freecycle MADNESS

We're moving in three days, so we've been freecycling lots of things. Some good stuff, some very random stuff.

Fitting in the category of random: A 4DVD set of New Scandinavian Cooking. Complete with a braided, Scandinavian-looking woman on the front.

Well, apparently her cooking series is a widespread hit, as five people responded wanting the set within 20 minutes!!!!!!!!! Now that is crazy. We haven't even cracked the shrink wrap in the two years since this was randomly given to us (K has a Swedish background).

Who knew? I guess freecycle serves not only as a great resource for sharing and humor, but also for learning about the popularity of Scandinavian cuisine. Wow.

UPDATE: We're up to 10 requests after 3 hours. madNESS!

A few observations from my day....

First, a question: What do you do when you're heading into the gym and, directly behind you, is your favorite author of the moment? If you're me, you perseverate, hope she doesn't see you glancing at her, and then think that perhaps you'll blog about it. Shameful, I know. But, do go out and read that book. It is absolutely fabulous, insightful, and important for our society's future.

Second, an observation: As I sat in a spinning class today, I watched hordes of folks head into the subway (T, as we call it). At least 25% of them carried Timbuk2 bags. Seriously. Now, I'm a known Timbuk2 bag whore, and I've always known they were popular, but this popular? Really? Truly amazing.

A recent fave bag:


Finally, I'm still hopin' that many of you will come visit me over on my more substantive blog (not that bag-love isn't of substance, just "different substance"....). Hope to see you there!

Come on over and see the new blog

I started a new blog about raising a boy without labels/in ways that try to transcend labels. He has really taken the lead with this, but it's something that I try to support him with as best I can. And that takes a lot of thought, consideration, heartache, etc. So I decided to share that journey.

Come see!

Updating the update

1. Dissertation proposal in!!!!!!!!!
2. Second tulip about to bloom, pending update 3
3. Spring is NOT here to stay. Rainy, wet, in the 40's today. Ugh.
4. Glad it's the weekend and no big deadline hangs over me.....

Hoping for warmth, here, and preparing to start a new blog.

Quick update

1. Dissertation proposal due tomorrow. Crazy busy right now.
2. Our first tulip is about to bloom. Q could not be more ecstatic
3. We're moving in 18 days
4. I feel like spring has set in to stay -- keep your fingers crossed on that.

Please send any and all mojo my way for these last two days of madness.

me and the lovely dissertation

This is me. Well, not really ME, but an image of my past few days. Me, the keyboard, a messy study, a strong desire to procrastinate (is Top Chef calling me on the Tivo? I sure think so....), and usually a nice cup of tea.

The dissertation proposal is chugging along. Well, I think. But I'm in that twisted up brain space where I've thought about it too much, perseverated WAY too much, and now just need to once again hand it off (of course after a bit more obsessing, hopefully not at 3am). Mostly, I just want to get through this hurdle. It seems ridiculous to even stress about it since I'm already far into data collection for the beloved dissertation, but so it goes.

Not sure what my purpose is here, except to put a little image of my small life out there (to share my misery? Not really, as I haven't really been miserable).

So here's me now:


And hopefully tomorrow, after having turned in my latest and greatest, this will be my state of mind:

Zen.





Until, of course, the next upswing in the work. But I'll take it while it lasts.




Coda: Today is the 15th anniversary of my grandmother's death. She was an amazing woman. Powerful, outspoken, passionate. She was never without gaudy jewelry, wouldn't leave the house without spending 45 minutes "putting on her face" and yelled at Reagan on the TV. I love her with all of my heart and aspire to live with her kind of passion and commitment. Although I could spend time thinking of all that she's missed during these 15 years, I prefer to think, instead, about how her life has influenced mine. So I thank her for the passion she gave me for education, making a difference in the world, trusting my heart. And for showing me what it really means to have fire in your belly. Rest well, Grandma Geri.

Great time!

This weekend with Q made me really feel the strength and love of our community here, as folks reached out their arms to embrace the two of us.

Last night we had a raucous and fabulous time with great friends.

A sneak peak, thanks to a new fantabulous blogger!