I'll admit it: the last week I have been full-force, head-on, 100% American consumer. This whole pregnancy and baby thing is compulsive. Buy buy buy--you need this, you need that, you must have this, oh have you tried that? Mind you, not that shopping wasn't unbelievable fun last Thursday when I dropped a lot of jing on new clothes for me (both maternity and professional clothes). Mind you, not that starting the registry today at Babies R Us with my friend with Courtney wasn't also fun (in hindsight it was fun--during the experience I thought I was going to pass out from being so totally overwhelmed...thank goodness Courtney was there to calm me down and talk me through it!).
But I have to stop and wonder: do I need it all? Is it all necessary? Does it have to be new or just good enough to make it through numerous spit ups, drool, and other accidents without completely falling apart? Am I a bad parent already for not making sure I have everything the books say I should have? No, no, good enough, and no. Of course I want my baby to have the best start in life, but do I need to be wearing uber expensive maternity clothes to do that? No. Do I need to buy a separate bassinet when I can just use the one in the pack n play for the first few months? No. Do I need to buy everything or can I get ambitious and start making what I need? Well, the latter is my ultimate goal--we'll see what happens. On my list of things to make: boppy pillow, nursing cover, moby wrap, soft baby rattles, bibs, burp cloths, and other little trinkets. Because ultimately I'm trying really hard not to get wrapped up in the idea that I need everything in order to get started being a parent. It's really just too much to think about. And if it's too much to think about, it makes me think that it's probably all not worth it. I'll get the essentials and go from there.
So that's why I've been borrowing as many maternity clothes as I possibly can (thank you to the many friends who have donated already to the cause: Lynn, Meredith, and Courtney). That's why we bought our nursery set off of Craig's List after careful research and consideration because we couldn't justify spending so much on something that would be outgrown in so little time. That's why we're borrowing other things from friends (that and we don't have much storage space left in our house!). And that's why I'm excited to hit up the garage sales as soon as the weather warms up to see what I treasures I can find.
Because stuff does indeed help make life easier, but only when you're not buried in it (and debt...have you seen the prices on some of this stuff? Unreal!).
Monday, February 21, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Milestones: The Blue Period
No, I'm not sad. This is just a photographic homage to Picasso.
Milestone 1: I began using a rubber band to hold my jeans together in early February. They're just too tight otherwise. The rubber band of choice just happens to be blue. Then I graduated to a Bella Band that was lent to me by a friend. Can you say lifesaver??
Milestone 2: We have purchased a nursery set! Crib, armoire, dresser, and glider rocker with ottoman--not bad, I'd say. Plus, it's used (yeah for being environmentally friendly and thrifty) and in excellent condition. The rocker is below--oh so comfortable--and once we get the rest of the nursery set up, more pics will follow!
Milestone 3: The bump.
Milestone 1: I began using a rubber band to hold my jeans together in early February. They're just too tight otherwise. The rubber band of choice just happens to be blue. Then I graduated to a Bella Band that was lent to me by a friend. Can you say lifesaver??
Milestone 2: We have purchased a nursery set! Crib, armoire, dresser, and glider rocker with ottoman--not bad, I'd say. Plus, it's used (yeah for being environmentally friendly and thrifty) and in excellent condition. The rocker is below--oh so comfortable--and once we get the rest of the nursery set up, more pics will follow!
Milestone 3: The bump.
 | |
| December 26, 2010--approximately 9 1/2 weeks along |
 | |
| January 26, 2011--approximately 14 weeks along |
 |
| February 16, 2011--approximately 17 weeks along |
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Interview with a Pregnant Lady
As soon as you tell someone you're pregnant, the questions start. I don't mean to sound ungrateful--I've always loved being the center of attention, let's be honest--but sometimes the questions you get asked are ones you hadn't even though of yet or ones that you're not prepared to answer yet, and already the waves of self-doubt wash over you as you wonder "Should I know the answer to this? Am I a bad parent already for not knowing the answer to this?" And thus begins the rest of my life filled with doubt and worry over my ability to be a good mom. They certainly don't tell you about this in books.
So in an effort to perhaps answer questions that you (and I) might have, and to ultimately make me feel like less of a failure already at this whole "mom" thing, let's play...
Interview with a Pregnant Lady
1. Are you going to find out the gender?
Yes. My dear husband couldn't stand it if he didn't know. He's far too impatient and far too practical. He likes to plan ahead, bless his heart.
2. Do you have a "mother's intuition" on the sex?
Oddly, I've just thought "boy" since day one. But who knows. None of those old wives tales are coming to any sort of consensus.
3. How have you been feeling?
It could be worse. It could always be worse. I had waves of nausea that would come and go during the day and day by day, and fatigue often set in during mid-afternoon. Oh, how glorious naps are! There were a few other more unsavory pregnancy side effects, but I shall spare the details. I'm in my second trimester now, when things are supposed to be on the upswing...but my nausea has returned. Boo. I'm not a fan.
4. Are you nervous?
Well, this is really a silly question, now isn't it?
5. Were you trying?
Yes, in fact we were! (see answer to question 1 about dear husband liking to plan ahead). Some health issues came up on my end last year that made us nervous about how long it would take...but needless to say it didn't take that long at all! Thank goodness!
6. Have you thought of any names?
Yes, we have! But we're not going to tell anyone...sorry! But, should you have a name that you absolutely, positively despise, feel free to comment below. So far the names out of contention: Mildred, Gordy, Angie, and Vera.
7. Where are you going to give birth?
Most of you already know that we like to do things "naturally" here in the Melby household, so it should come as no surprise that our child will hopefully enter the world this way as well. We are receiving care at the Midwife Center for Birth and Women's Health here in Pittsburgh (check out their website at www.midwifecenter.org). They view childbirth as a normal process and believe that a woman and her body know how to give labor and give birth--after all, we're all here long before the advent of the epidural, right? They practice very few interventions--no induced labor, epidurals, routine IV's, electronic fetal monitoring, or medically-unnecessary episiotomies. Their c-section rate is 18% as compared to 33% in the hospital They have two options for where to give birth. You can either give birth at the birth center or at the hospital they have privileges at (UPMC Mercy). At this time, we're hoping to give birth at the center. This all being said, though, the midwives have very strict guidelines they follow for who can give birth at the center (must be between 37-42 weeks, cannot be breech, major medical conditions, etc.) and should complications arise during labor, we would go straight to UPMC Mercy where my care would then be co-managed by the midwife and the OB/GYN's they work with there. I could go on and on, but from everyone I have talked to who has used the Midwife Center, I have heard nothing but positive things. The midwives and nurses I have met so far have made me feel so relaxed and comfortable that I feel ready and prepared for this pregnancy.
8. Have you heard the baby's heartbeat?
Yes we did at our last appointment--it was beautiful! It took the midwife a while to find it, though. She warned us ahead of time that given how far along I was (10 weeks at the time) it was likely that we wouldn't hear it. I'm sure it was only 45 seconds in real time, but it felt like it took forever before the "thump-thump-thump" rang clearly in our ears. I cried. Jake got this wonderful gooey look on his face. It was a moment we will cherish forever.
9. Have you had an ultrasound yet?
No, we haven't. That's another thing about the midwives--they don't do ultrasounds there. Plus, they only order them if there's something they feel is wrong. So we'll be going in for the 18-20 week anatomy scan, where *cross fingers* the baby will show us whether they are a he or she!
10. Speaking of tests, are you going to do any prenatal screens or testing?
Ah, what an interesting, highly contested, and highly personal topic. It's something that Jake and I have talked about, but perhaps something that I've struggled with more due to a family history of muscular dystrophy and spina bifida. Ultimately, we decided not to, and here's why: it wouldn't change the outcome of the pregnancy for us. Further more, if we did find something wrong, not much can probably be done about it while the baby's still in the womb. We personally didn't feel that knowing would help us be more "prepared" or ultimately better parents. There's always going to be things that will come up with our children that we aren't prepared for. We'll just deal with whatever comes our way the best way we can when things arise. It's funny, too, because I always thought that I would want to have them done. But I owe a lot to our dear friends, Courtney and Grant, and their children, Aiden and Maddie, who've taught both Jake and me many lessons on love and parenting this last year (read all about Maddie's birth story).Also have to do a quick shout out--it's Maddie's one-year birthday TODAY! Happy birthday honey bear!
11. Do you have a bump?
I don't think so. Not the tell-tale "hard" bump anyway. As my friend Tamara said, "It just looks like you've eaten a big pizza...or Thanksgiving dinner." Pictures forthcoming when there's actually something to show!
12. Since you guys are all crunchy granola types, are you going to...do cloth diapers? Make your own baby food? Make your own baby clothes/products? Breastfeed? Attachment parenting?
Cloth diapers--look for a future post about this topic. Still undecided, although we would certainly like to attempt it.
Baby food--a food processor is the best thing ever invented. Between that and our garden glut, you bet we are!
Baby clothes/products--it depends on how my sewing skills progress. Things I would like to attempt to make include burp cloths, a nursing cover, and a wrap to carry the baby in. The rest: TBD.
Breastfeeding--sure gonna give it a try! You know why? Cause it's FREE! Oh, and it's the best thing for the baby too!
Attachment parenting--well, for those familiar with it, some of the things I've mentioned above fall into this category (like baby wearing and breastfeeding). But there are some other things that I'm not sure we necessarily agree with. So we'll likely pick and choose whatever works for us and the baby (which in reality seems to be at the heart of the attachment parenting philosophy from what I can tell...although I get the sense that there's some judgment in the community if you don't follow all of the main tenets).
Got any more questions? Post em below! Exactly 6 months to the day until Baby Melbs is due for arrival :-)
So in an effort to perhaps answer questions that you (and I) might have, and to ultimately make me feel like less of a failure already at this whole "mom" thing, let's play...
Interview with a Pregnant Lady
1. Are you going to find out the gender?
Yes. My dear husband couldn't stand it if he didn't know. He's far too impatient and far too practical. He likes to plan ahead, bless his heart.
2. Do you have a "mother's intuition" on the sex?
Oddly, I've just thought "boy" since day one. But who knows. None of those old wives tales are coming to any sort of consensus.
3. How have you been feeling?
It could be worse. It could always be worse. I had waves of nausea that would come and go during the day and day by day, and fatigue often set in during mid-afternoon. Oh, how glorious naps are! There were a few other more unsavory pregnancy side effects, but I shall spare the details. I'm in my second trimester now, when things are supposed to be on the upswing...but my nausea has returned. Boo. I'm not a fan.
4. Are you nervous?
Well, this is really a silly question, now isn't it?
5. Were you trying?
Yes, in fact we were! (see answer to question 1 about dear husband liking to plan ahead). Some health issues came up on my end last year that made us nervous about how long it would take...but needless to say it didn't take that long at all! Thank goodness!
6. Have you thought of any names?
Yes, we have! But we're not going to tell anyone...sorry! But, should you have a name that you absolutely, positively despise, feel free to comment below. So far the names out of contention: Mildred, Gordy, Angie, and Vera.
7. Where are you going to give birth?
Most of you already know that we like to do things "naturally" here in the Melby household, so it should come as no surprise that our child will hopefully enter the world this way as well. We are receiving care at the Midwife Center for Birth and Women's Health here in Pittsburgh (check out their website at www.midwifecenter.org). They view childbirth as a normal process and believe that a woman and her body know how to give labor and give birth--after all, we're all here long before the advent of the epidural, right? They practice very few interventions--no induced labor, epidurals, routine IV's, electronic fetal monitoring, or medically-unnecessary episiotomies. Their c-section rate is 18% as compared to 33% in the hospital They have two options for where to give birth. You can either give birth at the birth center or at the hospital they have privileges at (UPMC Mercy). At this time, we're hoping to give birth at the center. This all being said, though, the midwives have very strict guidelines they follow for who can give birth at the center (must be between 37-42 weeks, cannot be breech, major medical conditions, etc.) and should complications arise during labor, we would go straight to UPMC Mercy where my care would then be co-managed by the midwife and the OB/GYN's they work with there. I could go on and on, but from everyone I have talked to who has used the Midwife Center, I have heard nothing but positive things. The midwives and nurses I have met so far have made me feel so relaxed and comfortable that I feel ready and prepared for this pregnancy.
8. Have you heard the baby's heartbeat?
Yes we did at our last appointment--it was beautiful! It took the midwife a while to find it, though. She warned us ahead of time that given how far along I was (10 weeks at the time) it was likely that we wouldn't hear it. I'm sure it was only 45 seconds in real time, but it felt like it took forever before the "thump-thump-thump" rang clearly in our ears. I cried. Jake got this wonderful gooey look on his face. It was a moment we will cherish forever.
9. Have you had an ultrasound yet?
No, we haven't. That's another thing about the midwives--they don't do ultrasounds there. Plus, they only order them if there's something they feel is wrong. So we'll be going in for the 18-20 week anatomy scan, where *cross fingers* the baby will show us whether they are a he or she!
10. Speaking of tests, are you going to do any prenatal screens or testing?
Ah, what an interesting, highly contested, and highly personal topic. It's something that Jake and I have talked about, but perhaps something that I've struggled with more due to a family history of muscular dystrophy and spina bifida. Ultimately, we decided not to, and here's why: it wouldn't change the outcome of the pregnancy for us. Further more, if we did find something wrong, not much can probably be done about it while the baby's still in the womb. We personally didn't feel that knowing would help us be more "prepared" or ultimately better parents. There's always going to be things that will come up with our children that we aren't prepared for. We'll just deal with whatever comes our way the best way we can when things arise. It's funny, too, because I always thought that I would want to have them done. But I owe a lot to our dear friends, Courtney and Grant, and their children, Aiden and Maddie, who've taught both Jake and me many lessons on love and parenting this last year (read all about Maddie's birth story).Also have to do a quick shout out--it's Maddie's one-year birthday TODAY! Happy birthday honey bear!
11. Do you have a bump?
I don't think so. Not the tell-tale "hard" bump anyway. As my friend Tamara said, "It just looks like you've eaten a big pizza...or Thanksgiving dinner." Pictures forthcoming when there's actually something to show!
12. Since you guys are all crunchy granola types, are you going to...do cloth diapers? Make your own baby food? Make your own baby clothes/products? Breastfeed? Attachment parenting?
Cloth diapers--look for a future post about this topic. Still undecided, although we would certainly like to attempt it.
Baby food--a food processor is the best thing ever invented. Between that and our garden glut, you bet we are!
Baby clothes/products--it depends on how my sewing skills progress. Things I would like to attempt to make include burp cloths, a nursing cover, and a wrap to carry the baby in. The rest: TBD.
Breastfeeding--sure gonna give it a try! You know why? Cause it's FREE! Oh, and it's the best thing for the baby too!
Attachment parenting--well, for those familiar with it, some of the things I've mentioned above fall into this category (like baby wearing and breastfeeding). But there are some other things that I'm not sure we necessarily agree with. So we'll likely pick and choose whatever works for us and the baby (which in reality seems to be at the heart of the attachment parenting philosophy from what I can tell...although I get the sense that there's some judgment in the community if you don't follow all of the main tenets).
Got any more questions? Post em below! Exactly 6 months to the day until Baby Melbs is due for arrival :-)
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
BIG Changes!
"What?" you're asking. "She's still doing a blog? Where the *bleep* has she been?"
Currently, for your information, I have been right where I have always been. At home, doing my thing, but there's been a reason why I haven't blogged since mid-November. Because I had a secret. A secret so secret that no secret before has ever been so secret! Just kidding. It's just that I wanted to talk so badly about this secret that I couldn't envision writing a blog without talking about it. So I just stopped. Until now.
Are you ready?
Sure? You're sure you can handle this?
Drumroll please...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
We're having a BABY, due to make it's grand entrance into this world on July 27, 2011! (fireworks go off, women weep, men clap hands, the crowd roars!) Okay, so I might be the only one so excited about it, but that's the reason why I've taken a break. Because I wanted to talk about it, but I also wanted to make sure everything was okay before making the big announcement. More details will follow about what's all been happening, what we're planning, etc. But there was another reason that I didn't want to tell until now, because there was yet another big change in the works...
But I still can't tell you about that one yet. Sorry.
Secrets secrets are no fun...
Currently, for your information, I have been right where I have always been. At home, doing my thing, but there's been a reason why I haven't blogged since mid-November. Because I had a secret. A secret so secret that no secret before has ever been so secret! Just kidding. It's just that I wanted to talk so badly about this secret that I couldn't envision writing a blog without talking about it. So I just stopped. Until now.
Are you ready?
Sure? You're sure you can handle this?
Drumroll please...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
We're having a BABY, due to make it's grand entrance into this world on July 27, 2011! (fireworks go off, women weep, men clap hands, the crowd roars!) Okay, so I might be the only one so excited about it, but that's the reason why I've taken a break. Because I wanted to talk about it, but I also wanted to make sure everything was okay before making the big announcement. More details will follow about what's all been happening, what we're planning, etc. But there was another reason that I didn't want to tell until now, because there was yet another big change in the works...
But I still can't tell you about that one yet. Sorry.
Secrets secrets are no fun...
Monday, November 15, 2010
Cheese Explosion
So funny story: over 2 weeks ago, I walked in to volunteer at the East End Food Coop for my usual Tuesday afternoon shift, when I noticed that all of the cheese coolers were empty. Apparently some pipes had some leaks in them, and so they had to take everything out. Even though the merchandise was still good, they couldn't sell any of it. But they could give it away to employees and loyal volunteers (aka me). After my shift is done, and I've been told by at least 5 different people about the free cheese and tofu products they have, I make my way back to the veggie cooler to find the holy grail of cheese: an entire cart full of local artisan cheeses, from Monterrey Jack to Cheddar to Swiss to Colby to Mozzarella to Provolone to Smoked Gouda to Sage Jack. They encouraged me to take as much as I wanted and to not forget my friends who might like some too. I walked out of there with well over 20 bricks of cheese.
Needless to say, we've been working through the cheese bit by bit, but we still have a lot left. Tonight, I braved my fears and made homemade macaroni and cheese. My fear lies in the fact that I grew up on the blue box stuff, so my view of Mac n Cheese is rather narrowly limited to that. My fear is that I don't know what real Mac n Cheese should taste like. But fear no more, I say. I found out tonight!
I adapted a recipe from allrecipes.com. Here's what I did:
Preheated the oven to 400 degrees. Greased a 9X13 casserole pan. Boiled for 8 minutes in a pot too small (note to self for next time) 1 pound (16 oz.) wheat elbow macaroni. Drained pasta.
While that was boiling, I combined the following in a large bowl, almost too small for the end product (note to self for next time):
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup shredded provolone
1 1/2 cup shredded colby
1 cup shredded swiss
1/2 cup shredded smoked gouda
1 cup shredded monterrey jack
Next I made the sauce:
3/4 cup plain yogurt (subbed for sour cream which I didn't have)
3/4 cup heavy cream (arteries began to clog at this point in the night)
1/4 cup chicken broth (the recipe's reviews said it was a little dry, so I added this)
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
3/4 tsp. Jamaican jerk seasoning (probably could've used more)
Finally, I combined the drained pasta and cream/yogurt sauce with the cheese. Stirred thoroughly, popped it in the pan, and topped with a little bit of cheese I reserved and bread crumbs.
Popped it in the oven for 10 minutes, until the cheese was melted. Then put it under the broiler for about 3-5 minutes, and voila!
The only thing that slightly redeemed the health factor for this meal was serving it alongside steamed broccoli and sliced tomatoes.
But take my advice: don't go back for seconds (note for next time). Your tummy (and arteries) will thank me.
Needless to say, we've been working through the cheese bit by bit, but we still have a lot left. Tonight, I braved my fears and made homemade macaroni and cheese. My fear lies in the fact that I grew up on the blue box stuff, so my view of Mac n Cheese is rather narrowly limited to that. My fear is that I don't know what real Mac n Cheese should taste like. But fear no more, I say. I found out tonight!
I adapted a recipe from allrecipes.com. Here's what I did:
Preheated the oven to 400 degrees. Greased a 9X13 casserole pan. Boiled for 8 minutes in a pot too small (note to self for next time) 1 pound (16 oz.) wheat elbow macaroni. Drained pasta.
While that was boiling, I combined the following in a large bowl, almost too small for the end product (note to self for next time):
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup shredded provolone
1 1/2 cup shredded colby
1 cup shredded swiss
1/2 cup shredded smoked gouda
1 cup shredded monterrey jack
 |
| Mmmm....cheese explosion.... |
3/4 cup plain yogurt (subbed for sour cream which I didn't have)
3/4 cup heavy cream (arteries began to clog at this point in the night)
1/4 cup chicken broth (the recipe's reviews said it was a little dry, so I added this)
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
3/4 tsp. Jamaican jerk seasoning (probably could've used more)
 | |
| Wait...there's nothing in here! Because Alyssa forgot to take the picture when it was full :-( |
 |
| Cheese explosion turned yummy goodness, topped with fresh parsley. |
But take my advice: don't go back for seconds (note for next time). Your tummy (and arteries) will thank me.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Common Sense Kindness
Whew. I've been meaning to get on here for the last week. It was even on my to do list last weekend. Clearly that didn't happen! Life has been a little crazy as of late, primarily because of work. I was at all four of my schools within the last week, coordinated a professional development workshop, am conducting two professional development workshops this week, and am traveling up to Pitt-Bradford to work with student teachers for three days in between. Whew.
Which is why my encounter at the grocery store yesterday really made me stop and think. Jake and I had been invited to a neighbor's for an early Thanksgiving dinner, and I was running to pick up last minute supplies at the Giant Eagle Market District in Shadyside. Now, if you've ever been there, you know that it's madness whenever you go there, be it 7 am, 2 pm, or 10 pm. So many people! I go in and by the end I literally had 4 things in my hand: a can of butter beans, a can of baked beans, bacon (all of these for Calico beans, or 3-bean hotdish--delicious!), and some pumpkin eggnog. The last item was a splurge, but it's become something of a tradition for Jake and I to get around this time of year. I walk up to the self-checkout lanes. The express lanes are of course long and filled with people who have 12 or MORE items. Read the signs people! But right next to it was a gentleman who had about 6 items in his cart, and an older lady who didn't have that much. I took my chances and figured that they'd be done before the express lane.
Then, much to my surprise, the older lady turns around, sees what I have in my arms, and says, "You don't have that many things. Would you like to go in front of me?" I stood there astonished for a moment, mouth gaping open. I at first was going to politely decline until I remembered that I did in fact have to go home and immediately start making things for the dinner. I replied, "That is so nice of you! Yes, if you wouldn't mind." Then, to my even greater surprise, she turns to the guy behind me, who also had 4 items, and said, "You don't have many things either. Go on ahead in front of me." Who does that nowadays???
And it just got me thinking about common sense kindness. She could've been wrapped up in her own little world, not noticing anyone around her. She could've not even cared in the slightest how she might hold other people up. But she didn't. She used common sense, a little mathematical reasoning, and deduced that the few extra minutes she would spend there were worth having people not have to wait for her (and her half-full cart). I've seen people with carts brimming and overflowing with goods not bat an eye when you have a minuscule basket behind them. But I was able to walk out of Giant Eagle with a huge grin on my face when normally I leave scowling and cursing the masses of people.
So, I'm going to try to take this approach more often when I'm dealing with strangers and friends alike. When it makes common sense, show a little kindness. It's really not that hard. And you might just make someone's day.
Which is why my encounter at the grocery store yesterday really made me stop and think. Jake and I had been invited to a neighbor's for an early Thanksgiving dinner, and I was running to pick up last minute supplies at the Giant Eagle Market District in Shadyside. Now, if you've ever been there, you know that it's madness whenever you go there, be it 7 am, 2 pm, or 10 pm. So many people! I go in and by the end I literally had 4 things in my hand: a can of butter beans, a can of baked beans, bacon (all of these for Calico beans, or 3-bean hotdish--delicious!), and some pumpkin eggnog. The last item was a splurge, but it's become something of a tradition for Jake and I to get around this time of year. I walk up to the self-checkout lanes. The express lanes are of course long and filled with people who have 12 or MORE items. Read the signs people! But right next to it was a gentleman who had about 6 items in his cart, and an older lady who didn't have that much. I took my chances and figured that they'd be done before the express lane.
Then, much to my surprise, the older lady turns around, sees what I have in my arms, and says, "You don't have that many things. Would you like to go in front of me?" I stood there astonished for a moment, mouth gaping open. I at first was going to politely decline until I remembered that I did in fact have to go home and immediately start making things for the dinner. I replied, "That is so nice of you! Yes, if you wouldn't mind." Then, to my even greater surprise, she turns to the guy behind me, who also had 4 items, and said, "You don't have many things either. Go on ahead in front of me." Who does that nowadays???
And it just got me thinking about common sense kindness. She could've been wrapped up in her own little world, not noticing anyone around her. She could've not even cared in the slightest how she might hold other people up. But she didn't. She used common sense, a little mathematical reasoning, and deduced that the few extra minutes she would spend there were worth having people not have to wait for her (and her half-full cart). I've seen people with carts brimming and overflowing with goods not bat an eye when you have a minuscule basket behind them. But I was able to walk out of Giant Eagle with a huge grin on my face when normally I leave scowling and cursing the masses of people.
So, I'm going to try to take this approach more often when I'm dealing with strangers and friends alike. When it makes common sense, show a little kindness. It's really not that hard. And you might just make someone's day.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Election Day
Every election day always gets me thinking about politics. And not just the big questions--which party is going to control the House? Which races are going to be big upsets?--but also the littler and ultimately more important question about my own politics--What is most important to me about our democratic process? What do I want my vote to stand for?
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