We are working with management to try to get them to quiet down, but after two notices in two weeks, I notice no change. In fact, it seems like they are even louder now.
So we’re going to have to move.
Again.
I did not want my daughter’s childhood to involve moving 4 times before her 7th birthday. I know I’ve read that children need stability, blah blah blah.
Kid Makes is excited to move. She enjoys it! She likes having a new place, and being able to visit the old place.
I must admit, I am also excited about possibly renting a house. With a backyard. And no shared walls with neighbors!
I look forward to planning a kid room that is functional and easy to clean (pipe dream, I know). I am looking forward to doing the same for my ultimate craft room.
And perhaps a kitchen that is bigger than a postage stamp for Papa.
Send us your positive vibes, dear Imaginary Readers.

How’s the new year treating you and yours?

I feel such relief that I can make a mistake and then take a deep breath and deal with it honestly and without fear of shame or reproach.  It’s a blessing to work with someone who is calm and patient and understanding.

Makes up for a lot of little irritants about my job.  I work with awesome people, and we make a positive difference in the lives of dying people and  their families.

Not too bad.

Do you like your boss/job/field?

Spend some time checking out the amazing street art in this (hugely image-laden) post at Street Art Utopia.  A selection of my favorites after the jump.

I continually find myself amazed by the level of talent and creativity displayed by humans.  There were way too many to say any were my favorite, so here are a selection to entice you to head over and check the rest out:

(See Image Source for more info on each photo)

If you celebrate, I wish you very happy holiday(s).

If you do not celebrate, I wish you warmth, shelter, food and friends.

See you in 2012!

1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.

3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

An important question to ask yourself periodically…If I knew that I only had a year left to live, what would I do with that time?  If you have never considered this, I encourage you to start now.  What would you do differently if you knew that your time was (severely) limited?  Who would you call?  Would you travel?  Write that memoir?  Treat your family differently? 

If you knew that your spouse, partner, child, parent, best friend, would be gone in 6 months?  What would you say to them?

Do these things now, because life often takes unexpected turns.

(Image Source)

Star Wars Snowflakes – Anthony Herrera Designs

Amigurumi Teddy Ornaments - All About Ami

Melted Snowman Cookies - Truly Custom Cakery

Holiday Card Decor – Mod Podge Rocks

Patchwork Placemats – whip up

Button Monogram – The Crafty Scientist

Snappy Coin Purse – SEW Timeless

Christmas Zen Garden – Happy Looks Good on You

(Image Source)  Edited to add an Update

One question I always face is, “When do you two plan on having another?” or some variation on this theme.  Not the most appropriate question, but I believe the intent is usually good, so I answer.

“I wish we could afford another, but it doesn’t look like it’s in the cards for us.”

PapaMakes and I always knew that we would have as many children as we could properly support.  We’re not the most ambitious people, so for our family it turns out that we can properly support one child. 

My favorite response (/sarcasm) was a member of PapaMakes’ family, slightly soused at his brother’s wedding.  We gave our stock answer, and the family member replied, “Just go for it!  God will provide!”  This line has provided PapaMakes and I with many many laughs over the intervening years.

However, if we won the lottery tomorrow, I don’t know if I would want to have another baby.  Pregnancy is magical, yes.  But it’s also very hard on the mother’s body.  Labor is just plain dangerous, and that’s in the very best of circumstances.  Then the real work begins.  Nursing every 2 hours, round the clock.  2-3 years of diaper duty, feeding, swaddling, holding, comforting.  It’s exhausting, really.  I’m very happy with my almost-not-quite self-sufficient brainiac child.

She asked me the question not too long ago.  “Mama, how come you didn’t have another baby?”  Knife right to the heart.  I answered her honestly, that we didn’t want to struggle to support our family, and we really couldn’t afford to have another kid in our family.  I don’t want to cut her childhood short by being so frank with her about ‘adult’ matters, but I also want to plant seeds now about the realities of money, the choices we don’t get to make because of money, and how we don’t always get what we (think we) want.

But if you try sometimes, you’ll find, you get what you need.