The New House

So that happened. We moved, and our new place is lovely. We are slowly getting settled - right now Sean is caulking in the kitchen, and I just got home with some new stools for the counter (thanks Pat Attack!). This week we'll see the arrival of our bedroom furniture, which will mean the exodus of the last moving boxes. That won't suck.



Maple has taken to the new place and loves her new room - maybe not as much as I love it, but she seems to like sleeping in her bed and playing with her toys in her own space. She has a 15-foot arched wood ceiling and about 10'x6' of windows on the south side of the room. Despite the amazing architectural details, the most exciting things about the new house (for the kindergarten set) are the balcony and the water-dispensing refrigerator.



We've got a bunch of projects in the hopper: some sewing for me (new couch pillows to brighten up the place, and some new cloth napkins) and some manly projects for Sean. And we're having fun decorating and redecorating the place in our minds, while we wait for the day when we can actually do it.

Sean started a new job right after we moved, and I think it suits him. He no longer gets up at three in the morning, and he gets to be "master of everything and nothing" in his new role as non-manager-manager.

I'm really enjoying the smoke-free living here (no more downstairs chimney!) and the amazing light that fills this space every day. It's finally warming up around here and Phoenix is shedding her fur coat. (She also got something new when we moved in.) And a few times a week, Maple and I take baths in our super deep bathtub.




Even though I resisted settling down here, I think it's working out pretty well.

That's what makes it so funny

I'm sick. I've been out of work for almost two weeks, and as much as I'd like to write in detail about my illness, I think I would bore you to tears. Let's just say that I had some colds, and then the flu, and then some complications, and now I'm slowly getting better. There, now I sound sort of normal. If I'd written about the pain or the deafness or the strange brownish greenish fluid, you'd never have come back. Hee hee.

So instead of writing in detail about my illness (can you tell I'm just dying to do it? Can you? Can you?), I will tell you a great story about Maple.

Last week Maple came home with a homework assignment from school. Homework is rare in Kindergarten - I think she's had three assignments so far. It was a few days before her teacher's birthday, and the auxiliary teacher (Mrs. B) was planning to surprise the main teacher (Mrs. V) with a bunch of written compliments from all the kids. In Maple's class, they have a birthday tradition where each kid gives the birthday kid a sincere and heartfelt compliment. I think this is a nice way to replace the cupcake thing, which they don't do anymore because they don't want to have any candy or sweets in the school. Anyway, Maple was asked to write a compliment on an index card, which was then to be put into a red envelope. We talked about what she would write for a few days, but she couldn't think of what she wanted to say.

At this point I should back up and say that Maple's teacher kind of sucks. She's a first-year teacher, and we've seen lots of evidence to indicate that she doesn't handle the class well. Maple has told us a number of times that they missed going outside for recess because one boy couldn't behave. We also heard many reports of the same boy crying at his own desk while everyone else sat at tables in groups of four. And then one girl started harassing Maple, and it got a bit out of hand. Then Maple kept getting in trouble for various small infractions of Kindergarten law, and she'd miss five or ten minutes of recess. She started telling us she hated her teacher. I've talked to a few other parents who foam at the mouth when they talk about Mrs. V. And then, just after Christmas, we got a note that she was going to be out on maternity leave starting in April. It's one thing to be a not-very-good teacher, it's another thing to leave the class before the end of the year, when the kids are trying to get used to the routine of school.

So last Thursday was the day before the homework was due. Maple hemmed and hawed and finally said she knew what she wanted to write on the compliment card: "You're the best teacher I ever had." I tried to point out to Maple that she was in Kindergarten, therefore Mrs. V was the only teacher she'd ever had, and so maybe it wasn't the best compliment to give her. Maple looked right at me and with a totally straight face said, "Yeah but that's what makes it so funny!"

I love this kid.

We can shoot the scene without the ear

sicky poo
Originally uploaded by maple's mama

Maple and I are sick. I found out I have sleep apnea when I have a cold. It's probably not really called that, it's more like stops-breathing-when-sleeping-while-sick. That's my official diagnosis. The lack of oxygen to my brain last night is probably not helping me get over the cold, but I shouldn't complain because a) Maple says her cold is worse than mine and b) this is only my second cold of this season. Maybe I'll escape the 2010-2011 winter with only two colds. That's progress.

I'm very excited for tomorrow, the division championship or whatever the last game before the superbowl is called, and the Steelers are still in it. We bought a digital antenna last weekend because I had football fever. I never watch the regular season. Two years ago when the Steelers won the superbowl, Sean found the game for me on the radio. That was fun but this year I want to watch them win on the TV. Of course they have to get past the Jets and I am kind of concerned about that.

About a year ago I got this iPhone app that everyone was talking about: Instamatic. I never used it but today after updating my iPhone I decided to take a couple of pictures with Instamatic. It's actually really fun. Click on the picture above to see the other one.

Sean is making curry for dinner. I was going to make dinner but it was a little pathetic seeing me stagger around in the kitchen with my cold-induced dizziness. I love his curries.

It was a gorgeous day today. It's often sunny here in the winter, so there are lots of beautiful sunny days. Plus we've had lots of snow so everything is white. Yesterday I had to drive in to work in the snow, which I generally avoid, but I had to present something to the CEO which you kind of can't call in sick for. It sounds more exciting than it is. On the way home, I was coughing uncontrollably while fighting my way up a snow-covered hill in my Fit, behind a sideways truck, a big truck. I was a little concerned for my safety, but probably more focused on getting home to Maple and Sean. Maple had another snow day yesterday.

Maple was just telling me that a little plastic dog that I'd bought her for Christmas two years ago was missing an ear. She said this with great import, like I was supposed to fix it for her. I told her I didn't know where the ear was and I didn't think I could fix it. She wandered away and muttered to her other toys, "It's okay guys, we can shoot the scene without the ear."

Old School

Last year, Maple attended a very interesting school called Sudbury Valley. They just posted a video to their website that was made last year when Maple was there. Check it out and see if you can spot Maple. (You can make the video full screen.) We watched it last night and Maple was excitedly pointing out all her old friends and associates.

Apparently I always describe Sudbury Valley School as "interesting" - see this post.

maple checks out the new view

maple checks out the new view
Originally uploaded by maple's mama

I really love this picture.

end of year update

About a month ago, I alluded to some news and then promptly fell off the face of the earth, or so I thought. Turns out the earth is round, who knew? So here is the news: we're buying a house!

We've been hesitant to commit to living in Mass; well, it's mostly been me lately who's been heel-dragging. Sean was ready to commit at least six months ago. Who knew I had such an issue with commitment? (Everyone, please lower your hands.) Since I left home, I've moved at least once every few years; first to Vermont, then Philadelphia, then New Jersey, New York, Florida, California, Washington, and now Mass. Since this is officially the snobbiest place we've ever lived, I was pretty sure we were on our way out in another few months. But it (slowly) started becoming clear that our life works here. We both have good jobs, Maple is in a good public school, we love our little townie life where we can walk to the town common, the ATM, the barber, the knitting store, a couple of restaurants. So we got our finances in some semblance of order and started wondering why we were paying someone elses mortgage and living above a chain smoker. (She's the nicest chain smoker in the world, but the smoke still stinks.) After looking around at a few condos in town, we settled on one that's less than a quarter mile from our current residence. We found great financing (the owner of the building is a bank and they are super motivated to sell the rest of the condos in the [new] building) and started thinking that it all just made sense.

For the past month or so we've been haggling over prices and fixes and dates and such. At every opportunity we considered backing out, but I think we're actually going to buy the place. It's really a great condo. There are so many things to love: underground heated parking and storage, elevators, a gym in the building, amazing south-facing windows along the whole condo, a beautiful new kitchen, hardwood and bamboo floors, an enormous walk-in closet, a custom mahogany built-in unit along one wall of the place (you can see the fireplace in this great photo Maple took), custom cement counters in the living room and bathroom, a bathroom that looks like something out of a luxury hotel. I know I'm bragging, but there are some small downsides too - it's right on the commuter rail, so we'll hear the train a lot, and it's also right across from the fire station, so there will be no shortage of noise from there too. Oh and the windows let in a ton of amazing light but you don't really want to look out of them because there's just a big parking lot there. But it's perfect for us, and we can't wait to move in. Maple is even going to have her own room that she doesn't have to share with her dad. (Right now her bedroom is upstairs and she shares it with Sean's office.)

I haven't wanted to post this news yet because technically it could still fall apart. It's like telling everyone you're pregnant during your first trimester. But I think the chances are pretty good that in 2 months we'll have a new address. And a reduced risk of lung cancer.

And as for Seanhog day? The Seanhog unfortunately predicted another few months of winter. Fortunately our den just got really badass.

Ahhhh

So now that Vegan MoFo is over, I've taken a few days off and am feeling refreshed and ready to write something again. This time though, not about food. Just a quick life update.

Maple continues to amaze us with her art. Yesterday she dressed up her doll Ida and then drew her portrait. It is a really good likeness - or was, when Ida was dressed up.



There's a line from a movie that we've often quoted around here since Maple started demonstrating her penchant for art, something like "I just know when to take the pictures away." The character in the movie was a kindergarten teacher who maintained that all kids make great art if you take the pictures away before they draw too much. We sometimes take pictures away from Maple - which occasionally pisses her off, because she wants to cover every bit of white with color - but when we are freaking out over how amazing it is, she usually assents to this. Anyway, we didn't take this portrait of Ida away in time!

I love this time of year. I love the silhouettes of the leafless tree limbs against the dull pastels of the morning skies. I love the fact that we can listen to Christmas music whenever we want without feeling guilty. And I love thinking about little gifts for the people I love. And this year we have some interesting things to think about; Sean is waiting for his own Groundhog's Day - let's call it Seanhog's Day, which will mean either another long year of winter for him, or an early spring. And we're working on another big change around here, but I can't tell you about it yet. More details on all that in a couple of weeks.

Today is the day that all the Natick kids decorate the Christmas Tree on the Common. Maple is a bit sick but we're not going to miss this tradition. We'll bundle up and dash outside for a half an hour or so to make an ornament and hang it on the tree. Sean is doing a rare Sunday shift at work, and I'm going to set my iPhone to a Pandora holiday station and listen to Christmas Music until I vomit.

Day 30: Bowl of Yum and Goodbye

Day 30: Bowl of Yum
Originally uploaded by maple's mama

Farewell Vegan MoFo. It's been fun. I think this month of food blogging and eating is responsible for my fall weight gain. All I did this month was eat or cook or read about food. So now I can join the proud ranks and order Isa's new book. She could not have planned better timing on that.

Tonight dinner was one of Sean's awesome curries. It was so good that I got upset when I found out there weren't enough leftovers for two, but luckily for him he split it in two containers anyway, otherwise I would have subjected him to my treatment of animal cookies.

In this curry we have corn, peas, brown rice, sauteed tofu and field roast, with Sean's own curry sauce which is "just" a coconut based sauce with Thai curry paste but it has a bunch of other ingredients like sauteed garlic and nootch and shoyu and lord only knows what else. It hits every comfort food note there is.

Peace out!

Day 29: Garden of Eden

Well, as usual I fell off the vegan wagon, but this time it was the Vegan MoFo wagon! Nary a bump or a bruise have I, since I will meet the 20 post quota anyway - I believe this is my 24th post. So suck it, all you underachievers.

Egad! Well, I never promised to be nice. On the contrary, I've spent too long being too nice at the expense of the stuff that matters, so I hereby declare that the nice mama is, well, if not dead, then sleeping heavily after an immense Thanksgiving meal.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, Sean made the All American Pot Pie from Veganomicon for the fourth straight year, and it rocked. He has a little secret about how he makes it - I won't give it away, but maybe he will post a comment about it. We spent the feast day with 10 other vegans - or at least people willing to eat vegan food, and there was some truly amazing cooking talent represented. Stupid me, I took no pictures, but I enjoyed myself immensely and I finally know what it's like to gorge one's self at Thanksgiving.

There were traditional things like mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, and utterly nontraditional things which I can't even name but which were decadent and cheer-inducing. Isn't that wonderfully cagey of me? Well anyway, it was good. I've gained at least five pounds, five vegan pounds! Yum. I even made a pie - the Smlove pie from V-Con, and I was too lazy to make the pecans but it was still great.

Tonight's Monday night feast is this peanutty broccoli pasta dish that I found on the back of the pasta box - Eden Kamut Spirals. Aha, here it is. It pretty much rocked.

And now, to bed.

Day 24: Beans and Greens, Southern Style

It was a nice lazy day. Sean worked long hours today and Maple and I hung out at home. For dinner we made smoky collard greens (from Veganomicon) and heated up a can of Amy's baked beans - and then added a splash of apple cider vinegar. This tasted great and was super easy. Maple didn't love it but she ate it all because I told her we'd be making cookies after dinner if she ate all her food. She picked the gigantoid pb oatmeal cookies from VWAV.

"[Food] Coma!"