' will" and that it wasn't "really a child so why are you upset?" We are made to feel that we are not allowed to feel this grief, this pain, this BETRAYAL by our VERY OWN BODIES because it happens all the time...but that doesn't make it any less real. That doesn't make it any less painful, and that doesn't make anyone feel any better about it.
So this is what I am saying to you tonight, if your heart is heavy because of pregnancy loss or a child with a disability and you need someone who knows what it feels like to listen, I am here. I will listen and I will not tell you "it's meant to be" or "it's 'god's' will" I will listen to you...and listen some more. I will tell you that you are not alone, I will tell you that it doesn't matter if it was a month ago, a year ago, or twenty years ago. Grief is grief, no matter how fresh that wound is. No one should go through this sort of thing alone.
Tonight I went with a friend to see the move "Labor Day" based on the book I read a few weeks ago by Joyce Maynard. This post won't spoil the movie or the books, no worries there. The book was excellent however I'd say the movie was infinitely better than the book actually, mostly because of the way the book was written, it left things open to interpretation for a screen writer and it worked well.
So in the story, the main character has been experiencing multiple miscarriages; the first time it happened she said she awoke to cramps and as "I sat there, I felt something tiny slip away and all I could think was, 'if only, if only I could have held on just a little tighter' and the times it happened after that, I woke to the feeling of betrayal by my own body"
AND that, my friends, is when I turned in to a sobbing mess.
I have had more than one miscarriage and, of course, Gabriel was born with a disability and I've always felt...something. A type of grief I couldn't put in to words; a betrayal by my own body, something that no one could have prepared me for. I literally had no words for the way I have felt for the last 12 years until now.
I sat in the dark theater crying silently, trying to catch my breath and not let on to anyone near me that my heart was literally breaking and healing at the same time. I sort of tuned out the movie for a moment and became aware that there were other women in the same space as me crying for the same reasons...and suddenly it didn't feel like such a damn burden to be carrying anymore.
Why are we not talking to each other about these things? Why are women not telling each other these things after we lose pregnancies and have complications with pregnancies and give birth to children whom we love with all of our hearts but came with challenges that we definitely not prepared to deal with? Why do bear this sort of grief by ourselves? Why do we feel like we HAVE to bear this quietly and go about our days damaged? Why can't we speak freely about the pain these things cause?
Why? Because we are told that it happens "commonly" that "lots of women have it happen". We are told "it's 'god's' will" and that it wasn't "really a child so why are you upset?" We are made to feel that we are not allowed to feel this grief, this pain, this BETRAYAL by our VERY OWN BODIES because it happens all the time...but that doesn't make it any less real. That doesn't make it any less painful, and that doesn't make anyone feel any better about it.
So this is what I am saying to you tonight, if your heart is heavy because of pregnancy loss or a child with a disability and you need someone who knows what it feels like to listen, I am here. I will listen and I will not tell you "it's meant to be" or "it's 'god's' will" I will listen to you...and listen some more. I will tell you that you are not alone, I will tell you that it doesn't matter if it was a month ago, a year ago, or twenty years ago. Grief is grief, no matter how fresh that wound is. No one should go through this sort of thing alone.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Goal 11: Autism Walk Chicago
Number 11 on my list was "Participate in the Autism Walk" I registered tonight and now it's time for you to start making donations (ha ha, you knew that was coming right?) My personal goal is $150 and Geo and the kids will also have the same goal-I asked them to join me and they said yes.
Here's my link and I'll keep you posted :)
Chrissi's Donation Link
Here's my link and I'll keep you posted :)
Chrissi's Donation Link
Monday, January 27, 2014
Goal 13: Learn a New Dish Each Month
This is my sticky post for my new dish to learn how to cook each month.
For January I made this:
Roasted Broccoli with garlic parm. butter
I also sliced up red potatoes and carrots and it was DELICIOUS!!
Will definitely be adding it to my regular menu items, both kids asked for seconds...and neither of them likes broccoli. One change I made though, was that I used five cloves of garlic instead of two, but we like things very garlicky in our house :)
For January I made this:
Roasted Broccoli with garlic parm. butter
I also sliced up red potatoes and carrots and it was DELICIOUS!!
Will definitely be adding it to my regular menu items, both kids asked for seconds...and neither of them likes broccoli. One change I made though, was that I used five cloves of garlic instead of two, but we like things very garlicky in our house :)
Sunday, January 19, 2014
35 by 35: Pounds Lost
This entry, much like the previous one, is a "sticky post" for tracking my progress toward goal three which is lose 35 pounds. I am at my starting weight as of today and will be working my way down til September 30 :)
Today's weight: hahahaha did you really think I'd share that? We'll just do the last two numbers, ok?
January 19, 2014 X75
January 26, 2014 X72.8
February 2, 2014 X69.8
February 9, 2014 X68.4
A side note, I reupped my gym membership this past week and I'm feeling pretty motivated, let's see if I can keep it up, shall we?
I'll check in next week!
Today's weight: hahahaha did you really think I'd share that? We'll just do the last two numbers, ok?
January 19, 2014 X75
January 26, 2014 X72.8
February 2, 2014 X69.8
February 9, 2014 X68.4
A side note, I reupped my gym membership this past week and I'm feeling pretty motivated, let's see if I can keep it up, shall we?
I'll check in next week!
35 by 35: Reading List
This is going to be a "sticky post" as they are called sometimes for goal number 12 which is read one book a week. I'll update this post once a week with an Amazon link to the book I read/am reading in case you are interested. Please note: I am not gaining anything by posting an Amazon link, there aren't any strings attached, just a quick reference in case you'd like to check it out :)
For the week of 01-12-14 I read Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner
For the week of 01-19-14 I am reading Labor Day by Joyce Maynard
For the week of 01-26-14 I read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
For the week of 01-26-14 I also read The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman
(I must say, I read an awful lot, so this bucket list item is going to be easy to fulfill!)
For the week of 02-02-14 I am reading The Zoo Keepers Wife: A War Story by Diane Ackerman
For the week of 02-02-14 I am also reading Burning Bright by Tracy Chevalier
For the weeks of 02-09-14 thru 02-23-14 I read the The Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth
For the week of 03-02-14 I am rereading an old favorite A Painted House by John Grisham
For the week of 01-12-14 I read Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner
For the week of 01-19-14 I am reading Labor Day by Joyce Maynard
For the week of 01-26-14 I read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
For the week of 01-26-14 I also read The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman
(I must say, I read an awful lot, so this bucket list item is going to be easy to fulfill!)
For the week of 02-02-14 I am reading The Zoo Keepers Wife: A War Story by Diane Ackerman
For the week of 02-02-14 I am also reading Burning Bright by Tracy Chevalier
For the weeks of 02-09-14 thru 02-23-14 I read the The Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth
For the week of 03-02-14 I am rereading an old favorite A Painted House by John Grisham
Monday, January 13, 2014
Closet Hipster No More
It has recently come to my attention that I am a closet hipster; I was slightly miffed at first by the accusation because I do not have a handlebar mustache, a manual type writer, and do not have an affinity for triangles AND most importantly, I don't have a fixed gear bicycle...but I wish I did. Oops.
Actually, I wish I had a manual type writer too. When I was a teenager my grandmother gave me one and nothing brought me greater joy than typing things on it. Sure the inked ribbon was a pain in the ass and the keys got stuck more often than not, but oh the soothing click-clacking of the keys...so worth all the trouble they gave me.
Lately I've found that my musical tastes are a bit more eclectic than usual. Now don't get me wrong, I still adore Sarah McLachlan, but there's something to be said for the sweet soothing voice of Dan Smith from Bastille, the drumbeats of Imagine Dragons, and the sheer joy I get from listening to Fitz and the Tantrums singing about breaking down walls.
And...the scarves. My goodness, how did I just discover how fantastic scarves are? (Not the crochet/knit ones, but the pashmina type scarves) they look fantastic with everything. Dresses up a t shirt, dresses down a button down. Not only that, but they keep you warm. It's fashionable and practical. Wait, did I just say that?
What else classifies me as a hipster? Chunky black glasses (which I need to see dammit!) loving owls (who knew?) Drinking beer no one else seems to like (rolling rock, not PBR gross) and I shop at thrift stores (because I'm thrifty, not ironic!)
Oh well, at least I own it, ya know? I've never been huge on labels but I wear this one with pride...which means I'm not truly a hipster (ha ha! gotcha!)
Here, have some hipster music...you'll like it, I'm sure!
Oblivion by Bastille
Radioactive by Imagine Dragons
Break the Walls by Fitz and the Tantrums
Actually, I wish I had a manual type writer too. When I was a teenager my grandmother gave me one and nothing brought me greater joy than typing things on it. Sure the inked ribbon was a pain in the ass and the keys got stuck more often than not, but oh the soothing click-clacking of the keys...so worth all the trouble they gave me.
Lately I've found that my musical tastes are a bit more eclectic than usual. Now don't get me wrong, I still adore Sarah McLachlan, but there's something to be said for the sweet soothing voice of Dan Smith from Bastille, the drumbeats of Imagine Dragons, and the sheer joy I get from listening to Fitz and the Tantrums singing about breaking down walls.
And...the scarves. My goodness, how did I just discover how fantastic scarves are? (Not the crochet/knit ones, but the pashmina type scarves) they look fantastic with everything. Dresses up a t shirt, dresses down a button down. Not only that, but they keep you warm. It's fashionable and practical. Wait, did I just say that?
What else classifies me as a hipster? Chunky black glasses (which I need to see dammit!) loving owls (who knew?) Drinking beer no one else seems to like (rolling rock, not PBR gross) and I shop at thrift stores (because I'm thrifty, not ironic!)
Oh well, at least I own it, ya know? I've never been huge on labels but I wear this one with pride...which means I'm not truly a hipster (ha ha! gotcha!)
Here, have some hipster music...you'll like it, I'm sure!
Oblivion by Bastille
Radioactive by Imagine Dragons
Break the Walls by Fitz and the Tantrums
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