if tables could talk

We temporarily return to the present time period for a tribute to a kitchen table. 

I mentioned I wasn't particularly sentimental about our tv.  But I'm painfully sentimental about this kitchen table.  I've eaten meals at this kitchen table for my entire life.  This table has been witness two a family of four, then five, six, seven and eight.  (Yes, it only seats six, the little boys had to eat at the counter.)

I imagine this table saw Hall family debates, family meals, much laughter, dozens of birthday parties, and I know for a fact that tears were shed over this table.  Tears about slimy broccoli.  Homework was done at this table, sewing done at this table.  Letters written, letters read.  Books and newspapers read.  Thousands of mugs of ice cream.  Delicious meals were eaten, not so delicious meals were reluctantly eaten.  Countless bowls of cereal were consumed at this table.  Siblings argued at this table, parents paid bills at this table.  Imporant decisions were no doubt discussed at this table.  Games played at this table.  Oh the games played at this table! The alphabet was carved into this table, along with the romantic tribute "Mom + Dad" in a heart. 

Then this table once again belonged to a family of two.  Then three, four, five and now six.  More of everything mentioned above was done at this table.  Children spent hours at this table eating and avoiding eating.  Little people climbed on this table to retrieve fruit with little hands.  Painting and crafting have been done at this table.  A chair, that currently resides in Nebraska, is missing from this table. 

We ate our last meal at this table on Sunday.  I didn't cry.  But I still want to.

I couldn't bear to part with this table if it weren't for a new table I received as a gift.  The new table isn't "new" but it was a labor of love from a friend who moved away.  And it is much nicer looking. 

I'm tempted to selfishly hold on to it, keep it in my garage until I have a house big enough for two tables.  (HA! I can see Richard cringing as he reads that.) But I am reminded of Buzz & Woody.  What good were they packed up in a box in an attic?  What kind of life was that for them? 

Hopefully my dear table will find renewed functionality meeting the needs of a new family. 

So long kitchen table.

********
Does anyone need a kitchen table? Free to a good home. 

Ruth Wise

I think if I could have her over for dinner, we could talk all night.

rewind to... October!

Okay! It's time for catch-up! I've always enjoyed blogging so much that I've never had to do the "catch-up" thing before.  Sigh.  Just one of the great sacrifices I'm making to be a better mother. Gag. Ahem...

Anyway- I'll post the events of the last three months here briefly for those who really care (family members) but then I will change the date of the post so they will fall into the proper chronological order for someday when this blog becomes a book.  Which, thanks to Richard, might actually happen. 

well that explains so much

Warning: This post was an exercise for me in finding synonyms for "feces."  That may be all you need to know to discontinue reading. 

On Monday night, we went to my in-laws to watch the lamest NCAA football championship ever.  (For an entertaining commentary on that, go here.)  During the game we encountered some digestive trouble with Miriam.  She was complaining of a sore bum so I changed her diaper to discover a nightmare of a bowel movement.  Sure enough she had a wicked diaper rash from the undetected foul diaper going unchanged for too long.  The problem was that the stool had no smell.  It went undetected because, validate me here parents, for the most part I only change a stinky diaper when my nose makes me aware that I ought to do so. 

Some time went by and poor Miriam continued to complain of her tender tush.  There was once again no stench and so I assumed she was just suffering from the existing rash.  At last I checked and realized she needed to be changed again.  I lathered her up with butt paste and sent her on her way, but I was so confused.  Where the heck was all this poop coming from?

Shortly after the second full dump, and not long before the third I received the following text from my mother.  She had been caring for the kids while I was at work that day. 

"Miriam got into your dad's candy so she might get diarrhea from the maltodextrin."

I couldn't contain my laughter. 

Apparently while my mom was watching Simon in one room she heard Eli shout from another room down the hall.

"I want some of that!"

Naturally she responded quickly only to discover Miriam had enjoyed the better part of a sugar-free chocolate bar my mom had bought my diabetic father for Christmas.  I guess maltodextrin is an ingredient used in sugar-free treats and I guess eating too much can cause some belly trouble.

(I considered researching this more, but who wants to spend their precious minutes learning about causes of odorless diarrhea?)

Fortunately aside from the diaper rash Miriam had no other symptoms or issues. 

The girl just has a nose for chocolate.  At one point during the game when she was nowhere to be found, I discovered her diving into a bag of M&M's she'd found in my mother-in-law's office. 

Pinterest- a justification post

My blog has gotten to the point where I am so overwhelmed by all the un-written posts that I've decided to temporarily ignore them.  I will return when I finish my annual new-year purging of my home.  Another Christmas blessed us but this house ain't gettin' any bigger. 

Today, inspired by my friend Krista, I'm writing a tribute to Pinterest. 

First I want to say, I pinned before pinning was cool.  I am so annoyed by people like me who insist on taking credit for something that was just a matter of chance and was not the result of any effort on my part.  But people like that, well we just can't help ourselves. 

Today I looked back through months of texts between Krista and I, until I came across the one where she introduced me to Pinterest.  Bless you Krista!  For those who are unfamiliar with Pinterest, it automatically hooks you up with all your Facebook friends.  In May when I began, I had only one friend besides Krista on Pinterest.  Today, 130 of my Facebook friends are on Pinterest. 

I'll admit, in the beginning I spent excessive amounts of time just perusing and pinning.  Pinning and perusing.  It wasn't until the last month or two that I've actually used my pins.  I made six Christmas gifts from ideas I found on Pinterest.  With help I planned a fun New Year's Eve for my kids and nieces and nephews inspired by Pinterest.  Yesterday I needed to know how to clean a mattress and I found it on Pinterest.  For many things I skip the Google search and go straight to Pinterest.  Halloween costumes, recipes, gift ideas. 

Pinterest is the most practical and productive of all social networking sites.  I don't use this phrase lightly, but I am truly grateful for it.

Gag! I know right?  Grateful for Pinterest?

Naturally, with most internet fads it has its drawbacks.  It can be a huge black hole for time.  And it is not censored so when you are first exploring and if you venture from your trusted follow-ees then you can stumble across crude or offensive pins. 

But as with most things, used correctly and with moderation I find it to be my favorite way to either pass time while I eat my sandwich or wait in the Dr. office and my favorite way to efficiently find practical solutions to daily tasks.  All right there literally at my fingertips. 

I recently read that "Pinterest’s user growth rate is what Facebook’s was five years ago. Earlier in 2011, it was valued through venture financing at $40m and, most recently, just a few months later, at around $200m."

Wow.  Thanks Paul, Ben and Evan for your brilliance that has made my life at the very least more convenient, and possibly more fulfilling.  I just love it.