A question of faith

How should faith or religion be involved in how to raise our delightful 3-year old daughter?

Joe's family is Catholic, though many are not devout, though there is an ex-nun in the family.... Joe spent all 12 years in Catholic private education. I was raised Presbyterian and spent all American (and British) schooling in public education. We've come to an agreement that neither of us fully believe in the tenants of any particular religious doctrine.

Many years ago, I attended the new-member class at the First Unitarian Society in Madison many years ago. I love the principles of Unitarianism. I've always thought any children I'd have would be raised with the strong affirmation of the inherent dignity of all.

We moved to Green Bay in 2001. A completely different community from Madison. It has been difficult to find my place in this community - a democrat, liberal, pro-feminist, pro-choice mother and wife in a republican, conservative and Catholic environment. I've figured out a path - slowly finding souls I can relate to. For some reason, though, I've never attended the GBUU. I've had lots of excuses - "Packer Sunday!" - "the weather is lousy" - "it's not a beautiful building like Appleton's or Madison's". ENOUGH excuses!

So, this is my goal - to attend the GBUU within the month.

Still alive....

Yes, Lana, I'm still alive, though I haven't spent much time blogging as of late. Some reasons:

• Joe went to Las Vegas (or as Maddy calls it "Lost" Vegas) last week.
• Maddy has had a long (6-month) bout with bed-time issues. We've tried EVERYTHING we could think of or read about. Websites were consulted - books were read - issues were discussed with family and other moms ad nauseum. It seems that it was "just a phase". (Knock on wood.) Of the past week, she's been a "very very good girl" getting to bed 4 nights out of 7! Woo Hoo! Exhausting.
• I've recently started an antioxidant nutritional supplement that KICKED MY BUTT. OPC-3 (as it's called) helps rid the body of free radicals, and let me tell you, it's tiring! But, a week later, I do feel better.
  

Those are my excuses, and I'm sticking to them!

What happens when you no longer have a funny bone?

So I found out what happens when you hit your funny bone when you've lost it (or at least when you've had it surgically moved). It still hurts. Owie! It's now bruised and sore. Now you know!

the brisk whirl-wind weekend

We spent 6 hours in the car this weekend driving to and from this FUN place in Tomah. It was the second installment of birthday celebrations - this time for Maddy (Dec 23), Alison (Jan 9), William (Jan21), and myself (Jan 24).

It was nasty cold outside, and got colder as the weekend went on. This morning, it was 13 below in Green Bay - schools were closed - wind chills to be about 25 below. Yikes.

33 Reasons ...

33 Reasons Why Libraries and Librarians are Still Extremely Important

by: Will Sherman

Are Librarians Totally Obsolete?

BlogMoms

I've added a new section (to left) re: cool blogging moms. I heard Melissa Summers was to be on the Today Show to talk to Meredith Viera about moms who, at occassional play dates, imbibe in a cocktail. Read any and all of these sources with the warning that you may have less respect for Meredith than ever.

Kitchen diaries

Tremendously funny.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to me!

I love birthdays. Always have!

When I was a young child living in Michigan, my folks would take me and friends to the circus, which was always in town in Janaury. We moved from Grand Rapids to Fitchburg, Wisconsin, a week after my ninth birthday. My 3rd grade teacher (Mrs. Scripsema), who happened to have also been my 1st grade teacher, was the best teacher to have as a kid.

My most treasured kid-birthday gift was a huge homemade construction card/book with cards my classmates made for me. I still have both of these cards. They are priceless. (I won't go into detail about my least-treasured birthday, but it had to do with seeing an ex-boyfriend and his "Italian hussy".)

So for this birthday, besides going out last Saturday, I'm celebrating it by yoga practice today, swimming this afternoon, watching Maddy enjoy herself at dance class (that ballerina!), and having dinner delivered by good friends of ours tonight. Tomorrow, we're all going to a former SLISter's house (thanks, Michelle!) to introduce our families to each other. Friday, probably with Joe's mom. Saturday, out dancing with a girls-night-out! :)

I LOVE BIRTHDAYS!

LIfe

I feel energized! As I mentioned as the new year began a few short weeks ago, I'm consciously making the effort to do my body (and mind) good. In week 2:

• I've been able to rearrange my work schedule so that I work 8-2, Monday through Friday. I now have a few hours 2 days of a week to take a breath - do errands if needed - take a quick nap before I need to pick up Maddy at her Nana's. I now have 3 hours the other 3 days of the week to be able to WORK OUT at the YWCA - cardio, strength & swimming!
  

• I've signed up for 2 days of yoga Mondays and Wednesdays at work! They are offering it for free. Did I mention, though not working in a library right now, that I love my job and my place of employment? :D

• I am in a FIT CLUB at work - a team of 4. We're "The Leaner of the Pack". LOL We count points daily for things like doing 15 minutes of stress management, 7 hours of sleep the night before, 5 servings of fruits & vegetables, 50 oz. of water, etc.
  

• Organize an evening AWAY on Saturday for Joe and I. My folks are giving us a night at a nice posh hotel in Appleton for the evening as a belated anniversary present (Thanks, Mom & Dad), and Joe's folks are taking care of Madeline for the afternoon & evening (Thanks, Mom & Dad!). It's partially a birthday party for me and our friend Tom - our B'day is celebrated Wednesday (the 24th).
  

I am hopeful this weight can be shed.
I am hopeful my cholesterol will be lower when I get it checked in May.
I am hopeful the higher levels dopamine & serotonin will increase my mood.

Life is good!

Four

(taken from Erica @ Librarian Avengers)

FOUR JOBS YOU’VE HAD IN YOUR LIFE
Grants Specialist
Certified Nursing Assistant
Assistant Girl Scout Summer Camp Director
Web-Resources Research Librarian

FOUR MOVIES YOU WATCH OVER AND OVER
The Princess Bride
Star Wars (Episodes IV - VI)
Finding Nemo (kind of have to with Maddy)
Serenity

FOUR CITIES YOU’VE LIVED IN
Madison, WI
Ashland, WI
Skipton, North Yorkshire
Green Bay, WI

FOUR TV-SHOWS YOU LOVE TO WATCH
Lost
Grey's Anatomy
Heroes
Brothers & Sisters

FOUR PLACES YOU’VE BEEN ON VACATION
Negril, Jamaica
Paris, France
Miami, Florida
Denver, Colorado

FOUR WEBSITES YOU VISIT OFTEN
BoingBoing
Treehugger
Librarian Avengers
Isthmus: The Daily Page

FOUR OF YOUR FAVOURITE FOODS
Wine
Broccoli
Grilled Chicken
Chocolate Chip Cookies

FOUR PLACES YOU’D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW
On the couch, with the cats, reading a good book.
On a beach somewhere warm, flag up to get another rum-drink
Scuba diving
Walking through the woods with Maddy & Joe

On being 3....

Maddy's accomplishments thus far in the first month since she turned 3:

• Started dance / movement class for toddlers. Of course her mom was much more worried about the whole affair than she was. She's having a blast!
  

• Been able to wear "BIG GIRL UNDERWEAR" during the day! (Whoppee!)

• Her ability at imaginative and associative play is amazing! ("Here is baby monster!" when we look for monsters at the Cabin & "Now I look like Dorothy!" when I put her hair in braids at the back of her head, patting the imaginary Toto in her pocket).

• She's accomplished the dubious accomplishment of having gotten her parents wrapped around her finger when it comes to bedtime. It's a war-zone when it gets to 8pm. Oh my. No matter what her poor parents do or try. Tonight we're trying music and hypnotize her to sleep. *cross fingers*

What's up with the snow?

Or lack of. In the 5-some years we've spent at the Cottage in Door County bringing in the New Year, this is the first that there is still open water on the Bay. No snow! How very rude!

oh yeah...

Did I happen to mention that I played my cello today? The first time since the fall in February. I didn't cry during - there was minimal pain, only stiffness from the lack of use. WOO HOO!

a new year

The Year of the Elbow is over. Long live the New Year.

Joe and I spent the evening with great friends, and brought in the new year the best way possible - via hot tub. :D Of course, it would have been better if it wasn't rainy or windy, but it was a lot of fun and very relaxing.

On the list of things I'd like to accomplish this year:

• For the first time in my life, I'm going to put fitness as a priority.
  

My cholesterol is way too high. I'd like to lose weight. I want Maddy to know how important fitness is and to set a good example. I'm going to join the YWCA, attend yoga classes, swim at least once a week. My elbow is doing well, and it feels fantastic being able to swim!

• Eat and help plan the family meals more efficiently / effectively.

We've been so amazingly busy trying to live day to day and by the end of the day, we usually stare into the refrigerator or the freezer or the cupboard, waiting for the dinner fairy to delight us with healthy, yummy cuisine. For some reason, that's not working.

• Work towards being able to plan a real vacation for sometime this year.

We haven't had a real, go-anywhere vacation in a long time and Maddy's never had a vacation. I don't count last February in Ohio to visit family - any trip when you end up in the emergency room does NOT count!

:) Happy New Years to you and yours! What's on your list?

The holidays....

The whirlwind that are the holidays have left us primarily intact. We spent Friday the 22nd driving through the only snow we saw (a mini-blizzard around Appleton, WI).

Maddy spent her 3rd birthday at her Nana Sue's @ Chez Wood in the midst of early-Xmas Eve celebrations and early Wood-Family Xmas gift-giving. She handled the chaos that are her cousins like a trouper. (I'm uploading pictures to my flickr site. To be cont.)

We arrived back in Green Bay on the 24th in time to change and head to Joe's grandparents house for Xmas eve dinner. We were able to sleep in a bit on Christmas morning and spent much of the day lounging, opening up presents. Joe's parents had all of the kids (Justin & Kris, Zac & Erin, Joe & Karen and Maddy) over for dinner on Christmas night. Then it was off to Boxing Day dinner at Joe's Grandma Betty's for "traditional tacos".

I had to work today (Wednesday); Joe both yesterday and today. Amazingly, we both have Thursday through next Monday off. :D We'll probably go to the cabin, perhaps the cottage, definitely down-sizing the contents of the house. I think we'll celebrate the event called Discardia. MUCH needed.

The Princess dilemma

What's wrong with Cinderella?

A NYT Magazine article for every feminst mom.

Santa!

Justin Timberlake on:

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Hilarious!

Ramblings...

• I've finished Eragon and am starting Lisey's Story (that I got for Joe for his birthday). I like Eragon and look forward to reading the next in the series. I am a rabid SK fan (thanks to Joe). My favorite SK book is Insomnia, but the Dark Tower series is close behind. I'm getting into the groove of Lisey's Story. Wasn't quite sure at the beginning, but it's pretty bool, I mean cool. :)
  

• We had two fun days of holiday celebrations at work. Tuesday was the college-wide holiday bruncheon and yesterday was our departments 2-hour party. FUN! Did I mention that I love my job? Did I mention that I love the fact that the President of the college allows, nay ENCOURAGE, members of the college to share their musical talents by performing in the faculty & staff band or chorus? Did I mention that I love the fact that despite not being able to finish music school (twice) because of severe chronic tendonitis and fibromyalgia, I am able to continue enjoying my love of music by becoming the band and the chorus conductor?
  

• Today is the last day I work this week, then the next few weeks are going to be wacky.
  
• 22nd: To Madison after Joe is done with work, staying with my folks at Chez Wood
  
• 23rd: In the morning, the Hicks, the Klanns, Paul and Julie are all coming to the house for a "traditional" holiday celebration. This was the best part every year while growing up. The five kids would bring instruments and with Jack on the piano, well it was magic. In the afternoon of the 23rd, we will celebrate MADDY'S 3RD BIRTHDAY. Oh my god, do the years fly! In between all of this chaos, my goal is to ENJOY and remain CALM. :)
  
• 24th: Back to GB - evening to Grandma the Great Parins' house to celebrate with 20+ of the Parins' family.
  
• 25th: MERRY CHRISTMAS at our beautiful house
• 26th: Boxing Day at Grandma Betty's with the Eckbergs
• 27th: Karen to work
  
• 28th til Jan 2nd: Karen off work! Joe has to work a few of those days, but it's going to be quite nice to not have to work! Maddy is looking forward to that too.
  

• Go Packers Go!
  

Holiday greetings to you all!

HA!

You know those things that show up in multiples in your life when you least expect them? They are that tap-on-the-shoulder, the universe's way of standing up and saying "HEY! This is important! Pay attention and NOTICE!" It took me a while to figure this out, but I've figured the latest thing out!

The past few days, this cosmic thing has been laughter.

This time of year has always been so frackin' stressful, this year no different. But then I heard this story on NPR, All Things Considered on my way home from work:

Laughter Yoga: Relaxing, If a Bit Kooky

That got me smiling, appreciative of those kooky southern Californians! And then my fellow cello (-ist) Wendy sent me the Pachelbel Rant. It got Joe and me chortling. It wasn't until my dear sister Amy sent me this video. I opened it at work. It took me only about 30 seconds until I was laughing to the point of crying. Of course I've sent it to my co-workers, and sure enough, soon everyone was laughing.

Hope these make YOUR day. :) Happy Holidays.