Indiscriminate Thoughts for the Day

Some random things to share:

+ I read this via @NYTimes Twitter yesterday: "An unpublished Tennessee Williams story about campus lust will soon be published http://nyti.ms/1gyM22F "  Yes, please!  I have been kind of obsessed with Tennessee Williams, namely A Glass Menagerie , since seeing friends perform it at my middle school. This is exciting news.

+ Saw this in my Facebook feed this morning:

"This is Aaron- father to the magical Elvie, husband to @Jessica Bornick and fiercely loyal and fun loving friend to all. Aaron will soon begin treatment for a recently diagnosed brain tumor. In order to raise funds and help offset medical bills we are adding a new special to our menu. Please join us every Wednesday for Aaron's Lunchbox: Mean Bean Burrito (yum!), chips, salsa, a donut (of course!) and special treats. Each week the items will change and we will be bringing on friends to help us curate this box of fun! All proceeds will go directly to the family, so come show your support and eat your heart out for one of Columbia's biggest sweethearts."

Aaron used to teach at my child's daycare, and his wife Jessica is behind the awesome children's line Owlette, which I have blogged about before.  Please support this family if you're in Columbia, and order Aaron's Lunchbox at El Burrito on Wednesdays.

+ I'm a huge proponent of raising the minimum wage in our country, as I see the human side of the issue daily.  I work with adults who are working--many times full-time--yet can't make ends meet to support their families because they make a miserably-insufficient minimum wage.  I fully admit that I am not an economist, and therefore don't understand that side of the debate, but I've been trying to educate myself a bit from that perspective.  This article/research makes some great points, taking into account the economics of it all: How to Reduce Poverty and Save Taxpayers $4.6 Billion a Year.  This makes quite a statement too: 600 Economists Sign Letter in Support of $10.10 Minimum Wage.

+ My Birdie will be 1 in a week, and her flower-themed party is scheduled for next weekend.  I have been "pinning" inspiration on my Birthday Party Ideas Pinterest board.  I am enamored with this cake, and plan to undertake something similar:

via here

I've also asked a local friend of mine to create a succulents centerpiece for the event; I can't wait to see what Succulent Columbia creates!

Planning my children's birthdays is kind of a hobby of mine, so I'll share how Birdie's 1st turns out.  I shared Jones' 3rd birthday party--marching band themed--on my Fig Columbia blog.

+ And last, but certainly not least, today is Bee Day 2014 in SC! Advocates for comprehensive sex ed reform in SC public schools are talking to legislators at the state house today.  If you want to be counted among the thousands of South Carolinians who believe the best way to address many of our state's problems is through age-appropriate, medically accurate health education and access to comprehensive reproductive health services, then add your name to the Reproductive Bill of Rights on the Tell Them site. 

Happy Wednesday.

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Jones' 1st Birthday Party

The party was loosely animal-themed.  Almost everything was homemade (food, decor, favors).  Close family and friends were in abundance.  The babe enjoyed himself immensely.

homemade party hats; inspiration via here

balloon animals (made by James!); inspiration via here

Balloon animals, from left-right: pink poodle, orange tiger, pink pig, blue dog, green Loch Ness Monster.  (My husband is uber-talented, no!?)  Nessy was made specifically for me.  The hubs and I have a running argument about which is more believeable- Nessy or Bigfoot.  I claim Nessy because she would be harder to fake...

guacamole & chips...more balloon animals: white bunny, yellow monkey & pink swan

left to right: yellow monkey, pink swan, yellow duck, green elephant

 The balloon animals were the hit at the party, truly.  Not pictured, the hubs also made a really cool horse and a hummingbird too.  We may start renting him out by the hour for parties...

homemade cake with homemade bunting decoration; inspiration via here & here

the sweet birthday boy with his Aunt Cat; homemade crown tutorial via here

Here are some of the details:
Food- organic animal crackers & organic Cheddar Bunnies; homemade guacamole & chips; cantaloupe, strawberry & blueberry fruit salad; grilled cheese roll-ups; homemade cake.

The cake- this was my very first attempt at making a homemade cake.  Ever.  It was intimidating, but I was determined to do it, and it actually came out pretty damn well.  I used a cake recipe that I can't seem to find online now...and this buttercream frosting recipe.  The cake was a little dry, but other than that, it tasted great.

Favors- each child took home a balloon animal, a party hat, and a goody bag which included a vintage, metal animal-shaped cookie cutter and a small plastic animal figurine.  I used plain white bags for the favors & sealed them closed with an animal stamp- either a duck or an owl.

ooohhh, cake!

the momma and the sweet birthday babe

Happy First Birthday, Jones.  Your momma and daddy had a blast planning this party! XO

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Happy Birthday to Jones

Today is my sweet baby's first birthday.  

snapped with my phone this morning at Jones' daycare

What an amazing roller coaster of a year this past one has been--all emotions and relationship experiences crammed into a succinct package.  I probably slept less this past year than any other year of my life. I fell in love daily with an amazing baby boy who is quickly turning into a sassy little toddler.  I questioned my life direction, and lamented the loss of my youth...and then made adult decisions and childish ones, circling back around to realizing that my life direction is what it should be at the moment, and that's all I can ask. 

This child has taught me more about myself and how I want my life to go simply by being alive, than I have been able to figure out on my own these past 33 years.  Guess that's how it goes, huh? 

My mom called me this morning:
Mom: Happy Birthday, baby!
Me: Thanks, I'll tell Jones you said so.
Mom: Well, yes, tell him Happy Birthday, but I also mean Happy Birthday to you.
Me: It's not my birthday...
Mom: Well, you gave birth to the child, didn't you?!  So, it's your birth-day too...

Moms are so wise. 
Wait, I am a mom now... 
Though I am certainly not wise yet, I do feel like today is my birthday-a whole new life began for me on this day last year.  Thanks for that, my sweet Jones.  Your momma adores you.

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A Random Thursday Post

My week has been crazy.  We're still battling a stomach bug in the Hill house--momma and daddy got it first, and now baby has it--yuck!  On top of that, we are planning to leave the babe with his grandparents for 2 nights this weekend so we can attend a wedding in Spartanburg, SC- (yay, Kaley & Drew!).  I am a bit nervous about leaving him, especially now that he's not feeling well...hopefully he'll be better tomorrow.

I haven't even begun to pack for that trip, and then when I get back I have two days to do laundry and pack for my trip to NYC!  I am beyond excited about this trip, but I'm a little nervous that my wardrobe may not be prepared for the weather...but oh well, I'll worry about that next week...one trip at a time, right?

So, now for the randomness--I bought these cord shorts for Jones on major sale this week:

image via here

So cute, right!?  And FREE shipping from Zara, you can't beat that.

And, instead of doing laundry and packing, this week I've been working on some handmade items for Jones' first birthday party--which is 2 weeks away!  Crazy.  I'm making a crown for the birthday boy and a bunting for his cake--similar to the one below. 

image via here

So, sorry for the lack of posts this week, and don't expect much for next week, but I'll be back soon with posts about the wedding, the NYC trip, and the birthday party!  Whew.
Happy January!

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