I'm going to do 3 entries of Adam's diary per day until I catch up.
May 19, 1910
Started to spade the garden. Dad's birthday. Clara had her class over to the house and we went over.
W. ------- and fine
R. 11:30
May 20, 1910
Mr & Mrs and Art came up to the house to supper to see the comet but it rained hard. K, A & I played hearts. And K stayed all night. It poured hard at 11:30.
W. Warmer, Rain
R. 12
I believe Mr & Mrs are his in-laws. Bess also has a brother one year younger (according to the 1900 census) whose name is J Arthur Witham, so I am guessing this is the Art he is referring to. Bess's father is also named Arthur and her mother Katherine. Bess is the only one who doesn't share a name with her parent.
May 21, 1910
It was warm. The sun shone bright at 6 am. Spaded and sowed lawn seed & to gym at 6:30. Uncle John started in. We played 4 g--- hand ball. Indoor B. B. Steam shower bath and swam for over 1/2 hour. & we had to ---- him out & he treated us to soda & at the Baltimore we had chicken ----- coffee, pie & ice cream (over) We left at 11 and I met Bess at Cooper and we walked home.
W. warm. fine
R. 12
This entry spills over onto the next page. I wonder if Adam drinks. He has never once mentioned that he does (or does not) I think this is the first reference to any drink at all. He socializes a lot but never mentions alcohol. It's too early for prohibition so his drinking or not would be a matter of choice. Must investigate further... Must go to bed....
R. 1am
Monday, May 31, 2010
The Power of Less
I'm so behind with Adam and Bess lately. Actually, I feel behind in a great many things lately. My job as chair of my daughter's pre-school is done this week and I have, perhaps, 5 things that need to get done in order to close it out and pass it on. Why are those 5 things taking me 5x longer than any other 5 tasks I've performed for this job all year? I don't know...I planted the urns for my front porch and some other planters but my tomatoes are still not in. I got off to a great garden start this year but now I need to finish up the planting. I'm painting my daughter's bathroom and only have a little tiny bit left. The first part took a week. The tiny bit has been waiting for me for 2. (It's the part behind the toilet. I hate that part. Next time I will paint that part first.) I think I have too many things going at once.
I've been reading The Power of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential, in Business and in Life by Leo Babuta, the Zen Habbits Blog Guy. If you've never read anything by him or seen his blog check him out. I don't think there is a person I know who could not benefit from slowing down or paring down just a little.
Mr Babuta has a nice system for getting things done. He has one (only one!!) big goal and then 3 little projects at a time. One of your projects should relate to your goal. Then each day he makes a list of the 3 most important tasks to work on to achieve these things. And he does them. You don't even get to add a new project until ALL 3 are complete! I like this idea. I'm game. The key is figuring out your big goal and your 3 little projects. I bet you can think of a bunch of goals and projects (I know I can) . That is the whole problem isn't it? Not enough time to focus on just one big thing. They all kind of seem big to me. I want them all. Perhaps accomplishing them one at a time is a better strategy.
My garden is on the list for tomorrow!
Mr Babuta has a nice system for getting things done. He has one (only one!!) big goal and then 3 little projects at a time. One of your projects should relate to your goal. Then each day he makes a list of the 3 most important tasks to work on to achieve these things. And he does them. You don't even get to add a new project until ALL 3 are complete! I like this idea. I'm game. The key is figuring out your big goal and your 3 little projects. I bet you can think of a bunch of goals and projects (I know I can) . That is the whole problem isn't it? Not enough time to focus on just one big thing. They all kind of seem big to me. I want them all. Perhaps accomplishing them one at a time is a better strategy.
My garden is on the list for tomorrow!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
The Dark Side of Trash picking
Since I've already chronicled some of my less-than-fine moments of trash picking here and here you might be under the impression that I have stopped looking at random strangers garbage piles with a critical eye. You would, in fact, be wrong.
However, sometimes you get more than you bargained for.
Yesterday I was driving home with my daughter in the car when I spotted a lovely red painted cabinet and a black shelf. I screeched my breaks and stopped. While I was perusing the pile a nice woman came out and I politely asked if she was getting rid of said items (see, I have learned....) anyway, she was. She had just closed down her garage sale. She said I was welcome to the stuff and the she would get her son because the cabinet was heavy.
As her son and I were loading the cabinet into the truck, her husband pulled into the driveway. Momentarily distracted by this, part of the cabinet slammed on my finger. Really. Hard. So hard that I believe I looked on the ground to see if part of it was laying there. It was not. However, I was bleeding. A lot. And my daughter was there so I was trying not to alarm her. Tears were pooling in my eyes but I kept smiling and holding my finger.
Her husband came over and I saw that he was a policeman. I also saw that he was putting on plastic gloves as he approached. Yes, I looked that bad. He didn't touch me at all, I think the gloves were just in case he had to.... The wife asked if I would like a bandage. What I really would have liked was to leave but I really needed to stop the bleeding. The son, sensing his job was done, ran off so as not to contract anything from me. The wife came out with a large band-aid and helped me put it on (without gloves, she must be braver than her husband) The whole time I think I was seeing stars and assuring my daughter that I was "just fine." When that was over the woman gave me some religious material. To be fair, I may have looked ripe for a conversion, what with my mortal finger wound and all... I thanked her for my cabinet, the bandage, my religious conversion kit and for praying for me.... They really were a very nice family and were nothing but friendly.
However, that is the most trouble I've ever had trash picking and my finger still hurts to prove it.
The cabinet does look nice on my side porch though. It has a shelf I still need to put in it and I may put some vintage lemonade glasses in it for summer so that we look like people who drink lemonade on the porch in the summertime.
However, sometimes you get more than you bargained for.
Yesterday I was driving home with my daughter in the car when I spotted a lovely red painted cabinet and a black shelf. I screeched my breaks and stopped. While I was perusing the pile a nice woman came out and I politely asked if she was getting rid of said items (see, I have learned....) anyway, she was. She had just closed down her garage sale. She said I was welcome to the stuff and the she would get her son because the cabinet was heavy.
As her son and I were loading the cabinet into the truck, her husband pulled into the driveway. Momentarily distracted by this, part of the cabinet slammed on my finger. Really. Hard. So hard that I believe I looked on the ground to see if part of it was laying there. It was not. However, I was bleeding. A lot. And my daughter was there so I was trying not to alarm her. Tears were pooling in my eyes but I kept smiling and holding my finger.
Her husband came over and I saw that he was a policeman. I also saw that he was putting on plastic gloves as he approached. Yes, I looked that bad. He didn't touch me at all, I think the gloves were just in case he had to.... The wife asked if I would like a bandage. What I really would have liked was to leave but I really needed to stop the bleeding. The son, sensing his job was done, ran off so as not to contract anything from me. The wife came out with a large band-aid and helped me put it on (without gloves, she must be braver than her husband) The whole time I think I was seeing stars and assuring my daughter that I was "just fine." When that was over the woman gave me some religious material. To be fair, I may have looked ripe for a conversion, what with my mortal finger wound and all... I thanked her for my cabinet, the bandage, my religious conversion kit and for praying for me.... They really were a very nice family and were nothing but friendly. However, that is the most trouble I've ever had trash picking and my finger still hurts to prove it.
The cabinet does look nice on my side porch though. It has a shelf I still need to put in it and I may put some vintage lemonade glasses in it for summer so that we look like people who drink lemonade on the porch in the summertime.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Mommy Musings
Oh today was full of mommy stuff for me.
1) I feel like I reached some kind of mommy milestone when I was told in Wegman's today that I'm the "worst mommy ever." Hmmm...That only took 5 years. How did I earn this moniker you ask? I would not purchase cotton candy for my daughter and she's never had it before (both true.) Seriously, this child followed me around the store for like 15 minutes moaning, whining and crying constantly. I have a very low tolerance for this type of badgering so personally I felt like it was a really good example of how I am a very good mommy that I didn't just leave her in the bulk section of Wegaman's and go get a Starbucks. A very good mommy indeed.
2) I wish someone would tell the people behind me at the trial Karate class that my daughter attended today that girls can, indeed, attend Karate. (I would have told them myself but I didn't think I could pull it off without a death look) The little girl kept pointing and saying "That's a boy's class and there is a girl in it, why is there a girl in it?" and the mom kept shushing her. Seriously? I didn't really care about the child, it irritated me that the mom didn't explain that anyone can take Karate. The people down the aisle from me kept whispering about how cute the girl in Karate class was. Seriously people, it's 2010.... I'm only writing about 1910 on my blog.....
She loved the class and we signed up for a summer session. She loved it so much that she ate her chicken and blueberries for dinner (separate food items, not a strange recipe) with chopsticks! She marches to her own beat, that one, and that is one thing I adore about her, terrible mommy that I am.
3) It's our last week of pre-school. I say our because it's a co-op and we've been there for 3 years. All of the parents assist in the class 2x per month and each have a job there in addition to that. When I attended the orientation I did not know a soul, had never been a part of anything school related and was still pretty overwhelmed by the fact that I was now someone's mother. Much has changed since then. Since the time commitment is rather large, there is a real sense of community at her school.(it's hard NOT to get to know people.) The best thing we've done this year is re-vamp the playground with mulch, landscaping timbers and 2 new pieces of equipment. No one ever told me before how fun and fulfilling something like that can be.
This year my daughter learned about Native American Culture, Korean Culture, Chinese Culture, Japanese Culture, met a blind woman and her guide dog, met a Native American story teller, went to the Rochester Philharmonic tots concert, visited the Science center, visited a pizza place, visited a farm, learned about dinosaurs and space and the natural world (we are currently hatching a butterfly on the kitchen counter!) and much more! Her teacher, Mrs Gerardi, has been doing this for 25 years and she is a true gem.
When I worked, one of the best things about the morning was getting my coffee and chatting with the people I worked with before settling down to do my job. Because the school is such a nice community, morning drop-of serves roughly the same purpose. I bring my own coffee now and sometimes I'm not showered but everyone is always friendly. Some of these people will have children in my daughter's kindergarten class, and I am grateful of that. However, I really value the experience that we have had the past 3 years and I will miss it!
1) I feel like I reached some kind of mommy milestone when I was told in Wegman's today that I'm the "worst mommy ever." Hmmm...That only took 5 years. How did I earn this moniker you ask? I would not purchase cotton candy for my daughter and she's never had it before (both true.) Seriously, this child followed me around the store for like 15 minutes moaning, whining and crying constantly. I have a very low tolerance for this type of badgering so personally I felt like it was a really good example of how I am a very good mommy that I didn't just leave her in the bulk section of Wegaman's and go get a Starbucks. A very good mommy indeed.
2) I wish someone would tell the people behind me at the trial Karate class that my daughter attended today that girls can, indeed, attend Karate. (I would have told them myself but I didn't think I could pull it off without a death look) The little girl kept pointing and saying "That's a boy's class and there is a girl in it, why is there a girl in it?" and the mom kept shushing her. Seriously? I didn't really care about the child, it irritated me that the mom didn't explain that anyone can take Karate. The people down the aisle from me kept whispering about how cute the girl in Karate class was. Seriously people, it's 2010.... I'm only writing about 1910 on my blog.....
She loved the class and we signed up for a summer session. She loved it so much that she ate her chicken and blueberries for dinner (separate food items, not a strange recipe) with chopsticks! She marches to her own beat, that one, and that is one thing I adore about her, terrible mommy that I am.
3) It's our last week of pre-school. I say our because it's a co-op and we've been there for 3 years. All of the parents assist in the class 2x per month and each have a job there in addition to that. When I attended the orientation I did not know a soul, had never been a part of anything school related and was still pretty overwhelmed by the fact that I was now someone's mother. Much has changed since then. Since the time commitment is rather large, there is a real sense of community at her school.(it's hard NOT to get to know people.) The best thing we've done this year is re-vamp the playground with mulch, landscaping timbers and 2 new pieces of equipment. No one ever told me before how fun and fulfilling something like that can be.
This year my daughter learned about Native American Culture, Korean Culture, Chinese Culture, Japanese Culture, met a blind woman and her guide dog, met a Native American story teller, went to the Rochester Philharmonic tots concert, visited the Science center, visited a pizza place, visited a farm, learned about dinosaurs and space and the natural world (we are currently hatching a butterfly on the kitchen counter!) and much more! Her teacher, Mrs Gerardi, has been doing this for 25 years and she is a true gem.
When I worked, one of the best things about the morning was getting my coffee and chatting with the people I worked with before settling down to do my job. Because the school is such a nice community, morning drop-of serves roughly the same purpose. I bring my own coffee now and sometimes I'm not showered but everyone is always friendly. Some of these people will have children in my daughter's kindergarten class, and I am grateful of that. However, I really value the experience that we have had the past 3 years and I will miss it!
May 18, 1910 Una Marries
;';';May 18, 1910
W. Clean Full Moon.
R. 1AM
Gertie stayed with us.
Oh can't you just picture it all! Everyone up all night after the wedding reveling and looking for the comet on the porch. (He does have a porch, remember?)
I think that the fact they got married as the earth passed through the comet is momentous. There was actually a lot of hysteria surrounding the comet in 1910 because the earth was to pass through it and because comets contain poisonous gas. Therefore there were a lot of people running around scared of the comet. (More on that another day) Perhaps Una and Audrey were thumbing their nose at it, daring the comet to ruin their day. Or perhaps that is when their pastor was free....We may never know.
Gertie is related to Adam as I'm assuming that she's the Gertie Filsinger from Philadelphia listed in the address section of his book. I really think they must be related to the Coopers somehow. I feel a full blown family tree coming on people... I really do.
And it looks like I'm not the only one who noticed how many showers Una had. I like how the subtitle on the first article reads "Bride Elect entertained at many showers and parties." That made me chuckle because I was thinking she had been to quite a few well before I found the article! They even talk about the kimono shower! And there is Bess, listed as Mrs A.E. Filsinger! It's hard to read but if you click on the pictures they will get bigger.
All of the information was published in The Post Standard in Syracuse.
I think it's pretty fortuitous that I found a diary whose participants have actually done things that have been mentioned in the paper. I could have found a diary whose participants are impossible to trace. These people are all right there. And I'm not even looking that hard. Una's wedding was the first time that I searched for someone besides Adam and Bess. It clicked with me that possibly a wedding would be mentioned somewhere! Love it. Now I feel like I should check on everyone and anyone mentioned in this.
I know a bunch more about Adam and Bess, even things that happened after 1910. And while I can't wait to share it with you, you'll have to be patient!!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Adam & Bess and what about Una!
I actually have a great Adam & Bess update planned but I'm having some technical difficulties!!!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
May 10th- 17th, 1910 The Comet,Una Cooper has more showers & The Crescent Theater
Oh my goodness! So much to catch up on with Bess and Adam! I promise never to go this long again! I wonder if a week's worth will be too much at once or will add to the continuity of the diary.
May 10th, 1910
Stayed Home and worked in the back yard.
W. Cool
R. 10
May 11, 1910
Went to Kitchen Shower for Una Cooper at Grace French's on Beech Street and we got the late car home.
W. Fine. Cold
R. 1:30
Hello! 1:30 am?? This is a Wednesday night. No wonder he's skipping work. I must say, I was surprised that he went to a wedding shower at this time in history. Did men do that a lot? I really don't believe they did. And Una is doing quite well in the shower department these past few weeks!
May 12, 1910
We got up at 2-2:30 & 3 am & we (B, K & I) saw the Halley's Comet in the east over the monument and the tail looked like a sky rocket running to the south. The tale was very long. It was something great. Late for work.
W. Fine
R.10
I bet he was late for work, he was up practically all night long! I'm glad he finally saw it clearly. He rarely uses an adjective so his pronouncement that it was "something great" must really mean that it was!
In my reading about the comet it said:
The 1910 approach, which came into view around 20 April, was notable for several reasons: it was the first approach of which photographs exist, and the first for which spectroscopic data were obtained.[13] Furthermore, the comet made a relatively close approach of 0.15AU,[52] making it a spectacular sight.
May 13, 1910
Mr & Mrs Babcock up to supper & Mr Babcock came up to show Bob some of his lots. I built a fire in the fireplace and we ------ ---- ---- (no idea)
W. Colder
R. 11
May 14, 1910
Finished grading the back yard and & Uri, Ray, Dave & I went to the gym at 6pm and played handball til 8 & had a good swim. & Dave, Ray & I went to Crescent theater & I met Bess at Cooper's at 11:45.
W. Fine
R. 12
The Cooper's must live very close by. He met Bess there at 11:45 and retires 15 minutes later at 12. Look! a picture of the Crescent Theater! THRILLING!!!
May 15, 1910
Did not get up till 10. Babcock and his father up at 10:15. Over home to dinner. Cora and family up. We sat on the back over our house. Over home to supper. Bess did not feel well all day.
W. Fine
R. 10:30
Mr sent over new ----- prewashed it.
May 16, 1910
Bess went home at 7:30 am for shower for Una at Wrights on Harrison street. I had supper home and sowed the back lawn & made some picture frames. I have a bad cold in the head.
W. Fine
R. 11:15
No! Really? Another shower for Una! Do you think everyone is still having fun at these events or can they just not wait until Una finally marries. I'm at a count of 4 showers in 2 weeks now.
May 17, 1910
Stayed home and developed some picture. Bess said she did not want to go to Camden on Decoration day.
W. Fine, Windy
R. 11
Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day.
May 10th, 1910
Stayed Home and worked in the back yard.
W. Cool
R. 10
May 11, 1910
Went to Kitchen Shower for Una Cooper at Grace French's on Beech Street and we got the late car home.
W. Fine. Cold
R. 1:30
Hello! 1:30 am?? This is a Wednesday night. No wonder he's skipping work. I must say, I was surprised that he went to a wedding shower at this time in history. Did men do that a lot? I really don't believe they did. And Una is doing quite well in the shower department these past few weeks!
May 12, 1910
W. Fine
R.10
I bet he was late for work, he was up practically all night long! I'm glad he finally saw it clearly. He rarely uses an adjective so his pronouncement that it was "something great" must really mean that it was!
In my reading about the comet it said:
The 1910 approach, which came into view around 20 April, was notable for several reasons: it was the first approach of which photographs exist, and the first for which spectroscopic data were obtained.[13] Furthermore, the comet made a relatively close approach of 0.15AU,[52] making it a spectacular sight.
May 13, 1910
Mr & Mrs Babcock up to supper & Mr Babcock came up to show Bob some of his lots. I built a fire in the fireplace and we ------ ---- ---- (no idea)
W. Colder
R. 11
May 14, 1910
Finished grading the back yard and & Uri, Ray, Dave & I went to the gym at 6pm and played handball til 8 & had a good swim. & Dave, Ray & I went to Crescent theater & I met Bess at Cooper's at 11:45.
W. Fine
R. 12
The Cooper's must live very close by. He met Bess there at 11:45 and retires 15 minutes later at 12. Look! a picture of the Crescent Theater! THRILLING!!!
May 15, 1910
Did not get up till 10. Babcock and his father up at 10:15. Over home to dinner. Cora and family up. We sat on the back over our house. Over home to supper. Bess did not feel well all day.
W. Fine
R. 10:30
Mr sent over new ----- prewashed it.
May 16, 1910
Bess went home at 7:30 am for shower for Una at Wrights on Harrison street. I had supper home and sowed the back lawn & made some picture frames. I have a bad cold in the head.
W. Fine
R. 11:15
No! Really? Another shower for Una! Do you think everyone is still having fun at these events or can they just not wait until Una finally marries. I'm at a count of 4 showers in 2 weeks now.
May 17, 1910
Stayed home and developed some picture. Bess said she did not want to go to Camden on Decoration day.
W. Fine, Windy
R. 11
Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Adventures in Rhubarb
Rhubarb is the very first vegetable that would have been avaliable at this time of year around here and is growing in many gardens. I have 2 of my own plants but they are small and did not yield much this year. So when I stopped at Wegmans today I asked for Rhubarb.
They. Did. Not. Have. It.
Seriously, there are grapes from Chile and all sorts of stuff from Mexico, but no Rhubarb from down the street. (Small aside,Wegman's does do a bang up job with local produce in the summer.)
I guess people aren't using Rhubarb much which is a shame. And I'll admit I've never cooked with it either. I've been looking forward to it since I planted it last year though. But it's a shame that a food that we once thought of as a staple, and even a treat, because Rhubarb can't really be eaten without sugar, something that we looked forward to, has been relegated to an old fashioned obscure vegetable. And what about this whole eating local movement-Here is a pretty prolific, indestructible, perennial plant that produces earlier than any other and we ignore it. I think it's kind of sad.
We (me and my dad, see post below) stopped at a local place, Apple Annie's because I thought they might have some. The owner, introduced me to his son who was my age (not for like a date or anything....) by telling me his son was a 4th generation farmer. (Come to think of it, perhaps he was trying to get his son a date, I probably look like a woman who would be impressed by this.) Anyway, he didn't have any cut yet so he went out back, and chopped a HUGE amount of Rhubarb for me. And charged me $2 for all of it. When I protested he asked if I had been there before (which I have) and would I be back (I will) and he went on to tell me that he likes to treat his customers like family. (hmm...This is getting more and more fishy the more I think of it-Perhaps he wanted me to join HIS family.....) He even sold me 2 more Rhubarb plants. He took a long time to cut the Rhubarb (Probably to give his son time to ask me out, which he did not do) but I did have a very nice chat with him about the 400 tomato seedlings he is growing. The whole time my dad was waiting in the car for me. I felt like I was 14 years old.... With my dad there, and the farmer's son awkwardly hitting on me..... (kidding...)
All kidding aside, it was a really nice visit. The farmers were really friendly. And generous with the Rhubarb and I will be going back. I'm glad Wegmans didn't have it because it really was worth a side trip.
I love stuff like huge bunches of Rhubarb and Friendly Farmers....
I'll post some links to my other blog when I actually create something out of this bounty!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Car Mechanic Gods-I'm Sorry
Well, I've been smited by the car mechanic gods in response to this post where I posted a lovely picture of Jared Padaleki.
Heck, I'm going to post it again just because I like looking at it. (And so does Catherine)
However, I also referred to dirty, smelly mechanics in that post and pondered who on earth would be lusting over them.
Well I have a new answer for you car mechanics.
ME!! I AM LUSTING OVER YOU.
I don't even really care what you look like. Or smell like. What I do care about is the fact that you could probably fix the damn car that broke when I pulled into the driveway last night. And you might do it for free rather than $598. And perhaps you would just come to my house, which would mean that I wouldn't have to join AAA (not AA, which I may need after all of this car business....) for $148 to tow the car somewhere. (I don't even know where, because while I usually relish being in the know on these kinds of things in our household. I pleaded a case of the vapors and retired to our room with a book until the unsightly mess of a car was taken away. I really did...Ok vapors, might be an exaggeration, I hid. I hid up there.....)
The ball joint (and something else) broke when I pulled into the driveway and the wheel practically came off. It could have been worse. I could have been driving fast and far from home. It could have been much worse than being stranded in the driveway.
Thank you Car Mechanic Gods, for letting me escape with my life. I won't put you down ever again.
I admit it.
I need you, I want you, I must have you....
That picture is looking better and better.
Heck, I'm going to post it again just because I like looking at it. (And so does Catherine)
However, I also referred to dirty, smelly mechanics in that post and pondered who on earth would be lusting over them.
Well I have a new answer for you car mechanics.
ME!! I AM LUSTING OVER YOU.
I don't even really care what you look like. Or smell like. What I do care about is the fact that you could probably fix the damn car that broke when I pulled into the driveway last night. And you might do it for free rather than $598. And perhaps you would just come to my house, which would mean that I wouldn't have to join AAA (not AA, which I may need after all of this car business....) for $148 to tow the car somewhere. (I don't even know where, because while I usually relish being in the know on these kinds of things in our household. I pleaded a case of the vapors and retired to our room with a book until the unsightly mess of a car was taken away. I really did...Ok vapors, might be an exaggeration, I hid. I hid up there.....)
The ball joint (and something else) broke when I pulled into the driveway and the wheel practically came off. It could have been worse. I could have been driving fast and far from home. It could have been much worse than being stranded in the driveway.
Thank you Car Mechanic Gods, for letting me escape with my life. I won't put you down ever again.
I admit it.
I need you, I want you, I must have you....
That picture is looking better and better.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
I'm Smooth (Kinda)
The ringtone on my cellphone is the Theme Song to The Little House on the Prairie TV show.
However, if you were to ask me what I think my personal theme song is (and those of you playing along at home already know what I'm going to say.)
It is Smooth, by Santana (featuring Rob Thomas)
Not only does the music resonate with me but the actual song is from a time in my life when I felt, well, Smooth. (Not like I just shaved my legs smooth, although that is nice too) but like my life was smooth. I probably looked the best I have in my life. My salary was good and rising steadily. I liked my job. I did interesting things and went on trips. I drove to work drinking Starbucks.
Smooth.
When I'm not feeling so Smooth, it makes me feel Smooth.
I've been known to play it over and over and over.....It's a quick pick-me-up.
Deanna and I have this friend who has a friend who is well over 50 and always wears leather pants to our friend's Christmas party. Denna and I always mention this to each other. Like, why won't this woman give up those leather pants. We often refer to her as "Leather Pants Woman" (In reality we are probably jealous that this woman is rocking the leather pants better at 55 than we would be at 38 if we were wearing leather pants.)
Smooth is my version of leather pants.
Of course when I'm really down in the dumps I can't listen to it because it makes me feel really Un-Smooth if you know what I mean. In fact, for much of the last year of stay-at-home-mommyhood I've been feeling pretty un-smooth. I mean where is that smooth gal? I know she's in there, maybe hiding behind the compost pile or something.
Don't get me wrong, I've loved being home, choose this path, have gotten the chance to breath and spend time with my daughter that I will never regret, and among other things, built a compost pile. For some reason though, 38 was beginning to feel really old. (If you are over 38 don't kill me for saying that. If you are considerably under 38 you probably think it DOES sound old. And BTW, I only have a few more months of 38, I'm going to say it as many times as I can...) There are tomes that could be written about motherhood and age and women. I don't need to re-write it here.
Tonight, on the way home I listened. And I realized it didn't make me feel un-smooth. And it didn't make me feel old.
I may be Little House on The Prairie on the outside, but on the inside, I'm Smooth.
Or at least on my way again.....
However, if you were to ask me what I think my personal theme song is (and those of you playing along at home already know what I'm going to say.)
It is Smooth, by Santana (featuring Rob Thomas)
Not only does the music resonate with me but the actual song is from a time in my life when I felt, well, Smooth. (Not like I just shaved my legs smooth, although that is nice too) but like my life was smooth. I probably looked the best I have in my life. My salary was good and rising steadily. I liked my job. I did interesting things and went on trips. I drove to work drinking Starbucks.
Smooth.
When I'm not feeling so Smooth, it makes me feel Smooth.
I've been known to play it over and over and over.....It's a quick pick-me-up.
Deanna and I have this friend who has a friend who is well over 50 and always wears leather pants to our friend's Christmas party. Denna and I always mention this to each other. Like, why won't this woman give up those leather pants. We often refer to her as "Leather Pants Woman" (In reality we are probably jealous that this woman is rocking the leather pants better at 55 than we would be at 38 if we were wearing leather pants.)
Smooth is my version of leather pants.
Of course when I'm really down in the dumps I can't listen to it because it makes me feel really Un-Smooth if you know what I mean. In fact, for much of the last year of stay-at-home-mommyhood I've been feeling pretty un-smooth. I mean where is that smooth gal? I know she's in there, maybe hiding behind the compost pile or something.
Don't get me wrong, I've loved being home, choose this path, have gotten the chance to breath and spend time with my daughter that I will never regret, and among other things, built a compost pile. For some reason though, 38 was beginning to feel really old. (If you are over 38 don't kill me for saying that. If you are considerably under 38 you probably think it DOES sound old. And BTW, I only have a few more months of 38, I'm going to say it as many times as I can...) There are tomes that could be written about motherhood and age and women. I don't need to re-write it here.
Tonight, on the way home I listened. And I realized it didn't make me feel un-smooth. And it didn't make me feel old.
I may be Little House on The Prairie on the outside, but on the inside, I'm Smooth.
Or at least on my way again.....
"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly" -Anonymous
Monday, May 10, 2010
The Difference Between Men and Women
The other night my husband asked me, out of anyone in the world, who I would most like to be stuck in an elevator with.
I replied without hesitation,
"Jen."
He was incredulous,
"Jen, really? Why Jen? Jen!"
"Well, I haven't seen her in a while and we always have fun, no matter where we are" (This seemed like such an obvious choice)
"You don't want to be trapped with that guy from Supernatural?"
"Jared Padalecki?? No way!"
"I thought you loved that guy"
"I would find it very uncomfortable," I explained, "being trapped in a small space with a complete stranger that I'm attracted to. I would have to make conversation. I'd feel really self-conscious. I would probably talk a lot. Or not at all." (Remember that Friends episode when Chandler is stuck in an ATM with some famous model?)
hmmm....mulling it over, "See that is where men and women differ. A man would just imagine he was trapped with Angelina Jolie or someone. And he would be having sex with her."
"Really?" I mused, "What makes you think Angelina Jolie would want to have sex with you just because she's in a confined space with you?"
"Well, now that you put it that way..Why do you have to go and ruin it???"
"You asked....."
Hmmm....I guess I wish I was one of those people who thought that a small confined space would make me the object of desire to, well, just about anyone. Is this all men or just my husband? He'll probably kill me for writing this, but then, he doesn't read my blog all that often. (Kind of like Jen.)
And as much as I like Jared Padaleki, what's with the mechanic picture? I don't lust after dirty (and presumably, smelly) mechanics. (No offense to the dirty and smelly mechanics who read my blog-I bet your partners ask that you shower when you come home like that.) Do other women? Is is just the idea of someone being able to fix anything on their broken car that excites them?
(Let me tell you, after the string of car trouble we've recently had I can ALMOST relate.)
I replied without hesitation,
"Jen."
He was incredulous,
"Jen, really? Why Jen? Jen!"
"Well, I haven't seen her in a while and we always have fun, no matter where we are" (This seemed like such an obvious choice)
"You don't want to be trapped with that guy from Supernatural?"
"I thought you loved that guy"
"I would find it very uncomfortable," I explained, "being trapped in a small space with a complete stranger that I'm attracted to. I would have to make conversation. I'd feel really self-conscious. I would probably talk a lot. Or not at all." (Remember that Friends episode when Chandler is stuck in an ATM with some famous model?)
hmmm....mulling it over, "See that is where men and women differ. A man would just imagine he was trapped with Angelina Jolie or someone. And he would be having sex with her."
"Really?" I mused, "What makes you think Angelina Jolie would want to have sex with you just because she's in a confined space with you?"
"Well, now that you put it that way..Why do you have to go and ruin it???"
"You asked....."
Hmmm....I guess I wish I was one of those people who thought that a small confined space would make me the object of desire to, well, just about anyone. Is this all men or just my husband? He'll probably kill me for writing this, but then, he doesn't read my blog all that often. (Kind of like Jen.)
And as much as I like Jared Padaleki, what's with the mechanic picture? I don't lust after dirty (and presumably, smelly) mechanics. (No offense to the dirty and smelly mechanics who read my blog-I bet your partners ask that you shower when you come home like that.) Do other women? Is is just the idea of someone being able to fix anything on their broken car that excites them?
(Let me tell you, after the string of car trouble we've recently had I can ALMOST relate.)
May 7-9, 1910
May 7, 1910
Bess and I worked on the back yard and I went to the gym at 8 to play handball but the boys were through. (and then a sentence I cannot read)
W. Fine
R. 11:30
May 8, 1910
Up home to dinner and K & B & I took the car to Seneca Street & walked up to Arsenal and (another sentence I'm having trouble with)
W. Fine
R. 11:00
May 9, 1910
Went to opening meeting of Historical Club at xxxxxxxxxx Church. Dr Belts spoke & they served cream. K, Bess, Mr W and I were guests of Mrs W.
W. Fine
R. 12
PS I got a new blue suit at Deliro & Morest. #15.00
Ok, HELLO!! A Historical Club. Is this not just TOO MUCH!!! I'm loving that. I wonder what they talked about-Life in 1810 perhaps???
I wonder if he likes history or just wants to appease Mrs W. (His mother-in-law). Lets assume that he likes History. I think that means he just might find this exercise with his diary very interesting. Of course, there is the off chance, he's the kind of guy that doesn't want his personal life out there for the world (literally) to read. I'm hoping he's not.
According to the consumer price index (which only goes back to 1913) $15 in 1913 is worth $329.74 today. I bet he looks fine in that blue suit.
Bess and I worked on the back yard and I went to the gym at 8 to play handball but the boys were through. (and then a sentence I cannot read)
W. Fine
R. 11:30
May 8, 1910
Up home to dinner and K & B & I took the car to Seneca Street & walked up to Arsenal and (another sentence I'm having trouble with)
W. Fine
R. 11:00
May 9, 1910
Went to opening meeting of Historical Club at xxxxxxxxxx Church. Dr Belts spoke & they served cream. K, Bess, Mr W and I were guests of Mrs W.
W. Fine
R. 12
PS I got a new blue suit at Deliro & Morest. #15.00
Ok, HELLO!! A Historical Club. Is this not just TOO MUCH!!! I'm loving that. I wonder what they talked about-Life in 1810 perhaps???
I wonder if he likes history or just wants to appease Mrs W. (His mother-in-law). Lets assume that he likes History. I think that means he just might find this exercise with his diary very interesting. Of course, there is the off chance, he's the kind of guy that doesn't want his personal life out there for the world (literally) to read. I'm hoping he's not.
According to the consumer price index (which only goes back to 1913) $15 in 1913 is worth $329.74 today. I bet he looks fine in that blue suit.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
May 4-6, 1910 Bess & Kathy Throw A Party
Wednesday May 4, 1910
Kathy up and got things ready for the house & I worked in the yard.
Thursday May 5, 1910
Worked in the back yard and helped decorate the house for the Kimono shower.
Friday May 6, 1910
Went to gym and B & K gave Una a Kimono shower. The house was decorated like Japan & all of the girls wore kimonos.
W. Fair
R. 12:30
It was a pretty party.
Holy Cow. HOLY COW!!! Oh I bet it was a pretty party. Can't you just see all of those turn of the century beauties all decked out in kimonos with paper fans and lanterns. I bet there was punch. Did you notice that Clara was invited to the shower as well?? It also confirms that Kathy is Kathy Witham, Bess's sister.
Can I just ask you, is anyone else out there thinking that I should hire myself out to trace people's ancestors.... I swear, this is better than my own tree at this point. I do have a ton of people on mine but they are not yet so life-like. (and of course I don't have any of their diaries)
This is probably one of my favorite finds to date. This was published in the Syracuse Register Post on May 7, 1910 in the society page.
I love how in the diary he talks about getting ready for the shower for the days proceeding.
This is seriously like a big delicious treat for me....
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Garden Update
I actually love the garden best at this time of year, which is funny because except for the Hellebore and the Violets there are no flowers. All the plants are so compact and healthy and I've cleared away all of the debris from the prior year. You can practically see the plants growing every day at this time of year.Everything looks healthy....You can still see some soil. I don't know, it's just peaceful for me like this. You'll have to excuse my daughter's pots in the garden (The big one is mine, it has mint in it) as well as the grass in there as well. I am working on enlarging the bed and have to go back and get the rest of the grass out.
I have a lot of broccoli. First I bought 8 plants. Then I thought I really needed more so a few days ago at the garden store I bought 6 more plants. I also bought Brussels Sprouts, or so I thought. When I got them home I realized I actually bought 2 broccoli (at this time of year the plants look exactly alike.) Now I have 20 broccoli growing.... and no Brussels sprouts.
Monday, May 3, 2010
My Big News!
I recently, (yesterday) launched a new blog for one of my favorite places, The Genesee Country Village & Museum. The museum is one of the largest living history museums in the country and a real gem of a place. It houses 68 buildings (that's huge!) and is full of costumed interpreters and artisans.
Yes!!! Could you die!!!
The blog will showcase the 19th century village. It will include events and activities that you can see when you visit as well as an examination of 19th century life. The focus is on education as well as publicity.
This week I'm talking about handmade beer and other new things for this season as well as what people would be eating in the 19th century at this time of year. Check out the sausage wrapped eggs I made over the weekend. (Yup, you read that right!)
2 weeks ago I was invited to attend some staff training and a luncheon there. When I pulled up I parked behind a car whose bumper sticker read "Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History." I knew I was in the right place. (Ok, I already knew I was in the right place but you know what I mean!)
Later, while attending a session about 19th century etiquette (Yes, I did!) I could NOT stop coughing. My pioneer guide, Deanna ,(ironic because in real life one of my best friends is named Deanna, this Deanna is my pioneer best friend) leaned over and asked if I would like a 19th Century cough elixir that she had made.
It was IN HER BAG!!!.....
I stopped myself before yelling "Hell Yeah!"
She was as excited to give me some as I was to take it. (Yes, of COURSE I took some!) When we practiced bowing and curtsying I swear I thought, "Now these are MY peeps!" (Ok, in real life I don't use the word peeps, I promise.) I also don't curtsy....much.
I think I mentioned a few posts ago that I'm really a geek. I am....
Please Visit! Please Follow it! Please Comment!!!
;ps-I will still be writing this blog as well. I can't leave my Adam hanging.....
Sunday, May 2, 2010
April 29th-May 3rd 1910
April 29, 1910
Stayed home and washed my aprons & read the paper. It was much colder and rained and snowed some. Warmer at night.
W Cold. Snow
R. 9:30
April 30, 1910
I cut Aunt Carrie's lawn and Uncle Christ and I plowed up my lot. Bess up home & I stopped to Babcock and got some pansy at the green house in the rear and went up to Kathy. her birthday.
W. Fine
R. 12
May 1, 1910
Bess & I went to church and Dave & Beatrice were there. I went to SS with them & K up to dinner & we three walked out to the woods. Mr & Mrs W came up at 6 pm & it thundered and lightninged.
W. Cold
R. 10
May 2, 1910
After supper I got Aunt Carries horse and drove up home & got a bed. Bess rode down town with me to meet Kathy. I home at 9:30 and helped Aunt Carrie clean onions and she gave us a bag. It thundered and lightninged and I went to the car to meet the girls but they did not come until 12:45.
W. -- ------ rain.
R. 1
May 3, 1910
Started to grade the back yard for a lawn.
W. Fine
R. 11
hmm....I'm wondering, is Adam calling in sick for all of this time at home? He just mentioned the factory vacation in August a few days ago, I can't imagine he has more vacation. And yet, he seems somewhat cavalier about it...
And Kathy, have you all been wondering about Kathy and the inordinate amount of time that she spends with Bess and Adam? Also, who are these Mr & Mrs W (Witham) who show up a lot?? Kathy's last name is also Witham (it's in the back of his book under addresses)
The other night it dawned on me that these are probably his in-laws and Kathy, Bess's sister.
Upon looking at the census, I confirmed that I was right! Yup, our Bess appears with them as Bessie Witham! Score!!! Mrs and Mrs Witham's first names are Arthur and Katherine.
The also have a brother J. Arthur, who is one year younger than Bess. Kathy is 29, she is 5 years older than Bess.
Unlike Clara, Adam's sister, Kathy does end up a spinster. In the 1930 census, she is 49 and still living with her 71 year old mother. Her father, appears as the head of the family in 1920 so he must pass away between 1920 and 1930. I hope she dates. I hope she isn't lonely. Is she very shy? homely? Is she taking care of her sick mother? I wish Kathy kept a diary. The census also tells us that, like Clara, she is a teacher.
The most interesting thing about this is that she lives until 1979! She lives to 98 years old! The women, obviously have longevity in this family as Bess lives to be 79!
Now we've solved the Kathy mystery. Additionally, it makes me think very differently about the fact that they are always over to Adam's parent's house. Clearly, they are both very family oriented. It also explains why Adam never seems bothered by Kathy's presence. (at least not in the diary!)
In case you are wondering, I caved in and got an Ancestry.com membership. I just could not stand the not knowing any longer.... Now that I have both sides, I may have to do up a family tree for Bess and Adam.
Stayed home and washed my aprons & read the paper. It was much colder and rained and snowed some. Warmer at night.
W Cold. Snow
R. 9:30
April 30, 1910
I cut Aunt Carrie's lawn and Uncle Christ and I plowed up my lot. Bess up home & I stopped to Babcock and got some pansy at the green house in the rear and went up to Kathy. her birthday.
W. Fine
R. 12
May 1, 1910
Bess & I went to church and Dave & Beatrice were there. I went to SS with them & K up to dinner & we three walked out to the woods. Mr & Mrs W came up at 6 pm & it thundered and lightninged.
W. Cold
R. 10
May 2, 1910
After supper I got Aunt Carries horse and drove up home & got a bed. Bess rode down town with me to meet Kathy. I home at 9:30 and helped Aunt Carrie clean onions and she gave us a bag. It thundered and lightninged and I went to the car to meet the girls but they did not come until 12:45.
W. -- ------ rain.
R. 1
May 3, 1910
Started to grade the back yard for a lawn.
W. Fine
R. 11
hmm....I'm wondering, is Adam calling in sick for all of this time at home? He just mentioned the factory vacation in August a few days ago, I can't imagine he has more vacation. And yet, he seems somewhat cavalier about it...
And Kathy, have you all been wondering about Kathy and the inordinate amount of time that she spends with Bess and Adam? Also, who are these Mr & Mrs W (Witham) who show up a lot?? Kathy's last name is also Witham (it's in the back of his book under addresses)
The other night it dawned on me that these are probably his in-laws and Kathy, Bess's sister.
Upon looking at the census, I confirmed that I was right! Yup, our Bess appears with them as Bessie Witham! Score!!! Mrs and Mrs Witham's first names are Arthur and Katherine.
The also have a brother J. Arthur, who is one year younger than Bess. Kathy is 29, she is 5 years older than Bess.
Unlike Clara, Adam's sister, Kathy does end up a spinster. In the 1930 census, she is 49 and still living with her 71 year old mother. Her father, appears as the head of the family in 1920 so he must pass away between 1920 and 1930. I hope she dates. I hope she isn't lonely. Is she very shy? homely? Is she taking care of her sick mother? I wish Kathy kept a diary. The census also tells us that, like Clara, she is a teacher.
The most interesting thing about this is that she lives until 1979! She lives to 98 years old! The women, obviously have longevity in this family as Bess lives to be 79!
Now we've solved the Kathy mystery. Additionally, it makes me think very differently about the fact that they are always over to Adam's parent's house. Clearly, they are both very family oriented. It also explains why Adam never seems bothered by Kathy's presence. (at least not in the diary!)
In case you are wondering, I caved in and got an Ancestry.com membership. I just could not stand the not knowing any longer.... Now that I have both sides, I may have to do up a family tree for Bess and Adam.
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