December 13, 2013 in Blog, Blogging by lindsaymwright
I feel like I just took a weekend away from blogging and social media…but I need another one. No specific reason aside from the fact that this is THE most magical time of year and I want to sit right in the middle of it and be present and be aware.
Putting my phone away until Sunday night. Will you join me?
QUESTION: Do the holidays stress you out?? When’s the last time you took a recharge??
splendid…lindsay
December 11, 2013 in Blog, Blogging, Family, Picture Paragraph by lindsaymwright
“Picture Paragraph.”
You take a picture and write a paragraph telling us a little more about it. What was going on that day, your thoughts behind the picture, why you bought that (hideous) shirt you’re wearing, etc. It gives the author a chance to ramble and the reader a chance to get to love the rambler a little bit more. They say a picture is worth a thousand words – I’ll try a paragraph. Here goes.
Growing up, my family always gardened. And by family, I mean my daddy – mom, my sister and I just kinda sat in the house while he did all the hard work. Namely because we preferred it that way, but also because my daddy is VERY particular when it comes to…well, every single thing ever. The man has his ways. The other night, he sent me home with that container you see above, full of the most amazing homemade chicken and rice soup that I’ve ever tasted. I’d ask for the recipe but he’ll never share. Actually, I prefer it that way – I’d much rather just drive over and eat a bowl of his making, in his company, than make it myself.
The markings on the container top made me smile so big today. “92.” “2006.” What looks to be “PK Pumpkin.” “(2)” Probably undecipherable to most, but I know what they mean. YEARS of hard work, storing up food for harder times, all from a man who recycles and reuses anything he possibly can. This container has seen homemade applesauce, creamed corn, strawberry freezer jam, pumpkin (obviously) and in it’s last use, some of the best soup ever. Yes, I may soon die from the probable chemicals leaching out of the nearly 20 year old plastic (!!!!), but that’ll be ok because 20 years ago, plastics were the wave of the future and somehow that makes this story cooler. I love you, Dad!
QUESTION: Anybody else have these containers in their family??? Is this a Southern thing?
splendid…lindsay
December 6, 2013 in Baby, Blog, Body, Discussion, Lists, Pregnancy by lindsaymwright
I’ll be the first to admit it.
You can take offense to that statement (or nod your head along as Travis is doing at this very moment), but hear me out. A pregnant woman is really not her normal cheery self and it’s all due to the hormones raging through her bloodstream. Hormones that protect and grow the baby, the uterus and placenta. Good hormones, when we’re talking about helping her do what she’s supposed to be doing – growing a baby. Not-so-great hormones when we’re talking about dealing with Hallmark commercials, a flat tire, the stress of Christmas shopping and/or ignorant people.
We’ll talk about ignorant people today. Realize when I say “ignorant”, what I’m describing here is someone who just doesn’t know – lacking knowledge or information. I say this because I refuse to believe that anyone would be so daring as to intentionally hurt another, let alone a woman who is doing her best to grow a child. Call me naïve.
I was offended earlier this week.
Someone (who shall remain nameless) came up to me, rubbed my belly and said, “WOW!! Looks like somebody ate a little too much turkey.”
In the list of things NOT to say to a pregnant woman, this one might be at the tippy top.
1) Please don’t comment on the size (big or small) of a woman’s belly.
Here’s why this is offensive:
Just because I’m visibly pregnant does not make it ok to comment on the size or shape of my body. In case you’re confused, a good rule of thumb: If you wouldn’t say it to a non-pregnant person, definitely don’t say it to a pregnant person. If you wouldn’t go up to anyone else and comment on the fact that they were looking bigger, why would you assume that it’s alright to say that to a pregnant lady?!!?! It’s not. And it needs to stop. Whether I look big or small to you (I’ve been on both ends of this – people thought I was starving Henry in the womb), keep it to yourself. There are plenty of other things you can say to me. Comment on how thick my hair looks from all the prenatal vitamins. Tell me that you like my top or my shoes. But please don’t comment on something that I really can’t control.
You see – Pregnancy is an exercise in letting go.
You have to let go of your body, your hormones, sometimes your food choices, and most difficult of all…you have to let go of your control issues. Three times now I’ve had to grow stronger in this discipline and it really never gets easier. Whether I look 2 months pregnant or 9 months pregnant at this point is somewhat out of my control. I eat healthy foods. I exercise daily. I get 9 hours of sleep. Drink my 100 ounces of water and take my vitamins. These things I can control.
What I cannot control is what my body does with all of this. The shape of my belly, the bigness/roundness/fullness of my breasts, whether I’m carrying high or low, whether I get stretch marks, whether or not I waddle when I walk, whether or not I retain water or get cankles.
I can’t go on a crash diet. I can’t do a cleanse or a fast. I can’t exercise outrageously. And I can’t let people’s remarks get to me. A pregnant woman can only do so much…then it’s time to let go of that control.
Ignorant people are a dime a dozen. Don’t be one. Choose your words wisely (SOMETHING YOU CAN CONTROL!!) and if you can’t lift me up by your verbiage, then keep it to yourself.
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Other items on the “What NOT to say to a Pregnant Woman”-list:
2) “Are you SURE you’re not having twins?!?”
3) “I think you should have ____________-type of labor/delivery/breastfeeding plan because it’s what I did and it’s what’s best!”
4) “Are you sure you can handle the pain of childbirth? You know you don’t deal well with pain.”
5) “Wait. You’re only 3 months along?!?”
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QUESTION: Mamas – tell me some more things to add to the list!! Even better – let’s start a list of things we ABSOLUTELY SHOULD say to lift each other up!
splendid…lindsay
November 22, 2013 in Blog, Blogging, Goals by lindsaymwright
With the passing of a dear family friend, some family financial stress that hit us this week (anyone looking to buy a house in Chattanooga, TN?!!?), and the fact that I’m simply TIRED and want to nap all.ze.time….
….I say NO to blogging, to Facebook, to Instagram and anything else that pulls me out of this little family bubble that I so eagerly want to nurture this weekend.
Check ya on Monday, friends!
QUESTION: When’s the last time you took a recharge??
splendid…lindsay
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