“Creative art is for all time and is therefore independent of time. It is of all ages, of every land, and if by this we mean the creative spirit in man which produces a picture or a statue is common to the whole civilized world, independent of age, race and nationality; the statement may stand unchallenged.”
-Alma Thomas, 1970

See my artist-in-residence? She’s genius isn’t she? I love this easel she got for Christmas. It entertains her when I can’t. I just put some finger paints in the tray and let her paint with my MAC brushes.  Yes, my expensive MAC brushes that I haven’t used in a while. I figured the prudent thing to do would be repurpose them. Besides, I don’t mind. I’m nurturing the next Alma Woodsey Thomas here!

I’m elated to have come across ToddlerToddler.com, a website with practical activities for Toddlers. No elaborate glue jobs, glorified messes, or ridiculous craft activities that sap up hours in the day, not to mention precious patience. Today we played Alphabet Bugs, and she LOVED hunting for all the bugs taped all over the apartment! Easy Peasy, this activity is a keeper.

“In the deserted harbour there is yet water that laps against the quays. In the dark and silent forest there is a leaf that falls. Behind the polished panelling the white ant eats away the wood. Nothing is ever quiet, except for fools.”

I deleted my Facebook account yesterday. It’s bittersweet, but I feel light and airy. Like a prisoner fresh out the pen, with nothing but the open road before me.  I taste freedom for the first time in a long time and imagine all the possibilities. Okay, that’s dramatic, but seriously, the spirits of procratination, comparison and voyeuristic gratification have lifted and I feel eerily light. For those who dare take the leap, the recidivism rate is high, but I’m unafraid of swimming against the tide.

Facebook is a great. I’ve been on it since junior year in college; when it was just for college students. Even then I was leery of this website that required me to log in, upload, and connect with loose acquaintances called friends. My BFF Antoinette signed me up.

My reasons for quitting Facebook are not lame ones like, “Facebook was taking up all my time,” or “my baby fell and broke her ankle because I couldn’t pull myself away from the blue and white screen.” No, my reasons are purely selfish. Most of my acquaintances on Facebook are in the same phase of life as I am, and its impossible not to look on and compare myself to others. When I got married, 500 others did too. When I had my first baby those same 500 people were in labor too, and while some might feel comraderie, I don’t. I like to be the star of my own show, and being bombarded with cute picures of friends’ catered baby showers, Potterybarn-type photos of gorgeously dressed kids, and glowing pregnant mothers make me feel inadequate, sometimes, but for the most part it chips away at the presence I should have with my own path, in this season of my life. Facebook has the weird ability to make my journey seem inauthentic (yes, my journey is not unique by any means, but it’s special to me, dammit) and I don’t like that. I like to feel in control of my decisions as a woman, a wife, a mother; guided by my own sense of values and experiences that make me feel good as I manage my family.

A tiny part of me worries that I’ll lose touch with “friends” and far-flung family. However the reality is there isn’t any connectedness with 90% of the friends on my account. I haven’t uploaded a new picture in months so I seriously doubt people are checking for me like that anyway. In fact, five months ago when I prematurely announced I was getting off Facebook, I deleted 20 of my 22 albums. I suspect I’m not the only one who feels this way, so why do we keep sacrificing simplicity for social norms? Why strive to maintain a social network for the sake of old highschool mates, college buddies and far removed family? Psyche! Hand me the scissors I’m trimming the fat!

Simplicity works everytime in obtaining clarity. This time is no different. The social pressure to perform (and document my performance) has been cut out of my life.

I searched everywhere for a calendar today. I went to the mall with my 3-foot sidekick in search of one of those calendar kiosks only to learn the chap had packed up his tent and left the day before. Wow. Who knew the calendar business evaporates 17 days into the new year? I guess the December rush for new year calendars should’ve been my clue.

I never got what the big deal was anyway. It’s not like the first two weeks in January is that hectic for folks. Maybe they knew something I didn’t.

Target had calendar dregs on clearance and I found something decent; a calendar kit. Oh no! The last thing I need is an annoying DIY calendar with 999 pieces! Stickers and what not. I was desparate, I bought it.

The surprising twist to this story is that plastering all these stickers to the dam thing proved to be quite enjoyable. If I’m in a better mood tomorrow I’ll let the munchkin get her kicks off with some adhesive fun too.

reading some books we got from the library full of beautiful brown babies…

…and reading some more. (Think she’ll be just as book-long as me)

Now we’re counting.

And the animals had a parade in my living room.

Start your healthiest year with a vegan meal. Sure, black eyed peas are traditional and vegan, but try something new. Maybe one day, one of my vegan eats will make it on here. In the mean time, it’s a VERY inspiring place.

www.findingvegan.com

I did it! I took the plunge and colored my hair. For two years I weighted the pros and cons, explored my options, and exhausted myself in justifying why I wanted to do this despite the dry brittle hair that comes with color processing. But I reason no more. Wanting something different every once in a while is a good enough reason for me.

I got a two-tone brick reddish-brown number. I’m happy with the results. My husband calls me ginger. And I glow in sun—in a good way.

I’m ready for 2012.

We had a candid conversation about a book we read called the Millionaire Next Door. It’s funny. Hope you enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making it. Perhaps it’ll inspire you to read the book. P.S. This is our first episode together, despite me mentioning that this was video number 2. Video 1 never made it to the web.