One Christmas gift that I forgot to talk about was the book I made for Andrew:
This link should allow you to see the finished project, a labor of love, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed putting together bit by bit each week as he emailed me updates and photos. I used Mixbook to create the scrapbook because it allows you to copy+paste text from an email right into the book so it's all in his own words. After my own semester abroad in college, I had to print photos and start scrapbooking my adventures from what I could remember, and I never even finished the project. I'm so glad to be able to give my kids this finished book right after their semester is over that they can cherish forever.
JP sent me a TED Talk that both validated our family rules re: screen time and social media, and also made me think a lot about what I'm doing with the time I have on this earth.
I think the issue is that we never know how much time we have left in life, and if we did, what would we do different? If I knew I had one year left to live, I would quit my jobs, eat whatever I wanted and travel and spend all my time with family and loved ones and volunteer. But if I knew I was going to live until 100 years old, I would eat as healthy as possible, exercise daily, save money during my working years, etc. Since we don't know "the day or the hour" I'm coming to the conclusion that we have to find a balance between those extremes. Which leads me to a question - would you want to know your last day on earth?
(The planner in me would want to know, but the anxiety in me would probably have a terrible time living with that knowledge.)
Alexander has been working on his science project this week. He is studying the effects of soda and juice on teeth enamel, soaking eggshells in place of teeth because that would be, err, difficult.
I didn't really make a New Year's Resolution, but I am eating gluten-free this month to see if it helps with any bloating/loud stomach noises. As with anytime I remove one thing from my diet, I just replace it with too much of something else, so chocolate and I might need to break up in February. How am I going to determine if the bloating is better while I'm gaining weight, ya know?
I'm also trying two new habits to see if they stick. One is taking Nutrafol because the people who take it swear by it (I'm looking at you and your hair growth Suz and Nicole). It's expensive and so I've been dragging my feet on it but 2025 is the year of the hair investment for me. The second habit is wearing socks each day in the winter. I'm notoriously a barefoot girlie because I mostly wear flats to work, but since I got my Uggs and then ordered this pair of shoes, I can wear them with socks and it's making me so comfortable in a way I didn't realize how uncomfortable I was before. I also found some super soft socks at Walmart on clearance that are just the best. It's the little things.
Speaking of little things...do you have a cardigan or blazer that is an open style and you find yourself constantly readjusting it over your chest so it hangs properly? Well I found a solution! These clips keep it secure and add a cute detail:
Sadly for us but happily for him, Andrew is heading back to Franciscan on Sunday which also means that I start teaching online classes on Monday (I have two this semester - Financial Accounting and Managerial Accounting). We are hoping to visit him for Easter and Brendan is already keeping a countdown on the whiteboard in our kitchen :)
We are praying for the victims of the fires, it is so terribly devastating and I can't even imagine what they are going through. I hope everyone takes a minute to donate help in some way if they can. I prefer to donate to an individual in need rather than an organization, and I found a friend of a friend that is a single mom of six with the same last name as us - that one felt perfect.
Hug your loved ones tight and have a wonderful weekend everyone.
There is a fictional book called "The Measure" by Nikki Erlick - its about a worldwide phenomenon where one day everyone wakes up with a box on their doorstep. Inside the box is a string, which is the exact number of years you will live. Its SO interesting and really makes you think. The book goes through how some people open box, some people don't, what it means for families, world leaders have to start disclosing their string etc. I'm with you - be so helpful to plan for, but it would freak me out so, so much.
ReplyDeleteQ - in the new year does work for the Cottage start really amping up? Or is it constant work all year round? Hope that's not nosy, its just so cool you do this! And happy new semester!
Not nosy at all! The work that I do for the Cottage starts in May and ends in September, because it’s only a summer seasonal business. Also, I read that book and liked it!
DeleteTwo classes on top of your full time job and family! That's a lot. I hope it goes well. I have only one course this term and am thankful for it. I'm burnt out and want a slow pace this term. Also tired of driving to work in ice and snow, so if the weather's bad, I won't feel guilty if I do class virtually. Two would make me feel like I had to go in person.
ReplyDeleteThe book you made Andrew is gorgeous- what a wonderful way to help him hold onto those memories!
It is a lot! I wish I didn't have to work so much :(
DeleteI fear I missed a post. I've gotta go back and check that out- tomorrow as it is past my bedtime. That book looks amazing. What a great idea. I love that his texts stick with the photos, so it serves as a great memory. I steer clear of sweaters that don't have closures on the front - because that drives me crazy, but maybe I'll be more open minded and just snag some of those clips as needed. I'm shocked that you don't wear socks in the winter. What is happening? Here, I thought you were a sensible type. ;) I hope Nutraful helps you. It didn't help me, but I am pretty sure that is because of my celiac disease. I cannot grow new hair. Before you eliminate gluten, have you been tested for celiac? If you eliminate gluten then the test will not be accurate. It is very common in Irish people.
ReplyDeleteThe clips are so helpful, I think you will like them! Socks just don't go with ballet flats, so I didn't wear any but I'm getting older and more sensible now :) I had the blood test which didn't show anything because my niece has celiacs and I've always had stomach issues. I haven't had an endoscopy yet and hope I don't have to. So far avoiding gluten isn't too hard for me (I tend to try and eat low carbish anyway) but I'm not sure it's making me feel any less bloated. We shall see!
DeleteLOVE the photobook! Such a thoughtful gift and truly a labor of love. It's been a while since I've put together a photobook because they do take so long, but are well worth it in the end.
ReplyDeleteXander's science experiment is very cool! My hypothesis is that dark cola will have the most detrimental effect ... but I feel like orange juice may be a close second?!
I think I *would* want to know when the end of my life would be just to have a sense of how to make the best of the time remaining. As you said, ultimately it should be a balance. I enjoyed reading The Measure that Cait mentioned above, really thought provoking about the societal implications of knowing roughly when your life will end.
So funny about the socks -- I asked for fuzzy socks for Christmas because I too have realized how happy they make me! Obviously the fuzzy socks are just worn around the house and at bed time since they don't feel right in shoes but I am all about the simple pleasures :)
I think the coke stained darker but the apple juice removed the most enamel! I saw the MukLuks on clearance at Walmart while we were grocery shopping in MD, and they felt so soft but they weren't the fuzzy house socks you speak of, and I'm in love. I'm glad your feet are cozy and happy too!
DeleteHave you considered taking a digestive enzyme? This is a really good one https://a.co/d/eRMl2dV
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