Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Oh Baby

It seems that everywhere I go, or even if I'm staying put, I am surrounded by babies and toddlers.

At work, a little girl came into the fitting room with her mom and ended up sitting on the couch "helping" me fold and put clothes on hangers.  Today, a little boy crawled all the way across our huge dressing room and sat at my feet gazing up at me.  There was also the little girl in her galoshes who came over to me and offered her ladybug umbrella. Oh, and did I mention the woman with the three wild little boys who gathered around the register and behaved when I started talking with them as I rang up the order?  I divided the items into three different bags so they could each help their mom by carrying one.

When I came home, I took the dog for a walk and we ran into a little boy and little girl who were with their mom and Grandma.  They were jumping in the overflowing Charles River and were overjoyed when the dog joined in the fun.  they wanted me to jump to, but, alas, no galoshes.

The Universe is trying to tell me something and refuses to let up on my calling to work with children, by gosh.

Also, I'll admit it, its giving me a teensy weensy touch of baby fever.

Oh, baby...

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Always at Anthro

The little job I got to help us through the winter holidays has turned into more than I could have dreamed.  I am now working at Anthropologie for 20 to 30 hours a week!  I work with an amazing team of people and truly enjoy it.

Being at work so often, I try lots of things on and try to pace my self when it comes to purchasing.

So, I thought I would share some of my recent purchases, and a few items on pace to be purchased, with you.

Accessories are my new favorite thing because they always fit and always flatter:
Purchased:

The Cylindrical  Braid Belt comes in brown, black, red, and yellow.  I purchased it in yellow, though I am lusting for the red AND am thinking of buying it in brown or black just to have a neutral.  SO COMFY!  I look for any excuse to wear it.

Hello, Gorgeous Bracelets are a great buy at 5 bracelets for $38.00.  They can be worn all together, one at a time, or mix and match.  They are a mix of casual (beads), fancy (rhinestones), and classic (pearls).  Also,  they are elastic so they fit any wrist.  They are my Go To when I am rushing to get ready and don't have time to fumble with clasps.

On Pace: 

Peony Pave Posts 
Woven Buds Belt

Bottoms:
Purchased:

James Jeans Twiggy are amazingly soft, comfortable, stretchy, and flattering.  I especially love the back pockets which somehow seemingly give the derrier a lift.  The length is even perfect on little old 5'1 and a half me.

On Pace:
Slouched and Tabbed Bermudas  - Love that they can be rolled up or down.
Nostalgic Lace Skirt


Tops:
Purchased:
Pure and Good Basic V-Neck  - Soft, simple, great for layering.  I bought this in brown and purple.
Cartography Cardigan - soft, unique.  I love it with jeans and solid dresses.

On Pace:
Button Bin Cardi
Window Box Tank


Dresses:
Purchased:

All-Seasons Shirtdress - Warning: Runs Big! Wear a 6/8, but got a 0.  Looks even better with a belt!

On Pace:
Dotted Greetings 

Thanks for shopping along with me!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Revived

I thought it was lost and gone forever, but the kind people at blogger restored it.  All posts from December 2007 through December 2009 can be found here.

Thank you Blogger peeps!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Fairy Garden

6:40 P.M., overcast, no flash, no editing



When the winds of March are wakening the crocuses and crickets,
Did you ever find a fairy near some budding little thickets,...
And when she sees you creeping up to get a closer peek
She tumbles through the daffodils, a playing hide and seek.
~Marjorie Barrows
And as the seasons come and go, here's something you might like to know.  There are fairies everywhere:  under bushes, in the air, playing games just like you play, singing through their busy day.  So listen, touch, and look around - in the air and on the ground.  And if you watch all nature's things, you might just see a fairy's wing.  ~Author Unknown

Tiny Fawn


In honor of Springity Spring.


Calling

Once upon a time I wanted to be a teacher. Then I thought that maybe, once I finished my bachelor's, I would get my masters in library science and become a school librarian. I never rule out possibilities, but, to date, none of these events have occurred. Still, I feel this calling, stronger and stronger these days, to work with children.

I feel called to be a mother, but this "You must work with children" calling seems somehow separate from that. I keep asking, "Well, Universe, how should I work with children? In what capacity? Please lead me to it."

On Sunday morning, I was walking the dog. Normally we pass by the cemetery, but this time I ventured in. I went off the path and wandered along the periphery until I reached a remote corner of the cemetery and this statue of Our Lady of Fatima. Holy Mary, Mother of God. I got on my knees and said a prayer.

As I set about wandering again, I kept stopping to look at certain gravestones. It seemed that every one I looked at was that of a child. One belonged to a baby who did not survive the first day. I said prayers for each of them. I assured them that each moment of their lives, however brief, was a gift to the world and to their parents, who I am sure wouldn't trade their time with them for anything in the world.

Each time I stopped and saw the all too brief dates on the stones, I wondered, "what am I to do with this? what am I to learn from this? how am I being guided?" I left the cemetery with those questions still unanswered.

Yesterday, I was browsing the internet and came across information on becoming a doula. Suddenly the meaning of my walk in the cemetery came clear. The gravestones aren't there as a reminder of death, they are there to celebrate a life. If I become a doula, I can be a part of this birth, death, birth cycle...this spiritual journey... I could play a role, however small, in bringing life into this world. Life, no matter how brief, is a precious gift. What a wonderful way to work with children, to serve children.

I have not acted on all of this, but I am listening and mulling over the call.

Are you a doula? Has a doula been present at the birth of your children? I'd be interested in hearing about your experiences.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Why?

My husband and I attended a party this weekend and I spent much of it with the youngster's of our friends. The babies, a 3 month old and a 3 week old, were wonderful and when they weren't I just sang them Beatles tunes (Blackbird, Hey Jude, Golden Slumbers) and they calmed.

The two and a half year old, Alex, was a whole different story. He is going through the "Why?" phase. Why do we have to go inside? Why is the doggie running? Why do grapes grow on a stem? Why is it getting colder outside? Why do people have signs on their lawn? Why does the sun go down?

You get the idea.

I think I came up with pretty creative, accurate, and age appropriate answers. He really gave my brain a workout and challenged me to raise my consciousness. It left me wondering why, as adults, do we stop asking "why"?

Ponder that and post your answers in the comments, please.

"Why?" you ask. Well, 1) I asked nicely and 2)who couldn't use a raising of their consciousness?

Begin Again

It seems I accidentally deleted all of my posts since December 27, 2007. Yes, Folks, my entire blog is lost and gone forever. How easily and unceremoniously the past is erased.

So, like "Poor Old Michael Finnegan", I begin again.

This March 24, 2010, a fresh Brainy and Beautiful is born. I will fill this space with light and love and life. Join me, won't you please?