Nine new books over at the the other book blog I kind of think about every now and then.

Hey Molly-

My friend in nursing school at YALE!! Ms. Single Smarty Pants. Love you and miss you and have been trying to get a hold of you. Please call us. Please. I have a box of crazy fabulous gifts only you could care about. And I want to hear about school- and Connecticut. And to bore you with stories about the boys and hear updates on the sisters (yours- but I can give you updates on Susie and the little sisters- unfortunately no great boobie stories- but I can go feel Anna up if you need one of those- call Becky if you want an update on her). See what a good friend I am for you- I am willing to horrify an innocent for a good boobie story for you. Have I convinced you to call me yet?

Sincerely,

Polly

Ms. Married Smarty Pants (which doesn't really leave a great title for Becky- but who cares about her anyways?)

So I am Looking For a New Project

I am trying to decide on a gift for a little precious one coming soon. This baby will live in Arizona- just a thought for weather appropriate choices.

Now this is my all time favorite- I actually want to make on for Charlie but they don't have her size in the pattern and I don't have that much yarn in my stash (remember I am on a craft supply moratorium until I make headway into the huge amounts of stuff in my craft room?) The only problem is I think it is a little hot for an AZ baby.

I think this one might be more appropriate- but I don't know if I am thinking that because this is the color of yarn I have already chose. (it is a great merino, or maybe cashmere I can't remember now- remember I only like to work with nice yarn.)

And this one is stylish and I just love it.

The rest are just ideas for future babies, or maybe just babies that made me cry a little bit. Isn't this the most darling thing ever! I must knit it.

And these little pants- couldn't you just die!I love the giant rib- I just love them they make the babies look especially yummy and edible.

Darling boots- Makes me want to try some felting.

And this is just the most stylish baby- but do you know any baby that would keep it on?

Day 6

Your Favorite Superhero

Well- I am not a big fan of superheros. Maybe it come from growing up in a girl centered universe. And the girl superheros all seem to be lame versions of the boy ones along the lines of bat girl. But the question did make me think about a couple of things.

The first is I am glad that I have come to the knowledge that the superwoman American mother who can have it all is a myth. You know the woman who unfailingly has a pleasant and cheerful demeanor in front of her children except when she is firm but kind when they need reprimand. The lady whose home is always spotless and yet has time to do crafts with the children, volunteer in the community, and work at a fulfilling job. You know the women who never forgets what she needs at the grocery store or remembers that this Friday it is her turn to take eggs and yogurt to the homeless shelter before Saturday. She is the woman who has a lovely garden that produces bushels of tomatoes, cans those tomatoes, and that night is lovely and pleasant when her husband comes home and cuddles with him on the couch. She is mother, wife, career women, volunteer and complete fiction. I know she is about as real as Superman. And I have no interest in being her or even attempting it. I know that the great learning moments in life take place in the messy imperfect home filled with love. That in our weaknesses we find our humanity, our charity, and the love and support of those who carry us through. That in our humility and knowledge of our failings and righteous intentions we are made more loving, patient, and empathetic. I know that our power and growth comes from our constant struggle to be better, do better; not in the impossible, demeaning, self-abusive judgement of our failures.

And if forced to name a super hero the best I could come up with is Abigail Adams- or one on the other countless real women who achieved miraculous things. I could go on and on with this list.

And as a side note I once attended a talk by Marianne Nieffert about the myth of the superwoman that was brilliant. From one of the women lauded by the press of the eighties as a superwomen (Mother Wife Doctor!)- she talked about all the areas she compromised and as she sees her children have children all the things she wished they knew were not important. Ask me to tell you about it some time when we are chatting.

Day 5

Sorry for the break. I am just copying Becky- so when she took a break I didn't know what to post. I know I could have looked it up or even call her and ask- but it was just easier to sit and wait. So I am back for now.

Day 5- A Travel Photo

Well I have been mostly posting travel photos. That is mostly what I took this year. Apparently when I am not feeling great I don't whip out my camera that often. But on trips I have it with me all the time. I also have the added bonus of a husband who loves photography but doesn't like taking pictures. So he is happy to assist me. He carries heavy camera bags, entertains children, and never minds when I putter behind the family changing f-stops and ISO and just fidgeting around with the camera. It is actually a great combination. So I get to play with my camera on vacation unlike any other time (the boys are less patient with my hobby). Therefore piles and piles of vacation photos. But I knew just what photo I wanted to use when I read this. I had one taken at Chambord that epitomized a dream I have had for years (am I old enough to even say decades?).

Whenever I am traveling and see little old ladies together I smile. Ahhh I think there is my future. You see I assume I will be a widow for a while. Not because I think Alma is going anytime soon. I just think men die younger- I always have (because they do). And plan on spending these golden solitary years traveling around with my friends. I automatically assume it will be Emily- but anyone will do. So when I saw these two emerging from the grounds I thought -oh yes Emily and I would enjoy a stroll here in our orthopedic shoes. So this is dedicated to Emily's and my future travel plans. And if Josh and Alma far outlive our expectations they can come too. Good thing I like their company- it is one of the convenient things when friends get married.

Day 4

One of your bad habits.

I stay up too late at night, I blame it on being on call but I have done it all my life. I read or watch on the stuff on my DVR none of the men in my life appreciate. And then I am a zombie the next morning. Sometimes I am productive but that is really the exception. I am not sure if this is my worst bad habit or the one I should be working on first- but it is the one I am aware of now as I have been laying on the couch waiting for my flexeril/vicoden cocktail to kick in. Not working. So maybe I will just go to bed in pain. Because that works so well. sigh.

Day 3

A Picture of You and Your Best Friend

I think I am a friendly person- and I have moved a lot so I think I have many many friends scattered all over the country. So many friends that I wish lived closer so we could stay close and have good times together.

But a best friend- those are a little more rare. I have a dark insecure side- I have just recently learned to show to others. And for year I hid it this friendly over the top sociality. And I think only a few have really seen the ugly and good and loved me even more for it.

First- this poor man didn't have a clue what he was getting into when he married me. I didn't know what I was going to be blessed with. I had no idea how much he would make me laugh or how he would stun me with his kindness. Every marriage has the ups and downs and I am glad I am on this ride with Alma. I couldn't ask for someone better for me.

The next group is my sisters. I have written about our relationship before- but it can be said again. They are the reason I survived, they are my everything. The are my joy.

And also the little sisters- they are my joys now. One of my favorite things in the world is our girls nights. I loved them as babies and I loved them as teenagers and I love them even more as they become women.

My sister-cousins are next. We have shared childhood memories- many many good times in college. Some of them convienently married our guy friends from college- so they could be family. And I don't think that I have any pictures of us on the computer. So Close your eyes and just picture a passel of strong, smart, fabulous Conley cousins.

Molly- When you have sisters who are close in age your friends overlap quite a bit. Molly was first Becky's friend. When we first met she could tell from my first actions that I would be her buddy and continue to shock her for the rest of our lives. She is our adopted sister. We love you Molly. You need to finish school and come home to California. I think this is one of my favorite pictures of her- but I also love all the pictures of her and Coen loving on each other and I have millions of those.

And lastly I will add Andrea. Unofficial sister-cousin. The only roommate who lived with all of us strong opinionated Conleys and could withstand the natural force that we are. Who else would have cap gun fights, or do water opera with no concern about what others would think. And well how could I not be kindred spirits with some one with red spiky hair and a deep love of John Wayne. And I don't have a picture of her hot body and gorgeous hair- but I know she will love this picture of the fruit of her loins.