Quarterly Creative Offering, Otherwise Known as a Christmas Letter

Hey you!  Thanks for stopping in and reading this sporadic blog.  Here's our family card and letter for 2016.  

Insight into my mind:

1. Read last year's post on family pictures.

2. Take this year's picture.

3. Buy Groupon for $17.99 for 40 picture cards.  Neglect offer for $27.99 for 70.   I am not as wealthy as Scrooge McDuck and have you bought 4 books of stamps lately?!  Plus, 70?  I wasn't Homecoming Queen, I never rushed a sorority, and I'm an introvert.

4. Mail letters to extended family and a few close friends.

5. Regret not buying the 70 cards to have extras on hand, run short, order a few prints from CVS, dig out real, folding style cards to send out a few last-minute glad tidings.  Hope that suffices.

The End.

(Love you, mean it.  Merry Christmas.)

The Twelve Tidbits From Our Year

12 approximate times I used our new elliptical machine.  That may average to about $60 a use.  NAILED IT. 

11 tactics the kids employ at bedtime for maximum sleep avoidance: 1) water 2) Jeopardy 3) YouTube funnies on our bed 4) visits from Mom and Dad bedside 5) prayers 6) “Will you stay with me till I fall asleep?”—which is both precious and guilt-inducing-- “Cat’s in the Cradle” anyone? 7) blanket retrieval 8) lovey retrieval 9) Storytime 10) deep thoughts and ways my feelings got hurt 6 months ago (a Sarah classic) 11) theological questions for the ages (“Does God poop?”).

“10 dollar founding father without a father…”  A lyric from the musical Hamilton in which I became engrossed this summer and subsequently became our around-town driving music.  I try to turn down the radio whenever a more colorful word is used, but I’m waiting for someone pick up on and test out one of those colorful terms.  Alex and I are going to see the musical on Broadway this coming January and we can’t wait!  I want to get the kids “Young, Scrappy, and Hungry” t-shirts (another lyric) and take an obnoxious number of pictures to blast on social media with references to the musical because I’m fun like that.  I’m not sure how I escaped the lure of a drama program in my formative years.

9 is the age Jeremiah will turn this coming May which baffles my comprehension greatly.  J is in second grade, is an avid plane enthusiast (he took his first commercial flight this year with Dad), is working hard on his reading and decoding words like a champ, and will eat 3 pounds of chips and salsa (his preferred meal) on nights we wait for his sisters to finish ballet class.  He is sly, funny, perceptive, and sweet.  A boy of hidden talents that surprises us daily.  Firstborn love of my mother’s heart.

8 The number of childhood fads that are new or resurrected by the toy manufacturers and Netflix that my girls are mildly obsessed with: My Little Ponies, The Trolls, Care Bears, Shopkins, Frozen (Forever and Ever, Amen), EverAfter High, Secret Life of Pets, and Strawberry Shortcake.  I could name at least 10 more, but you would be tempted to call Child Protective Services for all the mind-numbing animation to which we have exposed the children.  (We do try to keep the TV off. Sometimes.  And read. Or even go outside.  Honest.)  For all the silly fads that come and go, it’s been a treat to introduce the kids to the original Muppets movies, Hailey Mills classics such as Parent Trap and Summer Magic and The Christmas Story Movie (“You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.”) We read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe this summer and watched the movie.  The girls are still making connections to that story.

7 is the age Sarah turns this coming January and her party was planned the second we blew out the candles on her 6^th birthday “Barbie and the Rockin’ Royals” cake.  Sarah is our cruise director, natural leader and extrovert.  She’s the kid glue.  As an introvert, it’s funny to navigate a child who just wants to meet everyone and invite them to do things! Sarah is a first grader and is involved with dance, STEAM club, and church choir.  When I’m in her school to eat lunch or volunteer, it seems everyone is Sarah’s buddy.  Sarah and her sister fight like cats and dogs, but she is also quick to comfort J or Rachel when they are hurt or sad.  She has a sensitive spirit and became a baptized believer in Jesus this May.  It is a privilege to guide her in faith, one I daily struggle to model well, but strive to make the focus of our family life.

6 The number of times I drive at minimum each weekday on Highway 96, a state road that takes me to the kid’s schools, our favored Chick Fil A, and off-shoots me to Sonic, Dad’s office, church, or Target.  I have a hard time not taking this exit any time I’m on the interstate.  I’d like a sash and tiara to wear as “Mrs. Highway 96” as I sit perched on the rolled down top of a Mustang convertible to collect my progeny and wave to all the parents in the carpool lane as they scroll on their phones.  I think it would add a bit of panache to the whole affair.

5 My baby will be 5 in 2017.  FIVE.  Rachel is a force of joy.  Sassy, mischievous, sharp, and a total Mama’s girl.  She’s a clown and has a “I-hate-waking-up-on-your-terms-but-love-my-preschool-once-I’m-there” lifestyle.  She will create a booty-shaking performance at the drop of a hat, but to my chagrin, also feels perfectly justified in lashing out at her dear mother during times of discipline with the stinging jab, “You’re a stupid butthead.”  I take full responsibility for her believing she is the most beautiful, capable human in existence and ask for your prayers that she does not one day end up as a contestant on ABC’s “The Bachelor”.  #MamaTried

4 weeks of the Whole 30 plan.  For all my kidding around, I took a month to eat in a very limited diet of protein and vegetables with no processed carbohydrates or milk products. (DAIRY. No dairy!)  I did it and liked it and felt great.  It taught me some good basic principles for healthy cooking and eating that I’d like to continue to work towards. 

3 rooms painted.  We are not big DIYers, but took a weekend to paint the girls rooms a “Plie Pink” in keeping with the theme of being new dance students.  It turned out beautifully and inspired a Great Fall Throw Out All the Junk in the Closets movement that made me preen just a bit in my homemaking skills.

2 new states visited.   We took an extended family road trip this summer with Alex’s Mom, Dad and Grandma to visit the Creation Museum in Kentucky, The Cincinnati Zoo and Waterpark and visit with longtime friends from his Grandma’s childhood in Ohio.  The kids did a great job on such a long car ride and really enjoyed all the sights. 

1 new member to be added to our extended family.  My sister Natalie and her husband James are expecting their first child, a daughter, this coming March.  The whole family is buoyed with excitement this Christmas as we visit with the parents-to-be and look forward to this most desired blessing in the Mead family.  The kids talk about “Aunt Natie’s baby” almost daily and we are planning to visit the family of three in Texas during the week of Spring Break.  There’s so much good in store in 2017!

We sincerely hope you have a joyful Christmas with moments of wonder and peace.  Thank you for being in our lives. 

Love,

Alex, Melissa, Jeremiah, Sarah, and Rachel

Poor Neglected Blog...

C'mere, let me pay you some attention.

It's September... I'm driving my taxi (#MinivanMafia) e'ry morning and dropping off Rachel at her 3 morning preschool which is a learning lab at the high school.  She protests daily, but greets me with "Don't look in my bag!  It's a surprise!" when I pick her up.  Sarah and J are doing well and J is even shadowing in Sarah's classroom for 30 minutes at the end of the day.  We're all bopping along, doing dance and choir; we just finished our first long read-aloud of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe  (not without a lot of redirection and silliness) this weekend and watched the movie.  I've got the girls hooked and we've started Prince Caspian.  I'd highly recommend a re-read and/or re-watch of this series.  I caught a few new allusions that delighted me.

It occurs to me that after 9 years of being out the of professional world I have filled my inner life with great books, blogs, podcasts and music as I can't seem to stop myself from recommending a new informational avenue to any live human with whom I get the pleasure of having a conversation.

I'm also jogging (more than once!) and eating like a sensible person.  (Baby steps.)

I'll drop in a few recent favorites to add some substance to this brief missive.


 Outlander by Diana Galbaldon (also a Starz series--adult content warning)

Author  Liane Moriarty who recently released Truly, Madly, Guilty

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend series on CW (season 1 on Netflix-- hilarious genre-bending musical comedy, also adults only)

The Popcast Newsletter (with long read links)


And I'd be remiss not to include this nugget:





Have a good one!

Mama Needs A Nerve Pill: A Summer Update

This has been the month of June in a nutshell:

Road trip!
Soccer camp!
VBS prep and teaching week!
Swim lessons!
Evening VBS!
Few naps!
Lots of snacks!

Or, from this desperate-for-sympathy text I composed to a friend:

Pretty sure my husband has bribed my youngest child with the promise of perhaps living with Ariel somewhere under the sea to secure her position as baby of the family as she has decided to make life unbearable! If I needed a death nail in any fantasy of more children--- mission accomplished! 1 hour tantrum pre and post swimming lesson.... Pushed through and did great! She laughed! Then her sandal fell off and yelled 30 minutes because I dared to retrieve it! Rude! She wanted to find it!

So, I have overscheduled fun here! Said child will be locked in if necessary for nap! #rantover #angelchild #soblessed  #exclaimationmarks


So.  Your basic no-problems-problems.

We've honestly had a blast, even if I've been up and out before 9 a.m. most mornings. (I know. Sad trombone.)  My only requirement for this Saturday is no-changing-out-of-my-pajamas before 10 a.m.  I need one morning of the week that doesn't start off as a hostile negotiation to empty one's bladder and not wear a too-small princess dress everywhere we go.  I've given up on brushing hair and wearing shoes with any regularity for this child.  Though I may have seriously considered bagging up every piece of clothing and doling out the basic necessities each morning.  Not ruling anything out.

Here are some highlights from our month o'fun.  And the kids and neighbors are happily glued to Minions as I write this, so I can make it without a run to CVS for the pills.

J Man Turns 8

Camel Ride at the Creation Museum

Carousel at Cedar Point  

Mama don't do the Scrambler.

Waterpark at Columbus Zoo

Mercer Soccer Day Camp

At the height of our excitement for VBS:Submerged

Sarah is becoming so skilled and fearless!

Such a brave kid!

Nerve pill pusher.  (Whom I sincerely adore.)

The fella I try to amuse with my end-of-day recaps.

When this face asks for a flamingo costume for the VBS animal contest,
you look pull out the glue gun and make it  happen.

I'm sure she'll make the gifted program.  (She's a turtle.)

Bonus: Halloween is handled.

A Lot Can Happen At An Altar

A lot can happen at an altar.

You lay something down.

You pick something up.

You feel pressed down on every side.

You keep coming back.

And one day, that thing that drove you to your knees, it gets turned around.

You see it redeemed.

I have come to the altar many times.  Sometimes I just kneel at my seat, and sometimes, I've stood on my chair, hopped off the back (and tripped ever so elegantly) to run there.

There's no casualness at the altar.

You are all in.


When my son was an infant, I came to the altar, and laid down my pride.  I knew I wasn't up to the task if I had any doubts about my relationship to the One about whom I would be teaching my child.  After almost two decades of fear, I went up to the altar, and later that night, I was immersed again in the baptismal waters--not saved by them-- but freed, finally, from any niggling doubts about my obedience to the Lord. I was not saved that day-- I do believe it happened at age 10-- but I was free.  Absolutely assured. Done and done.

Once again, I came to God's altar, just a few carpeted stairs, when my second child was a few months old.  She was being dedicated that day and the extended family was gathered around to witness this happy day.  I smiled, posed for pictures, and even hosted a party.  On the inside, I was hanging on by a thin thread.  A very thin one.

Looking back now, I see that I was smack dab in the middle of my own personal sifting, which is church talk for going through a really, really hard time all the while believing/hoping/wondering if it is being used for a greater purpose. For your benefit even. And for God's glory.

 I was drowning in anxiety.

I said the right things, and I did the right things, but I was petrified.

Take postpartum anxiety, coupled with what I absolutely believe to be spiritual warfare; two children under two, plus your child's undiagnosed autism and increased work responsibilities for your spouse and you are well on you way to either a breakdown or a breakthrough.  But something's breaking.

I think I did both.

My pride broke, again.

Who I thought I was broke.

Who I hoped I could be, for a time, broke.

I daily questioned if my mind broke.

Even my joy broke.

The only thing that remained constant was my unshakable faith in a personal and constant God.

*

I talked to my doctor, and a Christian counselor.  That was probably the hardest and scariest thing I'd ever done.

I wasn't impervious to life, and I needed help.

Life is hard and everyone needs help.  Even and especially people who've had it pretty easy their whole life.  That'd be me.

Bit by bit, I came out of that hard time.  I sloughed it out. I wore out my little book of helpful bible verses.  I treated them like the lifeline they were. I prayed and prayed. And it got worse before if got better. But it did get better.

I emerged from the fog, stronger and with a faith and family intact.

That second child, and that hard time, continue to teach me.

God turned it around.

**

My daughter Sarah, who was dedicated at the altar on May 29, 2010 walked the aisle to it again and proudly announced her belief in Jesus and was baptized a few weeks later on Mother's Day, May 8, 2016.

God turned it around.  

This child that I fought for, did battle for, in my spirit and my mind, that I still worry I don't give a full and fair share of my attention to--- God chose her. He saved her. He called her little six year old heart to His.

Without any help from me. 

God turned it around.

Big time.

The Revolutionary Boys With The Way They Talk...

I'm late to the party, but I've caught up to the zeitgeist and discovered the musical Hamilton that was just awarded the Pulitzer prize in drama.  And by discovered, I mean waking up to it on loop in my brain, watching all related Charlie Rose interviews and having my kids bop along in the car as I turn it down on those tricky PG-13 parts.

It is amazing.

It's the story of the American Revolution, centered on the character of Alexander Hamilton, and never has a founding father seemed so real and relevant.  It has all the big themes-- love, loyalty, legacy, jealousy, betrayal and forgiveness.  It's told through the language of hip hop and I LOVE IT.  It's not my lane of music typically, but it's weirdly perfect to re-imagine the founding of our country.

If you are curious, dial up Amazon or Apple streaming music and listen to "My Shot", "Ten Duel Commandments" and "Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story" and I promise you'll want to listen to all 44 songs.  And if you feel the need to deep dive into the story further (I did), here's a link with lots of related video clips.

Secondly, the AMC series Turn  (Mondays at 10 PM) began its third season last night.  We've been invested in the series from the start.  It is based on the book Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy ring. What I like most about the series is that it shows there are people of integrity and of dishonor on both sides of the fight. I actually feel pretty ambivalent about main character, Abe Woodhall, because his personal life seems like a soap opera and he can't make his up about to whom he will be devoted.  I admire the British leaders John Andre and Major Hewlett as they are honest in their dealings and respectful of women and servants under their command.  I appreciate how it shows that there is good and bad on any two sides of a debate, and only winning casts one side as righteous.

Okay, class, that's your viewing and listening assignment for the week.  Let me know what you think!

It Didn't Lose My Mind, Just My Pride. I'm Doing the Whole 30.

The only thing new and noteworthy going on right now for me is that I've started a new eating plan, and I've resisted documenting it here because it feels like, so done, that I'm rolling my eyes right now at how cliche it is.

However, I'm on day 15 of a clean eating plan called The Whole 30  that calls for a complete elimination of dairy, grain, legumes, any added sugars (real or artificial), alcohol and tobacco.  

So in my terms, no mac n' cheese, no heavenly bread basket, no whipped, creamy goodness of any sort, no crackers (pause for solemn regret), or chips or pretzels or CHOCOLATE AT ALL.  No holy shiitake mushroom pizza at Mellow Mushroom.  No Sonic drinks. No post bedtime carb gorge. Nope, none, NADA.

I'm completely serious.

I decided to do this wacky thing called nutrition after being gently asked one too many times if perhaps I had reason to be congratulated-- albeit while wearing Spanx underneath my leggings and dress.  It was the last moment in a line of gentle humiliations that broke the camel's (middle-aged mama's) back.  And when I wore a sweater that tied at my midsection and a kindly great-grandmother asked if I knew if I was having a boy or girl.

All the bless-my-hearts.

I gamely enthused, "It'll be a surprise!" and kept on my way. 

(My other go-to response for phantom baby inquiries is, "No!  But I'd be glad to receive a word of prophesy!" Big smile and keep on goin'.)

So, I'm eating well.

I went home a few weeks ago after the Spanx incident (an undergarment can only do so much) and bought the first of the Whole 30 books, It Starts With Food, and made my grocery list to start working in Paleo-style dinner meals.

Two weeks later,  I ripped off the band-aid, made some clarified butter and homemade mayo, and started the eating plan.

The funny thing about the plan is that it's pretty strict and tough-lovey.  Fighting cancer is hard, the authors declare, and drinking your coffee black is just not.   Though for the record, I'm putting unsweetened coconut or cashew milk in mine and it's a little mind-game I'm happy to play.

In terms of changes, I've noticed that just intellectually telling myself all junk food is off limits (and even some fairly good foods like quinoa and beans) was enough. In the last two weeks, I haven't cried myself to sleep over my lack of comfort foods (the book calls these SWYPO-- Sex With Your Pants On-- which is hilarious and true).  

My main meals are bananas with almond or cashew butter (surprisingly delicious), eggs and sausage, homemade curried chicken salad over lettuce, roasted vegetables (asparagus, brussel sprouts, potatoes with Italian spices--excellent) and simple skillet chicken and ground beef dishes with a variety of spices and vegetables.  I'll snack on dates with nut butter or a Lara bar (still high in natural sugars-- but c'mon-- you know what they say about how long it took to build Rome).  Today I ate leftover vegetable beef soup with sweet potatoes and butter lettuce with tomatoes and homemade avacado dressing.  

It sounds a smidge prideful, but once I stocked up on sea salt, cracked peppper, nut butters, a few natural treats and pulled out my magic bullet, I've gotten the basics down.  I still make my kids spaghetti every week, and just eat in leftovers or a substitute for myself.

I ate my salad without the dressing  the first time I went to a restaurant.  I only smelled the fresh bread.  I bought doughnuts for my Sunday School class with nary a care.  I resisted pizza.  I ate the ham off the Publix sub at a picnic and left the rest uneaten.

In summary, I am a bit tickled with myself.

I still very much enjoy all those vices, and may decide to extend my total elimination phase to 60 days to give me a bit more practice with true nutrition.  The plan does not expect for you to never eat these foods again, but to understand how they affect your body and which ones should and should not be reintroduced to your diet,

And obviously, I'm hoping to start shedding a few pounds.  I appreciate that this plan does not require calorie counting on top of all the food restrictions or I'd never have tried it.  It extols healthy fats at each meal, with lots of animal protein and vegetables.

I can do that. 

The only negative effects I've had were on the first night, where I woke up very sick to my stomach and afraid I had a stomach bug.  I think my system was just shocked and freaking out.  

The average amount of weight lost on Whole30 is said to be around 6-15 pounds for most people, and I have a feeling I'll probably only lose a few, but I'm pleased with myself for making the effort.

I didn't get around to taking a "before" picture to chart my progress, but I notice that I'm sleeping extremely well.  I have terrible allergies and am struggling through the pollen, but I'd love to think that eating better might help if I keep at it.

I'll report back in a few weeks.

If you didn't check out at "stomach bug", here's some non-diet items of interest:

Dave Barnes has new music out and it reminds me of the Eagles.

There is now a West Wing Weekly Podcast, so those power Netflix binges this winter will pay off.  One of the hosts is Joshua Malina, who joined the cast in the fourth season.

Check out the Jamie Ivey Podcast episode with Sally Lloyd Jones, author of the Jesus Storybook Bible.  She talks about excellence in the arts and not giving our leftover efforts to children.  Really enjoyed it.

.

Old Navy has some really cute spring clothes right now, especially the Pixie cut pant that tapers at the ankle and is just very flattering.  They also have 5 inch inseams for Maude (that's me) and I feel appropriate and summery.  And these great camisoles with wide straps that won't get shredded in my dryer.  I highly endorse the Spring '16 offerings of Old Navy.  The End.

I "taught" a wreath tutorial for a Moms group this week after throwing caution to the wind this Christmas and making 8 teacher wreaths for my kids' teachers, helpers, and therapists.  Me teaching a craft class is just hilarious.  All the ladies successfully made a wreath and fun was had by all.   Here's the tutorial I used. It's very user-friendly for those who don't see themselves as crafty.

Deco Mesh Wreath Tutorial

Here's my first one from Christmas:

Y'all, I made this. New levels of grown-up lady status achieved today. Making 6 for teacher gifts. I'm a stranger to myself.

A photo posted by Melissa (@thejaybirdblog) on Dec 12, 2015 at 9:32am PST

Downton Down Low: Hour Two

Tom and Henry (aka Hot Husband) are opening a car shop and it's so middle class. But Mary's so happy to be in the family way she gamely pronounces her pride in him.

Rose dropping some wisdom on Robert about marriage.

Daisy's gonna attempt a blow out to get Andrew's eye back on her.

Dinker needs a new hobby. She's hilarious.

Aughh! No! Daisy cutting her hair! By herself! Aww y'all. Poor Daisy.

Anna playin' beauty shop. Match number 3 is about to go down. Andy plus Daisy. "Let's not be out of step anymore." Sweet and understated.

And Tom! Flirting!

And Lord Merton's not at death's door. Happy Days!

Edith finally gets her moment in the sun. :) :) :)

Here comes Barrow to the rescue... Carson doesn't have to leave and we're all better people. Let's hold hands and pause for quiet reflection.

Baby's a comin! Baby's a comin! And Mary knows how to take off a shoe! Who knew!

Oh my. Even Mrs. Patamore's getting some action!!! The wish fulfillment is coming fast and furious as we have a  few remaining minutes.

And guess who catches Edith's bouquet?  Her editor! Tom finally gets to be interesting again!

Beautiful Anna has a son.

Cora and Violet have made up! It's a New Year. Edith's off on honeymoon! God Bless Us, Everyone.

And snow falling. Perfect note.

Cheers and Ta, Downton. Thanks a lot.

Downton Down Low: Hour One

I said NO DYING, Mr. Carson.

I think Dinker and Spratt should be under cover lovers. Though on second thought, maybe not. 

Hey now, Mr. Moseley! A new job offer and living situation! Lock Miss Baxter down.

Daisy. Clueless as always.

Hark! Is Mary planning to help Edith? She has an idea.

Prediction: Carson has hand tremors and Barrow will  realize his dream of becoming a full butler.

Oh, dang. Er'body gonna get married. Go on, Mrs. Crawley.

Daisy thrownin' shade at kind Andrew.

Oh! Set up! Edith's gonna get her man!!!!!!

And she's mad. Ooh, make him stew. Well played.

He's about to cry. Cmon, Edith.

Aww. He got me too.

"Edith's going to be happy. Hoorah." Yay!

Nice send off for Barrow.

One more grand house party for Downton gang as they meet Edith's future mother in law. 

Sad face. Mr. Carson seems to have Parkinson's.

Awkward mother-in-law exchange alert.  Classic piece of work trope.

 Wait. Nope. Lord Merton's daughter-in-law deserves that title. 

C'mon Papa Carson. Give Barrow a hug. 

Dang, Edith. You're a risk taker.

Nothing like a good looking lad swinging a hammer. Live a bit, Daisy. The writers are tying up each loose end in a pretty bow.

3 snaps, Bertie. Way to be a man.

New buddy cop team: Violet and Isobel! Down with uppity daughters-in-law!

Barrow snuffing out 3 sad candles at an empty table. Metaphor.  He must find his way back to the Crawley family.

Yay Bertie's mom. All's well that ends well. 

Here goes The Dynamic Duo!!! Springing Bertie out of the clink!

Hug it out, girls. Sisters gotta hug. 

A glittering gala of a wedding. You're a delight. And Rose's back! 

Downton Abbey: Stone Cold

So I've missed the last 3 or so episodes of the show and since there's only one left, I decided to finish strong and tune in.

It was Crazytown.  My reaction to tonight's episode in list form:

6 Reasons I Had To Admit To Myself That Downton Is A Soap And I'm Not Truly A Patron Of The Arts

1. Suddenly Tom Branson is a yenta, inviting Henry (Hot Car Guy) to throw him in Mary's path.
Why is Tom so boring?  Do we really believe he missed Downton after trying America?

2. Mary is stone cold.   Ruining Edith's relationship with Bernie by trotting out Edith's secret over morning coffee? Right as they are announcing their engagement?  LOW BLOW.

3.  Mary admitting that she can't be a "car crash widow" again to Violet in an anguished tete a tete in her bedroom.  I almost thought she'd throw herself on the bed and call out to her dead beloved...

4. But wait!  She visits his grave! And presses a kiss to it.  And wants his forgiveness. (And can I say that I kinda wonder if I'd be the kind of dead spouse who would be like, "Sure, honey!  It's fine! Move on!" ? But I'm no Mathew.)

5. Mary calls Henry back, confesses her love, and they are married 5 minutes later.  Edith attends the wedding, is the complete bigger person, and seems okay with being the beloved maiden aunt to the three Downton children. If Edith doesn't get her happy ending, and Mary gets to act a fool and commit her own series of indiscretions and ride off into the sunset with Hot Car Guy, it has all been for naught.

6. And Thomas attempts to take his own life?  Tucking that storyline in between Mr. Moseley turned Mr. Holland (which was actually a very sweet moment) and Mrs. Patamore fretting that her B&B will be know as a house of ill repute is a lot of ground to cover in 75 mintues.

I imagine I'll have to catch up on the episodes I missed in the next two weeks, and don my Nanny's old mink stole in honor of the last Downton episode March 6.  Here's to Downton in all its silliness! TTFN :)

Grease Is The Word.

The Grease Live Musical was so good I'm still happy about it 2 days later.

I really think the local gyms should create a "Musical Theater for Moms" (With Unfulfilled Drama Dreams) exercise class because I will happily sweat to those oldies.

Things I Loved About Grease Live:

1. The excitement of a live production

2. Ana Gasteyer as the principal.  So much goodness.

3. Praise Hands for Aaron Tveit who played Danny.  I now know he also played Enjolras in the recent Les Miserables movie and I want to personally congratulate him on being both incredibly talented, artistic and masculine.  The storyline of Grease is  pretty formulaic and a less-than-ideal roadmap for our daughters and their romantic aspirations, but at the end of the day, GIVE ME A MAN WITH TENDER FEELINGS AND A LEATHER JACKET. Mercy.

4.  Julianne Hough totally rose the the vocal challenge of the role.  She is so beautiful.  Again, blah, blah, blah. beauty comes from within, but really, can you imagine being as blindingly beautiful as the actors who played the lead roles?  I think that would be fun for a day.  I don't think I'd mind someone overlooking my beautiful soul for awhile.

5.  Boyz II Men doing "Beauty School Dropout".  That was so perfect.  I'll be singing it for awhile.

6.  Fox made a very savvy move and cleaned up all the cringe-worthy innuendos in "Greased Lighting" as they rightly knew their audience (women who grew up on Grease) would be watching with their own kids. Upon hearing the family-friendly lyrics, said demographic would download the album and the broadcast and have maybe already listened to the soundtrack on loop and re-watched the musical.  

7.  The whole "Greased Lighting" dance number.  The physicality of that number (look at me using that groovy showbiz lingo) was astounding.  

8. The joy of the actors performing at their very best.  You could hear the actors whoop a bit in sheer excitement on certain songs.

9.  Ending with a live carnival for the final song.  I almost thought they'd be able to get Danny and Sandy to fly away in their car.

10.  The little sly updates to dialogue, like when Frenchy tells Sandy that "We (women) have to be our own people... like they teach us in Home Ec."

Do I like TV too much?  Does it consume a bit too much of my mental energy?  Yes and yes.

But Grease Live was a shot-in-the-arm of infectious musical joy and I'll take it.


Did you watch?  What did you like about the production?

2016: Insurance Claims, Winter Doldrums, and All the Social Media Outlets

Hi readers.  And by readers I mean-- Hi Mom, Dad, Natalie, Jenny, Missy, and various college and mom friends. :)

It's a new year.

Christmas was a swirling dervish of presents and travel and I'm almost recovered.  I didn't rush to put up decorations before the 1st as is my usual practice and I'm proud to report they got back in the attic on January 21st.  #crushingit

January highlights:

Sarah turned six, and had three separate occasions to mark the day of her birth-- school cupcakes, a pancake breakfast celebration on the actual day followed by a dinner date with Dad, and a Barbie (TM) Rock N Royals Birthday party that I invited all 20 students in the class to and then promptly stressed til the moment of the party that more than 2 kids would attend.  I realize that an unaccepted invitation to at 6-year-old's party is not a rejection of me as a person.  I realize that.  I do.  I really do.  (Inner monologue: If only I was better at making friends then more kids would come to my kid's birthday party, UGH, being a introvert is so hard.)  Lesson learned:  Invite any and all children in your social circle to your kid's birthday party.  10 percent will come.  It'll be ALL GOOD.  I'll pick up this existential birthday angst up again next January for my social butterfly daughter.  The party was an unqualified success-- we did a craft, temporary tattoos, clip-in colored hair and colored hairspray, Barbie play, cake and presents, karaoke and trampoline play.  

Pinterest?  Can't touch this.


I'm writing this on hold with our insurance company as we changed over January 1 and our three providers are not showing us as insured but BCBS is. 

So.... Situation Normal there.

Can I make a confession?

I didn't even watch Downton this Sunday night.

I know.

My people are counting on me.

But it's gotten so.... boring/lame/stale/predictable.  

Season recap:  Carson is the epitome of all that is good and noble and true in the male species.  This speech on wanting a true marriage was pitch perfect.  Backstory:  his fiancée Mrs. Hughes (who has never been married, but as housekeeper is called Mrs. to disguish her position from lower ranking staff)  is sheepish about the (erm) marital act as a late middle-aged woman and fears disappointing Mr. Carson.  She asks her closest friend in the house, Mrs. Patmore, to act as go-between with Mr. Carson to discuss his expectations in that department.  It's about to get as awkward as a true-love-waits Sunday School lesson in which the male leader likens your "special gift" to a present that only your spouse can unwrap.  Which is, yes, very very true, but also skin-crawlingly awkward.

"Downton Abbey: Episode #6.1" (2015)

Charles Carson: Tell her this, Mrs. Patmore. That, in my eyes, she is beautiful. 
Mrs. Patmore: I see. 
Charles Carson: You say she asks if I want a 'full' marriage and the answer is yes, I do. I want a real marriage, a true marriage, with everything that that involves. And I hope I do not ask the indelicate when I send you back to relay this message. 
Mrs. Patmore: Don't worry about me. 
Charles Carson: I love her, Mrs. Patmore. I am happy and tickled and bursting with pride that she would agree to be my wife. And I want us to live as closely as two people can, for the time that remains to us on earth. 
Mrs. Patmore: Well, you couldn't make it any clearer. I'll say that for you. 
Source: IMDB

Men, please copy these lines down verbatim and insert them into your wife's
Valentine's Day card that you will be accompanying with a thoughtful gesture that extends beyond the  card itself.  I want to help you.


Also, I want to convey complete sincerity here, infertility is a delicate subject to approach and I would never want to imply that it is not a serious and emotional struggle that couples face, but they way it is being used in the Anna-Bates storyline stretches one's patience.

Anna finally is cleared any involvement in the death of her attacker, and the minute the couple receive the good news that they are finally free to live their lives again, Anna is all  "I'll never make you happy the way you deserve because I cannot have a child and you're just lying when you say you're happy and it doesn't matter."  

Since this is a fictional drama, OF COURSE we know that Anna will have Bates' child and OF COURSE it will all be wonderful, so I feel like Anna's character feels a bit one-note when dealing with the complex emotions of infertility.  

Anyhoo.  Edith finally has a date with a man who is 1) not 70 and 2) is not moving to pre-Nazi Germany, so hooray, Edith.  Go on, girl.  I'd say "get down with your bad self," but let's not forget her covert pregnancy and the Solomon like push-and-pull between Edith and the Drewe family to raise Marigold.

I won't even bore you with my thoughts on the blackmail Lady Mary plot, except to say I'm over Lady Mary and Lord Grantham is a poorly written character.

Lastly, I have to share my current podcast/IG/Netflix faves:

Netflix:
  The West Wing.  I heart this series.  I watched the first 4 seasons in college and sporadically until it went off the air in 2006.  It feels relevant 10 years later.  I love the passion of the characters, their flaws and sense of moral unction to do what is best for the country.   I wish the politicians on the national stage conveyed the authenticity that the paid actors reciting written dialogue on a TV show do, but that's the way it goes with reality.

IG:  
I started following a mom entrepreneur that another notable suggested and I just enjoy her fun, positive style. Plus she sells the cutest Mom shirts.  I can't make myself purchase one at $35 a throw, but I'd love if someone gifted me one.  (Not that my husband reads this.)

Feel the rhythm...Feel the rhyme. Get on up! ...it's MOMBIE time!😆 Cool Runnings, anyone? I love me a good underdog bobsled movie.😂🙌🏻 ------------------------------------------------ ...anyway....You guys! Good Morning!! I'd love for you to join @_christinaboyce and I for our weekly #MombiesRise series!💀💁🏼 ------------------------------------------------ Just post a picture of your morning super drink and/or your fab messy mom hair, tag us, use the #mombiesrise hashtag and tell us about your morning Mom Life!👍🏻 ------------------------------------------------ I stayed up way too late last night trying to finish my book, A Royal Pain, by Rhys Bowen...but I knew I had to stop when the book fell from my exhausted hands and whacked my poor giant crooked nose.😁🙄...with just 30 pages to go. ------------------------------------------------ I planned on waking up before the kids to finish my royal mystery novel in peace. ...but of course...I had no such luck. Those wild beast children woke me up at 5:45 and I was much too grumpy to read.😭 ------------------------------------------------ I just got BryLee out the door for school. Mav is crying in his crib, trying to go down for a nap since he's done nothing but scream all morning...and Ellie's painting a toilet paper roll telescope at the art table.😆 ------------------------------------------------ ...so I grabbed a breakfast soda and came to my room to finish my book.😊👍🏻 I challenge you to take a few minutes for yourself this morning! Those kids can wait while you have a little mom time.😉 ------------------------------------------------ Have a fabulous day, friends!😊😘😘😘

A photo posted by MaLyn #RealLife #MomLife (@malyn.logic) on Jan 27, 2016 at 5:23am PST

Podcasts:
The blogger behind Modern Mrs. Darcy, a book-lover's dream, has started a new podcast called What Should I Read Next?   The host interviews a book lover and plays "book matchmaking" based on the interviewee's taste in books.  I've also been listening to  Off-Camera with Sam Jones, a movie insider's podcast with notables like Matt Damon and Will Ferrell.  This is also a show on IFC channel.  Some of the movie stars are predictably pretentious about THE CRAFT, but many are fascinating, particularly the Damon and Ferrell interviews.

I'm also pleased to report I've used my elliptical a grand total of 3 times and read my bible maybe 30% of the days in January.  Self-helpers call this imperfect progress, so I'll be honest and take it. 

Have a great Wednesday!

(Oh, p.s. I get to go to Chattanooga with my youth worker friends for the Conclave conference this weekend--Child-free girlfriend/hang out/learning time!  Yay!)