Monthly Archives: May 2010

the good rut

Posted on May 29, 2010 by wendy| 2 Comments

Have you seen the calendar? It’s half flipped through already. Which means it’s time to mark an end to whatever chapter you or your loved ones being formally educated are completing (there’s not a graduation ceremony for “School of Hard Knocks” is there?).

For our family, last year it was don’t-forget-the-hanky, kindergarten graduation. This year, the Kid is old enough to appreciate The Future and ready to declare herself a “Second Grader” with all its shining glory the moment that final buzzer rings in June.

While she merrily prances forward, my maternal body drags behind, clinging to any stray historical branch, tree root, or boulder I can get my arms around.

At the same time, my past self is all “What gives? You moved how many times? To how many states? Quit how many jobs?”

What gives, indeed.

All I can figure is I have gotten myself into a Good Rut. Don’t wreck it.

I went from a Change of Scenery every couple of years, to marriage, dog ownership, home ownership and motherhood. Yup, in that order. Change to me now is not good, practically unsettling.

Maybe birthing a child sparks some weird chemical reaction? I haven’t read the study, but I can confess that I am freakishly comforted when I am running with the dog and see the same, damn rubber band on the ground at the bottom of the hill.

I noticed it a few weeks ago. It is still there. Hallelujah.

I am a rubber band hoarder saver, so initially I had to fight the urge to snatch it up and keep it for myself. Never know when you might need a nice, fat rubber band!

But now I grin when I run past it. Hello, there, chum! How’s life on the road treatin’ ya today? No one better drive over you. What? You’ll bounce back? Touche, my friend! Rock on!

Okay, even though it makes me extremely uncomfortable, maybe we will allow our daughter to become a Second Grader in June, but all I can say is that rubber band better stay put.

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Posted in aging, education, events, growth, life is good

My boyfriend’s back…

Posted on May 25, 2010 by wendy| 11 Comments

Isn’t he hot? The American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis).
yellowfinch
So YELLOW and eye-catching and…YELLOW. I can see how he gets the girls’ attention with his bold markings.

He shows up every year. He can’t stay away from my sunflower seeds me.

He likes to play all cool and unavailable…
DSC_0224
But in reality, he can’t keep his eyes off my dog stalking him me.
DSC_0223-1
Oh, those piercing, beady eyes, that pointy beak, those skinny, orange feet! He’s just so YELLOW! *swooning*

Are you hot for anyone these days?

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Posted in animals, Bainbridge Island, WA, weirdo

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sweet and salty…and bacony?

Posted on May 20, 2010 by wendy| 6 Comments

I was visiting the local market the other day and happened upon this little treasure:
bacon chocolate bar
Now, I’m a chocolate fan and I’m a bacon fan (crispy, please), but Madison Avenue, I don’t think these two guys need to be joined in holy packaging.

And is there such a thing in this world as “Dark Bacon“?? Or is there a “Milk Bacon Bar,” too (excuse me while I hurl)??

What ever happened to chocolate itself being good enough? Chocolate alone is worthy. Don’t give it a complex. It doesn’t need an 8-member choir at its concert. Holy Toledo, it can solo, it can connect to the crowd alone, it can courageously show its sensitive side to the women and the girls (no, I haven’t been watching American Idol, *ahem*…).

Come on, are ya with me? Or are you on the current bacon wagon train?

And don’t ask the dog.
dog reflection
She still wants to know who’s outside, staring at her.

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Posted in brilliant ideas, food, questions, weirdo

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Bainbridge Island’s new Kids’ Discovery Museum

Posted on May 17, 2010 by wendy| Comments Off

Did you know our little island has a kids’ discovery museum? One of those hand’s on places with lots of fun, rotating exhibits?

Well, at the moment it doesn’t. But that’s only because it is being reborn in a brand, spankin’ new building, in a brand, spankin’ new complex.

Yes, Bainbridge Island is getting a new large and wholly inappropriate but there it is complex. When you come off the ferry you might wonder if you docked in Bellevue somehow will see it at Winslow Way and Highway 305. Up front will be commercial buildings, but nestled in the back is our own Kidimu, complete with facelift and Botox.
IMG_0282
It officially opens mid-June and will be a short walk from the ferry (hey, it’s allll down hill going back to the boat!), much closer to the terminal than the prior location.

I got a sneak peek last week at a fundraiser event (not that I have any funds–are any of you clicking that stuff on the right of this screen??).

The museum space is larger now, with more to do. They have a lot of different play areas, including a real electric car:
electric car
And don’t look now, but the roof has some stuff growing on it:
living roof
Looks more organized than what’s growing on my roof (Just kidding, hubs! I know, you cleaned it!).

They’re even offering loads of summer camps (my child is signed up for one already)!

It was a fun event, great food by caterer Cherie Levan (turns out, laying down on the dessert table for easier eating is frowned upon by this community), and even musical entertainment along with a live auction.

It’s always nice to have grown-up time, but I must say, the relaxing aspect of the evening was a little tarnished because of this:
balloon popping
(all balloons were harmed in the making of this post)

See, they sold balloons with prizes inside as a fundraiser. Right away I understood why no children were invited.

After you picked your favorite balloon, an evil man with a paper clip popped it. For a child, that’s worse than Bambi’s mother getting hunted down.

It was difficult to relax with all the POP! BANG! EXPLODE! going on. I got over it, though. I just had another rhubarb cocktail. Mmmm, so pretty and delicious!
cocktail
(no, not actually my drink; they didn’t last long enough)

Planning a trip to Bainbridge this summer? Be sure to visit the sparkly, new Kidimu!

All balloons should be safe by then.

UPDATE: Official Grand Opening is JUNE 5th!! WOOT!

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Posted in Bainbridge Island, WA, events

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introducing: the shiny coat series

Posted on May 12, 2010 by wendy| 4 Comments

I’ve been thinking a lot about health issues in the past year, and actually doing lots of a few healthy things for myself, with the help of some professionals (and nonprofessionals).

And I did run a 5K without going to the hospital! Maybe a few of these things could help you to feel better, too, or at least not feel worse.

So, I’m adding this series, “Shiny Coat,” (get it?? dogs…shiny coat…hey, it could have been “Wet Nose!”) here at Let the dog in! to include tidbits on health, food, exercise, and all those detestable things I never cared about 20 years ago in the tequila bar things you may also be beginning to think about. Maybe we can swap good ideas, lament the bad ones and formulate some new, awesome ones!

To kick this off, let’s talk smoothies!

I detoxed last spring on a whole foods type diet, no wheat, corn, dairy, sugar, alcohol, etc. I know, right? What’s left? Well, nothing good a fair amount, just basically nothing processed. I could spend a whole month discussing the ins and outs of that whole scene, and maybe later I will. I’ll probably detox again this summer.

One thing I did to avoid eating lots of grains at every meal was to have a smoothie for breakfast, the bigger, the better.
smoothie
I must warn you about the smoothie habit.

Sure, you start with normal stuff, yogurt (I use the soy or coconut milk kind), frozen fruit, protein powder, juice, but next thing you know you’re adding nut butters, fish oil, crushed flaxseeds, rice milk, cooked beets, tofu, and maybe even greens!

And you’ll like it!

Which is good because no one in your family will want it.

But you should start small, with baby steps. There’s plenty of time to go crazy later.

Of course, Becca wants me to remind you that none of this is ever meant to replacing walking the dog.
wirehaired pointing griffon

Are you making smoothies? What do you like to put in them?

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Posted in food, health, shiny coat

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buddy, can you spare a story?

Posted on May 10, 2010 by wendy| 3 Comments

Hot news for you children’s lit writers out there. Have you heard about the Bedtime Stories Project going on at SleepBetter.org? They are looking for bedtime stories submissions; there is no cost to enter. You can read and rate all the submitted stories, including the one by *ahem* yours truly. The top stories may be read by the one and only Betty White at an event with SleepBetter.org.

The grand prize winner will have her work illustrated by award-winning artist Bill Nelson. Here is his gorgeous Goldilocks illustration:
Sb-org-SleepyTales-Goldilocks-rs-72DPI

Here is another, the Princess and the Pea:
princess and the pea

I’m visualizing my story with his art….. But you should definitely not enter the contest, too! Or at least go check out the stories for grins!

* * * * * * * * * * * *
Other Bidness:

1. For the first time ever one of my posts is up on blogher.com! Yes, I’m virtually a three-year, overnight sensation! Here is the link. Please click over and make a girl feel special by commenting! :)

2. I have a new post up at the Mom Squad on mothers in the movies (I know, I’m like Steven King prolific lately! *snort*). Come check it out and share what moms in movies you like!

I know, you’re tired, it’s a lot of clicking and such, but just give a try, for me, pretty pleeeeeease.

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Posted in events, me-me-me, scratchings

mammy, how i love ya!

Posted on May 8, 2010 by wendy| 3 Comments

Happy Mother’s Day!

And don’t think that fact gets ignored here at the Let the dog in! household. As you are reading this, I’ll probably be getting my back massaged, or maybe soaking in my Barbie Mermaid bubble-filled bath tub. Or, perhaps I’m out sipping a mimosa and nibbling fresh strawberries.

If I’m really lucky, all three at once!

Yes, nothing is too good for us, moms. Am I right?

I even wrote a six-word memoir in honor of mom. One.org and Smith Magazine asked if you could write in six words why moms matter. Here’s my submission (hi, mother!):

“my first partner in life’s dance”

And maybe we tripped, stepped on each other’s toes or even took turns ramming each other into the walls as we fought over who was supposed to lead during the dance, but we danced nonetheless.

Need a more tranquil image of mom?
How’s this from a framed photo that hung in my husband’s parents’ house in Douglas, Alaska for years:
IMG_0209
That’s more like it, a mom nourishing her babes in a traditional way. Wonder what she’s thinking. That leaf makes 212, no, I missed a leaf…

I also discovered this video clip of those two cute bears in Minnesota. Do you know them, Lilly and her cub, Hope?

(Sorry for the poorly sized video, but I’m just a mom, not a professional web designer!)

Yes, moms nourish, in traditional and nontraditional ways, and they provide support, like this one at Seattle’s zoo:
IMG_0041-2
Or maybe it’s a free ride she’s giving? Moms do that, too…
(Sorry for the photo’s lack of focus, but it symbolizes my brain since birthing a child I’m just a mom, not a professional wildlife photographer!)

So, today, moms, it’s time to nourish I’d love some good chocolate and support ourselves!

Happy Mother’s Day, Mother!

Do you readers have six words to say why moms matter so much?

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Posted in aging, animals, events, growth, parenting

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