Report Cards and the dr report

So I went to the doctor, and nothing. I have post nasal drip that is causing my cough and the snot in my nose is evidentally causing the pain that I feel in my sinuses and obviously my runny nose. No miracle drug available, just keep doing what I'm doing. Great!

The girls had their parent teacher confs. this past Tuesday. It went fine. Many of the things the girls evidentally don't do at school, they do at home all the time (like speak constantly). I'm hoping that they will be more active next year when they are not in class together. I'm also looking into some other activity that will push their comfort level. Maybe swimming....

Being a mom of twins has its unique challenges, just not the challenges that I initially anticipated.

snow and a big birthday!

I have been MIA from work for a week now (well to be fair, we haven't had work). We've had a lot of snow. Too much snow! Too much snow to shovel. Too much snow for the girls to play in. Too much snow for the doggy to walk in. Just. too. much. The girls, dog and I were housebound for a week. Honestly, it was nice to be home. I did some sewing and some cleaning. I did some sleeping, some movie watching and spent lots of time hanging with the hubby. I did some baking. I played some Pretty Pretty Princess, dressed some pirates for sword fights with their father and watched some Disney movies. I read some kiddo books, snuggled under blankets in the family room. I even did some shoveling.

But most importantly, I did some partying. Carl turned 30 and we had an appetizer/bar party in his honor. Our friends joined us at our home (of course they had to park up the street at the school because good luck parking at a town home in Baltimore when it snows) for some wine and appetizers before heading out to the bar. The night was a blast, although I'm looking forward to spending some quieter evenings at home for next week or so.

I seem to be under the weather again, or perhaps I have never fully recovered from the last time I wasn't feeling well. This time, I'm headed to the doctor. I see the NP tomorrow am. Can't wait. Here's to hoping I have something that antibiotics can fix!

Domestic Bliss?!

As a womens studies student, I have oftentimes found the "domesticity" is tied to the image of the 1950s woman. A woman who seemingly rarely leaves the confines of her home. She cleans. She sews. She bakes. She cooks. She takes care of her husband and her children. However, I am obsessed with domesticity, and in that, a conflict with many of feminist theories and ideals that I have studied.

I love to cook and bake. Much like Julie Powell, the main character in "Julie and Julia" I find comfort in the fact that if I follow the recipe, I will end up with something delicious (generally speaking). I love cooking with my girls. I love cooking with my friends. I love cooking with my husband. I love eating whatever I have made. I love discovering new favorite chefs and new favorite recipes, but still stick with some old favorites too. The Foodnetwork Magazine's recent quiz described me as an everyday entertainer...and I like that description. I don't need to find a special occasion to whip up something special. That fits me to a tee (although I often find myself creating reasons to whip up something special, take this weekend and the coming snow as an example. Tonight I will go home, and find some yummy, goey chocolatey recipes to go buy ingredients for).

I enjoy creating new things and I enjoy home decorating and fashion. Therefore, I love to sew. I love to shop for new patterns and new fabrics. I love to imagine how things will turn out once I have completed them, and I love the relaxing feeling of pinning, sewing, unpinning, ironing, piecing together, etc. that comes with new projects.

Perhaps the 2010 woman is more complex than the 1950s woman (or perhaps that 1950s woman really is just a stereotype...but i'm thinking not). Some 2010 women find pleasure in domestic acts, but also other hobbies as well. Perhaps its that domesticity can now be considered a hobby instead of a "job" or lifestyle. Others pay lots of money to redeem the goods that all women regularly created each and everyday.

Just thinking....

Winter weather is approaching

Its funny that Carl and I made the decision to get the 2-wheel drive CRV because we thought it never snows in Baltimore. That logic has seemingly gone out the window this winter. It snowed last night and we are evidentally in for "significant" snow fall for this weekend. My dog is not overly pleased. Though he loves playing in the snow, the salt eats at his little tootsies. I think I might need to get him shoes....this winter is turning into Carl's worst dog nightmare. He hates the idea of dogs with clothes on, and the fact that his dog wears a coat sometimes weirds him out.

The thought of more snow this weekend kind of excites me. I just ordered some new fabrics, and they are supposedly shipping out today. I also ordered some new patterns; McCalls is having a HUGE sale, and I can't wait to get them in the mail! I am dying for this Amy Butler book, and I'm going to use my gift certificate from Dan and Mindy to get it. I will have to remember that tomorrow, so maybe I can run out at lunch. On Friday, while the girls are at Disney on Ice with my parents, I need to drop by JoAnns to get some interfacing for all of my upcoming projects! Perhaps I'll do a coupon search later today.

I am also looking forward to some cooking this weekend. Last weekend I made granola bars, and they were amazing! I'm thinking I want to make more of those and something rich and gooey for dessert on Saturday night...while we watch the snow fall of course;)

social butterfly

I was quite the social butterfly this weekend, if I do say so myself. It was a welcome break from my week (which included three ears infected in my house...two on Alie, one on Laney). Friday night was bookclub! We didn't discuss the book AT ALL, but Camp Laura did come down from Philly to participate. We ate pizza, salads and yummy dessert, and of course drank wine, while lounging in Ciruc's living room planning my 30th birthday trip to Disney.

Saturday, it snowed. And snowed. And snowed. I was under the impression that we were getting a light dusting, but we didn't. We spent the day lounging indoors, enjoying the view outside. I did take Slate for a nice long walk, that I don't think he appreciated since the snow was up to his ankles...do they make boots for dogs? ;)
We headed out in the snow to meet Bri and Ciruc for drinks. It was super slick, but we ended up lounging on leather couches by the fireplace drinking beer and enjoying some yummy appetizers. Laney even had her first shirley temple!

On Sunday, Andy and Pam came to visit. They had tried to make it down on Saturday, but they ran into some really bad weather. We loved having them. Owen has gotten sooo big! He cracks me up. He's at that great 1 and 1/2 year old age, where he says select words and has a limited attention span. I miss that age! Andy and Pam look great!