Inspired

After the inspiring and hopeful tone of today's inauguration, I started thinking about other speeches and essays I've enjoyed. That led me to re-read this essay by potter, writer, and self-sufficient mama extrordinaire, Kelly Averill Savino. Every time I read it, I laugh, tear up, and finish by wanting to give it a standing ovation. On this pass, these lines in particular jumped out at me:

Everywhere there are women sitting in front of the banquet of their lives, a million sustaining, delicious choices -- oblivious, because they are looking back over their shoulders at the good old days, the old boyfriend, the old body, life before kids, the old freedoms.

I may be guilty of a little of that. And while I think that a little of that is normal and maybe inevitable, it's good to be reminded that what we have is this, now. And to throw that away or overlook it is a terrible mistake.

Make 'em laugh

You know, I said that I don't really make specific resoultions, but I'm going to make one now. I resolve to laugh more. I do not laugh nearly enough. A little while ago I was reminded of this video, and I watched it again and it cracked me up just like the first time I saw it. And laughing like that reminded me of how good that feels, and how I should do it more often.

So go ahead, tell me a joke. Show me something funny. Clue me in to what gives you a chuckle. I bet I'm not the only one who could use a good laugh.

January Pondering

Normally, the first of the year is a very motivating time for me. I don't make a list of specific resolutions, but I do feel a sense of renewal and opportunity. I love cycles and change, so it seems very natural to me that the start of a new year should be a fresh start toward personal goals and growth.

This year, I still have that general feeling, but I'm not as motivated and energized as I usually am in January. That could have something to do with the solid week of rain, or the recurring lack of sleep I've experienced so far in '09, I guess. We had a very restful, relaxing Christmas break, though, so I should have enough in the reserves.

On one hand, I know that this year will hold some exciting changes for my family. We'll be trying to move houses (not cities yet), hopefully very soon. Genevieve will finally be weaned, bringing my nine (combined) years of nursing to a final and permanent close. She will also finish potty training, ending my relationship with diapers (not nearly as bitter-sweet an ending) until grandchildren come along.

On the other hand, I have some personal things that I know I need to work on that I am just not feeling. I have kept off twenty pounds for about a year and a half, but need to lose another 20, and yet I'm not doing anything. It's time to get back in the gym, but somehow I just haven't made it there yet. There are other, less tangible things that I know I need to work on, too, but somehow I'm just...not.

The Big C

Happy birthday Calvin. I can't believe you are eleven years old. Eleven! I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you are so grown up, since you sometimes act like the only adult in the house. You are the child who made me a mother and taught me the job. I couldn't have asked for a better teacher.

Why I Love Being Southern

Or, things I chatted about with the woman in line behind me while waiting to check out at Kroger this afternoon:

-Why it was so busy and why she didn't expect it to be
-The astonishing amount of food piled in my basket and why I needed to buy three loaves of bread at a time
-How long that giant pile of food would last us (about two weeks)
-How it's easier when kids get older, but then also not
-How hormonal her 12-year-old daughter is and how I dread my kids hitting puberty
-Divorce and how there is life after it
-How high her utility bill was and how my friend Stacey's high utility bill made hers look tiny
-How much we both hate the midtown Schnuck's and just cannot go there
-How you can't go in Kroghetto at night but how it's nice and uncrowded during the day
-How she was so hungry she was about to gnaw off her own arm
-How she should snag one of the warm rotisserie chickens right next to us and run off to hide and eat it, and how once when I was pregnant I wanted to hide in a closet with a whole chicken I'd just roasted so I could devour it all myself

Then as soon as it was my turn at the checkout, she and the woman behind her realized they had a mutual friend. Like you do in Memphis.