Late to the Party

A few weeks ago, I discovered Etsy. Okay. So it was discovered a long time ago. However, I had never once visited Etsy. I had only heard about it through people who were selling crafty smocked kids clothing and such, so I never thought it would be worth a visit. No offense to anyone out there who fancies crafty kids clothes. Sophia would be thrilled with that, but I choose to forgo.

Anyway, one day I got a link from a college friend who is an artist. She was selling art on Etsy. I decided to check it out, and I was immediately hooked. http://www.etsy.com/shop/kimmybessart That's my friend's shop, in case you're interested. If you buy the anatomical heart necklace, let me know so we're sure not to wear it on the same day. Oh, and tell her I sent you. Maybe I'd get some free art eventually.

Fortunately, my Etsy "discovery" happened after Christmas. If it had happened before, I cannot account for the handmade and artsy stuff my family would be the owners of today.

I now look every evening just to see what beautiful things may have been created around the world today. I haven't bought anything else, and I may not because I can never convince myself that something more beautiful won't turn up the next day! Oh, and don't get me started on the vintage furniture items. Wow.

Basically, I'm posting this in case I wasn't actually the last person to discover this glorious pasttime. Go check it out. I wish I had found it earlier.

We've got a label for that

Yesterday in the car, Sophia and I were talking - as usual. At one point, the term "Christian" came up. She had asked what kind of school I had gone to when I was little. She was intrigued. Of course I was required to define and offer examples of the use of this word. That is protocol when introducing a new word to Sophia - or any child, I would imagine. It's good for my vocabulary because I don't use words I can't define. Anyhow, I defined "Christian" as a word that we use to describe a person who wants to be like Jesus. "Like me and you!" she responded. Yep. Just like that. She was quiet for a while, and then said, "Why do we have a word for that?" Seriously. That's what she said. I was stumped. For one, she has never asked that question before. For another thing, I didn't know what to tell her. The simple answer is "So we can label ourselves and others."

Now, I'm not saying that we should take this or similar words out of our lexicon. I'm simply suggesting that maybe we use too many labels. It's possible that labels allow us to assume too much about each other. Or not. I don't know. I'm just saying. It was a great question, and I wanted to throw it out there.

Keeping in Touch

This was actually a few weeks ago. Sophia wrote her friend Ava an email before she came to visit us. Normally when she types an email, I'm not allowed to ask questions about what it says because she doesn't want me to type it out again for the person. She thinks that's duplication. And I guess, at some level, it is. So this time I captured her words out loud as she was typing (and writing) them.

Tell me when to show up

I cannot wait for this movie to come out. It looks like exactly the perky, cheesy movie that I tend to love. Plus Harrison Ford?? Yes, please! I'll take two!

Togetherness

 

Sophia and I have spent more quality time together since our move to St. Louis than I thought I could handle. The holidays helped us both make it to the new year, and preschool should get us through the winter all right.

We have lots of fun together really. She is very much into helping right now. When I clean, she cleans. When I cook, she tries to help. There is pretty much nothing - and I do mean nothing - that I do during the day that she doesn't think she could help me out with.

Sometimes, however, her helpfulness runs out. Today, while I was cooking, she played in her room. I asked if it was a mess, and she responded affirmatively. I said of course that was fine as long as she helped me clean it up. Her response, "I don't really like helping clean messes I make." Me: "It's just part of being human." Brief pause: "Then I'll be a frog."

The other day, we got to be outside for a while at the park and just out in the neighborhood. Little respites like that help us both tremendously. Just in case you were wondering, this is her response after being caught doing something I had just asked her not to do. In case you needed to know.

 

One of her current favorite comebacks is, "Why are you asking me?" Sometimes it fits, and sometimes it doesn't. She doesn't seem to care whether or not it works. She just throws it out there when she doesn't know the answer.

I have to admit that I have enjoyed my quality time with the girl. She is a hoot.

The Zoo

 

On New Year's Eve, it was balmy in the morning. Beautiful. Once we realized a trip to Columbia was not going to work out, we decided to head to the zoo. The animals were pretty active. I think the storm blowing in made them a little crazy.

Anyhow, I just wanted to post this picture. It's a Somali Wild Ass. And I'm 12. I love to stand next to families with small children and tell Sophia about the Somali Wild Ass just to see the parents' reaction. So far nothing interesting, but I'll let you know if that changes.

By the way, that's a baby ass.

1.1.11

That's a lot of ones. After the last four months, I know better than to place too many expectations on the next twelve.

Here's what I want for 2011. I want to sort it out. Where do I fit here in St. Louis? How do I fit into the lives in Columbia? And vice versa. How do I capitalize on this built-in solitude? I find that it's invigorating many days, but how do I keep from insulating myself? It seems like a difficult balance.

Balance. It's a good goal for this year. That's what I'm looking for. Also, I think it will be easier for me to balance if I drop a few pounds. Wish me luck.