Score!

Since finding out I was pregnant, I've bemoaned having a one bedroom flat because it means a). I don't have a nursery and  b). our storage options are severely limited.  To save space, we opted for the "urban" or "apartment" sized Bloom Alma crib (which I found on Craigslist for a fraction of its retail price) and decided to forego a changing table (we have plenty of flat surfaces to use instead).  As for a glider rocker, well, I'll just have to rock back and forth on the couch during feedings.

Making those decisions wasn't easy (I wanted to enjoy decorating a nursery like other moms-to-be) but they paled in comparison to the time I've spent stressing out over storage space: our basement unit is HUGE by Hoboken standards, almost every piece of furniture has a duel storage purpose and Matt custom fitted all of our closets to maximize space and yet there still wasn't adequate room to house everything Bebe.

Until today.

Today started out in search of a dresser that could double as a media stand but turned into this:

(Image courtesy of Crate and Barrel)

Oh yes, having a one bedroom has finally paid off!  How?  Well, not decorating/purchasing nursery furniture means that we could purchase a real piece of furniture that has a MASSIVE amount of storage - one that will not only last us the rest of our lives but will, no doubt, look fab in Bebe's home someday.  

I mean seriously - if I had the choice of inheriting a crib, changing table, and glider rocker or this majestic piece, that decision would be a no brainer!

And the best part - it was on sale PLUS an additional 15% off!

Question

If I have never wanted to stand separated from my peers and if my husband has never, ever, ever wanted to be set apart from his peers, and if we both are willing to splash out for the latest cute trends, then are the chances that our daughter will not ever, ever, ever, ever wear an gray old lady wig and ill fitting military style jacket to school pretty much 100% ?

Dear lord, I hope so.

A Room of One's Own

Last school year, Virginia Woolf would have been proud: I had a room of one's own.  Yep, by some stroke of luck, I had my own classroom - one that I didn't share with anyone, which is a rarity in a high school that graduates 800 students a year.

It meant that I had a lot of time to think, to write, to grade, to plan, and, well, just to be. I was, I believe, a better teacher, a better (and more frequent) writer, and more organized because of that private space.  During my plan periods, I didn't need to hurry up and gather my things so that the incoming teacher could get her lesson started; instead, I could sit there and debrief the lesson I had just taught, make adjustments, and then move on.

This year, I am a (wo)man with no land.  I have no home.  I  teach 1st and 12th periods in what was, for 6 or 7 years, "my" classroom; it now belongs to a lovely newly tenured teacher who is in there for her entire day.  Then, I move to in and out of another classroom that belongs to a teacher more senior than me (I'm 5th in seniority on my hall, out of 16); sharing that space is difficult for us both but somehow, we manage, although it usually means that she stays 5 minutes into my class to gather her things and I am carting binders, books, bags, and yes, even technology back and forth from room to room.

When I'm not teaching, I'm trying to usurp space somewhere else: the English office, my best friend Laura's classroom, the computer lab... wherever there is space.  And there usually is space but unfortunately, that space rarely comes with a computer.

That's a huge problem for me because I rely heavily on technology in the classroom and need to be prepared to show StarWars Macbeth at a moment's notice or to download an episode of  This American Life.

But today I struck gold, which is why I'm writing this at 8:34 am: Laura's class is in the computer lab and so I'm situated at her desk, replete with keyboard and monitor, like a kid in a candy shop.

Virginia did say it best:

"a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction..."

And I agree.

If I plan to add to my 200 page novel and eventually arrive at its conclusion, I need a room of one's own and I know I'll have one soon, although there will be a baby close by...

Now, as for the money part, well, that's where I'm screwed. 

If it's not one thing, it's another...

I Am Thankful...

... that I can still fit into some of my pre-preggo sweaters because they are the only thing hiding my preggo back fat from a world view.

A Girl's Gotta Eat

The baby is coming...

and I'm trying to get ready for her arrival.  I spent last night researching formula and emailing friends for advice; today, I went online and sourced a few options to see how much it will cost and was pleasantly surprised to discover that Amazon not only has good prices but also offers free shipping.

I've been reading about how expensive formula is but I must say that it's not as pricey as as what I had anticipated; when people say something is costly, my mind immediately jumps to the worst case scenario (which means that I've been assuming the cost would be upward to $200 a week when in actuality, it will probably be more like $150 a month - a cost that seems, to me, reasonable to keep a human alive).

Yes, people say that "breast is best" but honestly, at this point, I just don't think it's for me.  To be brutally honest, the tought kind of repulses me.

There, I've said it; go ahead, judge me all you want but that's how I feel.  I wish I didn't feel this way but I do and that's that.

I've done a lot of research on the subject: I've read articles, spoke to moms, made observations, etc. but I'm not going to pin my choice on any of them (although I will say that living in one of the most polluted, toxic places in the US has played into my decision - the studies revealing the levels of environmental toxins showing up in breast milk are quite alarming).

I just know for sure that I'm not comfortable with the idea.

That may change; who knows, perhaps my maternal instincts will take over and in a few weeks, I'll post a retraction...

'tis the season to spend money...

Let's face it, the holidays are draining - emotionally and financially - so why not make them less so by doing your shopping before Thanksgiving and spending wisely?

My friend Whitney is a jewelry artist who makes every piece by hand.  It's a true labor of love; I've watched her craft pieces and believe me, I would throw my hands up and run screaming from the room if faced with such an exacting task.

Which is why Whitney is an artist and I am not.

You can check out her designs here and I encourage you to do so because I feel it's important to support local artisans; so much of our money leaves our country and unfortunately, it doesn't go into the hands that actually produce the products.  Supporting local and regional artisans by purchasing their crafts is just one way to insure that the Arts stay alive.

For Sale

Feel free to spread the word!

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