Let the Wild Rumpus Begin

I made a calendar to keep me on track as I move toward this January dissertation deadline. In doing so, it occurred to me that I could have been done with this thing already if I had applied myself as much as I'm going to have to apply myself in the weeks to come. But that kind of thinking doesn't help at this point, does it? So, positive thinking and progress from here on out.

Breathing In

I made a new friend in the Minnesota Writing Project, and that friend has a blog! Woot! You can find it here. 

It was an inspiration to spend three weeks with some bad-ass teachers from across the state. They motivated me to write and to think critically about teaching. Two of my favorite things. It's kind of lonely today without them, but I hope to dip into that well of inspiration frequently. 

Also, I was inspired to think in metaphors. 

No Photos Please

I don't know how it got to be July already, but here it is. I'm making a renewed effort to enjoy summer while also getting some things done. This past weekend was a pretty good start. I did some needed reading while sitting on a deck overlooking a lake. So, check and check. The weekend took a turn, though, when I got frustrated and said some things I have been regretting since. I need to acquire some patience and grace when it comes to allowing others to bend the boundaries I try to establish for an increasingly independent and brave toddler. If you have any recommendations for chants or breathing exercises to use at these moments, do let me know.

Calling the Muses

I finished a fantastic writing retreat last week. It was kind of strange how much I loved it, actually. Allow me to describe: There were fifteen of us in a well-lit computer lab all writing our dissertations. The monitors were just the right height to keep from getting a sore neck, and we had lots of space to spread out. We could keep our books and notes in our spots over night or keep them in our assigned mailboxes. We had hot coffee and fruit available all day, and every Tuesday we had lunch together to answer questions like, "What are some strategies for writing when you have only 20 minutes to work on your dissertation?" There were two writing consultants on hand to read sections of our writing or to help us get unstuck. We started each day with a writing warm up, wrote our daily goals on large pieces of paper so we could cheer each other on, and ended each day by "parking downhill" so we would know where to start the next day. Oh, and we couldn't go on the Internet.

So many simple little details that added up to a lot of pages written. I'm so sad it's over. Because so far this week I have managed to interview some babysitters online and purchase some items at Gap.com.

Consider this the writing warm up for the day. Come on, Muses. I'm calling you to the room.

The Wave

I think a little writing warm-up is in order today. I'm trying to write a chapter of the diss analyzing humor and laughter about race in an interracial film group, and let me tell you, it's really hard. I'm not all that familiar with the methodology I've chosen even though I think it's super interesting and useful. I'm sending whatever I have to my advisor later today, so I'll find out if it's working or if it's total crap. She's pretty honest that way. Let's hope it's working, though, because I'm feeling sort of motivated to work on the diss lately and would like to ride this wave as far as possible.

The Times

I love my new phone. I'm blogging right now from my very own bed well after my bedtime! This is going to be really good for me. I can tell.

Status Update

I'm at the coffee shop this morning ready to crank out a chapter that's due in a couple of weeks. Last week was a busy one, with the parents here for a visit and then a visit from the norovirus. One was more fun than the other by leaps and bounds.

I'm trying not to feel too bad about how long the dissertation is taking. People who started my program after me have now finished or will be finishing soon, and if I would just stay off Facebook, I'd never have to know about that. I was accepted to participate in a dissertation writing retreat at the end of May, though, and I'm thinking it will be just the boot camp that I need. Hooya.

The Chopper

I really dropped the ball (ha! get it?) on this MLB challenge, and I want you to know that I am sorry about that. As the Minnesota Twins have taught me, you can't win them all.

In other news, Sam turned 15 months this week. He has decided against walking on his own so far, but he does look very proud when he walks holding the hand of mom or dad. Everyone tells me to stop wishing for the walking because my life will change considerably when he's even more on the go, but I'm ready for it. Let's do this thing, Sam.

Even though he can't walk, Sam is quite a communicator. His words are limited to mama, dada, nana, chicken, cheese, down, and thank you, but he manages to get his needs across with various signs, pointing, and the occasional thrown item. I'm amazed by how much he understands and the clever ways he makes himself understood. Good job, Sam!

The best part about Sam at 15 months, though, is how affectionate he is. There is no shortage of kisses in our house--for us, for his dolls and stuffed animals, for his pillow pet, for his trucks, and my favorite, for his food. We're just glad Sam's sweet potatoes know how much he loves them before he shoves them in his mouth.

Basically, we continue to be pretty darned excited to have this little guy in our lives.