I was walking through Target the other day and the display of little kid rain boots made my eyes water. Certain things just catch me. My kids aren’t “kids” any more. When someone posted a picture of a kid I always thought of as Violet’s age behind the wheel of a car (learner’s permit), I felt personally attacked. I want to pause time. Seventh grade is seventh grade, so maybe not right this second, but I’m only months away from two teenagers, so maybe. This whole growing up thing happened over night not at all gradually over the last 14+ years. Why don’t people tell you? (Edited to add: I know people tell you, people never stop telling you, that’s the joke. It’s not funny if you have to explain it.)
My life is the good kind of boring. I clean. I read. I knit. I spend too much time on social media which makes me feel like it might be time to turn it off for a bit (but I like the pretty pictures!!!). I go to sporting events and nag my kids about screen time and picking up their rooms. I’m content and just typing those two words made me teary (ALL. THE. TIME. I TELL YOU.) because it feels so wonderful to be content after the last two years.
Let’s talk some things.
Reading: I read Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner (amazing writing) and The Guncle by Steven Rowley (I want this to be made into a movie or series so badly!!) I need some book suggestions. I miss having my book of the month subscription. I wish there was a version of that for an e-reader. (Someone steal that idea and make millions.)
Watching: The Gilded Age (HBO) – the costume and set design is absolute eye candy. And yay! for a return to episodic television. It’s written by the same person who wrote Downton Abbey and while I don’t love it as much as I love Downton, it has a similar feel. And Just Like That (HBO) – hated it. And watched every single episode. The Woman In the House Across the Street From The Girl in Window (Netflix) – I loved that this was suspenseful and funny. Satire lite. No spoilers, but the fight scene made me laugh out loud. It was just so ridiculous. I think that was the point?
Knitting: I finished a bunch of squares on my sock yarn blanket. If I keep up this pace I will finish some time in 2056. I’m currently knitting a pair of socks from a pair of socks because I didn’t like how they turned out when I did them the first time. I want to get those finished up this week, add a square to the blanket, and then start another project. Socks, sheep pillow, or a hat kit I have around. I haven’t decided yet. I’ll be doing some car passenger knitting in the next couple of weeks which is good because we desperately need some new dishcloths.
Making: An effort to get this house organized before we tear the upstairs apart. Actually, I just keep procrastinating (which is the reason behind the blog post today) so it’s a good thing it keeps getting pushed back.
So that’s me. What are your -ings? I hope this finds you all well and healthy.
Sometimes, when I walk to our local grocery store, the K thru 3s are out for recess at the elementary school. I nearly always tear up as I pass their playground. In just over a month my youngest will be 17. I just don’t understand how this could have happened so quickly.
I love satire, so I’ll have to check out TWITHATSFTGITW. (Even typing that out has made me chuckle!) I’ve been re-watching Call the Midwife. When 8 p.m. rolls around, I am DESPERATE to turn off my brain, and any period piece will do it for me. Lately, as I’ve been watching what’s happening in the world, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the difference between escaping reality (every now and again to preserve your sanity) and denying reality. Reading is also helping me to escape, but I’m not sure any of my recent reads will work for you (Winnie the Pooh and The House on Pooh Corner—I kid you not—and an abridged version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame); however, I did just pick up Crow Lake by Mary Lawson. It’s supposed to be excellent, as is her most recent novel, A Town Called Solace.
Your sock yarn blanket is beautiful so far! I’ve got two pairs of socks on the go as well as a sweater.
It’s lovely to see what’s happening in your world, Kate—your photos are beautiful, as always, and I’m so glad to hear you’re content. 🙂
It’s so good to hear from you, Marian! If you do what that series on Netflix, please let me know what you think of it. I completely get feeling desperate to turn off your brain. I had a whole day last week where I was just done with reality.
It makes my heart so happy that you’re reading Pooh books! I firmly believe that the key to happiness is loving on our inner child (especially for those of us who didn’t always get to have the happiest of childhoods). I’m looking up Crow Lake as soon as I finish this comment. You tend to read a bit more higher quality content than I do, but that would probably be good for me!
Your youngest turning 17 seems unbelievably quick to me as well! I think I would get teary at the K-3’s too. Despite not really wanting to have children that age.
I hit post before I meant to be done! (Comment typing on a phone.)
Thank you for stopping by, Marian!! I think if you often (especially when I’m at the grocery store) and it makes me so happy that we “met”.
Ah, Kate. The boots juxtaposed with that sprawling man-boy and your sassy V almost make me cry. I remember when I was where you are now, and I discovered your blog and you were in the thick of parenting littles and I would feel such envy sometimes. It’s all just so much, isn’t it? Now, though, I mostly feel grateful for all that I’ve had and still have. I don’t mean that in a smarmy or self-satisfied or annoying older Mom way, so I hope it doesn’t come off like that. I am just grateful, and astounded to be here, and grateful to be grateful.
A book I am listening to that I think would be a fabulous read is Matrix by Lauren Groff. Have only just started it, but I’m really liking it. I’m also reading The Wild Silence by Raynor Winn, which is a sequel to The Salt Path (which I haven’t read). Winn and her husband find themselves suddenly homeless in their 50s. Also only just begun, but I love the writing so far. I am now deep into Game of Thrones, and I frequently think of your comment about how dark it is. No kidding! So dark. It took me awhile to get hooked, but I am. We watch an episode every night. I’m also watching the last season of This Is Us, and after every episode I feel sad because I can get so caught up them and I will miss it when it ends. I enjoy a show I can sort of disappear into. I’m also watching the Kristen Bell woman in the window show; my other silly watch is the second season of Emily in Paris, which is ridiculous but I love looking at gorgeous people in gorgeous clothing in a gorgeous city. And it’s light, and who can’t use some light these days? The Gilded Age is on my TBW list.
My other -ing is ice skating. It’s a long story, but I am smitten. And healing from a wound so deep I didn’t realize it was there. My life continues to be a freaking miracle in this year of so much that is alarming. I am not on social media much, but I check Instagram at least once a day, if not more. It’s an OK place for me, and I’m always glad you are there. Maybe you can think of the things you share in your stories as a social service? 🙂
So nice to see a post from you. Would love to know more about this project you are procrastinating on!
Oh Rita, thank you so much for being here through the years and for your comment. I read it last night and spent about 30 minutes going back through my archives and looking at my littles during that time. It helps to remember that while I’m not in that stage, I’ll always have that stage. Your comments throughout our years here have often been helpful in reminding me (in not at all the annoying older Mom way) “what I still have”. I’ve often wondered at how you seem to point me toward that without the smarmy, but I hope to cultivate it moving forward too.
I really loved Game of Thrones. My brother and I would often rewatch episodes (especially in the earlier seasons) and discuss all the symbolism and themes. He has a friend who swears the books are better, but I read the books and I prefer the series. I also agree with you on Emily in Paris. It’s such lovely cotton candy. And I just added to Matrix to my Kindle. So grateful for you and Marian with book suggestions!
I’m sure I’ll be posting more about the project soon but essentially it started with a need to replace some bathroom fixtures and snowballed into a second floor remodel (which seems to be the pattern – we decide to do a room and then it has to get pushed back and then pushed back again and because I have time to ruminate and save, the project grows). I currently am suffering the worst analysis paralysis in terms of picking tile so I’ve set myself a deadline and if I can’t pull the trigger on anything by then, I’m just going with simple subway for it all which isn’t at all a punishment.
I did read a little on IG about the ice skating and I’m glad you’ve picked it back up again and that you are healing and smitten. What a lovely thing. “My life continues to be a freaking miracle in this year of so much that is alarming.” This makes me so happy (and honestly, I feel a bit the same). I’m so grateful for you and to you, Rita.
Your kitchen is gorgeous. I like your color scheme and your use of the space. I look forward to seeing what you do upstairs once that project starts.
The photos of your kids are lovely. They’re not littles anymore.
As for what I’ve been -ing lately… not much. I’m stuck in a time warp. I’m waiting for some things to happen so that I can make other things happen, then I’ll be able to start doing many other things in the spring. Those spring things would be things I want to do as opposed to the things I need to do first. It’s a process, I know. But one that has left me bored, bored, bored.
Thank you, Ally. That’s a lovely thing to hear.
Oh how I relate to your last paragraph, and February is already such a bore, bore, bore. Here’s to perseverance, the spring, and getting to the point where we can do the things we want to do. 🙂
YOUR KITCHEN IS BEAUTIFUL. I love the colors, the lines, everything.
I know what you mean about them not being little. Anna is graduating from college in May, and I am preparing Ella for public school (high school), which I’m not telling many people but feels safe to mention here.
Ella and I began watching The Woman in the House…but only got through one episode before getting distracted by a Queer Eye episode. So we will get return to it. You make me wish I had HBO and AppleTv. I remember you mentioning Ted Lasso once, and I’ve wanted Apple Tv since, plus you seem to enjoy a lot of the shows I do. So I might have to add some subscriptions. 🙂
Thanks, Kari. I’m glad you feel safe to tell me about your plans with Ella. I’d love to hear more about that decision via email or message if you feel comfortable! The adjustment to “bigs” really just smacks me over the head some days! And CONGRATS to Anna! What a wonderful accomplishment!
We definitely cycle subscriptions. I hope you do get to see Ted Lasso. It’s so sweet.
I enjoyed reading your ALL THE GOOD THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN JANUARY. It felt like a greeting card to our inner child who is always with us wherever we go!
Grateful: for Prozac / early mornings / get together with friends / (?) / bubble notes / colorful markers
I did not know that the key to happiness is loving on our inner child. I’m glad to hear that you are content (not boring). This brought a smile to my heart to see your blog post Tuesday.
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My -ings? Grateful -ings?
Listening to the five of you all chatting about your children grow up stories over so many years and having the pleasure to read all of your blogs
Watching SNOW MOON 2022 FEB 16 rise in front sunroom when I go to the back bedroom and the thrill to see it set in the morning kitchen corner window while I am making coffee to begin a new day
Having no schedule
Leveling mood swings
Less physical, mental and emotional pain; almost zero pills, less bloating, gradual weight loss, more activity without overdoing, no must do projects
Slow walks, stopping to see, listen and breathe on our street sidewalk with Yorkie
Hearing the ice cream truck slowly passing with the old fashioned tunes
Watching the birds on our property and having complete privacy with lots of sunshine in the backyard.
Loving a no snow climate
Reading, connecting, and contributing to a new blog friend close to my age
Also Making: An effort to get my affairs in some sort of a stable order, but making a complete mess as I go about the process tearing it all up (like you ;)) Is that even possible?
Perhaps boring to some; or perhaps it’s my kind of simple ordinary
TD, your kind of simple ordinary sounds wonderful. Your -ings (grateful and otherwise) made me smile. Thank you so much for sharing them with me.
The making a mess is definitely a stage in getting things in order! I hope you get through it quickly!
I take a lot of time as my age moves at a snails pace. The stage of the organizing offers wisdom of necessary objectives versus fantasy objectives. I’m disposing of some much that one collects over sixty years! I’m thinking about selling the cottage as it has served its purpose as a safe resting place, a financial fresh start placed into action, and home to rediscover who I am now. My health, financials, and actual needs have all changed. There’s been much good here, healing and growth together. I hope your thoughts of the upstairs come easier as more daylight charms our creative ability and settles our anxiety on decision making while lifting our low feelings with challenges of depression episodes. I appreciate you for being you!
Thank you for your hopes, TD. I hope in the process of organizing and letting go that you find the best answer for you as you move toward your next stage! I appreciate you too!
After all that organizing and letting go, I got to my next stage in life quickly by making a decision to stay right here in my cottage. I read your Friday Finds post today. Sweet to know what interests you.
Ally Bean sent me over to check out your lovely blog. Those flowers and your dog are beautiful!
Awww!! Thank you. She’s a sweetie! (Ally and my dog actually) Nice to meet you!
My -ings are walking, reading and drinking coffee. Your photos are beautiful and yes, kids grow up fast. Both of my daughters are in their 30s yet I don’t feel that old. (I am)
Your -ings sound absolutely wonderful!! What kind of things do you like to read?