Elijah Asher Moore
Born March 11, 2009
8 pounds, 8 ounces; 21.5 inches
Happy and healthy and a blessing to us all
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Monday morning update
A few things:
Earl found a copy of South Shore Living magazine for me yesterday. (What a guy!) The article looks good, although it has fewer photos than I thought it might. What a thrill to see my byline in a new place!
I do need to think about getting a new headshot, though. For the contributors page, I gave them the last singer photo I had done, and while it's a gorgeous picture, it was taken about 10 years ago, and doesn't reflect current reality. I'll get on that. Right after I lose these last 25 pounds or so.
***
Yesterday was a glorious, glorious day. Warm sunshine, temperatures in the 60s, a perfect day for a walk, so that is what we did. My sister brought over her boxer and we and the kids all took the dog for a walk. A long one; poor Brian was really tired by the end of it. We walked around the neighborhood for a while and ended up on a little trail near Pine Tree Brook. In retrospect, it wasn't the greatest idea I've ever had. The trail was a boggy, muddy mess in spots, and Timmy and Brian did more splashing than careful treading. Hopefully their sneakers are dried out for today.
***
On the other hand, it's raining so hard this morning that they'll probably have to wear boots to school, anyway. The weatherman promised a "wintry mix" today. I say, nix on the mix. If it must precipitate, let's just have rain. Bring on the spring!
I noticed a few green shoots in the perennial garden yesterday, and a chive revival in my herb patch. Hooray! Other than those, the only green to be found was in the patches of moss that we saw on our walk. But what a beautiful green it was!
***
My family is holding its collective breath these days; my sister-in-law is scheduled to have her baby on Wednesday. She and the baby have been closely monitored throughout her pregnancy and, other than a breech presentation which will likely result in a c-section on Wednesday, everything looks good.
It's been a roller-coaster ride for my brother and sister-in-law, having lost a baby to stillbirth a little over two years ago. We are all hopeful that the story will have a happy ending -- really a happy beginning -- this time.
Earl found a copy of South Shore Living magazine for me yesterday. (What a guy!) The article looks good, although it has fewer photos than I thought it might. What a thrill to see my byline in a new place!
I do need to think about getting a new headshot, though. For the contributors page, I gave them the last singer photo I had done, and while it's a gorgeous picture, it was taken about 10 years ago, and doesn't reflect current reality. I'll get on that. Right after I lose these last 25 pounds or so.
***
Yesterday was a glorious, glorious day. Warm sunshine, temperatures in the 60s, a perfect day for a walk, so that is what we did. My sister brought over her boxer and we and the kids all took the dog for a walk. A long one; poor Brian was really tired by the end of it. We walked around the neighborhood for a while and ended up on a little trail near Pine Tree Brook. In retrospect, it wasn't the greatest idea I've ever had. The trail was a boggy, muddy mess in spots, and Timmy and Brian did more splashing than careful treading. Hopefully their sneakers are dried out for today.
***
On the other hand, it's raining so hard this morning that they'll probably have to wear boots to school, anyway. The weatherman promised a "wintry mix" today. I say, nix on the mix. If it must precipitate, let's just have rain. Bring on the spring!
I noticed a few green shoots in the perennial garden yesterday, and a chive revival in my herb patch. Hooray! Other than those, the only green to be found was in the patches of moss that we saw on our walk. But what a beautiful green it was!
***
My family is holding its collective breath these days; my sister-in-law is scheduled to have her baby on Wednesday. She and the baby have been closely monitored throughout her pregnancy and, other than a breech presentation which will likely result in a c-section on Wednesday, everything looks good.
It's been a roller-coaster ride for my brother and sister-in-law, having lost a baby to stillbirth a little over two years ago. We are all hopeful that the story will have a happy ending -- really a happy beginning -- this time.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Sourth Shore Living Magazine article
My first piece for South Shore Living Magazine is in the March/April issue. I wrote the Open House feature, a profile of Onabank, the mansion built by the Cabot family as a summer home in Cohasset, Mass.
The website doesn't put content online, unfortunately, but here is the link to the page. It's available on newsstands and by subscription only. If I ever get my hands on a copy, maybe I'll scan it and put it up here.
The website doesn't put content online, unfortunately, but here is the link to the page. It's available on newsstands and by subscription only. If I ever get my hands on a copy, maybe I'll scan it and put it up here.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
T.T.T. Yippee!
Finally, some real success. The scale moved in the right direction, and I've lost 6 pounds since Sunday, when I started doing Weight Watchers (on my own) again. This brings my net weight loss since January 1st to...4 pounds. Sigh.
No matter. I'm on the wagon again, and successfully resisted a tray of cupcakes last night, although they were calling my name, and very sweetly, at that.
I have not been exercising this week, but am not beating myself up about it. I will get there. Baby steps. Things Take Time.
No matter. I'm on the wagon again, and successfully resisted a tray of cupcakes last night, although they were calling my name, and very sweetly, at that.
I have not been exercising this week, but am not beating myself up about it. I will get there. Baby steps. Things Take Time.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Writing, writing
I'm very excited about a couple of writing projects that have come my way. Both are off the radar in terms of byline; they're marketing materials and web copy, so my name won't be on them. Still, I'm very excited that this work is coming in. It's fun, it's relatively easy, the pay is generally better and I'm learning a lot.
Some of this is similar to some of the writing I did at a former full-time job, but there's a huge difference in perspective. I like being a consultant much, much better than being an employee. There are several reasons: I make my own schedule; I choose my own projects; and I don't have to jump through hoops to please a boss because it's really about the work, not about the personalities involved. One former boss forbade anyone in the office to wear purple, for example. Woe was me on the day I wore the color for the first time, not having been advised of the rule. It's that kind of nonsense I just cannot deal with, and I'm very glad to be writing on my terms and not having to put up with it any more.
And now, I must get ready to do one of my other jobs; my first piano student will be here shortly. I love teaching privately for many of the same reasons I love being an independent writer.
Thank goodness I figured out that I work best, and most happily, when I work for myself.
Some of this is similar to some of the writing I did at a former full-time job, but there's a huge difference in perspective. I like being a consultant much, much better than being an employee. There are several reasons: I make my own schedule; I choose my own projects; and I don't have to jump through hoops to please a boss because it's really about the work, not about the personalities involved. One former boss forbade anyone in the office to wear purple, for example. Woe was me on the day I wore the color for the first time, not having been advised of the rule. It's that kind of nonsense I just cannot deal with, and I'm very glad to be writing on my terms and not having to put up with it any more.
And now, I must get ready to do one of my other jobs; my first piano student will be here shortly. I love teaching privately for many of the same reasons I love being an independent writer.
Thank goodness I figured out that I work best, and most happily, when I work for myself.
Monday, March 2, 2009
A musical weekend
We took the kids to not one, but two musical events this weekend. On Saturday, we attended "Green Eggs and Hamadeus," a program featuring Boston Musica Viva and Rob Kapilow performing selections from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Kapilow's own musical/theatrical setting of Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham.
It was a good program, and the kids enjoyed it, but we never would have gone if we hadn't been able to get free tickets through the boys' dance studio. Not that we wouldn't have wanted to go -- but with children's seats starting at $17, it's an expensive proposition for a family of five.
The kids liked it; Abby and Timmy more so than Brian, who seemed to disengage quite a bit during the performance. This surprised me; Brian is very musical and loves Dr. Seuss, so I thought he'd really be into it. He did pay attention but not to the extent that his siblings did.
On Sunday, we attended a family concert of the Plymouth Philharmonic. The big hit of the afternoon was the pre-concert instrument demonstration. The kids had a blast seeing -- and in some cases, playing -- the instruments.
Abby, trying to smile for the camera and bow the double bass simultaneously
Brian trying out the glockenspiel. The teddy bear on his head was visiting us from preschool for some weekend adventures.
Timmy the trombonist
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Forward, March
I haven't done a T.T.T. update in a while. That's because I've fallen off the wagon and have been flailing in a ditch filled with excess calories ever since.
From my dad's homemade cookies to Pontillo's pizza, I indulged in the best Rochester had to offer during my vacation last week, and never went to the Y once, although I had packed workout clothes. In fact, no exercise has been done in nearly two weeks. I was in survival mode this past week, with Earl in Florida, and also had lots of writing to do, so I didn't take the time.
Earl is back now, my deadlines are met, and I've at least been able to exercise some eating restraint since Wednesday, when Lent began. With today being March 1st, however, I've decided I need to create more structure for myself, since the freewheeling approach hasn't been working very well.
So, inspired by my plump arms and several pairs of pants that don't fit, I am officially counting points, a la Weight Watchers, starting today. It's a more drastic measure, but it's the only thing I have used recently that actually works.
With things back to normal in my house, or as close as they ever get, I'm going to get back to my exercise routine. I feel better when I'm exercising regularly, and it helps with managing my time, too, since I have to prioritize my exercise time and fit everything else in around that.
I'm feeling strong this morning, and hope my newly found resolve will carry me through the day, at least.
From my dad's homemade cookies to Pontillo's pizza, I indulged in the best Rochester had to offer during my vacation last week, and never went to the Y once, although I had packed workout clothes. In fact, no exercise has been done in nearly two weeks. I was in survival mode this past week, with Earl in Florida, and also had lots of writing to do, so I didn't take the time.
Earl is back now, my deadlines are met, and I've at least been able to exercise some eating restraint since Wednesday, when Lent began. With today being March 1st, however, I've decided I need to create more structure for myself, since the freewheeling approach hasn't been working very well.
So, inspired by my plump arms and several pairs of pants that don't fit, I am officially counting points, a la Weight Watchers, starting today. It's a more drastic measure, but it's the only thing I have used recently that actually works.
With things back to normal in my house, or as close as they ever get, I'm going to get back to my exercise routine. I feel better when I'm exercising regularly, and it helps with managing my time, too, since I have to prioritize my exercise time and fit everything else in around that.
I'm feeling strong this morning, and hope my newly found resolve will carry me through the day, at least.
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