Thursday, January 21, 2016

The calm before the (not so much for us) storm

It's Thursday night and the weekend is looming before me like some sort of promised land.  I felt a burst of creativity buzzing around inside of me the other night but it wasn't anything I could act upon.  I have these crazy, completely unrealistic thoughts regarding photography that I have to shelf.  There's also a to-do sewing list that I'll chip my way through instead of cleaning.  The girls were gifted several sewing/crafty projects for Christmas that require adult assistance.  I remember my mom teaching me to sew and embroider when I was their age so I know that they're ready, but there are three of them and my mom only had one of me.  So, we'll see what happens.

Everything around here right now is all GO PATRIOTS (you have to yell it like you're a drunk guy with a Boston accent) and when we had a football game on last weekend, Emily said that she wanted to be a football player (I have no idea where that came from.)  She then added, "But I can't because I'm a stupid girl."  Whoa, whoa, whoa.  I don't ever want my kids to think or believe they can't do something because they are girls.  But try explaining that when, clearly, there are no women playing professional football.  Now, do I really think she wants to play football?  No.  This was probably her first time realizing and contemplating the fact that her gender is excluded from a sport.  And to go back to the whole sewing thing, I've always insisted that everyone (male or female) should learn the basics of sewing and be able to replace a button or fix an unraveling hem (and not with masking tape!)

As of right now, this monster blizzard of historic proportions is forecasted to barely touch us.  (Can't say I'm too sad about that.)  It looks like we are in the range of 1-4 inches, which would be perfect.  Hopefully enough for the girls to play in.  Allie's been asking for a snowboard and to go snowboarding for reals.  We have a little bit of a hill in our yard and they've been attempting to stand on (slippery) sleds to traverse down the hill.  Accident waiting to happen.

I had ten (the maximum amount allowed) e-books on hold with my library and wouldn't you know that three of them became available for me to check out this week.  I'm in the middle of To Kill a Mockingbird right now and I had checked out John Irving's new book but I don't think I'm going to be able to read it before it's due back.  (I keep checking it out and then having to return it and place it back on hold.)  Here's the list of books on my kindle right now:
  • The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
  • Room by Emma Donoghue
  • Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg
I had the book All We Had by Annie Weatherwax on hold for months and months and months and when it finally became available, I forgot to check it out so I had to place it on hold again.  I predict it will be a good weekend for reading. I love how the girls will snuggle up next to me and read at the same time.  Eight years ago, I never thought that possible.

6 comments:

MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs) said...

Our girls got some crafty projects for Christmas, too. We've begun to learn to needlepoint. And even with "just" two, it was a full-time job for me! I, too, remember learning to needlepoint, and then cross-stitch, in first grade. I am excited for them to learn, but it was not exactly relaxing. :)

Maybe we'll have time to pick it up again during this snow. We're forecasted to get around 8", which is huge for Kentucky.

Chamberlin said...

I have four girls (three of whom are triplets:). One thing that has helped me as we have wrestled with the "Why can't I do that?" question is framing the answer less about gender and more about biology. There are distinct biological differences between men and women. Biologically men have larger, denser bones, their muscles are longer, they have a higher percentage of muscle above the waist then women, and on average they have less body fat. Women have a higher percentage of muscle below the waist, they have a higher average body fat, their pelvic bone structure is different, etc.
With that being said there are probably men out there (who are talented football players, who played in college and other leagues beside the NFL)who are asking the same question. "Why can't I play in the NFL?" It has nothing to do with their gender. But everything to do with the biology of the situation. If a man (or woman) doesn't have the right coordination, the right strength, etc. they will not make it in the NFL.

Kristin said...

There actually is a women's football team in Boston. Not that you want her to play or that she even wants to, but she might like seeing that women do play. I know of someone whose sister plays on the team. https://bostonrenegadesfootball.com/

Sarah said...

MandyE - Be safe!

I did say to Emily - look at how big those guys are. They could squash you with their thumbs. haha

I had no idea there was a women's football team! Thanks for sharing.

mel brouard said...

I think we are book twins. I am about to read To Kill A Mockingbird for the first time. Room is one of my favourite books. I am about to finish rereading The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. Have you read any of her books?

Sarah said...

Mel - I haven't read Barbara Kingsolver. I just checked my library and they have some of her books. I added The Poisonwood Bible to my wish list. Thanks for the recommendation!