Ok, lots going on this week and I have been to engrossed in football over the past few days (including today) to post. Here is the rundown:
Alex, Michael and I had a nasty stomach bug over most of the week. Jackson was spared...no idea why. I guess its that public school immune system. Holiday bugs are a Rowell family tradition. I think I threw up every Christmas when I was growing up in Andrews. Nothing like spending Christmas evening in the Kingstree Hospital ER with an IV. Good times.
We had the pleasure of spending quality time with both of our families this weekend. We spent Thanksgiving with Michael's family. We drove up to Simpsonville on Friday to spend the weekend with my family. Michael and I even hit some late morning Black Friday sales. Good times, really! Not only did we buy lots of gifts, but I got a pair of Under Armour Cold Gear tights. Maybe I can drag myself out of bed to run this week.
We are heading back to Columbia tomorrow morning to clean the house, finish up laundry, grocery shop, and set Michael up for a week of single fatherhood. I am on the way to Nashville, TN on Monday.
That's all for this lame post. Hopefully more details tomorrow!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
New Favorite Author
I finally got around to reading The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad a few weeks ago. I read her latest book The Angel of Grozny during my trip to Lake Charles this week, and I ordered With Their Backs to the World: Portraits from Serbia and A Hundred and One Days: A Baghdad Journal last night.
Asne Seierstad is a Norwegian journalist and war correspondent. Her books do not leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling about the world. But then again, Afghanistan, Serbia, Chechnya, and Iraq are not warm, fuzzy places. Her books make me cry...and then Google "human rights lawyer".
Asne Seierstad is a Norwegian journalist and war correspondent. Her books do not leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling about the world. But then again, Afghanistan, Serbia, Chechnya, and Iraq are not warm, fuzzy places. Her books make me cry...and then Google "human rights lawyer".
Monday, November 17, 2008
The Night Before Travel
I don't think my guilt is limited to Mommy Guilt...I think I also have a healthy dose of Wife Guilt (if there is such a thing). Michael wears the single dad hat way too often. I hate to leave him for several days with a disorganized mess. Tonight's plans included cleaning the house, organizing the boys' clothes for the week, grocery shopping and meal planning. For someone who goes to bed early, tonight was going to suck.
That's right...WAS. Tonight rocks! I got a call around midday that Kathwood had a carbon monoxide leak and all the kids were being sent home. Hooray--not for Kathwood--for my new afternoon/evening schedule! I picked up Alex around 1:30pm and discovered how productive I can really be! Alex and I went to the grocery store during non-peak hours. We picked Jackson up early from school and went to the public library. Jackson' 2nd 9 weeks goal is to have a library card. He lost his card months ago and my card does not count. We completed his rock collection (due last week...oops) and finished his homework before basketball practice. I finished the laundry, cleaned the kitchen, straightened the house, filled a lawn-and-leaf bag with trash and clutter from around the house, played Sorry! with Alex, and even found time to read library books. It is only 6:30pm!
Truth be told, I am starting to look forward to my business trip this week. I will be home in time to pick the boys up from school on Thursday, and I will get to see a new place. I have never been to Lake Charles, Louisiana. I have a challenging goal to meet on Wednesday and an opportunity to help my company save a lot of money. I feel at peace tonight that Michael, Jackson and Alex will have a great week without me.
Just a few pictures from this afternoon...
That's right...WAS. Tonight rocks! I got a call around midday that Kathwood had a carbon monoxide leak and all the kids were being sent home. Hooray--not for Kathwood--for my new afternoon/evening schedule! I picked up Alex around 1:30pm and discovered how productive I can really be! Alex and I went to the grocery store during non-peak hours. We picked Jackson up early from school and went to the public library. Jackson' 2nd 9 weeks goal is to have a library card. He lost his card months ago and my card does not count. We completed his rock collection (due last week...oops) and finished his homework before basketball practice. I finished the laundry, cleaned the kitchen, straightened the house, filled a lawn-and-leaf bag with trash and clutter from around the house, played Sorry! with Alex, and even found time to read library books. It is only 6:30pm!
Truth be told, I am starting to look forward to my business trip this week. I will be home in time to pick the boys up from school on Thursday, and I will get to see a new place. I have never been to Lake Charles, Louisiana. I have a challenging goal to meet on Wednesday and an opportunity to help my company save a lot of money. I feel at peace tonight that Michael, Jackson and Alex will have a great week without me.
Just a few pictures from this afternoon...
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Inspiration
In the spirit of my mental preparation for the Working Mama Road Show, a few quotes of inspiration:
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain." --Maya Angelou
"The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it."--Rosanne Barr
"You can't please everyone, and you can't make everyone like you."--Katie Couric
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain." --Maya Angelou
"The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it."--Rosanne Barr
"You can't please everyone, and you can't make everyone like you."--Katie Couric
Friday, November 14, 2008
Herbie Curbie Diving
I have never had the pleasure of the serendipitous findings of dumpster diving. This morning, however, I experimented with Herbie Curbie diving, and it did not go so well. I am still laughing about this little adventure because, well, what else can I do?
Michael called while I was waiting in the Starbucks line this morning and asked if would please stop by the house and grab him an energy bar. My carpool commute is only about 4 miles round trip and takes me right by our house. Why not be an obliging wife this yucky rainy morning?
My car is full of trash and used Starbucks coffee cups, so I decided to take advantage of my herbie curbie beside my driveway and clean out my car. LESSON TO ALL: DON'T HOLD YOUR TRASH AND YOUR KEYS IN THE SAME HAND!
I tossed in a few coffee cups and heard the clanging of my keys hitting the bottom of the herbie curbie. I am not tall, I do not have long arms, it is pouring down rain and I have to get my keys out of the bottom of the herbie curbie. I took the trash bags out, tilted the herbie curbie at an angle, stood on a lawn chair and dove in. I used one hand to hold my umbrella and the top of the herbie curbie open at the same time, and the other hand fished in the delightful pool of fermented garbage water at the bottom of the can. I almost fell in a few times, the wind blew the umbrella out of my hand, the wet and slimy top of the herbie curbie slammed down on my head, but alas...I found my keys!
I am so grateful that today is Blue Jean Friday at work and I did not have on a suit or anything else expensive or dry clean only. I scrubbed my hands and arms, but I keep getting a whiff of garbage. My clothes got wet but they smell ok, so I figure it is my hair from where the top of the herbie curbie fell on my head. It did sort of rest there for about a minute while I tried to keep my balance in sort of a modified Warrior 3 pose. I suppose I could have showered and changed clothes...but what the hell. It's Friday.
Michael called while I was waiting in the Starbucks line this morning and asked if would please stop by the house and grab him an energy bar. My carpool commute is only about 4 miles round trip and takes me right by our house. Why not be an obliging wife this yucky rainy morning?
My car is full of trash and used Starbucks coffee cups, so I decided to take advantage of my herbie curbie beside my driveway and clean out my car. LESSON TO ALL: DON'T HOLD YOUR TRASH AND YOUR KEYS IN THE SAME HAND!
I tossed in a few coffee cups and heard the clanging of my keys hitting the bottom of the herbie curbie. I am not tall, I do not have long arms, it is pouring down rain and I have to get my keys out of the bottom of the herbie curbie. I took the trash bags out, tilted the herbie curbie at an angle, stood on a lawn chair and dove in. I used one hand to hold my umbrella and the top of the herbie curbie open at the same time, and the other hand fished in the delightful pool of fermented garbage water at the bottom of the can. I almost fell in a few times, the wind blew the umbrella out of my hand, the wet and slimy top of the herbie curbie slammed down on my head, but alas...I found my keys!
I am so grateful that today is Blue Jean Friday at work and I did not have on a suit or anything else expensive or dry clean only. I scrubbed my hands and arms, but I keep getting a whiff of garbage. My clothes got wet but they smell ok, so I figure it is my hair from where the top of the herbie curbie fell on my head. It did sort of rest there for about a minute while I tried to keep my balance in sort of a modified Warrior 3 pose. I suppose I could have showered and changed clothes...but what the hell. It's Friday.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Traditional?
I think the underlying reason for my SAD symptoms and stress lately is a big ol' case of Mommy Guilt. I will be away from my children for 15 of the next 30 days.
A great perpetrator of my Mommy Guilt has always been that I see myself how I imagine "traditional" parents see me. But what is "traditional" anyway? I have bucked tradition for so long that I don't even know anymore. Are working moms traditional? Are working moms who travel frequently traditional? Is it traditional for the father in a two-parent household to be the primary caretaker?
Maybe I am just a bit paranoid and defensive right now because my Mommy Guilt is raging. I am going to miss Jackson's first grade music production on Tuesday evening and his Thanksgiving Lunch on Thursday because I will be in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Michael will be there with the video camera, but I seriously doubt it will mean anything to Jackson that I will get to watch his play on tape several days later. I won't be there, and that is what he will remember. I go back to this concept of "traditional"--and I can't shake the dominant social norm in my little world (Columbia--Forest Acres--Satchel Ford Elementary--Kathwood Church Preschool) that the Mom attends ALL of these special events, and Dad shows up when he can, probably still in his business suit, slightly preoccupied with his Blackberry...and I realize that Dad is ME.
A great perpetrator of my Mommy Guilt has always been that I see myself how I imagine "traditional" parents see me. But what is "traditional" anyway? I have bucked tradition for so long that I don't even know anymore. Are working moms traditional? Are working moms who travel frequently traditional? Is it traditional for the father in a two-parent household to be the primary caretaker?
Maybe I am just a bit paranoid and defensive right now because my Mommy Guilt is raging. I am going to miss Jackson's first grade music production on Tuesday evening and his Thanksgiving Lunch on Thursday because I will be in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Michael will be there with the video camera, but I seriously doubt it will mean anything to Jackson that I will get to watch his play on tape several days later. I won't be there, and that is what he will remember. I go back to this concept of "traditional"--and I can't shake the dominant social norm in my little world (Columbia--Forest Acres--Satchel Ford Elementary--Kathwood Church Preschool) that the Mom attends ALL of these special events, and Dad shows up when he can, probably still in his business suit, slightly preoccupied with his Blackberry...and I realize that Dad is ME.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
SAD
"Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression, or winter blues, is a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter or, less frequently, in the summer, repeatedly, year after year." --Wikipedia.
That about sums me up right now. I am totally bummed, and I get this way every year when the time changes...I thought things would be better this year because I have lost a lot of weight, eating healthy, and running regularly. Well, not so much better. I am really struggling right now. First of all, I am ready to go to bed when the boys go down around 7:30pm. Really lame. Unfortunately, this early bedtime is not helping me get up in the mornings. I CANNOT get up in the mornings. What happened to the Stacy who could bounce out of bed at 4:15am just a month ago? I want her back! I am still running in the afternoons and I am back on a strict diet for the next few weeks to see if I can pull myself out of this. Anybody else SAD?
Michael, I want one of these for Christmas. Maybe it will help me get up in the morning!
That about sums me up right now. I am totally bummed, and I get this way every year when the time changes...I thought things would be better this year because I have lost a lot of weight, eating healthy, and running regularly. Well, not so much better. I am really struggling right now. First of all, I am ready to go to bed when the boys go down around 7:30pm. Really lame. Unfortunately, this early bedtime is not helping me get up in the mornings. I CANNOT get up in the mornings. What happened to the Stacy who could bounce out of bed at 4:15am just a month ago? I want her back! I am still running in the afternoons and I am back on a strict diet for the next few weeks to see if I can pull myself out of this. Anybody else SAD?
Michael, I want one of these for Christmas. Maybe it will help me get up in the morning!
Monday, November 10, 2008
The Working Mama Road Show
This is my last full week at home and in the office for over a month. I have a lot of work to do before my travels begin, but I am so overwhelmed right now that my mental preparation is becoming increasingly more important. Check this out:
November 18-20 (Tues-Thurs): I will be in Lake Charles, LA. I will be home late afternoon on the 20th.
November 21 (Fri): Day trip to Charlotte, NC
November 23-24 (Sun-Mon): Whirlwind trip to NOLA
December 1-4 (Mon-Thurs): I will be in Nashville, TN.
December 5 (Fri): I will be in Greensboro, NC.
December 10-12 (Wed-Fri): I will be in El Paso, TX.
I am really overwhelmed--and I know Michael has to be a little nervous about all this single parent time. I took this job over 18 months ago because we thought it would be the best option for our family, and we both still believe we made the right decision. Still, its going to be a rough end of the year, and I am going to be very liberal in the time I spend with my children on my in-town days.
The upside? I will be able to knit lots of afghan blocks on the plane flights for Warm Up America!
November 18-20 (Tues-Thurs): I will be in Lake Charles, LA. I will be home late afternoon on the 20th.
November 21 (Fri): Day trip to Charlotte, NC
November 23-24 (Sun-Mon): Whirlwind trip to NOLA
December 1-4 (Mon-Thurs): I will be in Nashville, TN.
December 5 (Fri): I will be in Greensboro, NC.
December 10-12 (Wed-Fri): I will be in El Paso, TX.
I am really overwhelmed--and I know Michael has to be a little nervous about all this single parent time. I took this job over 18 months ago because we thought it would be the best option for our family, and we both still believe we made the right decision. Still, its going to be a rough end of the year, and I am going to be very liberal in the time I spend with my children on my in-town days.
The upside? I will be able to knit lots of afghan blocks on the plane flights for Warm Up America!
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Phonics
Both of my sons are fascinated with spelling and phonics...they just aren't necessarily accurate. Case in point:
Alex: Mom, drink starts with J.
Me: Huh?
Alex: Ja, Ja, Ja Jarink.
Hmmm. Those Southern accents add strange extra syllables.
Alex: Mom, drink starts with J.
Me: Huh?
Alex: Ja, Ja, Ja Jarink.
Hmmm. Those Southern accents add strange extra syllables.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Warm Up America!
Do you like to knit? Do you enjoy cheap, short, fulfilling projects? Do you want to help someone on the street or in a shelter be warm this winter? I have a great project for you!
Warm Up America! is a knitting charity with the goal of blanketing people in need across America with handknit afghans. Go to www.warmupamerica.com for more information. Warm Up America! began in 1991 in Wisconsin by yarn shop owner Evie Rosen in an attempt to alleviate both homelessness in America AND the leftover balls of yarn that all of us knitters have in our stashes. The concept is so simple: knitters knit individual 7" X 9" squares that are gathered together and sewn into afgans. These aghans are then distributed locally to homeless shelters, women's shelters, nursing homes, hospice care facilities, and hospitals. It takes 49 blocks to make an afghan. You should use a washable yarn (I just use Caron acrylic worsted) in a variety of colors and patterns. I have created garter stitch squares, stockinette stitch squares, seed stitch squares, moss stitch squares, checkerboard squares, garter stitch ridge squares, and ribbed squares. I can usually complete a square in one sitting.
I can't do this alone...technically I can send my squares to Warm Up America!, but I would much rather make a local impact. If anyone is interested in donating knitted squares, I will gather them together block, and join them into afghans. We can decide as a group where they should be donated. It is really chilly tonight in Columbia, and its only November. Just think: A few hours of knitting could help save a life!
If you are interested, please email me at stacy.owings31@gmail.com. I posted some sample squares below. I still need to block the stockinette and ribbed squares to a 7" X 9" size, but you get the idea:
Warm Up America! is a knitting charity with the goal of blanketing people in need across America with handknit afghans. Go to www.warmupamerica.com for more information. Warm Up America! began in 1991 in Wisconsin by yarn shop owner Evie Rosen in an attempt to alleviate both homelessness in America AND the leftover balls of yarn that all of us knitters have in our stashes. The concept is so simple: knitters knit individual 7" X 9" squares that are gathered together and sewn into afgans. These aghans are then distributed locally to homeless shelters, women's shelters, nursing homes, hospice care facilities, and hospitals. It takes 49 blocks to make an afghan. You should use a washable yarn (I just use Caron acrylic worsted) in a variety of colors and patterns. I have created garter stitch squares, stockinette stitch squares, seed stitch squares, moss stitch squares, checkerboard squares, garter stitch ridge squares, and ribbed squares. I can usually complete a square in one sitting.
I can't do this alone...technically I can send my squares to Warm Up America!, but I would much rather make a local impact. If anyone is interested in donating knitted squares, I will gather them together block, and join them into afghans. We can decide as a group where they should be donated. It is really chilly tonight in Columbia, and its only November. Just think: A few hours of knitting could help save a life!
If you are interested, please email me at stacy.owings31@gmail.com. I posted some sample squares below. I still need to block the stockinette and ribbed squares to a 7" X 9" size, but you get the idea:
Weekend Warriors
The boys are in Simpsonville with my parents and Michael and I are weekend warriors. We are laying and painting trim in our living room and resurfacing our sagging cement porch. What fun! Actually, its not so bad. We got up this morning and ran 5 miles together, had breakfast at Starbucks, walked to Books-A-Million to get my magazine fix, and we have already cut the trim. Michael is tacking it down while I tool around on the internet. The molding we bought at Lowe's is already primed, so painting it should not be that bad. Regardless...home projects can really suck. The boys are away and I want to play!
Any knitters out there? I am gonna post tonight about a charity knitting project I am going to beg, encourage, cajole, etc. my friends to get involved in. Check back later!
Any knitters out there? I am gonna post tonight about a charity knitting project I am going to beg, encourage, cajole, etc. my friends to get involved in. Check back later!
Friday, November 07, 2008
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Running in the Dark
I hate the cold, so I have been running after work and later in the day on the weekends for the past few weeks. I have been slogging! I feel rough and it is suddenly so hard to run 3 miles. This afternoon I waited until nightfall to run, and I felt fantastic. Maybe I am weird, but I run so much better in the dark. No idea why. Maybe I just get an adrenaline rush trying to dodge the traffic that is not seeing me.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
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