What Does God Think When He Looks at Me?: A Lucy Monroe Story
Posted by: mrs. teamgemo
May 21st, 2009 >> Musings
Some reviews are in…it’s a winner!
By Clariece K. Mertz
This uplifting children’s book reaffirms God’s power and message in creating everyone special and unique. Parents can appreciate the book, as I did, for its creative incorporation of His word. Children will love the story with its appealing and colorful images. Reading “What does God think when He looks at me” is a perfect addition to prayers before bed.
Uncle Philip's New Book
The “Slow-Parenting” Movement & the Shoes in My Closet
Posted by: mrs. teamgemo
April 13th, 2009 >> Uncategorized
From New York Times: Motherlode: Slow Parenting
“Slow” in this context does not mean doing everything at a snail’s pace. It means doing everything at the right speed. That implies quality over quantity; real and meaningful human connections; being present and in the moment.
To me, Slow parenting is about bringing balance into the home. Children need to strive and struggle and stretch themselves, but that does not mean childhood should be a race. Slow parents give their children plenty of time and space to explore the world on their own terms. They keep the family schedule under control so that everyone has enough downtime to rest, reflect and just hang out together. They accept that bending over backwards to give children the best of everything may not always be the best policy. Slow parenting means allowing our children to work out who they are rather than what we want them to be.
With the publication of another book, Carl Honoré is back in the NYT, speaking about his new book, “Under Pressure: Rescuing Our Children from the Culture of Hyper-Parenting.” I think this kind of parenting seems like commonsense. However, I know I am not the first parent to look at the calendar and wonder where all the free time in March–wait it’s now April–went. Social, cultural, and financial pressures all affect how we raise our children and the types of doubts we may have about our decisions.
Very early in our marriage, Mr. TG and I had a long discussion about wants vs. needs regarding jobs, housing, material goods, and our future plans in general. Even in good economic times, we tried to forge a good balance between making essential and non-essential purchases or choices. In the beginning, he had a hard time understanding why I did not have just one pair of basic shoes. In my mind, basic shoes meant a black work pair, a brown work pair, a running pair, summer sandal pair, and finally a winter boot pair (Nevermind all the shoes temptations that come with working in midtown Manhattan) . So, that’s at least five “necessary” (as in, I need) pairs of shoes before I even consider fancy shoes for summer dresses or chic outfits. While I was working, the need for these shoes seemed valid. And, I did get most of them from discount racks or at DSW. When I began working from home, my list shrunk to 4 pairs: a workout pair, an around-the-town all-season pair, a winter boot pair, and a fun summer pair. Really, I probably only need 2 of the pairs once or twice a month, and I usually wear one pair just about everyday without fail. So, by his theory, I should be able to make do with less than 4 pairs. And, while they may not go with everything in the closet, I will not be less of a person because my square-toed brown heels are not the latest round-toed oxford pumps. He does have a point, but it doesn’t stop me from scanning the clearance racks.
We recently considered getting Lil’ TG a playset (see, parents call them playsets now, not just any ole’ swingset) for the backyard. After seeing the options, we determined space is an issue as well as price. If you do the math, we could provide Lil’ TG with over $300 a year of new backyard play activities or classes for 7 years straight for the same price as one of the smallest wooden playsets. Does he (and any other future siblings) need such a thing for backyard amusement? Do we just want to get it cause it’s cool and seems to be what you do? Is playset vs. swingset/sandbox our new running shoes vs. sexy pumps debate? In the end, $300/yr for 7 yrs (assuming he plays with it until he’s 10, averaging about 132 days of use/yr) made us decide on a modest sandbox, sand toys, and possibly the simple metal swingset available for around $100 at Wal-Mat or Toys R’ Us. Playsets do encourage physical activity and imaginative play, and we think a sandbox, more open space in the yard, and trips to the park will provide the same encouragement as well. I don’t think he will fall short later in life because instead of getting him a grand castle clubhouse we went with a sandbox and a dump truck. In fact, I look forward to our park explorations because even if I want to be home in 30 minutes to start dinner, I may just meet a new friend with a toddler and change our plans. The chicken marsala will keep until tomorrow, and what toddler doesn’t love waffles and bananas for dinner? Given the last 6 years, I owe my sanity to trying to be flexible, giving plan B or C, sometimes D, a chance if the schedule falls apart.
While I’m not a slow-parenting advocate, I do think the idea is important to consider as our families grow and we navigate the cultural, social, and economic ideals and pressures present as we raise our children.
As for me, I’ll be in the sandbox this summer, searching for buried treasure. And, just maybe, I’ll uncover a pair of Tracy Reese Summer Mary Jane Wedges.
1st Bath Redo Completed: 1920s Parisian Chic
Posted by: mrs. teamgemo
March 12th, 2009 >> Uncategorized
From blue pineapples (see below) to a bold black, white, and gray color scheme, our downstairs bathroom is updated. For only about $75 for a new monogram shower curtain and paint supplies, I stripped the walls, primed and painted all of the oak fixtures, shined up the brass with lemon juice and baking soda, and made some drama! by turning the blue beadboard black (thanks to Mrs. Mrd for the suggestion). I just need to steal a couple of towel hooks from the old towel rack to use for hand towel holders.
White & black "G" monogram curtain from Ballard completes the look
- Reused frames and french soap labels self-printed from Google Images search
- Grandma S’ hand-painted Degas Reproduction Gets Top Honors
More Pineapple Tidal Waves