August 2008 « This Classical Life

Can’t Stop Crying

By kristen, on August 26th, 2008%

I am rejoicing for Jana and Michael tonight, as their long wait for a referral is finally over.

It is such a comfort to me that the goodness of the Lord is seen in the land of the living tonight, and that I can share in the joy of two people so many miles away, about a child half a world away. I do wonder when our time will come, something almost foolhardy to do at this point in our family adventure. Someday…

First Day of Preschool

By kristen, on August 26th, 2008%

Yesterday was the first day of preschool for both of our girls. They’ve gone two days now and I can honestly say that I am so glad for both of them that they are there. Lexi was reluctant en route the first day but turned the corner as soon as she saw all of the neat things in her class to play with. She didn’t fuss one bit today! They are both having a great time and I am able to run errands and schedule meetings a few days a week knowing they are safe and well cared for, with great spaces and materials for creative free play and opportunities to observe and participate in meaningful work. I almost feel like their time at preschool is better spent than their time with me! I did take some pictures, I haven’t gotten them off the cards, between the bad weather and the inclement inclinations of the children of photographers, they aren’t much to look at anyway. Life keeps marching forward. I am the only one not in school, but as Kate told a friend yesterday, “Mommy works hard at home.” It made me smile!

One Word Meme

By kristen, on August 23rd, 2008%

Megan tagged me for this ages ago. So long ago, she just did another one word meme.

You’re feeling: exhausted
To your left: windows
On your mind: to-dos
Last meal included: bagel
You sometimes find it hard to: move
The weather: rainy
Something you have a collection of: hymnals
A smell that cheers you up: lavendar
A smell that can ruin your mood: diapers
How long since you last shaved: day
The current state of your hair: recently-cut
The largest item on your desk/workspace (not computer): box of trash
Your skill with chopsticks: embarrassing
Which section you head for first in a bookstore: fiction
Something you’re craving: autumn
Your general thoughts on the presidential race: depressing
How many times have you been hospitalized this year: 0? Wow!
Favorite place to go for a quiet moment: need a new one
You’ve always secretly thought you’d be a good: commentator
Something that freaks you out a little: critters inside
Something you’ve eaten too much of lately: ?
You have never: dived
You never want to: go back to a PC

I actually like being tagged, even though it takes me forever to do these. It makes me feel loved or something. But I never tag anyone. This probably shows that I am messed up.

Thanks, Publix

By kristen, on August 22nd, 2008%

I had a variety of errands to do this morning, which is always tiring with two children, and I was feeling very blah in general. So the thought of running into Publix for just a few things was not exciting me. But I did what I had to, and Publix came through. Not only did their superior race car carts delight my children, they played Ingrid Michaelson and Sufjan Stevens in the ten minutes I was there. I really needed to hear “Chicago,” it cheered me up immensely. “you came to take us / all things go, all things go / to recreate us / all things grow, all things grow…”

The Times Have Changed

By kristen, on August 19th, 2008%

I really like reading the Your __-Year-Old series every year, because in just the first 20 pages, I am usually convinced that whatever strange new phase I have been worrying about in Kate’s behavior, and calculating future therapy bills that will surely follow, is “developmentally appropriate” and I move on with my life for the next year, at least convinced that she is “normal.” One of the other highlights in these books is the fact that they are over a quarter century old, leading to giggles over the outfits the kids in the photographs are wearing, and some hilarious differences between parenting then and now. In Your Four-Year-Old, the authors assert that most four year olds are ready to run small errands for their parents, as long as they don’t have to cross a major street. Ha! I can’t even leave my two locked in the car for 30 seconds to hit the library drop box without fear of child protective services descending. What a strange and sheltered generation they will be.

Wisdom from Miss Bronte

By kristen, on August 18th, 2008%

“Conventionality is not morality. Self-righteousness is not religion. To attack the first is not to assail the last. To pluck the mask from the face of the Pharisee, is not to lift an impious hand to the Crown of Thorns.

These things and deeds are diametrically opposed: they are as distinct as is vice from virtue. Men too often confound them: they should not be confounded: appearance should not be mistaken for truth; narrow human doctrines, that only tend to elate and magnify a few, should not be substituted for the world-redeeming creed of Christ.” –Charlotte Bronte, from the preface to the second edition of Jane Eyre

Head’s Up for Locals

By kristen, on August 14th, 2008%

Reg’s Coffee House will have a special edition tomorrow morning from 7 a.m. to 10:05, then the new 100.5 will launch. I have no idea what the format will be, but we can only hope that leading off with Reg is a good sign, right?

UPDATE: The new station: live 100.5 is “Birmingham’s Modern Music” and according to the News, will be an AAA station (very Reg-like.) Please listen and support this station! Because it’s owned by a big radio conglomerate, ratings matter more than anything else.

A Neighborhood Stroll

By kristen, on August 11th, 2008%

I took the girls on a walk tonight after dinner, to let Michael work on his homework (!) and to keep the girls contained and busy so they would not be (a) making a mess or (b) jumping on me. Taking into account their weight and my limitations, I bought a new stroller a few weeks ago to make pushing them around the neighborhood possible, to partake in the goodness of a walkable neighborhood. I have even successfully used it to pick Kate up from a playdate or two so far. We enjoyed talking about flowers and signage and all the city sights to see, chatting with neighbors. We stopped to visit with a friend who was outside. With a measure of curiosity, it is amazing how much we can see in just a few short blocks, and what a huge swatch of people. Somehow walking around always rubs me enough to expose both my sinfulness and how very blessed I am. Our kids continue to delight in the city. After we came home, I saw Kate building skyscrapers behind her nativity to make “baby Jesus’ city.”

Thanksgiving

By kristen, on August 6th, 2008%

This week I am thankful for…

5 years of marriage. 3 states, 2 kids, 1 bungalow bought and sold. I am looking forward to plunging into our new adventures, together.

Camille, for calling me Thursday and inviting me to shoot a wedding with her. I am so looking forward to four more weddings this autumn. I have caught the wedding photography bug!

Michael, who sent me to a luxury hotel and spa to have some time of relaxation before the semester starts.

Our new home, which is coming together nicely.

Our church and our friends here in this city who love us and make me feel at home.

Read in July

By kristen, on August 1st, 2008%

We moved, so the reading was light.

Looking for Alaska by John Green
I liked this book, I really liked this book, even. Part of its allure for me was its semi-autobigraphical nature, and the fact that as a local, the transparency of its setting was amusing. I really enjoyed the narrator, a great deal. But am not sure that I love this book. I found Alaska obnoxious. I know that she wasn’t perfect, but I didn’t like her as much as the other characters. And I felt like I ought to have. Also, it’s been a while since I’ve been up on the YA scene, I admit. Howe…more I liked this book, I really liked this book, even. Part of its allure for me was its semi-autobigraphical nature, and the fact that as a local, the transparency of its setting was amusing. I really enjoyed the narrator, a great deal. But am not sure that I love this book. I found Alaska obnoxious. I know that she wasn’t perfect, but I didn’t like her as much as the other characters. And I felt like I ought to have. Also, it’s been a while since I’ve been up on the YA scene, I admit. However, the content of this book is probably for high school and above, when one could be reading novels from the broader collection of all of literature, and not just YA. But maybe I am just missing the boat on that one. 7.5/10

The Second Coming by Walker Percy
I loved this novel and couldn’t put it down. The quirky, and yet oddly believable characters, and their fascinating takes on both the extraordinary and mundane happenings of their own lives. It didn’t hurt that the settings were Southern ones, of great familiarity in their own ways. Entertaining and yet deep and thought provoking, I know that more than the Moviegoer, The Second Coming will propel me towards reading the rest of the Percy canon. 9/10

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis
Re-reading these this year… DT has always been one of my favorites in the series. I read the entire thing in the car while my children napped (two or three different sittings.) Somehow, the setting worked. 9/10

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