Breaking the dry spell

Most days it takes every ounce of energy I have to keep the kids happy, clean, and well-fed until I can finally get them in bed and read to by 7:30. At that point I usually 1) give a feeble "YAY..." that I made it through another day with all of us intact, 2) lay down and stare at nothing or cry and then 3) either read a book or watch TV. By that time, I feel as if I have no more brain cells left for blogging, and sometimes even email.

But Phill will be home this Saturday!!! Yep, that's right, only three more wake-ups (and only three more exhausting bedtime routines) until he's back. I've been really blessed to have lots of help when I've needed it, and good friends to entertain me when I'm bored. I actually feel like I grew from this experience--which certainly makes me give more than a feeble YAY!! when I realize it.

With all the energy I have been expending as the only parent physically at home, my poor blog has been somewhat empty, almost echoing with the absence of words. So I thought for an easy way to crash into the quiet, I'd answer an interview from my good friend, Lara, over at Overstuffed. (She's brilliant and funny. Go follow her; it's fun.)

Lara asks:
1. What has been your greatest accomplishment? (Having children doesn't count: I think of them as a work in progress that will someday be my greatest accomplishment...don't you?)
I am rather proud of the way I had my children. My labor experiences are (intense) beautiful memories for me. But topmost, I am really proud of marrying Phill. Permit me to sound smarmy and just say I believe I married the perfect man for me! I'm also proud of teaching myself photography, and I'm proud of having played the cello for as long as I did, even if that was a long time ago. I'm also proud of the diverse places I've lived. I don't know if any of these would really be considered "accomplishments", but they rank high on the list of things that make me feel happy about myself and who I am.

2. What is one thing people can appreciate about you?
I can find humor in most any situation, and I am loyal. And I'm generally a happy person.

3. What is your favorite comfort food, and what is your strongest memory tied to it?
-Chocolate. I remember my dad bringing me Neuhaus chocolate when we were living in Belgium and I almost cried because it was so good, and almost cried because I thought it was so sweet that my dad understood my love of chocolate. (He shares that love, not just understands it) -And....rolls. My dad makes the very best rolls I've ever had, and he always sang opera while he made them, which I think made them better. And then afterwards, we would load lots of them into little baskets and disperse them to families nearby. -And pumpkin pie! My mom makes the best pumpkin pie (and with homemade crust), and I remember whenever she was making the crust, she'd give us a little dough and talk to us about her mother and her mother's mother and it just felt like this multi-generational feast.

4. If you could meet anyone (living or dead) who would it be and why?
My maternal great-grandmother. I have heard so much good about her. She sounds amazing and I just wish I'd known her.

5. What would I find in your refrigerator right now?

Lots of spilled water (Jaxon hasn't quite honed the skill of getting himself water without spilling), stinky & empty produce drawers, probably one or two things that should be thrown away, and plenty of eggs and sour cream.