tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66984859428293508042024-03-29T02:12:22.432-07:00Tales of Minor Interest - SchmoopyBaby and MoreVarious ramblings about parenting, work, food, feminism, pregnancy loss and whatever else pops into my headShanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.comBlogger288125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-86642272874941216742012-11-09T07:00:00.000-08:002012-11-09T07:00:04.331-08:00The only chicken served in my vegetarian household<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Okay, that's not completely true. I've also made a chicken out of a cheese quesadilla. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsc5Hm9TzCJViglOLEO31zjRKAS3oXh430M6wWANNeXRmMol1Ov6zhr_aeOCPuKPmPkZ5-FEnpXdmPzJBrGgNG1AFqRH2XHLwPTQwhuNZWF_dttk6bawHas-lzbZeHH6lYiiWONpH0yW2X/s1600/vegan_chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsc5Hm9TzCJViglOLEO31zjRKAS3oXh430M6wWANNeXRmMol1Ov6zhr_aeOCPuKPmPkZ5-FEnpXdmPzJBrGgNG1AFqRH2XHLwPTQwhuNZWF_dttk6bawHas-lzbZeHH6lYiiWONpH0yW2X/s400/vegan_chicken.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I cut tofu into a large circle for the body and a small circle for the head, and fried it in teriyaki sauce. For the rest of the chicken I have carrots legs, raisin eyes, apple wings and beak, and a red pepper comb. The ground is made of quinoa with green pepper for grass and steamed broccoli shrubs.<br />
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The husband and I also had teriyaki tofu with quinoa and steamed broccoli, but our dinners weren't nearly as cute.<br />
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This gives me an idea of what I'll be serving to SchmoopyBoy on Thanksgiving ;)Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-83246432422152180752012-11-06T11:16:00.000-08:002012-11-06T11:16:13.190-08:00Halloween wrap-upHere's a closing to an eventful Halloween season. For a 'date afternoon' with SchmoopyBoy, we went for a hayride. I like to call this picture "SchmoopyBoy and a couple of asses" because I'm a dork like that, although his head is conveniently hiding one of the asses.<br />
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Of course the hayride would not be complete without a goofy overexposed self portrait, in which SchmoopyBoy makes one of his characteristic poses for the camera. </div>
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Later that week we carved a pumpkin. A cute happy pumpkin, not a scary one.</div>
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On Halloween night both kids got dressed up. Lil' Cowboy Schmoo kept me company while I handed out treats at home. Batman chose to see a movie over Trick or Treating, so the husband took him to see Hotel Transylvania. But, because we are super cool parents, he still came home to a bucket of treats.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why do you keep walking to the door? <br />Don't you know my reading my stories is serious biznis?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The caped crusader. Shh, don't tell anyone his true identity.</td></tr>
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<br />Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-30264080101284052252012-10-30T09:40:00.001-07:002012-10-30T09:40:40.824-07:00Ladies, voteYou Don't Own Me - a PSA from Leslie Gore.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XMxtbAP2cyU?rel=0" width="420"></iframe>Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-83241602481791991712012-10-25T16:30:00.000-07:002012-10-25T16:30:00.539-07:00What "Having It All" looks like in my life<br />
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In keeping with the theme of this month's <a href="http://themamafesto.wordpress.com/2012/10/01/submit-to-the-feminist-odyssey-blog-carnival-fifth-edition-having-it-all/">Feminist Odyssey Carnival</a>, today I am writing about what "Having It All" looks like in my life. I approach the concept of Having It All
from my particular set of circumstances, which include the facts that
(a) I work outside the home as the primary income earner in my family
(I am not in a formal leadership position but am respected as a
technical expert in my field), (b) I have a rather crunchy, AP-ish
style of parenting, and (c) my husband and I do not have a local “village” of
support. I would expect Having It All to look fairly
different for a woman with different circumstances.
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Given all that, this is what Having It
All looks like in my life:</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I am immersed in an imaginative
world almost every day, if even for a short while. Sometimes I get
to play the role of a dinosaur. Sometimes I get to play the role of
a superhero. Sometimes I get to play the role of a train, horse,
fairy or any other number of characters my preschooler can dream up.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I spend a good portion of my days
surrounded by really smart, motivated people that, like me, believe
in public service and sustainable resource management.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I get to exchange hugs and kisses
with two sweet little <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0IKkhzS-LDVzBPJfd8kLmZE5_CfPat2XmtT4IwZsH0QwL2wTCHaWtb2puKq4AegosBHRUuAsERPzyeuRrJmUck2A0PoKuERIQusHsytFaE9JXfkK6a-kFif-gcbrFnyXebbFHIF4KeGI/s1600/boysonchouch_v2.jpg">schmoos</a> every day.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I get to nerd out to my heart’s
content, studying data and figuring out how to better answer
questions and solve problems.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I get to be as silly as I can and
make up songs with the word “poo-poo” in them (yeah, I’m
juvenile like that).</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Several times each year, I get to
present information to representatives from 7 states and numerous
local and regional agencies. It instills a sense of pride to have my
organization’s confidence to present high level, high stakes
issues to key stakeholders.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I am challenged to be creative
with <a href="http://schmoopybaby.blogspot.com/2012/09/cucumber-fish-scales.html">food</a> in a way I never thought I would be.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I derive the personal and
professional satisfaction of being respected as a technical expert
in my field.</div>
</li>
</ul>
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Most of the time, Having It All looks
and feels pretty great. I am incredibly privileged and my life is
full to bursting with laughter and love and pride and accomplishment.
Sometimes it looks and feels like complete chaos, but I love that
there is seldom a dull moment. That does not mean that it is not
hard, or overwhelming or heartbreaking sometimes. This is also what
Having It All looks like in my life:</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My house is a mess. Always. Even
when it’s clean there are piles of clutter everywhere, and I simply do not have the time and
energy to change the average state of chaos.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sometimes, my last view of home
when I back my car out of the driveway in the morning is my baby
crying and reaching for me, trying to swim out of his father’s
arms because only mommy will do at that moment in time.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sometimes I have to turn down good
opportunities for interesting projects that would lead to better
exposure and relationships with my organization’s stakeholders –
which could lead to better advancement potential - because they
involve overnight travel; and with a breastfeeding baby that still
wakes multiple times per night and spends a good portion of the
night by my side, overnight travel just doesn’t fit into my life
right now. (Night weaning, I have my eye on you, but I'm not quite ready yet)</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I have heard my preschooler tell
me “I don’t love you when you leave”. I know that kids his age
can mix up words like “like” and “love”, and that he really
means “I don’t like it when you leave”, but still, <i>ouch</i>.
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When my group manager retires next
year, I will probably not be in the running for his replacement. I
will likely stand by and watch my (equally talented and deserving)
childless male coworker apply for and get the promotion, because I
will not be willing to take on the additional hours or travel
requirements at that time. It will be a bitter pill to swallow
because I do have ambition, but I will have to maintain hope that
there will be other opportunities for me at a later date, that my
time will come when my children’s need for my presence isn’t so
great.</div>
</li>
</ul>
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Having it all does not mean having
perfection (as if there were such a thing outside of fairy tales and
click-bait mommy-war articles). There are always trade-offs and choices to be made. I make the choices that I think work best for my circumstances and my family, knowing fully well that other women might make different choices and would judge me for my choices. And that is ok with me. Just as there is no single monolithic Woman, there is no single set of life choices that represent Every Woman's personal priorities. </div>
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And really, most of the time I am simply too busy, distracted, or exhausted to care. </div>
Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-83663228079951587352012-10-23T16:30:00.000-07:002012-10-23T21:51:10.405-07:00"Do You Have It All?" is the Wrong Question<br />
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I have deliberately stayed away from
the topic of Having It All during the past months. As you may be
aware, there were a number of well publicized articles in the media
discussing whether or not women could, or even should endeavor to
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/07/why-women-still-cant-have-it-all/309020/">“Have it All”</a>. At the time there were so many smart, articulate
women that wrote on the issue, many articulating my very thoughts on
the matter, that I simply left the discussion to their capable hands.
Nonetheless, the theme for this month’s <a href="http://themamafesto.wordpress.com/2012/10/01/submit-to-the-feminist-odyssey-blog-carnival-fifth-edition-having-it-all/">Feminist Odyssey Carnival</a>
is “Having It All” so I’ve been thinking a bit about the topic
lately. You might even see more than one post on the topic this
month.</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As I was thinking about the question
“Do I Have it All?” and what does that mean to me, it occurred to
me that the question that we are asking ourselves, I think, is all
wrong. The question is not “Do you have it all?” or even “Should
you have it all?” The question should be “Are you happy with what
you have?” If the answer to the last question is yes, then the
answer to the first question is also yes. The problem is that we are
up to our eyeballs in click-bait mommy-war articles that tell us that
unless we actually live in a perfect fairy tale world (as defined by
???) the answer to this basic fundamental question ought to be “No”.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There are lots of reasons why a woman
with a career may not have children. Some reasons are based on
choice, and <a href="http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1988/102588b.htm">some</a> are <a href="http://www.resolve.org/infertility-overview/what-is-infertility/frequently-asked-questions-about-infertility.html">not</a>. There are lots of reasons why a woman with
children may maintain a paid career. Some of those reasons are based
on choice and some are not.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I tend to think that if a stay-at-home
mom is happy and fulfilled and feels well balanced in her life, then
she has it all because she has everything she wants, or at least
everything she needs to be happy and fulfilled. Likewise if a
childless, career-driven woman is happy and fulfilled and feels well
balanced in her life, then she also has it all because she has
everything she wants, or at least everything she needs to be happy
and fulfilled.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6698485942829350804" name="_GoBack"></a>There is no exact
formula for having it all that equates for every woman all the time,
because there is no monolithic Woman. A woman should be skeptical of
anyone who tells her that she must have A and B and C but not D or
else she does not have it all and should feel disappointment with her
life.
</div>
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Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-53207495942380419312012-10-09T16:00:00.000-07:002012-10-09T16:00:02.579-07:00Weekend Wrap UpIt was a full weekend here at chez Schoopy. I had a 3 day weekend for Columbus Day, which was nice. On Saturday I took the schmoos to a local fall festival. SchmoopyBoy was hoping to get his face painted like Batman, but was pretty happy with the spider theme.<br />
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Bounce houses, a farmers market where we bought and snacked on the best, most sweet and delicious strawberries I've had all season, and a playground with a huge play train made for a great day. Of course I forgot the good camera at home, and Lil' Schmoo wouldn't stay still long enough for me to get a half decent picture on my crappy cell phone camera, so no pics of him with pumpkins or trains. boo.<br />
<br />
On Sunday, I had a special date with SchmoopyBoy. Just the two of us. We went to see the Batman Live show. In case I haven't mentioned previously, SchmoopyBoy is somewhat Batman obsessed these days. He has discovered the magical world of super heros and villains. Batman is his favorite. I thought the show was great! SchmoopyBoy thought it was a little too long and complained that the villains were "boring." (WTF?!?!?!?) At two hours including an intermission, it probably was a bit long for a 4 year old. And perhaps watching the villains stand around and plot against Batman wasn't the most exciting part of the show. But... Acrobats! The Batmobile! Batman and Robin! Cool stuff!!<br />
<br />
I was chatting with him at bedtime, and I realized that the main thing that was so special for him was that I spent the day with him. I don't need to spend a lot of money on tickets to shows to make him happy. The fact that he got to spend time alone with me and get my full attention made him feel special. The fact that he got to dress up like his favorite superhero, and see him in action was just icing on the cake.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6g4GYy2QcSmCEaC0S7lU5Ai6DktxPmaajdgghn7xzrN_D7hedpm1b2oUZ3FfEz7tk6cIJwRO83G_MfAnHi94NPmApa52sphjXTH3GqgIiOS-m9H3fLQPNPNOqv7D7q1Etik_osYvmph4/s1600/09-08-12_superdude2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6g4GYy2QcSmCEaC0S7lU5Ai6DktxPmaajdgghn7xzrN_D7hedpm1b2oUZ3FfEz7tk6cIJwRO83G_MfAnHi94NPmApa52sphjXTH3GqgIiOS-m9H3fLQPNPNOqv7D7q1Etik_osYvmph4/s320/09-08-12_superdude2.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My superdude strikes a pose</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4oWrDoNecInqwTJiQif8suDEG8wc1QntasLu1okEBglG2TwD5QFTwXfX34AyQ2TRTSRcP0QmxY-LvdmxxgUIVxLsJWorqXFEfm9beIZpS-HWTOIPoxUif26G8Bu6fftXAOB7GEdPeuN_/s1600/09-08-12_superdude1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4oWrDoNecInqwTJiQif8suDEG8wc1QntasLu1okEBglG2TwD5QFTwXfX34AyQ2TRTSRcP0QmxY-LvdmxxgUIVxLsJWorqXFEfm9beIZpS-HWTOIPoxUif26G8Bu6fftXAOB7GEdPeuN_/s320/09-08-12_superdude1.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even superheros need some time to just chill on the couch</td></tr>
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I was able to squeeze in some one-on-one time with Lil' Schmoo on Monday too. I'm going to try to make sure both kids get some decent one-on-one time with me this year. That was my Rosh Hashanah new year's resolution.<br />
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On Monday SchmoopyBoy got sick. It's just a cold, but still no fun. Hopefully no one else will catch it this time around.<br />
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Hope everyone had a good weekend!<br />
<br />Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-37232560664847416262012-09-25T16:30:00.000-07:002012-09-25T16:30:01.226-07:00Introducing the Scorpion LongtongueSchmoopyBoy first told me about the Scorpion Longtongue a few days ago. He had made a sculpture of it at preschool. Since I was unfamiliar with such a beast, I asked him about it. Here are a few details:<br />
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<ul>
<li>The scorpion longtongue is a big bug that eats scorpions.</li>
<li>It has no teeth.</li>
<li>It gets the scorpions with its long, sticky tongue.</li>
<li>Its tongue is as big as an elephant.</li>
<li>It makes a sound effect when it eats a scorpion that I cannot reproduce on this blog.</li>
</ul>
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I finally got to see a model Scorpion Longtongue today when I picked SchmoopyBoy up from preschool. Exhibit:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4LfJ30LEtZ0_4divVtv52BluDmEysqBuCPzvS6SDh6IT0gS2q3GWg0MCnRuiV8H0EbPVU8Zf1ixSVCnMvQOfuFKGeWe9g5yD07UC8sed8BS10u3PkUddzGYSzQRIOPsE18rQ5KOueixy/s1600/Scorpion+Longtongue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4LfJ30LEtZ0_4divVtv52BluDmEysqBuCPzvS6SDh6IT0gS2q3GWg0MCnRuiV8H0EbPVU8Zf1ixSVCnMvQOfuFKGeWe9g5yD07UC8sed8BS10u3PkUddzGYSzQRIOPsE18rQ5KOueixy/s400/Scorpion+Longtongue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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You might be wondering, how does he know about scorpions? Well, we've found two of the little suckers in our yard over the past month or so. (Eeek!!! Those things freak me out more than the black widow spiders that like to take up residence in these parts!) Pest control has been called. Unfortunately, their arsenal does not include any natural predators such as the dread Scorpion Longtongue.Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-45152110732428732902012-09-19T06:00:00.000-07:002012-09-19T06:00:04.320-07:00Wordless Wednesday - Brothers Playing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0IKkhzS-LDVzBPJfd8kLmZE5_CfPat2XmtT4IwZsH0QwL2wTCHaWtb2puKq4AegosBHRUuAsERPzyeuRrJmUck2A0PoKuERIQusHsytFaE9JXfkK6a-kFif-gcbrFnyXebbFHIF4KeGI/s1600/boysonchouch_v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0IKkhzS-LDVzBPJfd8kLmZE5_CfPat2XmtT4IwZsH0QwL2wTCHaWtb2puKq4AegosBHRUuAsERPzyeuRrJmUck2A0PoKuERIQusHsytFaE9JXfkK6a-kFif-gcbrFnyXebbFHIF4KeGI/s320/boysonchouch_v2.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7tGZ3OSj9Yj4_bXl_X7X4MBW7wzJm7A2N7UodvOtgYCsm-Xhm3rEPhHgVUOHe2tiVK48O8GrK0Pqz-bdyYuAH_M76AcN4pQFDygK8F234GTdU-bGG_3M0G-WzsocPcOYs2gCY8uAFv0p/s1600/cuteboys0812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7tGZ3OSj9Yj4_bXl_X7X4MBW7wzJm7A2N7UodvOtgYCsm-Xhm3rEPhHgVUOHe2tiVK48O8GrK0Pqz-bdyYuAH_M76AcN4pQFDygK8F234GTdU-bGG_3M0G-WzsocPcOYs2gCY8uAFv0p/s320/cuteboys0812.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just ignore the mess in the background, please?</td></tr>
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<br />Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-1834353613091660552012-09-14T06:00:00.000-07:002012-09-14T06:00:13.254-07:00Cucumber 'Fish Scales'I've been having a bit of fun using slices of cucumber as fish scales. Here are a couple of fun meals I've made for SchmoopBoy over the past few weeks.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6CR26O3HlDG7GeLd4voPUwNRnh4ABThiKn-RdLHLORi7wljzMTg51eAdPyiFB4liFS9oYsHl7Lw53bi2Ivu0Q5R3pXFQUT7x_YogrMFq3et_B_7cjfN3yYRU-BZlAxjm8M2RGlyQqQpR/s1600/mermaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6CR26O3HlDG7GeLd4voPUwNRnh4ABThiKn-RdLHLORi7wljzMTg51eAdPyiFB4liFS9oYsHl7Lw53bi2Ivu0Q5R3pXFQUT7x_YogrMFq3et_B_7cjfN3yYRU-BZlAxjm8M2RGlyQqQpR/s320/mermaid.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mermaid (or is it Medusa with that hair? ;)</td></tr>
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The mermaid's head and body is a freehand cutout from a slice of toast. Carrots make her top, as well as her hair. For the face there are raisin eyes, a red bell pepper mouth, and a small toast triangle nose. The tail, of course, is sliced cucumber.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivT6MOWyV9qGXupcRVIkmDIZMVjS_7XJS7jDRb92aGrr2YUdpYbKnq9nai0FLvQiZmMej2-dSLgcp69BiUE6GEneyP3i9wR_in0JoyPe7tndJ7nFSInI1LoXQzg-SeVux8u8L0tvvUlUZu/s1600/quesadilla_fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivT6MOWyV9qGXupcRVIkmDIZMVjS_7XJS7jDRb92aGrr2YUdpYbKnq9nai0FLvQiZmMej2-dSLgcp69BiUE6GEneyP3i9wR_in0JoyPe7tndJ7nFSInI1LoXQzg-SeVux8u8L0tvvUlUZu/s320/quesadilla_fish.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tropical Fish</td></tr>
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The fish body is a large slice off an apple, almost a half. The fins and tail are each thirds of a cheese quesadilla. A carrot slice is the eye, and a grape tomato cut in half forms the mouth. I only made cucumber scales for the tail this time.Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-11863334758160863052012-09-11T22:13:00.003-07:002012-09-11T22:13:31.948-07:00EarmaggedonIt is Earmaggedon over at Chez Schmoopy at the moment. Poor Lil' Schmoo has the ear infection to end all ear infections and he is one miserable little schmoo. Complete with fever of 103, three hours of nonstop inconsolable crying with refusal to nurse yesterday, and virtually no daytime naps for the past 3 days. Night time is not even worth describing. Oh, and did I mention he also has two teeth cutting through at the moment?<br />
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The one saving grace is that no one else in the house is sick, although I'm sure the moment I hit "Publish" SchmoopyBoy and the husband will both come down with the flu. <br />
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How am I? Haven't slept in 3 days. Haven't showered in 5 days. Barely ate today. But, I'm still standing (well, ok, at the moment I'm actually sitting). Feeling a bit sucked dry, but I just keep repeating to myself "This too shall end." <br />
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Going to bed now, since it's about time for the little guy to wake up again. Plus I have a big meeting tomorrow for which I need to appear presentable and functional (ha ha). Wish me luck!Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-23488980153243621812012-09-09T06:30:00.000-07:002012-09-09T06:30:02.735-07:00Entertaining ourselves......with self portraits. SchmopyBoy has been really into taking pictures lately. Here are some self portraits I've taken of myself with him and Lil' Schmoo over the last week.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRG9ArbaiTHDisEAt2wHr1wkXTU4V55zLQ8AVf4uIwmCl3XjG-iXp5nHNVhGOybodfoTuXflFkzesEqjath4fGFJWrIsfNAf4PRza4NDQsK0HfuTBvPG_jWwBuBrQI5PQhAbtAZLO401L/s1600/090112_mnj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRG9ArbaiTHDisEAt2wHr1wkXTU4V55zLQ8AVf4uIwmCl3XjG-iXp5nHNVhGOybodfoTuXflFkzesEqjath4fGFJWrIsfNAf4PRza4NDQsK0HfuTBvPG_jWwBuBrQI5PQhAbtAZLO401L/s320/090112_mnj.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
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<br />Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-7273484369563537362012-09-06T22:20:00.001-07:002012-09-06T22:20:24.890-07:00It's planting season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTb_auAs6bNAOPCECW3TXZLsRbZOGpLjTZ9NZ3tr5e8yflIT79RaNUY4Tx09TLntJ7zX0SLlCU3BU-JIGVJ_tukET3fKt3r6HMBOqmTsUHM6FuCKfC9gzYPoKQUYFZs2Eu81p7uzcag4bs/s1600/planting_0812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTb_auAs6bNAOPCECW3TXZLsRbZOGpLjTZ9NZ3tr5e8yflIT79RaNUY4Tx09TLntJ7zX0SLlCU3BU-JIGVJ_tukET3fKt3r6HMBOqmTsUHM6FuCKfC9gzYPoKQUYFZs2Eu81p7uzcag4bs/s320/planting_0812.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
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So far we've planted carrots and chard. We've still got several more planters, and I think we'll be putting in some spinach, broccoli, and cauliflower. Hopefully our crop will turn out a little better than last year's. Probably the soil we had was not quite right - everything sprouted, but then it just stopped growing after a while.<br />
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<br />Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-38818390276536690732012-09-02T06:00:00.000-07:002012-09-02T06:00:05.042-07:00Quesadilla Butterfly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwEYj4mtgXVyMw_PjabfTnMQTv2StVDvyldJvW9-SKqEGiZOehCgvssPvJtV02EyGBgdiF9I-C9wD7xts4sn5Ql7U1eOKjU05T4e5ArsLbiwAJhXu2FMZKmh_tnzWZbnd-uAWZxE7Oe9Q/s1600/butterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwEYj4mtgXVyMw_PjabfTnMQTv2StVDvyldJvW9-SKqEGiZOehCgvssPvJtV02EyGBgdiF9I-C9wD7xts4sn5Ql7U1eOKjU05T4e5ArsLbiwAJhXu2FMZKmh_tnzWZbnd-uAWZxE7Oe9Q/s320/butterfly.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This is so easy to make and made SchmoopyBoy happy. I just cut a cheese quesadilla in half, and then cut the two halves into sections for the wings - about two thirds for the top wing and about one third for the bottom wing. Cut the peel off a slice of cucumber in two pieces for the antennae. The peeled slice of cucumber can then be used, along with slices of carrot, to decorate the wings. One more baby carrot for the body and voila! You could get fancy and make a face on the butterfly. I'll try that next time.Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-83289831538795270782012-08-31T06:00:00.001-07:002012-08-31T06:00:00.389-07:00Fighting the Preschool Gender Police Good Heavens, the gender policing starts early! What kills me is the extent to which it is done by the kids themselves - and I'm talking about preschoolers here. SchmoopyBoy was once told by one of the little girls in his class that he could play with her and another girl later but now they were doing "girl stuff". Another time a little boy told my husband, as he applied sunscreen to SchmoopyBoy's face, that he shouldn't use that sunscreen, that it was for girls, because there was a picture of a sun on the container that looked feminine to him. The last straw came one day when I was picking up SchmoopyBoy from school, and he wanted a story before we left. I started to read an I Spy book from the class collection. One of the little girls joined us. On one page the book read "I spy ballet slippers" and as we scanned the page for the ballet slippers the little girl said "That is for girls."<br />
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I could not let that go. I had to correct her. "Actually, boys dance ballet too. They wear different shoes than girls, but ballet is for both girls and boys."<br />
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The next time I came to pick SchmoopyBoy up, I made a point of bringing in a picture of myself and a male dancer from back in my younger ballet dancing days. I searched out the girl and showed her that there was both a girl and a boy ballet dancer, but they were wearing different ballet slippers. Needless to say, once it got out that I had a picture of ballet dancers, everybody in the class wanted to see it - both the girls and the boys. So all the kids in the class got a lesson that day.<br />
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The teacher was thrilled. I had spoken with her before about my concerns about how gender was or was not presented and enforced in the class. I do believe we are on the same page, but the children bring the ideas to class that they have learned at home. When she hears something like what I described above, she addresses it, but she can't always hear everything. She mentioned she would love to have pictures of girls and boys doing things associated primarily with one or the other gender, similar to the photo I brought in, so I volunteered to provide her with some. I sent her:<br />
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pictures of <a href="http://www.abt.org/gallery/detail.asp?Gallery_ID=18">male and female ballet dancers</a>,<br />
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pictures of a <a href="http://c498390.r90.cf2.rackcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/ap8107290184.jpg">princess and a prince</a>,<br />
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pictures of <a href="http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumblarge_513/1276616919de2h6x.jpg">male and female doctors</a>,<br />
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pictures of <a href="http://www.parabolicarc.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/mike-massimino-nasa-astronaut.jpg">male</a> and <a href="http://www.bittenandbound.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/heidemarie-stefanyshyn-piper-naval-officer-and-astronaut.jpg">female</a> <a href="http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/behindthescenes/training/hires/jsc2004e21446.jpg">astronauts</a>,<br />
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pictures of <a href="http://www.essence.com/sites/default/files/images/2011/06/03/black-male-teacher-260-400x295.jpg">male</a> and <a href="http://sciweekly4kids.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/im_teachers_portal.jpg?w=630">female</a> teachers, and<br />
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pictures of <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwadFAUBNksYp9L6fXXTS_R9ZmWfvFedgICqsnNPCeeizQTuNIN50bMel6XXKqB9kxqIAhCP8dCFSUbIuqGwRuTzPapMtwLd8T76M6ZUQWap43T-AaKydFMo1ae0fzfs875f3FrAFST0Q/s1600/two-police-officers.jpg">male</a> and <a href="http://www.rockymountnc.gov/police/images/careers2.jpg">female</a> police officers.<br />
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She sent me a note of appreciation:<br />
<i>I appreciate your taking time to find the pictures for me. As teachers, we have many ideas we would like to do but don't have the time. We can use the pictures in many different ways. Thank you for also finding not just male/female pictures but also pictures that had people of different ethnicities and ages.</i><br />
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Yes, the different ethnicities, that too was no accident. All children, be they male or female, regardless of their heritage, should be able to see representations of themselves. I think it is important for children to be told "You can be anything you want when you grown up" and also see examples of people who look like them who have accomplished their goals - to perhaps see a future version of themselves in these representations.<br />
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I would like to think that I have helped plant a seed of thought in that little girl, and possibly other kids in the class. They responded so positively to the one ballet picture I brought in. I don't know how the teacher is using the other pictures I sent her. Hopefully the children will respond positively when they see those pictures as well.Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-25512477161612768122012-08-28T09:38:00.000-07:002012-08-28T09:38:18.499-07:00How Not to avoid talking water policy with a preschooler
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As you know, SchmoopyBoy
is fascinated with poop. Recently, his interest
has taken a scientific turn. He now knows that food goes into our
stomachs when we swallow, and comes out as poop. Even more recently,
he asked what happens to the poop after it goes into the toilet.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Keeping in mind he is four years old, I
tried to keep the explanation at his level. I should also note that
he is at the stage of “Why?” Virtually every statement that comes
out of my mouth is followed by SchmoopyBoy asking Why? So, with that
in mind, here is approximately how the explanation went.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Me: The poop and the water go down the
drain when you flush. Then it goes to pipes underground, to the water
treatment plant.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
SchmoopyBoy: Why does it go down the
drain?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Me: To get to the pipes.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
SchmoopyBoy: Why are the pipes
underground?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Me: Because if they were above ground
it would be really stinky.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
SchmoopyBoy: Where is the water
treatment plant?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Me: On the other side of town.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
SchmoopyBoy: Why?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Me: Because that is where the clean
water gets put back into the wash, and back to the lake.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
SchmoopyBoy: Why is it clean water?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Me: The water gets cleaned at the water
treatment plant.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
SchmoopyBoy: Why?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Me: The water is dirty. It has poop and
pee in it. It needs to be cleaned. Then the clean water goes back to
the lake.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
SchmoopyBoy: Why?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
You can see how these conversations go.
So the other day we were at Target and SchmoopyBoy needs to use the
bathroom. I took him into the bathroom and he wants more information
on how poop and pee are processed at the Target bathroom. He asks if
his pee and the water in the toilet are going into pipes. I confirm
that indeed they are. He asks if the pipes are underground. I confirm
that indeed they are. He again asks why, and I again explain that if
poop and pee water went across town over ground it would stink and it
would be dangerous because there is bacteria in poop and pee that
could make people sick. He continues his line of questioning, but
then really wants to know about the treatment plant and the clean
water coming out of the treatment plant. He really wants to know why
the clean water is returned to the lake.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
At this point people in the restroom
are beginning to snicker at us – this preschooler barraging his
mother with questions about poop and water treatment plants and why is the treatment plant on the other side of town and why
does the water go to the lake, and on and on and on… <i>why? why?
why?</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
All this time I’m thinking to myself, He’s four. Keep it age appropriate. Do not start talking about
water policy. Do not utter the words “<a href="http://www.snwa.com/consv/goals_consumptive.html">consumptive use</a>” or “<a href="http://www.snwa.com/ws/reclaimed_returnflow.html">return flow credits</a>”. But alas, at this point I’m getting flustered and I'm so accustomed to talking about water related issues with adults in a professional setting that I can't think of how to answer his questions in terms a preschooler can
understand, so what comes out of my mouth? The words “consumptive
use” of course. I’m mumbling something incoherent about how we
divert water from the lake, use what we need, and then return the
rest to the lake after it gets cleaned at the treatment plant. And of
course he keeps asking <i>why?</i> because I’m so incoherent and
I’m using words like “divert” and “consumptive use” and for
crying out loud the child is only four so what the heck does all this
mean, and finally a woman who was trying so hard not to laugh just
said to him “Because otherwise we would run out of water” and at
last the conversation was over (for the time being) and we could
return to our shopping in peace. Thank you, kind woman, for summing everything up so succinctly.</div>
Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-79858730446526910582012-08-23T12:30:00.000-07:002012-08-23T12:30:01.500-07:00You Are My Sunshine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2OH5YCcHOvkFoCDL0IaSUtM6KcrlGZEYIVaqsUgpMObU_wpD6Hwd5PP6Fv8JSq1YpZBXWGq1x9m3vB6DoeD0I8FQW1ske6eU7-C5i_VwAu-F7NUIAQnd90bFiNJvPae4rPuf2mgItb4U/s1600/sun2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2OH5YCcHOvkFoCDL0IaSUtM6KcrlGZEYIVaqsUgpMObU_wpD6Hwd5PP6Fv8JSq1YpZBXWGq1x9m3vB6DoeD0I8FQW1ske6eU7-C5i_VwAu-F7NUIAQnd90bFiNJvPae4rPuf2mgItb4U/s320/sun2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I was inspired by <a href="http://www.canadianfamily.ca/2012/07/cute-lunch-idea-you-are-my-sunshine/">this sunshine sandwich</a>, so I offered SchmoopyBoy a sun for dinner. He took me up on the offer but said he wanted toast, banana, and peas. So, I had to abandon, to some extent, my original intention and create an edible sun from the requested materials.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
I used a large glass as my circle template to cut the toast and a slice of muenster cheese. The face is made of freehand cutouts (obviously) from a slice of American cheese. (I think the face looks like a Halloween jack-o-lantern, which makes me hang my head.) For the sun rays I sliced the banana length-wise and in about 1-inch sections. Then I cut the corners off one side of each section to make them a little more pointy and surrounded the toast. I couldn't think of anything to do with the peas so I just split them in half and arranged them in a circle for a decorative border. So sad.<br />
<br />
Simple. I can do simple. A professional I most certainly am not, but it turned out cute enough to make my kid happy and get him fed, so Yay for trying!Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-2107605756301635982012-08-21T21:27:00.000-07:002012-08-23T22:01:06.284-07:00My family. I love them, but they're an odd bunch.I just got back a couple of days ago from visiting my mother and sister in California. One night, as I was bathing Lil' Schmoo in preparation for bedtime, I overheard the following exchange.<br />
<br />
SchmoopyBoy: Auntie, I want you to brush my teeth.<br />
<br />
Auntie: (something about showing her what a big boy he is and brushing his own teeth…blah blah...)<br />
<br />
SchmoopyBoy: You have really big boobies.<br />
<br />
Auntie: Yes, I do. Thank you for noticing.<br />
<br />
Husband: (turning red, muttering) I think I'll leave the room now.<br />
<br />
Auntie: (to SchmoopyBoy) When you get older if I'm still single you can tell your friends that.<br />
<br />
…<br />
<br />
<br />
So the other night after dinner I bring it up and start to explain how that sort of interaction isn't polite. The husband tried to help make the point, and then things just got weird.<br />
<br />
Me: You can get away with that now because you are four, but as you get older it will be considered 'bad form' to make comments about the size of a woman's boobies.<br />
<br />
Husband: Really, you shouldn't make comments about any part of a woman's body. You can't just walk up to someone and say '<i>You have a nose like a casaba melon!</i>' or you'll be in a world of hurt.<br />
…<br />
<br />
Seriously, where do I find these people?<br />
<br />
<br />Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-14111391724465184992012-08-07T16:30:00.000-07:002012-08-07T16:30:01.566-07:00Operation Increase Recipe RepertoireI've started a new initiative at home. I've been getting a bit bored and stale with my current repertoire of go-to dinner meals. I've got a ridiculous number of cook books that hadn't been getting much use. So, I decided that I was going to try at east one new recipe a week from one of my many cook books. I was planning on turning each trial into a blog post, complete with pictures and reviews. You can see where that went. Nowhere, fast.<br />
<br />
Nonetheless I am pleased to say that after almost a month, I do have a couple new recipes that I will be happy to turn to again and again.<br />
<br />
The Chickpea Cutlets in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Veganomicon-The-Ultimate-Vegan-Cookbook/dp/156924264X">Veganomicon</a> are yummy and fun to make with SchmoopyBoy's assistance. As fantastic as the food in this cookbook is, I haven't been using it much recently only because many of the recipes are very labor and time intensive. The chickpea cutlets recipe is really quite easy and fast. I've made them twice. On a related note, there are two recipes for vegan ricotta in Veganomicon. They are both fabulous. I used the almond based ricotta recipe in a lasagna a couple weeks ago, which turned out delicious! The next time I make it I'll try to remember to take pictures and post the recipe.<br />
<br />
Also, the Seitan and Mushroom Stroganoff in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Vittles-Inspired-Critters-Sanctuary/dp/1570670250">Vegan Vittles</a> is fantastic. I understand this cookbook is out of print, but you can get a copy used from Amazon. I got my copy as a gift from a co-worker just before Lil' Schmoo was born. nom nom nom, so good.<br />
<br />
Last weekend the husband broke down and bought a Vitamix. We got it for 20% off (which equates to a discount of $100, these things aren't cheap). It is actual great purchase, we use that thing every day. Seriously. Every day. But then again we used our old blender virtually every day too. What can I say, we like smoothies in our household. Anyway, the Vitamix came with its own recipe book and I've tried a few recipes, including Blueberry Soy Sherbet. What fun to make our own sorbet and sherbet! The recipe in the book was actually for peach soy sherbet, but we didn't have any frozen peaches, just frozen blueberries and frozen strawberries. The recipe said you can substitute any kind of frozen fruit, and SchmoopyBoy chose blueberry, so there you go.<br />
<br />
I'll try to update our recipe expanding adventures again soon. Until then, happy eating!<br />
<br />Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-3146603935754797792012-07-31T15:35:00.002-07:002012-07-31T15:35:20.045-07:00Adding to my breastfeeding while working checklistWell, it seems I can't go a year of pumping while working without an embarrassing incident. During SchmoopyBoy's first year, while pumping in a room with a non-locking door, I got walked in on by no other than the Division Chief. As delightful as that was (NOT), it did provide me with <a href="http://schmoopybaby.blogspot.com/2010/05/making-difference-for-mamas.html">a golden opportunity</a>, and in our new building, I now have a dedicated pumping room, which IS totally awesome.<br />
<br />
Now, I've mentioned before that Lil' Schmoo is <a href="http://schmoopybaby.blogspot.com/2012/05/problem-with-dad.html">not the greatest sleeper in the early mornings </a>while I'm trying to get ready for work, so I typically have lots of opportunities to nurse until I am 'empty' before I leave for the day. On Monday, however, he slept uncharacteristically soundly. This was certainly convenient as I got ready, but I did leave feeling a bit more 'full' than usual. Monday mornings are super busy at my office - reports to create and review, weekly staff meetings, etc. I made my way to pump at the usual time, and when I looked down to unbutton my shirt I noticed a sizable wet milk mark on the front. I hadn't noticed feeling a milk letdown, so <i>I have absolutely no idea how long I had been walking around like that</i>. I should also mention that I am the only woman in my work group. And did I mention the weekly Monday morning staff meeting? <br />
<br />
When I finished pumping I washed the front of my shirt, which resulted in nearly half my shirt being wet. I thought I was going to have put on the spare jacket I keep at my desk to cover myself for the rest of the day, which, considering how warm it's been in the office, I really wasn't looking forward to. Fortunately it's a dry heat and the fabric of my shirt dried quickly - no more embarrassing milk mark - thank goodness.<br />
<br />
So let's see my breastfeeding while working checklist:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Get walked in on while pumping - <i>Check!</i></li>
<li>Pump on the floor of a bathroom stall and have someone call out "What's that noise?" - <i>Check!</i></li>
<li>Pump in the car in a Costco parking lot just before an offsite meeting because it was around the corner and seemed to be the most discreet location in the vicinity, and hope no one notices -<i> Check!</i></li>
<li>Walk around the office clueless that I've got milk leaking onto my shirt - <i>Check!</i></li>
</ul>
<br />
Ah, the things we go through for our babies!<br />
<br />
Do you have any embarrassing stories to tell about breastfeeding or pumping? Let me know in the comments and we can commiserate together!<br />
<br />
<br />
***<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/celebrate-world-breastfeeding-week-2012/"><img alt="celebrate world breastfeeding week on npn" height="133" src="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/celebrate-wbw-npn-2012.jpg" title="Celebrate WBW with NPN!" width="450" /></a></div>
<strong>I'm celebrating World Breastfeeding Week with <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/celebrate-world-breastfeeding-week-2012/" target="_blank">Natural Parents Network</a>!</strong><br />
You can, too — link up your breastfeeding posts from August 1-7 in the linky below, and enjoy reading, commenting on, and sharing the posts collected here and on <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/" target="_blank">Natural Parents Network</a>.<br />
<script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=156021" type="text/javascript">
</script><br />
(Visit <a href="http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/celebrate-world-breastfeeding-week-2012/" target="_blank">NPN</a> for the code to place on your blog.)Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-44533077910604258652012-07-19T10:00:00.000-07:002012-07-20T07:46:24.532-07:0010 months of smiles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I can't believe he's already 10 months old! Such a delightful baby. Makes friends with people wherever he goes. I'm constantly getting comments about how happy and cheerful and playful he is. So true.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflZOaPtBQHgjRVl8nhVPVPj9V_2rdd-NQ308Pgfnjj7F12FZsyHUb8nqTlTNi075Z7QYppENXsg_8uVAVnluvshjY9qB-XH-l3fUcoCUbV5s9MtG9ShHrMucSnuhWWb_DDfOt2xHZQB_k/s1600/IMG_7042b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflZOaPtBQHgjRVl8nhVPVPj9V_2rdd-NQ308Pgfnjj7F12FZsyHUb8nqTlTNi075Z7QYppENXsg_8uVAVnluvshjY9qB-XH-l3fUcoCUbV5s9MtG9ShHrMucSnuhWWb_DDfOt2xHZQB_k/s400/IMG_7042b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahh, the grin I've come to know and love</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-s3cXsajm5Of1pb3g3Mt1lIJNJKzrtX9AWj00sLskWDtsj5DbXzCIsNZu-CGnyuxQ1M4aWgfg4NyUrTgdeuu3wW2uDqijfDVRet0RL_0nz78Bj35mgp-MuGRbNNX-AkXhREmoSa_24HW/s1600/IMG_7023c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-s3cXsajm5Of1pb3g3Mt1lIJNJKzrtX9AWj00sLskWDtsj5DbXzCIsNZu-CGnyuxQ1M4aWgfg4NyUrTgdeuu3wW2uDqijfDVRet0RL_0nz78Bj35mgp-MuGRbNNX-AkXhREmoSa_24HW/s400/IMG_7023c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming to get you!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-48578963176227278042012-07-18T11:14:00.000-07:002012-07-26T13:58:20.191-07:00The Love and Joy of All My BabiesI recently discovered a 1952 nonfiction film called <a href="http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/all_my_babies_a_midwifes_own_story">All My Babies: A Midwife's Own Story</a>. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it, I really loved this film. It is a beautiful, touching, and instructive view into what it was like for black women in rural Georgia to birth their babies in the early 1950s. Less than an hour long, it was sponsored by the Georgia Department of Public Health and, according to the synopsis, <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
shows the preparation for and home delivery of healthy babies in both relatively good and bad rural conditions among black families at that time. The film is in addition both a deeply respectful portrait of "Miss Mary" (the featured midwife) who is revealed as an inspiring human being and a record of the actual living conditions of her patients.</blockquote>
There is so much love and so much joy in this film! And the one live birth that is captured on film – so peaceful, so beautiful. This mother is a woman of relatively good socio-economic status, as evidenced by her modern home, new shoes, and live-in housekeeper. She has successfully birthed two children already, and she is confident, calm, and quiet during her labor and delivery. Such an inspiring birth to watch. (I birthed my children in a hospital with a doctor, a choice I have no regrets about making. I chose to forego any pain medication and birth my babies as naturally as possible, and I can tell you I was not nearly so calm or quiet during either of my births as this mother was – not by a long shot.)<br />
<br />
There is some fear and grief depicted. The other mother lives in very poor conditions and has little emotional or physical support. This is her second pregnancy – the first resulted in a stillbirth, and it is apparent that neither she nor her husband have recovered from the devastating loss. This mother has no confidence – she cannot get motivated to eat properly or start collecting the items she will need for the birth and the baby – she assumes this baby will also die. The baby is born premature, but healthy. It is a relief to see this mother four months postpardum looking healthy and stable, coming into her own as a mother. The baby is thriving and the father is so delighted with his young son he can hardly stand it. Although this father presents an unsympathetic character earlier in the film, with his anxiety and apparent lack of support for his wife, he expresses so much joy for his baby.<br />
<br />
Which brings me to the portrayal of men in this film. Men are absent from much of the footage, but they are present in the background. There is the white male doctor at the clinic that the midwife takes her clients to see (this is 1952, let’s not forget). Then there are the fathers – waiting outside while their wives labor in their bedrooms, taking care of older children or chopping wood to keep the fire going so that water can be heated and instruments can be sanitized. In this world, although they certainly share in the joy of their new babies, the men have a supportive role. This is ultimately a film for and about women. Women birthing babies. Women attending to them. Strong women. Capable women. Loving women. Supportive women. Joyful women.<br />
<br />
In a film like this, race must also be mentioned. This film specifically shows black midwives attending to the home births of black women. There is no indication that white women in the same area during the same time period gave birth in similar circumstances (at home, attended by a midwife). Also, the two white people in the film – the white male doctor and his white female assistant at the health department clinic – are people with obvious power and status. The white female assistant instructs the pregnant women on nutrition, and helps deliver and set up the incubator in the poor household in which the premature baby is born. It is clear that these two individuals have social status and power, and while relations between them and the midwives and families are polite and professional, there is a palpable dynamic between them.<br />
<br />
You can watch All My Babies at <a href="http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/all_my_babies_a_midwifes_own_story">SnagFilms.com</a>. If you want to learn something about natural childbirth, learn about birthing practices in a particular time and place (this film was selected in 2002 by the Librarian of Congress as a "culturally historically and artistically significant work" for permanent preservation in the National Film Registry) or just see an inspiring, beautiful film celebrating love, joy, midwifery, and babies, I highly recommend you go check it out.<br />
<br />
********************************<br />
This post was submitted as an entry in the <a href="http://smallstrokesbigoaks.com/feminist-odyssey-blog-carnival/">Feminist Odyssey Blog Carnival</a>. You can find links to the other entries <a href="http://carrie-nelson.tumblr.com/post/27977311182/feminist-odyssey-blog-carnival-second-edition">here</a>. Check it out!Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-61342265491714515972012-07-17T14:32:00.000-07:002012-07-17T14:32:19.992-07:00The voice of a young woman on leadershipForbes recently published an essay by a 19-year old undergraduate student on <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/deniserestauri/2012/07/16/why-millennial-women-do-not-want-to-lead/">why Millennial women don't want to lead</a>. I don't interact with many women in this age group these days, so it was an interesting perspective.<br />
<br />
Her conclusion:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
Ultimately, women equate leadership with perfection in a way that men don’t…</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
So, why don’t women want to lead? The answer is in the pages of the magazines we read and now even in the news coverage of the political debates we watch, which promote cultural standards that destroy women’s confidence and prescribe unattainable standards in all areas of our lives. In order for women to lead – for women to want to lead, to feel that we are capable of leading – we need to redefine leadership altogether. We need to define leadership not as perfection but as intelligence, honesty and doing the right thing. It is also essential that we question and change a society that sets the standard for achievement impossibly high for women and upsettingly low for men. </blockquote>
I find it a bit problematic that this young woman appears to confuse leadership with political power, a very specific type of leadership. At age 19, she is a published author and the founder of The <a href="http://FBomb.org/">FBomb.org</a>, which describes itself as "a blog/community created by and for teenage girls who care about their rights as women and want to be heard." In other words, she already is a leader. White women are the biggest beneficiaries of affirmative action when considering management positions in the U.S. and it is difficult to believe that this trend will reverse in the coming decades. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Nonetheless I find her link between the acquisition of perceived physical perfection and perfect life balance with the acquisition of leadership relevant. Additionally, I agree with the premise that the role of media in sending harmful messages to girls cannot be understated. I highly recommend you go to <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/deniserestauri/2012/07/16/why-millennial-women-do-not-want-to-lead/">Forbes</a> to read the full article.<br /><div>
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</div>Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-151471735981524952012-07-09T06:30:00.000-07:002012-07-09T06:30:00.096-07:00Breakfast Robot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7drQhT4YTuQHyGvLDqsjzEC_N1Je2wQqL-6Te5D7nNpiREyzvegKwP-GSi-8AziOOUe3jjqZWMWX9kh6hmTmSUJ_bUhtYFut8gRRJP8GGikjBmKBo20nHLL2VZuEd0b83FtG84b148uil/s1600/IMG_6995s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7drQhT4YTuQHyGvLDqsjzEC_N1Je2wQqL-6Te5D7nNpiREyzvegKwP-GSi-8AziOOUe3jjqZWMWX9kh6hmTmSUJ_bUhtYFut8gRRJP8GGikjBmKBo20nHLL2VZuEd0b83FtG84b148uil/s400/IMG_6995s.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Robot toast with apricot head and strawberry eyes and buttons.</div>Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-59693365211926140842012-07-07T07:00:00.000-07:002012-07-07T07:00:01.995-07:00Trip to CaliforniaThese pictures are from a family trip we took back at Memorial Day weekend to celebrate SchmoopyBoy's birthday and my sister's birthday. Better late than never?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why is Daddy hiding behind the baby?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59UBaPUALPOdx3GMBZJjNbfQP6Id27Kg1DqiB_xw1Y7FxGdZZeQq0x5rxKWLIPgryVfSVQRZWRYtpsTkQWyDUNgNyyM38LSwHkzoXFAbKVG2ldy8haCjE_exEQwd6YhwdyIfAUDndn1tA/s1600/IMG_6970_auntiebeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59UBaPUALPOdx3GMBZJjNbfQP6Id27Kg1DqiB_xw1Y7FxGdZZeQq0x5rxKWLIPgryVfSVQRZWRYtpsTkQWyDUNgNyyM38LSwHkzoXFAbKVG2ldy8haCjE_exEQwd6YhwdyIfAUDndn1tA/s400/IMG_6970_auntiebeach.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun and silliness with Auntie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">loving the swing (but where did he get those goofy sunglasses?)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teething much? (Grandma's toys are nommy)</td></tr>
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<br />Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698485942829350804.post-31934588538426207722012-07-05T10:52:00.004-07:002012-07-05T10:52:51.796-07:00Step away from the dog bowl...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...and no one gets hurt.</div>
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<br />Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14199297800734686869noreply@blogger.com0