Looney Luna Lovegood is Full of Awesome

Luna Lovegood is a character in the Harry Potter series who marches to the beat of her own drum and comes off a bit daft at times.  I grew to like her through the books, but Evanna Lynch's performance (and story) made me love her through the movies.

I Luna

Lately, my 2-year-old has become obsessed with Luna.  I don't know where it started (although I suspect her big sisters and brother listening to Harry and the Potters' "Luna Lovegood Is OK" on repeat had a wee bit to do with it).  Every chance she gets, she puts on her sunglasses, grabs any wand-like instrument in her vicinity (be it knitting needle, paint brush, or insanely noisy plastic wand [Thanks a lot, mom]), casts spells and demands that either, she IS Luna or that she wants to meet her.



Now, I agree that Luna's cool and all, but I admit that the toddler's obsession has left me a bit baffled.  Most kids her age love Elmo, Winnie the Pooh, Caillou (G-d save us all from his unending whininess), Thomas the Tank Engine or the cast of Yo Gabba Gabba.  Why is my youngest so enamored with Luna Lovegood?  What on earth should I make of it all?

Recently, there's been a resurgence in sharing this post from Pigtail Pals and suddenly, a light bulb appeared over my head (or perhaps the 9-year-olds yelled, "Lumos" and aimed their wands in my general direction [The younger of my 9-year-olds {who was Luna for Purim} would like me to pause and point out that for the sake of accuracy, neither of my twins can actually have a "real" wand because they're 2 years shy of the required age]).

Luna wakes up full of awesome every day.  That article celebrates the fact that 5-year-old Amelia loves herself--celebrates herself just like many other young children do (my toddler included) without sacrificing her strength, her beauty, or her brilliance to anyone else.  The vast majority of girls don't make it through adolescence with that intact.  There are few (if any) depictions of older characters who feel that way; who simply ARE without restraints.

Hebrew school bound

In this family, we try to raise our children to be themselves and not let others force them into society's preconceived notions.  This often leaves them the odd ones out when they follow their hearts and go against the norm.   My oldest headed to Hebrew school in a getup designed, not by fashion magazined geared towards tweens, but by her own likes and desires.  My big two were the only girls in their karate class.  My son's favorite color was pink for the longest time.  Whereas some of their female friends absolutely refuse to get dirty because it's not "Pretty," my kids run out in the yard to roll around in the mud.
 

Muddy & loving it

My 2-year-old insists on wearing her clothes backwards.  Yes, it's intentional.  Yes, it's odd.  My 2-year-old has her own obsessions which are very different from other kids her age.  My 2-year-old is awesome (as are her siblings).

Luna Lovegood is looney.  Luna Lovegood is out there.  Luna Lovegood is certainly not a red fuzzy monster singing repetitive obnoxious songs.  Luna Lovegood would never be mistaken for a Disney Princess.  Luna Lovegood is true to herself.  Luna Lovegood is awesome.

"Looney Luna Lovegood, you're okay in my book." 

Darth Daughter

Some people think it's stupid, but they like Quidditch.

Boys like sparkly face paint too.

Girls kick butt, even if they're the only girls in class.

And Ode to Harry Potter

We LOVE Harry Potter here at Chez Goat Rodeo.

Our Harry Potter Purim was the best Purim ever.

We plan to decorate our basement to look like Hogwarts (I kid you not).

I even scrapped about the final book.

My middle daughter knows every single little detail about these books.  Seriously, it's scary. It has gotten to the point where I'll say, "Well, I thought I remembered X, but she's saying, 'Y," and it's her after all, so I'll go with Y."

One of her camp counselors last year posted a status update about how he was never going to argue with his campers about Harry Potter again.  I replied asking, "What did my daughter do now?"  Sure enough, she had argued with him and SHE WAS RIGHT.

She's read all the books at least 3 times each.

Our Chihuahua's nickname is "Dobby Dog."

My children commonly run around the house shouting spells at each other.

Yet, through all that, we never even considered going to the movie premier early this morning.  #1.  We have the rule that you must read the book before you see the movie.  My oldest has yet to read the 7th book.  So she couldn't come with her twin sister to see the movie.  I wouldn't leave her behind and only take one.  #2. While I was a night owl back in the day and still stay up pretty late now, the thought of having to give up those few hours of sleep--precious wonderful gorgeous sleep, was not something I could stand (most especially because the youngest has decided sleep is for the weak, or more precisely, not for me, over the past few nights).

So, we didn't go.  I noticed a number of my friends complaining that they, too, weren't able to go last night.  So we're banding together and forming our own little group scattered all over the country, where we go next Saturday night instead.  That should give the oldest time to finish the final book (please, G-d!).

I've never been a huge fan of the movies, but still, this is the absolute end.  This is it.  It's over.  I'm both looking forward to it and dreading it all the same.

AKA

Mama's Losin' It has a cute video blog today about how the title of her blog came to be.

That got me thinking.  What would some good alternative titles be for my little corner of the interwebz?

Here's what I've come up with thus far.  Feel free to jump in and add your 2 cents.

I remember one friend of mine suggested, "Laughing at the Library," because we would live at the library if they let us.  I was only half-joking when I told friends that librarians are like Pokemon for my kids.  The last time my kids walked in to the children's library and saw a new librarian at the desk, my son turned to his sisters and said, "Look, there's a new one.  YES!"  My kids collect children's librarians.

A friend once had Weird Al and Kate Winslet's song (Yes they did), "I Need A Nap," as my ring tone for me because I use that phrase all too often.  So there's an option.

Here are some more:

There's Not Enough Coffee In the World

Lorelai Gilmore's quotation is oh so accurate, "Oh, I can't stop drinking the coffee. If I stop drinking coffee, I stop doing the standing and the walking and the words putting-into-sentence doing. " Yet it's a bit lengthy for a title, don't ya think?

Coffee NOW! (If you're not sensing a theme, you're not paying attention)

Sexually Deprived For Your Freedom

Oy Vey, That Boy!

Queen Of The Freaking Internet (this is a close second to my current title)

Yeah, They're All Mine and Yes, We Did That On Purpose


Children Aren't Meant to Come In Pairs


What Part Of "Jewish" Do You Not Understand?


1 Minute Apart (for all those who look at our twins and ask in a judgmental tone, "How close in age ARE they?")


My Dignity Was Delivered With the Placenta


Keebler Elf-sized (I'm tiny)


Yay Rum!  


Now, tell me, which one's your favorite?  What would you have named this blog?

###

Day of Silence for Japan.

March 18 is Bloggers Day of Silence for Japan.  I've donated and I'm taking part.  Will you?

*****

The Many Adventures Of A Stuffed Camel Named Bob(and the little girl who loves him)

Through Project Nursery, I found the most amazing website which inspired me to write this blog post.  Through their Custom Toy Portrait giveaway, I found First Friend Portraits.  First Friend Portraits makes custom portraits of kids' toys.

I cannot tell you how very much I love this idea.  I absolutely, positively, without a doubt, must have a portrait of Bob the camel.

We have oh so many toy stories of our own that we could share.  This has inspired me to share a few.

Let's start with Bobby.

Bobby is a stuffed camel.  His full name is Bob Notacat.  He, along with his sister Leafa Borrower, a giraffe, was a gift from daddy.

Here's a little back story:

While daddy was deployed, every night, we said the Mitzpah and the Sh'ma.  In between those, one night, our then 4-year-old said this prayer.  She had been more than a wee bit obsessed with camels since daddy was in the desert.

When the prayer started, I  thought it was so profound.  When a camel stormed into the prayer, it was all I could do to keep from cracking up.

Although it was my husband's second deployment to the Middle East, it was far more difficult for the twins than the first one (when they were only toddlers) had been.  They missed their daddy horribly.  When I relayed that to him, he decided to send them stuffed toys to comfort them in his absence.  Inspired by my long-term love affair with an aging orange wonder (which is another post for another day), he decided to send them stuffed animals in the hopes that those toys would become for them the comfort that Mustardseed had always been for me.

Giraffe overload w/daddy.  2 yrs old 

For L, the obvious choice was a stuffed giraffe.  She loves giraffes.  Our zoo visits absolutely always take us to the giraffes, many of whom, L knows by name.  So daddy sent her a stuffed giraffe that she named Leafa because giraffes eat leaves.  Her middle name is Borrowa because she doesn't ever take anything, since stealing is wrong.  She just borrows things.  So says my eldest.


It was a bit trickier to decide what to get her sister, though.  Inspired by the child's latest prayer, he opted for a camel and our lives have never been the same.

E. named her new fuzzy Bactrian wonder Bob.  Why?  We may never know, but he has been Bob and Bobby ever since.  His middle name is Notacat because the child kept arguing with me that she was going to name him Cat.  "He's not a cat," I told her.  So she proved me right.

Bobby isn't just any ordinary camel.  He's famous.  When they were in kindergarten, the girls each wrote stories for a contest.  She wrote and illustrated a story about how Bobby comforted her when her daddy was deployed.  She didn't win, but I was so impressed with her her tale.

I scanned the illustrations and copied the text to create a few 5x7 photo books for her of Bobby's deployment adventures.  It was one of the first stories she could read on her own and she's read it to everyone who would hold still long enough to listen.  She even dropped off a copy of her book at our local library.  

She'll be 9 soon.  I know puberty isn't far away.  She's not far from those terrifying teenage years and leaving "baby" things behind.  Yet again, she's separated from her daddy.  Bob has been a part of our family for five years now.  He has watched E cry for her daddy more often in those 5 years than most children are ever separated from their parents their entire lives.  Bobby is worn and faded and has lost most of his filling, yet, every night, you can find him in E's bed, often clutched in her arms.  

Your Life Story In Six Words

I know about this six word memoir concept: you summarize your life in six words.  Today, I saw one where the authors summarized their love lives.

I love that idea (and some of those answers).

I want to try my hand at it, but not only for love lives, but for childhood, friendship, parenting and all sorts of things of the sort.

The problem is, I have no freaking clue where to even begin.  I do my best thinking when allowed to just ramble to myself, so I'll do exactly that now.  Come along for this schlep through the joy and wonder that is my mind.

I can take a stab at the parenting one using my favorite piece of advice to give new parents.  If I was to follow Amy Chuah's lead, I wouldn't title my parenting memoir, Battle Hymn Of The Tiger Mother (which actually works for this as it IS six words).  Mine would be something more along the lines of;

Research Research Research Then Follow Heart


With Each Child, World Begins Anew 


They Need More Than Mere Survival 
I've often had that thought when people say, "I XYZed and my kids survived."

Nothing You Can't Do Without Help


and for humorous books on the topic:


Our Mom Doesn't Need Your Advice


These Boobs Are Made For Squirting

Here's what I have for the six-word summary of my religious views:

I'm G-d's Wrestling Partner Not Cheerleader.  


Justice Justice Shall You Pursue Always
Forgive me for putting words in G-d's mouth.  I had to add a word there to get it up to 6.

Act Justly, Love Mercy, Wrestle G-d 
This is a mix of two religious texts.


Yes, I do so love the idea of wrestling with G-d.  


Again, as for the humor book, maybe something along the lines of:

Never Met Italian Jews?  We exist.
I could trade out Italian with Dutch or Irish as well.  Most people seem to know that French Jews exist, so I could leave that one out.  


As far as my childhood, the first one that pops into my head is related to my teenage years,

Cut It Out! Not that Bad.

Oh yeah, I was a little emo one (before "Emo" was a word).

As far as love life...hmmm...

I find myself scouring song lyrics for this one.

So, I'm opting with

Two of Us Can Do Anything

Hurts Not Much When You're Around

This one right here I think probably sums it up best:

Sacred Simplicity You At My Side

Then there's this:

Sailed Seas.  Met Storm.  Found Harbor


Okay, now enough of the cop outs with song lyrics.  I should think of something completely original.  Shouldn't I?  


Well, you know what?  I've got nothing.  I got up, made myself a snack, refilled my water bottle and brainstormed; but I'm at a complete loss.  I can't blame the kids for this either because they're in bed.  So there's no nagging or whining or banter to distract me.  There, is, however, a complete and utter lack of ideas.

I'm loving that last one.  I think I'd just go with that without the hassle of creating something completely original.


Hmmm...when thinking about my memoir, though, I'm at more than a bit of a loss.  I know, once upon a time, I came up with a few ideas, but, as I've already ranted, life has a way of stomping the hell out of creativity before it has a chance to be preserved.

One thing that popped into my head was this secret which was once featured on Post Secret.  I loved it.  I saved it.  I posted it in my house.  I admit that I've always hoped it was written about me.  I don't actually believe that, but a girl can dream.

So, using that as a jumping off point, I might go with

She's Trying To Save the World

Another one just popped into my head inspired by recent rants.

So Many Ideas Not Enough Time

And here are a few random ones:


I Freaking Love Sleep.  Unrequited Love.


Don't Die Before Seeing the World!


You Forget That I'll Kick You


Like My Dreams Better Than Reality 


There's So Much More To Learn


Chasing the Sparks In the Ocean


I Need Stories More Than Food


I Am The Legacy Of Many 


Short Weird Chick Never Shuts Up.


I'll Make My Own Damn Cape.


Hmmmm....and, perhaps, one inspired by Hemmingway,the man who, arguably, started this all.


For Sale.  Baby Shoes.  Well Worn.  


What say you?  Anyone else care to get in on this?  If you had to write your memoir in six words, what would it be?  If you had to describe your childhood, religious views, parenting, love life, etc. in six words, what would you write?

Oh hell! I forgot all about the Linky Roundup yet again.

I haven't done a link roundup in months.  So much for that goal of doing it weekly.

I'm going to attempt to play catch up, but this may take a while.  I'm just going to shove them all in here.  Feel free to follow along.

This Valentine is oh so funny.

I saw this today and had to share. It made me laugh.


I'm dying to make this dress-up clothes wardrobe out of a box.  We'll have enough after the move to make one once we get to a new place.

$10 from any flower order on this page goes towards the March of Dimes.

This song by Jenny Owne Youngs has been on repeat at my house lately




This link about fonts/typeface cracked me up.

This showed up in my feed thanks to a friend and I had to share.  We had a round of ThunderSnowSleet last week (which prompted a number of "Thunder cat" references from my friends on FB).

These Feathery Owl Balls are adorable.

Shalom Sesame now has a YouTube channel.

I strongly disagree with this woman's conclusion.  Why I'm Passionate About Education.  I disagree with her on both points.  I do NOT believe a Classical or Christian education is the best for all or even most children.

All breastfeeding mothers should save the link to the Infant Risk Center.  Despite what many doctors and pharmacists may tell you, the vast majority of medications are safe for the breastfeeding mother.  Visit that link to check on the safety of a specific medication.  Dr. Thomas Hale is the foremost authority on medications and breastmilk.  Yes, he DOES know more than your doctor or your pharmacist.

The Lil' Vader VW ad is stirring a great discussion on gender.  FTR, I believe, based on what we're shown in the commercial, that Lil' Vader is supposed to be a girl.

Now that my youngest is potty training, I can ditch the diaper bag once and for all.  Now I'm on the hunt for a new handbag.  While these two ad Mod Cloth are beyond my budget, I love them anyway; Traveling Translator Tote and the Traveling Translator Satchel.

I love this Fairy Parade 3 Panel Wall Art for the new place.

This website is oddly hypnotizing.  Move your mouse around and see what happens.  Keep going.  It just keeps changing.

It's important to note the title of this lolcat entry; "Aifink Momma Needz a Drink..."

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

I love these library posters on Flickr.

I suddenly had to urge to go find this blast from past.  I'm so glad YouTube exists.



An amazing, though clearly little-known, scientific fact: We get more snow storms in warm years!  I've been seeing quite a few comments mocking global warming since we have gotten snow.  That link explains things quite well for anyone who is confused.

I want this A Latte A Day kit.

Stories About Girls: Picture Books   There are a number of books there I want to find for my kids.

I've never seen this show, but I appreciated the discussion on "The Talk" about breastfeeding laws.  FTR, when my twins were in the NICU and I pumped, my pump said, "Hoover Dam."

Republicans Vote To Repeal Obama-Backed Bill That Would Destroy Asteroid Headed For Earth   I love the Onion.

We've had a bit of snow, so I loved these alternatives to snowmen.  Thanks Ohhdeedoh.  The snow melted before I could finish my snow Totoro.

I've been playing this song quite a bit lately. It reminds me so much of my husband.

"We can always look back on what we did,
always memory of you and me, baby.
Right now it's you and me forever girl.
You know we could do better than
anything that we did.
You know that you and me
we could do anything"

Why It Matters
That entry explains why it's so important to make sure kids are safe in appropriate car seats.

I labeled this entry at DYAC, "The breakfast of midwives."

The Redneck Mommy wrote about Long Distance Marriages.

The guy on YouTube signing with his daughter.  I love the song and their YouTube video and I love their story even more.  Everyone in my house has been singing, "Home," constantly lately thanks to their viral video.

I discovered Nan Lawson Illustration on etsy where I fell in love with The Boy Who Lived (on blue) and A Couple Of Mugs In Love.

I love love LOVE this "Family" photograph on Flickr.  Look through her pictures.  This is one stunningly gorgeous family.

I Want To Be Reincarnated As A Weatherman

Jake Shimabukuro plays "Bohemian Rhapsody" on the ukulele.

I am now on the hunt for a foam playmat that I could paint thanks to the fantastic idea in this post.  I love this idea.

This "Refill Required" t-shirt suits me quite well.

I adore this "Shoe Loves You" print from the boopsiedaisy etsy shop.

This entry from The Customer Is Not Always Right is my favorite one ever; Love A Jedi Shall Know.

Funny Mummy: Battle Hymn of the Lager Mom – Why Chardonnay Moms Are Superior

I love this archive of breastfeeding related Baby Blues comics.

I'm not a big fan of the Keep Calm meme floating around, but this Harry Potter/library themed one is perfect.  I seriously want that in poster-size so I can hang it on the wall.

We may have a meshugenah chihuhua rather than a truly dangerous dog, but I still want this sign.

Oh Failbook!

I love giraffes and herd the goat rodeo, so of course I want this shirt and I want one for each of my children.

This is certainly a different approach to Facebook privacy.



On Happy Meals and marketing.
"So, if advertising to young children is inherently deceptive, and deceptive advertising is illegal under federal law and in most states, how is it even happening? And doesn't this mean that not just food, but all marketing to young children is currently illegal? I get this question a lot. The answer is yes. "

I want these Metro Marvel Comic Wall Murals.

I want to try to make these wire bird nests.

My son loves ties, so I really want to make this simple Tie Rack for him.

Since our house is on the market and we're looking to buy a new one, I can truly appreciate these 5 of the Funniest Real Estate Listings of 2010.

This blog entry on cruelty really got my attention.  I'm often astounded by the amount of cruelty I see in comment threads.  This has lead me to insist that comment threads are where common sense and humanity go to die.

Why I Need To Quit Facebook


Bill Maher: When Will Obscenely Rich A**holes Stop Crying About Taxes?

This recipe for cake pops makes them seem a lot easier than I expected.

A template for every awful Facebook discussion you've ever witnessed


With a Mother-in-Law Like This, Who Needs Enemies?

The original article had the most gorgeous nursing photo (featured here as well) and this article makes fantastic points about NIP and the uproar in the original comment section (again, see my point about comment sections and humanity): Supermodel Miranda Kerr Breastfeeding Photo Haters, Read This

La Leche League GB’s response to the article reported in the British Medical Journal, January2011

Nursing in public isn’t just convenient — it’s a holy act

How academic physicians turn into drug company shills

This entry at Etiquette Hell broke my heart: Dad Crippled By His Own Selfishness.

AP advocate Mayim Bialik is the newest TODAY mom blogger.

I Was Homeschooled: What it Taught Me That a Classroom Never Could

I love this one from When Parents Text.

These 7 Playdough recipes could prove very useful for those who are snowed-in.

These photos of Chernobyl 25 years later are absolutely amazing.

This photo accurately sums up motherhood, particularly life with twins.

You can get 10 free photo postcards.

I love this Upcycled Vintage Baby Buggy. I'd love a chance to try to make one, but I'll have to wait until we move.

This entry from Just West of Crunchy is a real eye-opener: Similac: Fox in the Nurses’ Hen House

If Your Mom Wrote Movie Titles

This post made me laugh so hard and reminded me that I'm not alone: My Two-Year-Old Is An Evil Genius.

I must share this, if for no other reason, than the fact that it includes the phrase, "Playing nude musical chairs with Skynet." Dear Public Toilets Of the World

Here's an ecard from me for everyone in the whole wide world.

Scary Mommy writes about making a blog into a book.

These photographs are heartbreaking and gorgeous all at once.  The East Side library made me gasp.

I love this idea for a finger print pendant craft at A girl and a glue gun.

This polymer clay family portrait is adorable.

This Starbucks inspired necklace is calling my name.

Quite possibly the sweetest proposal ever.

You can't top puppies.


I want to make these adorable fabric flowers.

How About Orange shares some adorable tutorials.


I want this shirt for my son.


This quotation on children and patience says it all.

I love Charlie and Lola's doll house.

The Year Kenny Loggins Ruined Christmas. It's not my holiday, but that was my hysterical laughter you may have heard.

Oh so cute!

I want this Joy Print from Arian Armstrong's etsy shop.

This house diorama idea is so neat. I want to make one.

This about sums it up:

This is an accurate depiction of some of my days:

Dr. Oz's cauliflower pizza sounds intriguing.

I love these Morfs Brand shirts, but I can make something similar for much less.

You can build your own cute miniature village.  This is another link that might be useful for those snowed-in.


I'm still undecided about how to decorate once we move, but I LOVE this nursery.  I'm saving it for possible inspiration for the toddler.

This blog article about the members of the Macabeats and their "Candlelight" video is funny as can be.  FTR, Teddy Bear gets my vote, but I also have a soft spot for both Ginger Jews (she only mentions one, but there are actually two) and the opening Jew.

This recycled book page bird is SO cute.  I want to make a bunch and hang them all over my youngest's room (and mine too).

Vintage Strawberry Shortcake paper dolls

Ever since I saw this idea, I've been looking for broken wooden puzzles to use to make room decorations.

Thanks to awesome friends, I discovered Reasoning With Vampires.  If you love the English language and detest the Twilight series, you MUST read that website.  

And on the topic of English, there's this. I miss Sifyl and Ollie.


Make a Batman felt mat for anyone who loves super heros.

This Baked Pumpkin French Toast looks delicious.

My youngest loves her dolls and loves playing with doll accessories.  I'm hoping we can have this doll crib made for her when we move.

I love this paper sparrow mobile and I think I can do something similar with paint samples.


And finally, there we have it.  This concludes the insanely long collection of links I've collected, but forgot to share.  Now they are shared and life, as I know it, can return to normal.

Thank you and good night.

Sharing a card I made through Shutterfly

Freebies 4 Mom made me aware of this great promotion from Shutterfly. For sharing a card made there, they'll give bloggers a $25 credit. Well, I often make cards there, so I jumped on the chance. Here's one of my favorites.

Father's Day Damask Father's Day 5x7 folded card

Unique party invitations and announcements by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

I send New Year cards for the holidays because I don't have to worry about different holidays and how far apart they are (Chanukah is often much earlier) plus then I get to use the great photos I took of the kids during Chanukah. So I get extra time and extra photos. I'm a wee bit addicted to photographs and creating, though, so I've been known to spend hours (and a small fortune) creating cards.

My twins are not your ticket to stupid

This, right here, is far too true.

While not boy/girl, I do have fraternal twins who don't look a bit alike.  I've heard all of these and then some.

Some of the lines missing are,
"Your hands are full."
"How close in age ARE they," asked in a suspicious and judgmental tone.
"I could never handle twins."
"Are they sisters?"
"Do twins run in your husband's family?"  Um...that wouldn't matter since he played no part in the releasing of two eggs.


Some of my favorite lines from this clip include,

"I always get pregnant the first time I try.
Great job. Here's your cookie."

"Which one is your favorite?
The one who is not screaming."

and

"Which one is smarter?
I am."

Go.  Watch.  Enjoy.  This clip made my night.  I can't stop laughing at it.

Whenever I Remember Linky Roundup

Okay, I give up on trying to do this on a regular basis.  When I remember, I'll roundup the links I've shared and post them here.

I found this Sparrow Mobile through Cool Mom Picks.  Like the vast majority of the stuff they feature, this is insanely over-priced (I unsubscribed from the newsletter recently even though I've been a subscriber from the very start because the prices are too insane).  The good news, though, is that it can be easily recreated for pennies.  I saved a few paint samples specifically because they were shapes which resembled birds.  So I could just use those and even customize it to the kids' room colors.

Kid Independent is a new favorite site of mine.  They feature lots of handmade items including this super cute owl.  I found a ton of items for the kids' wishlist from their Oddball Alphabet feature.


Facebook's Double (D) Standard on Obscenity was originally posted as a note in response to Facebook's constant removal of photographs of breastfeeding babies.  I shared that note, but, as expected, it was removed.  However, someone copied it and put it up as a blog post so that it could still be shared.

'Nazis': A Word With Deep And Brutal Meaning
'Weekend All Things Considered' host Guy Raz.
     I've been making the same argument for years.  He does it very eloquently.


This Someeard is a little early (Chanukah starts December 1st), but it cracked me up.

Lil Blue Boo's No-Sew Fabric Flower Headband looks simple and adorable.  I want to make a bunch with fabric scraps.


This cartoon about Pacman and twitter cracked me up.

I want to make my son this bow tie from an existing adult necktie.  My boy's all about ties of all sort.


These Seven Tips For Interacting With Kids while photographing them is brilliant.  I LOVE these ideas.  Whether you're a professional photographer looking for tips or a parent who just wants to snap some good shots of your own kids, you'll definitely get great ideas from that article.

I've liked Mattisyahu for quite some time, but just discovered Unique Is My Dove recently. I LOVE the message.

I found a few dresses I would love for my girls. This Cinderella Peasant dress would be adorable with some of the custom fabric she offers.  The striking colors and design on this Sunny Autumn Ruffle Dress are just gorgeous.

My father-in-law makes some gorgeous things with wood.  Unfortunately, I don't want to get/make anything large until we move and settle in, but when we finally do move, I might see if he'll have time to make this super cute doll crib with storage.

This story about a first grader named Katie who was bullied because she likes Star Wars broke my heart.  The hundreds of comments in her support, though, restored my faith in humanity.


As a coffee-loving, internet-addicted, homeschooling mom, I loved this cartoon.

I recently discovered Middle School Proverbs which sadden me and crack me up.  This one and this one are two of my favorites.

I was probably more excited to find an old version of Liz Phair's "Ant in Alaska" than I should have been.

"Well I look at the stars and I know you're under them.
I look at the cars and I know you insure them.
I look at the books and things people are reading.
I know that you've written them too."

It always bothered me that she took out the car insurance line.  It doesn't flow right without it and that line has a special place in my heart too.

While we're on the topic of Liz Phair.  I resisted most of the music on her self-titled album because it was too poppy.  This week, though, I was reminded how much I like this one:

Nerdgasm is right.  Star Wars images made using only type.  This is really awesome.

This guy cracked me up:

I LOVE this funny embroidery on etsy.


Oh look!  More 90s female rockers.  Embedding is disabled, but I watched this video of Juliana Hatfield's Universal Heartbeat  on repeat this week.

This Artichoke Sourdough Parmesan Stuffing is calling my name.  I'm dying to try it (minus any treif).

This article on kids' snacks and calorie counting ticked me off.

My sister sent me an e-mail forward with photos of a groom and his terminally ill bride.  When I checked Snopes, I found it was true and it was even more heartbreaking.  Gorgeous photos, horribly sad story.

This tutorial on making a skirt from a dish towel sounds like something even I could do.

This wacky furniture is too cool.

I needed this reminder on Detours.

I think these poppies are so pretty.

I want the light blue bird bank and the white salt and pepper shakers from Pier 1 so badly.  I haven't set foot in Pier 1 in years, but I think that will have to change.


This "table design" left me wondering, "What design?"  It's just some disposable plates on a table.  I don't see any design there.  Plus that family has the oddest collection of names I've ever heard.

This story, "The Cab Ride I'll Never Forget" brought me to tears.

I'm filing this kid's room away for possible inspiration for my youngest's room when we move.

I like this idea, not for a place card, but for a sign to hang (think first names in a bedroom or last name in a hallway).

On Veteran's Day, I shared, Bumper Stick Patriotism Is No Way to Honor Our Veterans.
From that article,
"During Veterans Week you're going to hear people -- particularly those for whom Veterans Week merely means we're one week closer to the Iowa Caucuses -- tell us to 'Support Our Troops.' And when they do I'd like us to politely ask them to put their pom poms down for a moment. I'd like us to tell them that if you really want to honor our troops you won't use them for an easy applause line, that you won't use them to get votes, or, most insulting to them of all, to divide us into real Americans and fake Americans."
and
"I'd like us to ask them what, other than saying it, are they actually doing to support our troops? I'd like to ask the people who say government's bad what they think of the Department of Veteran's Affairs. When we're fighting two wars, should they get more money or less? And where is that money going to come from -- magic or taxes?"


I thought this name sign was a neat way to use legos.

This XKCD cartoon is funny and sad at the same time.

I want to try making this dog necklace.  I, however, want to try altering it so that it looks more like a Chihuahua.

On Kristallnacht Anniversary, Critical Lessons Remain Unheeded.  November 9-10 marked the anniversary of Krystallnacht, which plays a large part in my Nanowrimo story and our family (my husband's grandmother's synagogue was destroyed on Krystallnacht).

November 17: Prematurity Awareness Day

Today is prematurity awareness day.  

I've shared our girls' stories here.  I've marveled about just how much they've grown.  

Here's the brief version of our difficult story:

Our daughters were born two months too soon.  My OB ignored the many symptoms of pre-eclampsia.  It was only when I went for a level 2 ultrasound with a specialist that someone finally listened to my concerns and my symptoms.  Unfortunately, since I had gone untreated for so long, it was too late.  They immediately sent me to the hospital to deliver that day.  

Born via c-section, L. weighed 4 lbs.  E. weighed 3 lbs 3 oz.  They spent four weeks in the NICU.  Looking back, that doesn't sound that bad, but it seemed to stretch on forever while we were in the middle of it.  NICU's do not exist in real world time.  Each day had enough emotional ups and downs to last a lifetime.  Each week felt more like months.  

L. initially had problems with her lungs and suffered bradycardia episodes. I watched her stop breathing in her incubator, heard the alarms and had to step back as the nurse ran in to rouse her.  E. suffered heart problems.  She was so easily over-stimulated that she was kept masked and we weren't able to hold her until she was over a week old.  I later found this probably wasn't the best course of care and that bothers me to no end.  I should have had my tiny baby against my skin, not locked away from me in an incubator.  

In the NICU, they fell down to 3 lbs and 2 lbs.  I didn't know if L would make it through the first night.  B'H', she did.  The next day, though, E. took a turn for the worse.  For about the first week, I didn't know if E would survive.  I vividly remember repeating, "She's going to make it" over and over again once we realized that would be the case.  

Looking back, and then looking at the time since then, I realize just how amazing their story is.  Ever since then, our kids have had an ideal recovery.  I loathe telling our pregnancy story to pregnant women because I don't think they need that negativity.  I love telling the girls' survival story to parents of preemies, though, because it really is as miraculous as one could hope for.

The girls didn't even suffer their first cold until just before their second birthday.  By the time they were 2, they were completely caught up in size and development.  In 2005, our girls were among a handful of preemies picked to be featured in the November issue of Parents Magazine as a part of their feature on the March of Dimes.  Now, at eight, they suffer no lasting consequences of their prematurity.  Their story often surprises people who meet them today.  

Today, the only reminder of their awful early beginnings are the teeny doll clothes in frames, the stacks and stacks of medical paperwork from their first year, the pictures, my visceral reaction to the beeping of hospital monitors (to this day, I cannot hear them, even on television without being startled), and our involvement with the March of Dimes.  We do the March for Babies every year.  

75% of babies born weighing 3 lbs 5 oz (which, remember, is larger than E.) died just 30 years ago.  It's through research funded by the March of Dimes that treatments have been created which help save these babies.  My children are alive thanks to the March of Dimes.  So, every year, we raise money and walk to help support them.  In 2008, our girls were the local ambassadors for the March of Dimes March for Babies.  

And so, today, on Prematurity Awareness Day, I remember, I cry, I celebrate, I thank G-d for what we've been given, I mourn for others who have lost, and I hug my kids close.  

Weekly/monthly/whenever I think about it link roundup

I keep forgetting to do these blasted link round up things, but I want to because this is an easy way for me to keep things in one place where I can easily flip back and find them.  Plus, if anyone's interested, I'd like to share the things that have caught my eye.  Heck, even if you're not interested, here ya go.

This Writer's Prayer is perfect for Nanowrimo.

Lots of great tips for your kids about Preventing Temper Tantrums in Parents (I understand a little more than I'd like).

I adore these mats.  Although, I think I could probably come up with something similar (and much cheaper) on my own.  I'd love to use that somewhere in the baby's room when we move.

I've seen the gorgeous (and expensive) felt playhouse card table covers, but here's a no-sew one you an make yourself.  I would LOVE to try this.

This made my day:





This artwork is so pretty.  I love the colors and the message is fantastic.
I just wish I had thought of it (and done it) first.  I love coffee, I love frappacinos, I love cute kids and I love making unique costumes.

Yesterday, I mourned the anniversary of Krystallnacht.  My husband's grandmother's synagogue in Germany was destroyed during Krystallnacht.  It's a Catholic church today and bears this plaque:

This video is phenomenal:

I recently discovered Rosy Designs on Etsy (and added a few pieces to the kids' wishlists.  I love the simple and sweet art.  Some of my favorites include Super Heroes, "I love you" notecard, Bonjour notecard and the Love is in the Air print.  

As I mentioned, I'm all about the coffee, so this cracked me up

I'm dying to try this Asparagus Potato Brunch Frittata, just with fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned and minus the pig corpse.

I think this Fail Blog entry must have really been submitted by Captain Obvious.

This blog entry from Rachel Coleman (of Signing Time fame) about her oldest daughter who was placed for adoption made me cry happy tears.

I've been robbed!  The goat rodeo went as three blind mice and the farmer's wife for Purim this past year.  I, however, didn't submit it to Inhabitots.  This lovely family, however, did.

This embroidered long top is gorgeous!

This gorgeous artwork speaks to me on so many levels.  I'm going to order it for myself.

Webside Story is far too accurate and very funny, particularly to those of us who performed West Side Story in high school.

This guy on Lamebook refuses to argue with his unborn child via Facebook.  That's probably pretty sound policy.

Attack of the Redneck Mommy told me while Television and Tampons Are A Bad Mix and I couldn't stop laughing.

I couldn't stop watching this lolcat. It amused me to no end.

Liz Phair is still standing 6'1" and now I adore her even more.

Julie at A Little Pregnant does it again.  This time, it's an entry called "Baby Face" about Facebook, infertility and the original 90210.

Happy birthday to Neil Gaiman today.  He was animated and featured on Arthur recently.  You can watch it here.

I listened to this song a bit.  It always reminds me of my husband.




These two photographs spoke to me.

And lastly, a friend shared this with me Pretty Poetry Slam.  I think that's a fantastic note on which to end this installment of the roundup.

Holiday Cards

 2006

I love love LOVE holiday cards.  I'm all about graphic design and pictures of my cute kids, so it's no wonder I love creating them.

Here's a big tip from me:  Send New Year cards.  This works for us because we send cards to people who celebrate all sorts of holidays.  That way, we can send all the cards out at once (since Chanukah and Christmas are often fairly far apart).  Plus there's the added benefit of having extra time to create them.  I don't have to try to fit card designing in along with menu planning, shopping, wrapping, visiting, services, etc. Yet another benefit is that you can actually use all those super cute photographs you take during or leading up to the holidays.

From our Shutterfly New Year cards 2002

I like to design the cards entirely myself, but some years, I just don't have the time.  The year our twins was born was one such year.  That year, I was particularly thrilled that Shutterfly existed.  With infant twins and an active duty husband who worked an insane schedule (complete with training out of state), I just couldn't do it all by myself.  So I took that super cute photo over there of them in their bear snow suits, uploaded it, slapped it into one of their templates and bam, done!  

One of my big reasons for creating my own cards is because I like to personalize it more than the photo sites typically allow.  I love to add text and more photos.  This year, I'm really impressed with the options at Shutterfly.  There's far more room for customization than in the past.  I LOVE the holiday story cards.  They give room for lots of photos and text.  This "Year Of" card gives a space for each month.  I love the bright colors and the fact that it allows for customization (you can change out "Merry Christmas" for "Happy New Year" or "Happy Holidays").

I'm a big fan of photo gifts.  Our family all lives far away, so they miss out on most of the moments--big and small.  In the past, I've made calendars that featured all sorts of photos from the past year.  They love to see the pictures and they can keep and frame the pictures later.  I particularly like the feature that lets you add events for certain dates.  My father is famous for mixing up his anniversary date, so every time I make one, I make a point of adding that to the calendar.  :-)

I just found that they now feature canvas wall art.  They offer 12x12 which is difficult to find.  Other sites tend to have the standard 8x10, 11x14, etc.  I'm a scrapbooker and I usually work in 12x12, so I love that option.  I would love to get a canvas print of one of my layouts.  I've made a number of grandparent-themed layouts that I think the grandparents would love to have on canvas.





*Disclaimer:  I am taking part in the blogger 50 free holiday card promotion.  
http://bit.ly/sfly2010
That being said, I have been a fan of Shutterfly for years and have purchased a wide range of items from them and have always been very happy.  

There's no place like home.

I had no idea what on earth I was going to blog about today.  Well, I DID have an idea, but then the baby got to feeling sick again and suddenly, I was at a loss.

Well, now she's on the floor flipping through books and I'm online flipping through Etsy.  That gave me a blog topic.

I've been putting together a wish list for the kids which involves lots of neat artwork for their new rooms (whenever we move).  I want to have a whole exciting array of new artwork for them to anticipate hanging on the walls of their brand new rooms.

I've found some adorable artwork for them, but I've also found some art that I want to hoard all to myself.

The word "Home" as always had a different meaning for us since we were a military family.  That quotation is one I've loved for the longest time.  Now that we're separated again in our quest for "Home," this rings even truer.  I love that art from  Volume 25.  I have no connection with that shop.  Heck, I've never even heard of them before, but I can't tell you how much I love that piece right there.  

And oh my stars and garters!  This one titled "Wherever we are together is home" is another one I must have.  What a fantastic reminder this is!  I think this would be perfect in my youngest's room.  I love the colors and there's a bird.  We called her "Tziporah" when she was tiny.  She reminds me of all things birds (plus she was even a bird for Halloween).  

Oh, that shop just made my heart so happy!  I want to stock up on just about everything they have.  Happy distractions ROCK!