Tuesday Random 5: MattDamonMattDamon

1. Today for dinner I made Nu Ways. If you don’t know what that is, it’s ok. It just means you didn’t grow up in or near Wichita, KS. In Iowa, they’re called Maid Rites. I think the generic term is a loose meat sandwich. Anyway, they’re yummy, and I don’t think I’d had them in at least 15 years.

2. I just started reading what seems to be one of the hottest books of the year. “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr is very good so far, although I’m not too far into it. It’s set in World War two, which is a time period I find fascinating. What are you reading?

3. Last night, The International Man of Intrigue told me there’ s a new movie called ‘The Martian’ coming out in November, based on a book he read. I told him I’d be thrilled to see it with him for our anniversary. The International Man of Intrigue thought I was being disingenuous. He says I only want to see it because it has Matt Damon in it. Now, I’m here to tell you, The International Man of Intrigue and I are not one of those couples that has a celebrity freebie list a la “Friends.” However, a la “How I Met Your Mother,” if he were to die of a horrible hiccuping disease, and Matt Damon’s wife were to die of a horrible hiccuping disease, then I wouldn’t kick Matt Damon out of bed for eating crackers. (If you don’t get the TV show references, just let me translate by saying, I have a little celebrity crush on Matt Damon, but The International Man of Intrigue is the love of my life.)

4. Amelia Earhart has a book project for school based on a famous person’s biography. She chose Wangari Maathai, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. Amelia Earhart is fascinated by Wangari Maathai because she graduated from the same college that The International Man of Intrigue and I did, and was actually a classmate of The International Man of Intrigue’s Godmother, Favorite Aunt Susie. Ameila Earhart was so excited about the project that she finished it well before its due date and with no complaining. Because of this, I agreed to sew her a dress and headband so she could dress as Wangari Maathai, since they are allowed to dress as their subjects when presenting their reports. I even helped make her a cardboard Nobel Peace Prize. Did I mention I’ve never sewn a dress before and I did this one with no pattern, just a tutorial from Pinterest? It’s not amazing, but it’s perfect for a costume. Facebook friends, you’re going to want to check out pictures on Friday.

5. News about the recent passing of the founder of Nutella, Michele Ferrero, left me practically powerless on my trip to Costco today. Despite a cart full of healthy and organic foods, somehow a two pack of jumbo tubs of Nutella ended up in my cart. It will be delicious on my organic sprouted grain toast. I think I might need a slice now.

Tuesday 5: Racism, Lent, and My Feet

1. Not too long ago, I found out that some casual acquaintances were “scandalized” that we adopted a black baby. Even though I don’t know them all that well, my first instinct, after the shock wore off, was to find them and give them a beating- if not a physical one, at least a verbal one. Then I realized, no, they don’t deserve it. If a grown woman is racist against a 2lb 7oz baby, I’m guessing she’s too stupid to understand any words I’d waste on her. This, Fellow Adventurers, is one of the reasons why, 52 years after Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech, there is still so much racial tension in this country. This is why we can’t have nice things, America. As enraged as it makes me that someone might not love my daughter because of the amount of pigment she has in her skin, I had to remember what MLK said, “Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” If that wasn’t enough, I turned on Facebook after writing this and saw my friend’s status, “It is always unfortunate when someone disappoints, though I have been motivated to "up my game" and NOT mirror his/her image. -Moira LastNameHere (Boom. Quote that)." So, I did. Thanks, Moira. (Ok, edited to add, it was pointed out to me that it might sound like Moira was the mean girl. Nope, Moira's status just cemented the reminder that it's better to be the bigger person. Moira is certainly not racist. A family picture is all the proof you need. Sorry for any misunderstanding!)

2. Lent starts tomorrow. I usually don’t have much to say about what I decide to give up or do, but this year, I happened upon someone else’s genius idea that is exactly what I was looking for. It’s called 40 Bags in 40 Days. It mixes multiple things I try to incorporate: By cleaning stuff out, I’ll have things to donate to charity. I’m taking a less literal view of my 40 bags. Some won’t actually be bags- cleaning up my Facebook so my social media is more positive, downloading the pictures from my iPhone so they can be found when I need them, things like that are all “bags” of stuff that  I can move out of the way of the relationship between me and God. So, here’s to 40 in 40!

3. I’m finally watching the final season of How I Met Your Mother. I kind of know what happens, but I am really enjoying it and will be glad to have some closure. Once I have closure, I will go back to watching people hack each other up on The History Channel’s show Vikings. Totally a guilty historical fiction pleasure. It took me a few episodes, but I’m hooked.

4. A couple of weeks ago, I got new socks. This may not sound like a big deal, but I LITERALLY have not purchased socks since The International Man of Intrigue and I got married. That’s eleven and a half years, if you’re counting. That’s a long time. I just don’t go through a lot of socks, since we keep moving to places that are hot. I mean, while most of the US is covered in snow, it got up almost to 80 today. Anyway, athletic socks have come a long way in almost 12 years. They have some little cushion right in the back of the heel. There is some sort of ribbed arch support. They are supposed to help keep your feet dry. They’re awesome! I can’t wait to see how many more technological advancements socks will make in the next 12 years!

5. Speaking of socks, I have a use for them for more than exercising now. Last week, I bought my first pair of cowboy boots! It’s love. They’re pretty classic- brown, pointed toe, classic heel. There is a little turquoise stitching on the upper part. I love them. I’ve wanted cowboy boots for years. The best part of buying them, though, was when Gertrude Bell noticed them on my feet after I picked her up from school. She scrunched up her nose and said, “Mama, why are you wearing cowgirl shoes?” I told her I’d just bought them and I’d always wanted some. She smiled and said she liked my “cowgirl shoes” and was glad I was keeping them!