Tinker Toys

Simon and Vincent received a set of large Tinker Toys for the holidays. These are great toys; I remember building fabulous things with Tinker Toys as a kid. True to form, though, my in-laws never get quite the right thing. They found not regular Tinker Toys, but the jumbo ones, so we have Tinker Toys with wheels the size of saucers and foot-long sticks.

Anyways, Simon was just playing with them, putting wheels on what I thought where axles. No. He laid down on the floor on his back, put an axle/two wheel combination in each hand and started panting.

He made dumbbells for himself.

Swell

There is nothing quite like going to check on your precious children just before you are ready to collapse from exhaustion. The little faces, sound asleep, always look so angelic and it melts the heart no matter how tough the day was.

It is far less special to go check on them and find one covered in vomit after puking in his sleep. Such joy to clean up that up from the floor, wall, bed, bedclothes and child as the clock gets closer to midnight.

Can you tell which experience I had last night?

Oh, the joys of being a parent.

Good at this

I started doing yoga again recently. I have been doing a 25 minute daily video at home until I become a little more flexible again, then I will be going to the studio once more. Simon is all about doing yoga with me, just like Vincent used to enjoy doing Pilates. It is always fun to watch kids this age try to doing these positions.

The other day, Simon and I were doing our yoga, and he kept popping in and out until we got to the end. When the instructor announced "It is time for relaxation pose", Simon perked right up. "Oh," he said, "I'm good at this one."

Yes, the position that requires laying flat on your back without moving. He is good at that one.

Phenomenal Woman

By Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size   

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,   

The stride of my step,   

The curl of my lips.   

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,   

That’s me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,   

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.   

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.   

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes,   

And the flash of my teeth,   

The swing in my waist,   

And the joy in my feet.   

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered   

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can’t touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them,   

They say they still can’t see.   

I say,

It’s in the arch of my back,   

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Now you understand

Just why my head’s not bowed.   

I don’t shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.   

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It’s in the click of my heels,   

The bend of my hair,   

the palm of my hand,   

The need for my care.   

’Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

In the warmer months, I love to whip up a big salad to take to the office for lunch. Rip up a little lettuce and spinach, toss in a few walnuts and dried cranberries, chop up a hard boiled egg or a little meat left over from the night before if we have any, drizzle it all with a touch of vinaigrette. It is so easy to do, taking just a few minutes.

I am frequently dismayed, however, by how often people in the office say something like "Oh, that looks great. Where did you get it?"

The assumption is that I have bought a prepared salad. Why on earth? There are few things easier to make than a big salad, and it is such an inexpensive thing to throw together for lunch.

Make your own meals, people.