dig this chick

34.

2012-02-09T12:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I woke to Ruby singing to me. I nursed my girl and Andy brought me coffee in bed (really, just handed it to me as the stove is only a few feet away) in a mug that read You are my sunshine. My only sunshine. He left for work before the sun rose, a quick kiss and soft smile. Happy birthday, babe he said. I am 34. My daughters and I went to my sewing studio early, I got all my work

The Great Wall of Better Sleep

2012-02-06T00:14:00.000-07:00

We are pretty lucky to live in a small space with access to the internet. I am loving the camaraderie and creativity out there. People who live in 250 square feet and nerd out on space efficiency and then hop online to share their nerdiness with nerdy people like us. Having wee friends over is funny. There is much about our space (400 square feet; a bit smaller than a two-car garage) that

Margot, at four.

2012-02-01T22:40:00.005-07:00

When Andy was four his great Aunt Dorothy died. He and his sister were a part of the estate-sorting-though and, in the end, each offered a pick from the costume jewelry box. Neysa chose what you'd expect any seven year-old girl to pick: a big sparkly necklace. Andy carefully selected a small box with a single stone hopping around inside. His mom says it was his prized possession. He carried it

snot and such

2012-01-31T08:14:00.001-07:00

Last week, I played on the couch with Ruby for over an hour. With pillows, tracing faces, counting toes. Andy was in the kitchen, which is like eight feet away. I said, "I feel so alive, so present. Like I am participating in life without distraction for the first time in a few months." He laughed and said, "Yep." Last month, we were way busier than we like to be. Part of me wants to list all

snow days

2012-01-24T11:00:00.003-07:00

I had most of this written and ready yo go last night and then I crawled in bed with Ruby at 8pm to sing Oh Mister Moon and now it is the next morning. The last four days have been entirely about snow. An epic storm smoothed out Missoula valley with two feet in two days. Our life has been so cozy and elemental as we focused on the basics: fun, food, friends, rest. Work happened late and early

home is where you want to be

2012-01-19T00:04:00.003-07:00

Many years ago, my friend gave Margot a book called Let's Go Home. It is one of our favorites and, tonight, it was Ruby's bedtime choice. I read There are many kinds of houses in the world, from little cottages to big mansions, from farmhouses to bungalows. But no matter the kind of house, it is the living inside that makes it wonderful, what happens to each room that makes it marvelous. It is

now nuggets

2012-01-16T13:45:00.000-07:00

nuggets: little bits of the season in photos and words, about the last week First, THANK YOU. When my domain was bought out from under me, I wondered if it meant the end of my contributions here, if I was to look to the next thing. I was open to that, even though I feel like I have more to give to dig. It always seems so cliché when people say I have no words for... but that is how I feel.

If you believe in kindness you'll be free.

2012-01-11T16:47:00.009-07:00

First, we closed on the sale of our first home yesterday. Second, I spent the last 24 hours doing something I hadn't expected to be doing. See, my domain was up for renewal and I have it set up to automatically renew but my credit card on file had expired. I received an email notice to update my info in the midst of selling and buying a house. I called and couldn't remember my pin so I

yo.

2012-01-09T13:06:00.001-07:00

Oh I am aching to write about so much. About seven essays linger in my brain. About the happiness and excitement of moving to our new home, the exhaustion and sadness of leaving our first home. About our generous, kind community who have helped us out with moving, play dates, food, hugs. About how AMAZING my mom is, about the dozens of metaphors that exist in packing up a life and hauling it

happy new year

2012-01-02T20:24:00.000-07:00

Writing amidst boxes and boxes, I sit, exhausted. Thankfully, my awesome mom is on her way to help us out for 10 days. My mom is the most productive and generous person I know. She keeps saying things like now leave some stuff for me to do! which is funny because, oh mom, there is PLENTY for you to do. I am feeling ready to nest in our little apartment. I lay in bed at night dreaming up space

Minnesota Magic

2011-12-29T09:20:00.000-07:00

We flew into Minneapolis on Christmas Eve and I imagined Garrison Keillor narrating our approach. The endless horizon imperceptibly, yet regularly, broken by water everywhere, frozen so solid people are comfortable hauling their most fragile belongings over the deep, cold oblivion. In the air, a family of four awaits the embrace of their loved ones. The plane descends slowly at first and

* wink *

2011-12-22T16:03:00.000-07:00

I just had lunch with Margot and it felt like the first time we had dined together in over a week, even though we share meals every day. I have been distracted. I told Margot that I didn't like how busy we've been, how often I have told her to hold on or not now lately. I told her I was so excited that was behind us and I looked forward to hanging out with our family. She stared at me, studied

noticing

2011-12-21T01:55:00.000-07:00

I am so tired of having the same answer to how are you? Truth is we are nuts right now. So, that is what I say and then find my brain and mouth taking off in all the details of the craziness. This buying and selling homes business in the midst of birthdays, holidays, company, travel, work has us running, making phone calls, signing documents, waiting for emails, rearranging schedules while

sticky sweet

2011-12-17T01:11:00.002-07:00

I didn't have energy to do the dishes or put the kitchen floor hazards away so I instead shoved, scooted and piled. It was late and I was making room for more making. Specifically, making something for Margot to share with her class on her birthday circle day. Easy and fun I chanted as I sifted through our pantry. I recalled a conversation I had with my friend earlier in the day. She said, "I

giggling pile

2011-12-13T22:16:00.001-07:00

Throughout my days I make notes of things I love: stuff my kids say, a way a person interacted with me, how I feel, things I learn, thoughts, what I aspire to. These items fuel my passions, my work and my life. Also, it is just a compulsion of mine. Writing it down is part of me. I tumble through thoughts into words and hurl the mass into space. I don't expect anything from it. There is no end,

hump day nuggets: bright spots

2011-12-06T18:44:00.001-07:00

nuggets: little bit of the season in photos and words Hard for me to start with anything other than: The MADE fair is this weekend. I am so honored to be a part of this awesome, hip, fun event. There, one will surely find: * Handmade objects that, when purchased, will directly impact Montana families. * Cheer. * Santa. * Me and my stuff, other people and their stuff. In other

Hey, babe. Look up.

2011-12-05T13:29:00.003-07:00

I cooked all day yesterday for my dig holiday party. I felt like a real, official businesswoman hosting a dinner for my employees and their families. It wound down and just as my tired head hit my soft pillow I remembered I hadn't written my column. For a hot second I considered rallying, getting it together but instead I emailed an apology and fell asleep four seconds later. Mama digs will be

journey

2011-12-01T00:25:00.002-07:00

I was never the person who waited 12 weeks to share my pregnancy. In fact, after I took my first (of many) positive pregnancy test in the bathroom at my work, I wrapped it in tissue and returned to my desk to work on a grant. It sat beside my keyboard as I typed away, glancing at the stick with two neon pink lines hidden beneath a veil. I was just so surprised. It really seemed impossible so I

thankful nuggets

2011-11-28T10:31:00.002-07:00

nuggets: little bits of the season in photos and words So many fabulous things swimming around my head today. A good place to be, a bad place to write from. Unless, of course, I do nuggets. I know Thanksgiving blog posts were like so five minutes ago but that's cool with me. I still wear boot cut jeans too. This minute, a few things I feel thankful for: :: Kids who, when faced with very little

stuff I love happening all at once

2011-11-21T14:45:00.000-07:00

We have a big week around here: family to and fro, a birthday to celebrate, Thanksgiving. new charming haircuts, same charming faces Also, we tore into a wall in our kitchen to fix up some last things and ready for the new owners of our home, their home. So, things are happily bananas what with the construction zone, holiday and birthday gift making, visitor and party prep, work, trying to

nuggets: sewing, sewing

2011-11-18T13:06:00.001-07:00

nuggets: bits of the season in photos and words about the last week First up! Thank you for your amazing bucket list comments. It was so fun to read your goals and dreams. The randomly selected camera winner: long-time reader, Kelly Cach! Congrats, mama (no you don't need a blog!). Kelly Cach said...Bummer. I guess you have to have a blog to enter. But I "liked" them on Facebook anyway :) And

bleeping wreathes!

2011-11-14T21:29:00.001-07:00

I made a few wreathes. And, for some reason, I want to talk gangsta and swears about these pricks. I texted my holiday craft-lovin' friend a photo of one finished project accompanied by some colorful, excited language that I keep typing and then deleting so as to not offend your delicate eyeballs. I think it is funny. Especially in the context of a holiday craft that symbolizes friendship and the

nuggets: hibernate

2011-11-11T05:25:00.001-07:00

nuggets: little bits of the season in photos and words about the last week I can dork out on well-organized spreadsheet just as much as rolling dryer lint balls. In school, my grades in calculus were comparable to my grades in literature. I've never fully aligned myself with my right or left brain; I am constantly playing hopscotch between the two. The party lines are blurred. Similarly, I am

You are already naked.

2011-11-08T12:56:00.003-07:00

Today, I bring you a sponsored post, presented by Just Ask with Today's Mama. Until now, I have declined sponsored post inquiries. So, why did I say yes to the one? Three reasons: A) I like the sponsors' missions and this campaign B) They gave me a fun, paid assignment C) I have the awesome job of awarding one of YOU with a new dslr camera! TRUE. Read on. :: :: :: Since Steve Jobs died, his

Il neige

2011-11-07T13:29:00.001-07:00

A new level of chill has settled in our valley. The heat kicks on regularly, hats are essential. They say we are in for another big snowy, cold year like last and it feels that way. We've dug out the woolens, down and ski gear. My family is ready. We love snow. And while this photo illustrates me in my normal, happy state: I did have a brief and fiery swing in the other direction the next