horrifying things I have found as I prepare my house to be sold

1. 16 paperbacks (including overdue library books) wedged between my son’s bed and the wall

2. part of a contraband pop-tart inside a different son’s pillowcase

3. (this one really is horrifying) fossilized vomit remains under not one, but two beds

Does anyone want to buy it as is and save me from the scrutiny of MLS?

the news

I have hesitated to post about this, because it’s so fun to tell people in person and see their reaction, but it’s about time to share the news:  our family is moving to Santiago, Chile for three years.

Did you just gasp?  I’ve pretty much been in a constant state of gasp for two weeks now. 

We are still waiting for the final word from Matt’s company regarding “the package”, meaning what expenses they will cover, what the timing will be, etc., but we have made some tentative decisions.  One is that we’ll go as soon as possible, since Matt will continue to commute back and forth to South America until we move.  Another is that we will sell our home and both of our vehicles.

I am busy getting the house in “showing” condition, pulling together documents for passports and visas, researching schools and neighborhoods in Chile, and just generally trying not to panic.  I alternate between excited and thrilled, and worried and anxious, which I think is probably normal.

Anyway, Yay!  And do you know anyone who’s looking for a house in the best neighborhood in Salt Lake City?

bpa — is it time to get on the bandwagon?

I was listening to this show on the radio this morning, and I have to admit, it was pretty convincing.  I think this issue has reached the mainstream, and is not just of concern to hyper-environmentalist types.

Fortunately, I’ve been able to breastfeed all of my babies, so none of them were exposed to much bpa from baby bottles.  This is a big concern because of developing brains, and because a baby gets all of its nutrition from a single source.  New baby bottles are bpa-free (at least in the U.S.) and there is all kinds of legislative action on this issue, at the state and federal level, pending.

I am pondering how difficult it would be to eliminate plastic from food preparation and storage in my kitchen.  Not all plastics have bpa, but do you wonder what the next “problem chemical” will be?  Maybe we should just quit plastic in general.  It makes a lot of sense to me not to heat things in any plastic containers (but I do it sometimes anyway, because I’m all about convenience right now) and I’ve already changed from plastic to stainless steel water bottles.  Other issues include bpa in the linings of tin cans.  Peanut butter?  Mayonnaise?  Do we need to buy everything in a glass jar?  What about freezer storage?  Would you give up ziploc bags (which don’t have bpa, apparently)? 

I’m not going to spend a lot of time explaining this issue, because there’s literally one ton of information on the subject (you might be overwhelmed if you google it).  I’m mostly wondering what other people are doing about it personally.  Have you done much research on bpa and plastics?  Have you changed your habits as a result?  Any helpful tips?

quick note

Matt is back from South America after two years weeks.  He went to work and then a church meeting (typical) but will be in my bed tonight.  That’s all I’ve got.

what blogs are you reading?

I feel like I’m in a bit of a rut.  Here I am, starved for adult interaction, and I’m bored with reading the same old blogs.  Marla asked this question recently on her blog, but her blog is private, so you may not be reading it.  I would love to know, besides your friends and family, what blogs do you think are fabulous right now?  Also, do you read blogs as much as you did a year or two ago, or are you all about Facebook/Twitter now?

what can I do?

Everything I’ve thought about posting the last two days seems so insignificant when I think about the immense suffering in Haiti.  I’m going to have to stop watching the news, because I find it devastating.  And me feeling devastated doesn’t help anyone.  Does anyone else feel a little guilty at times like these?  How did I get so lucky to have this warm, comfortable home in a country with a stable infrastructure?

If you’re donating, and I hope you are, there are lots of options.  I love the LDS Philanthropies because (someone correct me if I’m wrong) my understanding is that the Church pays the administrative costs, so the donations go 100% to relief efforts.  You can help a tiny bit more by heading over to Pioneer Woman today.  She is making a donation, plus an additional 10 cents for every comment.  Every little bit helps, right?

Do you wish you could head over there right now with a pallet of drinking water and a shovel?  What else can we do?

Miep Gies

“I stand at the end of the long, long line of good Dutch people who did what I did or more – much more -  during those dark and terrible times years ago, but always like yesterday in the hearts of those of us who bear witness. Never a day goes by that I do not think of what happened then.”

Do you know the name Miep Gies?  She died Monday at the ripe old age of 100, and I feel a little connection to her, because I once played her in a play.  It was a tiny part in ”Diary of Anne Frank” my senior year of high school, but an important one.  Miep helped the Frank family survive during their months in the secret annex.  And, she was thoughtful enough to preserve Anne’s diary.  She is the reason why we have it today.  She was fun to play, because during part of that time, she was pregnant, so I had this funny little soft belly to wear.

I admire Miep so much.  She had courage to do what was right in a frightening time.  She was humble, never wanting to be called a hero.  And she was grateful.  She said on the occasion of her recent birthday, “I am one hundred years old now. That is an admirable age, and I have even reached it in fairly good health. So then it’s fair to say you’ve been fortunate, and being fortunate seems to be the red thread running through my life.”

Miep had a very informative website (how very modern of her!) and wrote her own book about the Anne Frank story.  How about reading either her book, or The Diary of Anne Frank this month as a tribute to a life well lived?

have you seen this?

In case you haven’t already seen this on Anne’s blog, scroll to the end of this post to see the amazing thing my brother-in-law made: http://mrscropper.blogspot.com/2010/01/little-bit-about-sunday.html

Amazing.

simple, but helpful

Every year one of my resolutions is to get my scripture study in gear.  It’s an important resolution — probably the most important one, as I believe personal study and prayer to be at the heart of a healthy spiritual life.  It troubles me, as a faithful adult woman, that I re-resolve to do this every year.  I am long overdue for a serious habit of study.

Since I was home (alone) last week with two sick little kids, my resolution to go to the gym every day bit the dust.  But, I am doing well on my daily scripture study, and I wanted to offer two simple things I have been doing that have really helped me. 

One, I have begun a study journal.  I don’t know why I’ve never tried this before.  As I read and ponder, I record what I’m reading and the thoughts I have.  Often I read only a few verses, and spend the rest of my time writing.  As I write, I feel inspired and make connections I haven’t made before.  Writing helps me stay focused and provides some personal accountability, since I can look back and see what I read and on what day.

Two, as a supplement to my formal study, I have been leaving the Conference issue of the Ensign [this is a magazine with talks from our church leaders] open on my bathroom counter.  I read a paragraph or two when I’m brushing my teeth, etc.  I’m making quick progress through the talks, even thouth I’m spending only a moment at a time.  Many things I read during this time connect to things I’m reading during my scripture study, and enhance my understanding.

These are both such small things, but are easy to do and are making a big difference for me.  I’m sharing them in case they’re helpful to someone else.  Oh, and the kids are looking better, so it’s back to the gym tomorrow.

I want you to know me

When I was a child, there were two things I wanted to be when I grew up:  Miss America, and the first female President of the United States.  I remember worrying that someone would beat me to that second job, but as it turns out, my age may end up being about right (althought probably not my credentials, at this point).

I had given up my dreams of fame and fortune by my late teens, and knew that what I really wanted to do was become my mother (congratulate me, because I have totally accomplished this goal — just ask any of my siblings).  But once in awhile, that old dream of becoming famous crops up.  There’s a little part of me that will always pine to be Kristin Chenowith (only a little taller, and an alto).  I’m listening to NPR and start wondering what it would take to become a correspondent.  Or even a local newscaster — I know I’m at least as smart as some of those people, though my hair is all wrong.  What about those commercials featuring normal-looking people?  Could I get voice-over work?  Could Matt and I be on The Amazing Race?

Tell me you watched Julie and Julia (great movie) and wondered what kind of blog you could start that would turn you into Julie Powell.  Or Amy Adams.  Why is she so approachable and normal even though she’s beautiful and talented?  Doesn’t she make you think you could be a movie star?  Or just me?

I know I’m not the only person who harbors these yearnings for fame.  Otherwise, how would they ever get anyone to go on The Bachelor?  Or Wife Swap?  But, my pop-psychology self-analysis, and this is based on years of careful study at the feet of Oprah and Dr. Phil,  is that I don’t truly want to be famous.  What I need is validation.  I need to have a voice.  I need you to know who I am.

Being home without another adult for weeks at a time may be making these needs greater, as my very loving spouse does provide me some validation when he happens to be in the country (he tries on the phone, but it’s not quite the same).  So I’m coming back to this blog. 

I stopped blogging regularly when my kids were home all summer and didn’t find the energy for it again all fall.  I kept saying I didn’t have time to blog, but the truth is, I was spending hours every week reading other people’s blogs.  The truth is, I didn’ t have the will to write.  I would talk myself out of posting things, because they sounded stupid to me.  I would feel mortified reading my own writing, kind of like I feel when I see myself on video.  How’s that for ironic?  I’m sure Kristin Chenowith doesn’t feel mortified when she watches herself on Glee!

Now I’m thinking this post sounds stupid.  But I’m going to post it anyway.  And I’m going to try to blog every day for awhile, and see how that goes.  I know I’m not going to become famouse like Dooce, but I need validation, people!  And I might as well have something to do in the evening, because I don’ t have cable, and the TV situation is just getting worse and worse (exhibit A: Conveyor Belt of Love).