Caffeinated tribute to the matriarchy.

• Roommate livin’ continues to improve – we’ve been taking turns cooking & sharing the leftovers. I hate cooking for one so this is working so well. Eating together is the best bonding experience too. Last night I made Pumpkin Mac & Cheese baked in a muffin tin. Mini mac & cheese! 
• BONUS: hangin’ around the house in my leopard print snuggie. Sometimes you really, really, really need to relax.
• I was dressing a mannequin at work the other day & it occurred to me that I basically get paid to play dress up all day in much the same way I did as a tiny femme. Thx Barbie for this valuable work experience.

Good Times banner from Banner Banter

• I got a raise this week that I didn’t even ask for. Enough to pay for an after-work pint or my half of the internet bill. 
• It also occurred to me (as I ripped back the shawl I’m knitting for the fourth or fifth time) that doing so much knitting has given me so much in the patience department. It’s worth it to take time to do things right.
• Thinking a lot about my family’s great matriarchs. My dad’s mum raised seven kids totally on her own. My mom’s mom used to sit me down for hours at her kitchen table while we made all manner of crafty things together. My own mom is my biggest role model & generally the thought of growing up to be just like her seems like a great compliment. Not just because she’s a hottie.

Early photo of me and Gretchen! This person walks and talks now. I still love her *this* much.

• I have a date with So Fawned & Gretchen after work today! I’ve been seeing lots of Des at her shop but I’ve been missing my favourite little lady. Motherhood looks so good on Des – she can turn a temper tantrum into a gigglefest in the blink of an eye. I know that parenting makes her happy, which makes me happy too! Watching my friends turn into parents generally fills me with awe – having kids is so much work.
• Tomorrow is my day off and I totally need one.
• Did you know that Mother’s Day is a feminist holiday? Julia Ward Howe issued this “Mother’s Day Proclamation” in 1870 as a response to the American Civil War. Here’s an excerpt. Stick this in yr Hallmark cards. (Even tho not all moms have/want/need husbands, natch.)

“Say firmly”: ‘We will not have questions decided by irrelevant agencies. Our husbands shall not come to us reeking of carnage for caresses and applause. Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy, and patience. We women of one country will be too tender to those of another country to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs. From the bosom of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with our own, it says “Disarm! Disarm!” The sword of murder is not the balance of justice. Blood does not wipe out dishonor, nor violence indicate possession.’