Author: jenzug

Happy New Year. In February.

So I’ve spent roughly the last month thinking about the New Year and its inevitable draw to set goals. I know these things are usually considered before the New Year so as to get a head start on accomplishing said goals, but we all know I’m not that kind of an overachiever.

Instead I’ve been lurking around the internet, wondering about what all of you are saying about the New Year, in hopes of drawing inspiration.

I loved the honesty of Beth Grigg making a Wild-Ass Guess Regarding 2008; Sarcastic Mom wants to lose Kevin and Leroy, the two rolls of back fat that have attached themselves to her (seriously, follow the link – there is a slightly disturbing, yet familiar picture of Kevin and Leroy. I think their close relatives have camped out on my body where my ass meets my thigh); Wicked Weaving’s aims, or attainable goals sounded a little less threatening than “resolutions.”

One that really stuck out to me though, is Mommy-Come-Lately’s “word” for 2008. Rather than choosing specific goals, she basically chooses a theme for the year. For instance, her theme for 2006 was “gratitude,” last year’s was “simplify,” and this year’s is “content,” as in being satisfied.

I thought this was a brilliant idea, and borrowed it for myself. You can read about my theme for the year on my updated About Page. Yes, I created a new About Page. Why? Well, you’ll just have to read it to find out.

Considering this year’s theme (seriously, go read about it), I believe 2008 will be a year in which I set the stage for my future writing career by brainstorming, collaborating, and networking with other writers. I hope to be a regular contributer to other web sites, and will look into submitting my essays into some print mediums. It’s difficult to set specific goals of who and how many since I really have no clue. The point is, I want to challenge myself outside of The Pile.

So there you have it. My very own wild-ass guesses.

Hottie. That’s right, Mr. Technical Director, I’m talkin’ about YOU.

Bryan started a new job a couple weeks ago – he writes about it here. This means he is no longer flying to San Jose, nor is he working in our basement studio office.

The kids have not been able to grasp this. They wake up in the morning, venture down to his office to say good morning, find his office empty, then come back up to my cozy and warm bed to alert me to this fact. At six-thirty in the morning.

“Where’s Dad?” Ruthie asks.

“He went to work.”

[pause]

“On the airplane?”

“No. On the bus. To his new office. Can you make me a pot of coffee?”

It didn’t occur to me that he’d been doing the traveling and working from home thing for so long they’ve likely forgotten there was any other way he’s worked. Last Friday I took the kids downtown to his office so they could see where he worked, so they could understand where he spent his day now that he is not working from home.

We arrived in time for Friday afternoon Happy Hour, and I was given a Manhattan to drink. It’s going to be a lovely career.

I can’t find the words to express just how happy we both are with this job. The work is creative, and most refreshing is that Bryan is trusted. About a year ago when shit was hitting the fan and we made some transitions out of a community, we heard a pastor preach a sermon from Nehemiah that brought clarity to much of the struggle Bryan and I were experiencing. He spoke of men who were trustworthy leaders, but were not trusted.

This sermon was the beginning of our healing.

Bryan has amazing skill, and talent, and entrepreneurial vision. He solves problems. He establishes systems. He’s keen to patterns. He asks the tough questions before things implode into a crisis of inevitability. The last couple years have been challenging for him, both personally and professionally, and I’m elated that finally he is in a position where he shines.

Every night as I listen to stories from his day I feel one more muscle relaxing; I feel tension releasing from me slowly, like those deep breaths after that long run. Even in the stressful moments, during the stressful meetings, in the midst of stressful project deadlines, we feel peaceful and confident this is the right place for him to be.

Having become familiar with how hearts harden, it’s refreshing to experience this Grace that softens.

—

These photos were taken by a professional photographer for use on the company web site and in marketing materials.

Easy Peasy Dinner: Artichoke Chicken

artichoke chickenThings have been slow on this pile since the implementation of NOT SLACKING OFF, and when you factor in that I’m not screaming with rage or contemplating the demise of my children, what else is there to talk about?

This may turn into a food blog.

Speaking of which, thought I would share Bryan’s favorite dinner with you. It’s yummy and low-carb and super duper easy – takes me, like, TEN MINUTES to whip together after a busy day. Thing is, you have to like mayo, which I know not all of you do, and you have to like artichokes, which I know not all of you do. But ever since we started eating actual artichokes with the kids as weekend snacks, they totally dig the idea of artichokes from a can.

Here’s the recipe:

1(ish) cup mayo (I use light)
1(ish) cup fresh shredded Parmesan cheese
1 can artichoke hearts
pepper to taste

(and because the above ingredients look extremely boring white, I usually add something else, like chopped red pepper, or sun dried tomatoes, or broccoli, or something)

Mix together and spread over thawed chicken breasts in a baking dish, and bake at 350 until done. What would that be, like 30 minutes or something?

As you can see, my cooking style is as free spirited as I was before I had children am.

Bloggy Giveaway: win a free, SIGNED copy of Auralia’s Colors.

Photobucket

It’s that time again, the time in which I give something away. For free. And it’s all her fault.

Remember the last time I gave something away for free? It was awesome. It was like a party on This Pile with all those comments.

Here’s your second chance if you missed all the hoopla before – you’re chance to shine, your chance to sparkle, your chance to dance your way into that Big Finish like the cute chubby girl from Little Miss Sunshine. DON’T LET THE SNOOTY JUDGES GET YOU DOWN! All kinds are welcome here.

I’m giving away a signed copy of Auralia’s Colors, by Jeffrey Overstreet. It’s a poetically written book from the fantasy genre, and I guarantee you will love it. Not into the fantasy genre? You don’t know that. You just say that like you say, “I don’t like country music.” Have you even seen country music lately? What’s NOT to like about Keith Urban?? So before you go making any claims about what you do or do not like, READ THIS BOOK.

I’m not even in to fantasy, either. I’ve read, like, two fantasy books in my life. I liked those other books fine, but Auralia’s Colors was full of beautiful, artful, colorful imagery and imagination. But don’t just take my word for it – check out these reviews from Amazon.com:

“The late John Gardner said that a good story should unfold like a vivid and continuous dream. With Auralia’s Colors, Jeffrey Overstreet has crafted just such a story, one that will leave readers ready to dream with him again.”
–John Wilson, Editor, Books & Culture

“Through word, image, and color Jeffrey Overstreet has crafted a work of art. From first to final page this original fantasy is sure to draw readers in. Auralia’s Colors sparkles.”
–Janet Lee Carey, award-winning author of The Beast of Noor and Dragon’s Keep

“Jeffrey Overstreet’s first fantasy, Auralia’s Colors, and its heroine’s cloak of wonders take their power from a vision of art that is auroral, looking to the return of beauty, and that intends to restore spirit and and mystery to the world. The book achieves its ends by the creation of a rich, complex universe and a series of dramatic, explosive events.”
–Marly Youmans, author of Ingledove and The Curse of the Raven Mocker

auralias_colors.GIFImagine a world without color, art, or any creative expression at all. Imagine a gray world in which all things beautiful are stowed away in a dark, damp, abandoned basement. And then imagine a little girl who can weave color, whose colorful creations have magical qualities.

Can you imagine? You haven’t grown up and lost your imagination, have you? If you have, Auralia’s Colors will revive it.

—

To win this book, leave a comment (only once, please). All are welcome to enter, and I will ship anywhere (again, you Australians know who you are – especially that jobless one). The contest will be open until noon on Sunday, February 3rd, West Coast time. I will announce the winner on Monday, picked from a random drawing.

Good luck!

Oh, and for other giveaways, check out the bloggy giveaway site!

[This contest is now closed.]

Things that make you go Hmmmm…

003_Luke-Temby-Adam-and-Eve.jpgSunday on the way home from church I asked Ruthie what she learned in Sunday school. Questions like this about church or preschool are already getting answered with an adolescent “nothin” or “I don’t know,” so it typically takes a little prodding to get some answers out of her.

Finally I asked her about the paper snake she made, wondering what the story was behind the snake. The kids in her class usually come away with a craft of some kind that have to do with the story, and on this particular Sunday she came home with strips of paper linked together to make a “snake.”

She proceded to tell me the story of Adam and Eve, how they disobeyed God and ate the apple from the tree, and then they hid behind a bush and died.

“Oh really?” I asked. “Then what happened?”

“Then Jesus found them behind the bush and took them to the doctor.”

I suppressed my laughter in the front seat and forgot all about the snake. This is exactly why I push so hard to get answers from her: it’s highly entertaining.

Knowing the doctor part of the story was likely not part of my church’s theology, I tried to get back to the story.

“Can you tell me more about Jesus and what he did with Adam and Eve?”

After some more leading questions to get the story going again, she came up with a different ending. This time when I asked her what happened after Adam and Eve hid behind the bush she said, and I quote, “Jesus found them behind a bush and took them away to do a craft.”

—

Apart from the side splitting laughter, I had the opportunity to make a connection regarding her sin and disobedience and the sin and disobedience of Adam and Eve. In the second round of her story she said Adam and Eve disobeyed God and then ran away from him and were made to leave the garden. We talked about how she she sometimes runs away from me, too, when she disobeys, and how – even though I will always love her – there are consequences for being disobedient.

She really got this, and it was an electrifying moment to be a parent, to be teaching my child complicated yet important concepts in a way that she can grasp. I’m very thankful for my spiritual community, and how it teaches me volumes about being a parent who parents out of scripture.

—

As we neared home Ruthie broke the silence with a question.

“Mom? Why did God tell Adam and Even to not eat the apple?”

[cricket] [cricket] [cricket]

In all my life this question has never occurred to me. Growing up in the church this question was just never part of the story. The story was about Satan, and choices, and sin, and consequences, and hiding, and so forth. Never did I think to ask the question of why God would make that tree off limits in the first place.

Bryan once told me when he was a kid he overheard his dad telling another adult, “Yeah, that kid is smart. He asks questions I don’t know the answers to.” Ruthie is that same kid. She is scary smart.

Obviously, she takes after her father.

—

Photo credits –
Artist: Luke Temby.
From the Damien Minton Gallery.
Used with permission.

FINALLY, someone is meaner than I am.

CNN Reports an ad placed in a local Des Moines, IA newspaper by the mom of a 19-year-old who sold his car when she found alcohol in it:

The ad reads: “OLDS 1999 Intrigue. Totally uncool parents who obviously don’t love teenage son, selling his car. Only driven for three weeks before snoopy mom who needs to get a life found booze under front seat. $3,700/offer. Call meanest mom on the planet.”

I can only hope that I am THAT COOL of a parent.

Full story here.

Thanks to Mommy-Come-Lately for the link!

This may or may not be one of my New Year’s thing-a-ma-jobs.

living/dining roomThis is how my house looks tonight as I head off to bed. In fact, this is how my house has looked almost every night this month. Isn’t it refreshingly clean?! Compared to the 101 things I de-cluttered from my piano recently, I’d say this picture is worth some money.

I was inspired by my sister-in-law in CA when we visited over Christmas. Every night we’d have dinner, clean up a little, play games, then after the kids were in bed she’d flit about the house picking up clutter and wiping down counters. It took her fifteen minutes TOPS to do this, because her house was extremely clutter free.

I was like, I don’t know what this is, this working you are doing. Why are you doing this?!

She admitted to being a little obsessive about order, but still. If her house was a man he’d be HOT.

I’ve always told myself clutter didn’t affect my productivity. I’ve always told myself clutter was homey. I’ve always told myself I kept just a little bit of clutter around so others wouldn’t feel intimidated by an immaculate house.

And seriously, don’t we all have better things to do than constantly pick up after ourselves? I mean, who’s going to feed these people if all I’m doing is cleaning?! But best of all, I continually chose spending time with me, myself, and I over providing a safe and sane environment for my family. Why clean when you can write?

kitchenI rebelled against maintenance cleaning because I was afraid I would spend 95% of my time Getting Things Done, and have no time left for myself. And I am. That’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m spending 95% of my time Getting Things Done. But you know what? Do you know how I spend that other 5%? I know you do – you naturally organized types can see this coming: I RELAX GUILT FREE.

Yeah. For people like me this is mind blowing. For you organized types: yawn. You’re like, I could clean my kitchen with my eyes closed and one hand wrapped around a cocktail.

The power of the Internet to connect.

whymommy.jpgLast night and this morning I saw rumblings on the Internet – on Twitter, to be exact. WhyMommy was receiving well wishes and prayers and good thoughts. This morning when I was awake before the crack of dawn, East Coast friend Mommy Needs a Cocktail IM’d me a link to WhyMommy’s blog (after IM’ing: I don’t even want to know why you are up at this hour), and she asked me to pray.

Turns out WhyMommy is receiving a double mastectomy today.

I checked out her blog, her story of cancer, and began weeping when I saw her children were only 1 and 3 years old. Such a scary experience to go through for everyone. Such weight on a mother’s shoulders as she attempts to guide her kids through it, while grieving and feeling fearful herself.

In the same way blogging brought light and clarity to me through grief and depression and anger, and in the same way it surrounded me with people who prayed and related and said, “Thank you. I thought I was the only one.” In the same way blogging expanded my universe to include all of you, those I call friends (the ones who don’t lurk, anyway), it seems WhyMommy has received comfort from the Internet as well.

Waiting. In waiting room, she Twitters. why must i wait in preop alone? and then, whymommy was wheeled into the OR a few minutes ago.

And now, someone I don’t even know, someone I never heard about until a few hours ago, has a new cheerleader because the Internet had her back.

Because he would want you to see it, too.

IMG_8780.JPGI bought the kids a “gently used” play kitchen from someone off Craig’s List because I was feeling their old one was too small and unusable. I’m sure the old one was fine, and I’m sure by purchasing this new kitchen the kids will simply have a much larger toy to ignore in the playroom, but I was becoming irritated that the old kitchen wasn’t very practical or realistic.

In reality, I’m living vicariously through my kids since we are not in a position to upgrade my own small and impractical kitchen right now.

Thomas is super excited about the new kitchen. Every time someone comes over he says in his extremely loud and extremely high voice, “Come see ow new kitchen!” He even extends this fantastic greeting to Bryan every night when he comes home from work. Explaining to Thomas that Daddy has already seen the new kitchen doesn’t seem to compute, because the Earth will stop spinning if you do not lay eyes on this new kitchen.

Seems to be a theme among the peeps I know…

Beware of anything that competes with loyalty to Jesus Christ. The greatest competitor of devotion to Jesus is service for Him….The one aim of the call of God is the satisfaction of God, not a call to do something for Him. We are not sent to battle for God, but to be used by God in His battlings. Are we being more devoted to service than to Jesus Christ?

– Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, January 18th.

“Holy Sh*t, Batman!”

bat signal.jpgIf your family were to come on hard times, or were beset by a tragedy, or were somehow incapacitated, what would you do? How would function? How would you care for yourself or the others in your family?

I’m asking you, dear Internet, because you need people. You need call-you-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night friends. You need drop-your-kids-off-at-the-last-minute friends. You need here’s-dinner-and-a-few-bags-of-groceries friends. You need friends with perspective. You need friends who speak the hard-to-hear truth. You need friends who still adore your husband even when you bitch and moan about all the frustrating things he does.

When someone in my community of friends puts out the Bat Signal, more than enough help comes. I have sent out my share of Bat Signals, and I have answered the call of it, as well. Truth be told, I can’t imagine my life without these faithful around me, who believe in the need to help each other.

So I ask you, faithful reader, because I care: Are there people who will answer your Bat Signal? Do you trust in your community enough to put out your own Bat Signal? Are you paying attention to the Bat Signals calling for your help?

Because life is too hard to live alone.

Walkabout

IMG_8728.JPGToday the kids and I went on our weekly Walk About Town to run errands and to generally be part of the community. I use “weekly” in a loose way, since the last time we did our Walkabout was before Thanksgiving, which was before the Pukefest, which was before the vacation, which was before the vacation recovery.

But prior to all that, we were going weekly.

We walked to the optometrist, and to the bank, and to the post office, and ended where all good Walkabouts end: the cupcake shop, where it’s always warm and inviting, and there’s always someone to chat with while sitting in the cozy leather chairs.

I’m always so proud to be my kids’ mom when on our Walkabouts. They wave and say hello to every person we pass, regardless of what that person looks like or is wearing, or is smoking or drinking (if you know what I’m talking about). Thomas does not take his greetings lightly either. You must respond to him, or he will continue waving at you and chirping “HI!” until you acknowledge his neighborly hospitality.

Today at the bank he growled like a monster at another customer waiting in line – his greatest display of affection.

American Traditions: Christmas, apple pie, and… the Wii?

homemade apple pieThis weekend my dad and step mom came over for dinner to celebrate Christmas since we were gone for so long over the holidays. We had a great time, and after dinner and presents Bryan challenged my dad to a bowling match on the Wii. Turns out my dad and step mom are both extremely competitive – my dad in the playing, and my step mom in the commentary, as in “David, you have to throw the ball harder to get a strike!”

After the umpteenth “old man” reference Bryan made about my dad, I mentioned he might want to lay off the old man jokes.

His response? “When a man comes into my own house and beats me at my own game, he’s gonna get some smack talk.”

There was also a reference to bringing a cup.

For dessert I made an apple pie – my first ever! And not only was it my first apple pie, but I picked the apples from the tree myself (along with friends – who actually did the picking, not me, but you get the idea), made a batch of apple pie filling, and canned several jars. Wow! What a homemaker I am. It was delish, and I highly recommend the Better Homes and Gardens Canning and Preserving book, where the canning recipe came from.

Here are some pictures from the big canning event in early October:

Film Review: Juno

There are an infinite amount of reasons why I loved this movie. I hardly know where to begin.

I’ve heard this movie compared to Little Miss Sunshine because it plays like a comedy, but feels emotionally deep. Ellen Page as Juno is excellent as the tom-boyish smart ass who prefers all things alternative, including her attitude. She is sarcastic and witty and pessimistic about all things, but throughout the movie you catch a glimpse of the little girl inside.

Her default solution is to abort the baby, so she goes to the only abortion clinic in town that doesn’t require parental approval. As she approaches the clinic she sees one lonely protester who is holding a sign, chanting, “All babies want to get borned!” Juno stops to assess the situation, then takes a deep breath and approaches the girl. “Hi Su-Chin,” she says to the girl from her class. Juno continues to tell a smart ass story about behavioral medication, her wit a shocking distraction to Su-Chin, and she slips past into the clinic.

I loved this scene and how it shows the way she uses her smart ass edginess as a schtick to deflect the gravity of her situation. She does this throughout the movie, one time requesting “a Maker’s Mark, up,” when asked by the adoptive couple what she would like to drink. It’s the thing she does to guard her heart, to make her look strong and unaffected.

A review I read somewhere said there is no obvious villain in the movie – it is full of flawed characters and complicated relationships. I agree with this, and find it refreshing. I love that Juno’s father is not absent nor an idiot. Even thought he says some hurtful things to her (in the moment you find out your daughter is pregnant, wouldn’t your guard be down?), but he is a strong dad, and together with her step mom of ten years, Brenda, they team up to support her through her decision to have her baby adopted.

Dad: “When she sat us down to talk did you see this coming?”

Brenda: “Yeah, but I was hoping she was expelled or on drugs.”

Dad: “Or a DWI. Anything but this.”

One subtle but poignant line is when a very pregnant Juno walks into the kitchen and her dad greets her by saying, “Hey there, big puffy version of Junebug!” It’s not a big deal, and I almost didn’t catch what he says, but in that subtle greeting you get a sense that the two are close, and that there is no judgment or tension between them, that many days and weeks have gone by that are normal, and perhaps even mundane.

You get a sense that life has thrown them a curve ball before, but they always manage to get on base

Regarding the script, it is amazing. I thought it was a great film about complicated relationships that didn’t insult my intelligence. Even at certain points when I was sure the absolutely predictable thing was going to happen, the story avoids the melodramatic and stays true to its tone. I love how Juno’s naivety leads her to make certain decisions, but her strong convictions compel her to speak up when they are breached.

Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman are great as the adoptive couple. From the previews I thought they were going to be more like caricatures, but they are well played, and provide great secondary plot line that further complicates the situation.

That’s about all I can say without giving anything away. If you’ve seen the movie and are interested in reading my comments on it that contain spoilers, go here for my discussion points on the Arts and Faith discussion board.

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As a little piece of extra credit, the screen play was written by a stripper in Minneapolis who started blogging about her experiences as a stripper (just google “Diablo Cody” for the story). A Hollywood talent agent saw her blog and said she had a great ‘voice’ and should consider writing a book, so she wrote “Candy Girl: A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper.” And the rest, as they say, is history. Here’s a great Wired article about her discovery story, and here is her interview on Letterman for the book: