All posts by Kirsetin

August 3, 2010balance, summerKirsetin

Few things tempt me like the hammock that swings in the shade of the pine trees beside our cottage. You’d think, wouldn’t you, that having it there, calling to me as it does, I’d sidle on over and plop down with a good book on a regular basis.

But no. Every time I look outside someone has beaten me to it. All three of my boys are suspect—whoever can get there first, will. One day the kitchen timer beeped, and I watched as my youngest grabbed his book and ran out to the side yard, “Your time’s up!” he yelled gleefully, bumping his big brother from the coveted spot. Apparently the three of them had worked out a rotating half-hour schedule, leaving no time for mom to swing into peaceful oblivion.

Today, though, those three boys are 600 miles away, playing at the pool with their grandma and cousins. My good friend came up yesterday to enjoy a day at the beach sans-niños, and share a glass or two of wine. This morning, we worked off aforementioned calories by walking the puppy and ourselves for an hour and a half. When she took off for home, I eyed up the hammock. I grabbed my novel (American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld) and headed outside. The breeze was blowing, the shade was bliss on another hot day, and I closed my eyes and listened to the quiet.

Now that’s peaceful.

photo credit: It’s Greg.

On the Merits of Dusting

August 2, 2010cottage, home projectsKirsetin

When we bought our cottage, built in 1873, we knew we were in for some renovations. The disgustingly old and dirty green carpet was the first thing to go. My husband spent almost 6 months sanding the aged wood floor—the big sanding machine wouldn’t work on paint so old. We replaced all of the trim, painted the walls, painted the trim, gutted the bathroom, laid tile, and added wainscoting to the upstairs bedrooms ceilings, for starters. Please note: when I say “we” I mean “we.” These jobs weren’t hired out, friends; this was some serious blood, sweat, and tears for a couple whose previous home renovation experience consisted of painting a bedroom and stenciling some sailboats in a kid’s room.

The one thing we knew we wouldn’t change, though, was this old-fashioned chandelier that hangs over our dining room table. It’s missing several of the glass teardrops, but for me that only adds to its charm. If you look closely, you can imagine that more than a little dust settles in the intricacies of the design. Plus, I’m not a big duster, so time contributes its fair share. Yesterday, though, I stood up on the dining room bench and took the time to go over every little crevice. No more cobwebs or hazy glass.

Hmmm, maybe I ought to dust more often.

Angry Birds Have Me Beat

August 1, 2010activities for kids, media, vacationKirsetin

This popular app has thousands of us flinging little blue birds that multiply and black birds that explode at little pink pigs faster than the next person can download the game. While we flew across the country to Colorado a couple of weeks ago, my kids and husband completed levels in record time, clicking Play as soon as the Captain said, “You can now turn on your addictive little devices, boys.”

I snuck a game in now and then, too, but because of my incredibly frugal commitment to only download free apps, I have to play this $.99 game on my husband’s iPhone. That means, of course, that I’m not the only one in line.

It also means I am the worst Angry Birds player ever.

On my last turn, I flung two birds backwards. My children were slightly ashamed and I can’t say I blame them.

One another turn, I pulled the bird back as far as I could to get a really great fling. As I let go, it fell off the slingshot and plopped onto the ground directly in front of it. My youngest expressed sympathy. “That’s okay, Mom. It happened to me one time, too.”

Nonetheless, it’s humbling to watch as they progress through level after level, while I remain in the very first set. They have birds now that I’ve never even seen!

Ah, technology. For all its claims about enriching our world, in the end it’s the Angry Birds that attract us. I’m not sure if that should make us laugh or cry.

Either way, I’m thinking of asking my son to tutor me. This is getting embarrassing.

How about you? What are your favorite apps? All fun ones or some useful? (My favorite useful one, btw, is one we use to track vacation expenditures. I’m much better at that than at Angry Bird, thank goodness.) Share your favorite recommendations!