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.....

"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly"  -Anonymous

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.)

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.

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....

Garden Update

Oh my goodness, can you believe this weather!?!?! My plants are HUGE. They are so huge for this time of year that I didn't get a chance to move the herbs to another spot. I supposed I still could but they look so nice and healthy where they are.

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.

On the vegetable front, I'm still harvesting Leeks and Turnips, but those will soon be done. Potatoes are in and I found some growing from last year so that was a nice surprise. I have also planted peas, onions, shallots, garlic (seriously this family will have no trouble with vampires)  broccoli, turnips, beets & radishes. The strawberries are setting nice flowers but I don't have a lot of hope that the squirrels won't eat the fruit again this year.

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.

My Big News!

I've just about been bursting at the seams the past few weeks waiting to tell you something that I'm truly excited and thrilled about.

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.

Life In a 19th Century Village 

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.....

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.