Owner: Chicken And Cheese URL:www.mychickencheese.com Join Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2007 20:54:56 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: An East Coast transplant learns to deal with life on the prairie, one ear of corn at a time, while raising her spirited preschooler, The Poo. Site statistics:Click here
Bittersweet Perfection 2007-07-02 06:00:00 I discovered T over at Attack of the Redneck Mommy sometime over the winter.
I'd been to her place a couple times when I realized we'd "met" before. When I started blogging, I was coping with the aftermath of my father's death. My grief was complicated by the attendant changes that come with being a first-time mother, and I struggled to find order in the chaos that overtook my life.
The Read more:Bittersweet
, Perfection
Just Like That, But Different 2007-07-01 08:33:00 So, completely on my own and not at all prompted by the fact that the theme of this month’s Blog Exchange was “In a Child’s Eyes” (yeah, right), I started thinking about the differences between a child’s perspective and my own. I realized that in the end, they’re mostly the same – we’re really experiencing the same things, even though they may look a bit different. Take the concept of a
Vacation Loan 2007-07-01 06:00:00 See you at the beach ... Happy July 4th to you and yours from Chicken And Cheese. Read more:Vacation
Love/Hate 2007-07-05 22:07:00 (This post isn’t for the squeamish. I plan on talking frankly and openly about my love-hate relationship with my breasts.)
It’s funny how a woman’s breasts can shape her identity. I have had a love-hate relationship with mine my entire adult life, for different reasons, at different times.
When I went through puberty, I was given terrific, large, perky breasts. The boys loved ‘em. I had a lot
Grace 2007-07-04 16:21:00 I am enamored with her. Her laugh floats high and lovely, and trickles down like monsoon rain. Warm, soaking into my skin like honey into teacakes. She is unfettered and smiles without warning, without provocation, without fear. It consumes her face and only improves her beauty, already flawless.
She is tiny, and moves with the gangliness of a young fawn, all long limbs that she is unsure of how Read more:Grace
Chicken And Cheese Confessional 2007-07-03 06:00:00 Mrs. Chicken
stepped out for a little bit and I gleefully offered to keep her spot warm and tidy. I’ll admit, I might pop into that laundry room of hers and have my way with it, but other than that I’ll honor my word.
But what to write? Last night, staring at the last page of Cookie magazine, it came to me. The last page of Cookie is like the last page of Glamour modified for moms, instead of Read more:Confessional
, Cheese
I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaack 2007-07-09 08:20:00 We made it through the emotional Vietnam that is Cleveland and traveled swiftly and surely to the home of our hearts, here on the lake. Passing over the bridge yesterday on our way to a friend's house for lunch and a playdate, the bay spread out below us like a glimmer glass. Boats bobbed and swayed on their wakes, and The Poo watched their white trails in fascination. It's been months and months since she saw a natural body of water. "Mommy!" she yelled. "I see the WATER! And boats! It is beee-yooou-tiful!"When it passed from our view she fretted and fussed, but brightened when I told her we would see the water again on our way home, and every day after that, if she wished. I feel lighter here, and looking at this landscape as familiar as the map of my very own soul, I am at peace. It is so very, very good to be here.
Missing 2007-07-08 06:00:00 My sister-in-law has very little, and now she has a child to support. The baby’s father is notable mostly for his absence this week. He elected to stay at the house the couple are sharing rather than here, at her grandmother’s house, where she is getting some help and support while she navigates this new territory. She is swollen and still listing from her surgery and the trauma of becoming a parent. I caught her this morning, hunched over her newborn and weeping. “I’m OK,” she insisted through her tears. She isn’t OK. Her mother is dead. She lives just below the poverty line. She is forever enmeshed with a man-boy who is unclear as to his responsibilities to her and to their son. But last night when her father left for the evening, he grabbed her in a big bear hug and stroked her hair. They stood that way for a few minutes, him swaying her absentmindedly, the way you would rock a very new baby. And I was jealous. Isn’t that insane? But in that instant, I wanted a hug Read more:Missing
Blogging Through It 2007-07-07 15:01:00 Whymommy was recently diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer, and we know she is going to beat it. How do we know? Because ever since her diagnosis this woman - who isn't just as smart as a rocket scientist, she IS a rocket scientist - has used her cancer and her blog to educate the rest of us. So listen to her. Because she's going to kick cancer's ass, and if you don't do as she says, she'll kick you ass, too. Thanks for being here today, Whymommy. It was an honor.*****A year ago, I had never read a blog. But then my friend Canape introduced me to hers, and I started reading. I clicked here, I clicked there, I couldn’t stop. I found Chicken and Cheese, and I felt immediately at home. (Hey, wait! I like chicken! I like cheese! And some days that’s all my toddler will eat too!) I liked Mrs. Chicken and the Poo instantly. So I kept visiting. Today I have the honor of being a guest blogger here, and as much as I’d like to give you a real thinky post, I want to Read more:Blogging
Chicken And Cheese For The Soul 2007-07-06 22:28:00 I’m always tickled when I find a blogging kindred spirit. Like true friends, a blog pal is a rarity, at least in my transient lifestyle. I’m not quite sure how Mrs. Chicken
ended up over at my place. I’m fairly certain we were drawn to each others’ writing – sort of like an old married couple. At least, that’s what I’m going with since the thought of her googling some bizarre combination that includes dildo, New Jersey, and babies doesn’t fit well with this post.If you’ve been reading Chicken & Cheese
for any length of time, there’s one thing I bet you all would agree with me on. This blog is clearly no chicken and cheese. Try pheasant and brie. Hell, I’ll give her lamb and mozzarella. But chicken and cheese hardly does what happens around this place any justice.Aside from the fact that our daughters seem like long lost sisters, I’ve always felt that Mrs. Chicken and I have taken to motherhood just about the same – sort of like trying to get a toddler to swall
Metamorphosis 2007-07-13 06:46:00 There is no question in my mind that blogging changed my life.
I'll let you ponder that for a moment while I share with you what made me turn to the blogosphere in the first place.
I've written before about what my life was like just prior to and following The Poo's birth.
My father died less than four months before she was born, and my family pretty much fell apart.
We didn't band Read more:Metamorphosis
Sea Change 2007-07-12 06:53:00 Finally, 1,900 miles later, we've arrived at the edge of the east coast.
The ocean beckons this brisk sunny morning, as The Poo insists we are not yet on Cape Cod: "No! This NOT Cape Cod! This is Meema's house!"
The weatherman tells me the sun will be intermittent, but with the sand and the sea within smelling distance, every day is filled with sunshine.
We slept in the bed my mother lovingly Read more:Change
One Of These Things Is Not Like The Other 2007-07-11 21:28:00 So my sister emails me this news item about Katie Couric's new boy toy, this 33-year-old dude you see here.
She claims she kissed this man when he was still a boy, attending a college near her alma mater.
He was, she claims, "waiting for her in her room" one evening when she returned to her dorm, and this is when the alleged kissing took place.
This woman here on the right,
The Times, They Are A' Changin' 2007-07-10 06:59:00 We had a lovely playdate this week with two good friends, one of whom just had her second child.
A wee bit overwhelmed, our host has been dealing with a newborn, a four-year-old who seems none too pleased about the new house guest, and a partner who is working seven days a week, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
She related a story about how the night before her husband rolled over and suggested she give Read more:Times
Sometimes She's Just Like Me 2007-07-16 07:44:00 I'm not well known for my open mind. During many new experiences you'll hear me chanting, "change is bad," under my breath.
I know that shocks you - I mean, look how I approached moving to Chambana with an open mind.
*snort*
The Poo is experiencing all kinds of new things this week, like sand in her toes, sharing her space with two other children, and watching her aunt and uncle eating foods Read more:Sometimes
Drastic 2007-07-14 06:30:00 I squeezed in an appointment with my favorite stylist during the scant three days we were in New York.
The woman who cuts my hair in Chambana is fine, she does a good job. But she keeps cutting my hair in the Mom Bob, and it wasn't doing it for me.
I'll be 36 on July 22, and I'm on the road to Frumpville. I rarely wear anything that isn't machine-washable and purchased on the fly at Old Navy Read more:Drastic
Overheard During Snack Time 2007-07-18 17:35:00 The Poo: Can I have some popcorn?
Cousin Lizzy: Yes! Can I have some of your chocolate coin cookies?
The Poo: Yeah!
Cousin Lizzy: Here are two chocolate coin cookies, one for me and one for you.
The Poo: Here, Mommy! Hold my cookie. Mommy will keep it safe from the doggies.
Cousin Lizzy: She will?
The Poo: Yeah! Mommy is really brave and strong! She's not afraid of anything!
Oh, if only it Read more:Snack
OPK 2007-07-17 06:52:00 To kill time, we took The Poo to the library while we were in Cleveland. Playroom for her, wireless network for mommy and daddy – what’s not to love? The children’s area was more crowded than I expected during a holiday week. But the sight of other little people thrilled The Poo, and she was off making friends and exploring the toys without a look back. I settled into a chair and opened my
I Guess I Really Do Need To Potty Train Her 2007-07-21 08:55:00 The Poo has now christened bathtubs in three states.
Yes, that's right. She once again pooped in the tub.
It is my own fault, really. She ate about nine chicken nuggets just before she had her bath, and considering that she hasn't eaten anything but cheese in 30 days, her colon was like: "Dude! Alert! Alert! Nutrition! EXPEL EXPEL EXPEL!
We were sitting on our bed just across the hall (back Read more:Guess
, Train
Let's Kick Some Cancer Ass 2007-07-20 13:33:00 I'm here on the Cape this week, and as wonderful as it is, there is something missing.
I should say, there is someone missing. My dad.
My parents bought the land that this house sits on in 1999. In 2000, my dad's company took a nose dive and that same year he was diagnosed with colon cancer.
For years, this 80-foot sand dune sat empty as we joked about setting up camp here, so desperate Read more:Cancer
Washed Clean 2007-07-19 20:13:00 We broke ranks and went to the ocean-side beach two days ago. Vastly different from the bay-side tidal pools we tend to stick to, we heard the surf before we saw it.
The sand was dotted for miles with brown bodies, children playing tag and brightly colored umbrellas. The scent of salt mingled with the sweetness of suntan lotion, and a light wind reminded us that we sat near the edge of a Read more:Clean
Mybana 2007-07-23 08:26:00 Mr. Chicken left for Urbana this morning, and I admit feeling a wee bit bereft. We've had a lovely vacation together, and we don't often get to spend this kind of time as a family.
Mornings here have been especially sweet. Mr. Chicken would go gather The Poo when she began to murmur in her crib, bringing her to our room so she wouldn't wake her cousins.
We'd snuggle together in the luxuriously
Gone Fishin' 2007-07-26 07:30:00 The blog world is at Blogher. Mr. Chicken is at home. The Poo and I are here:
I have actual work to tackle, and I only have seven more days by the sea before I return to this:
I am salty and uninspired, and annoyed with my writing. It isn't good right now. My mind is bleached bone dry by the sea.
So I'm taking a wee break. I'll be back soon, but for now, I've gone fishin'.
Catch ya later. Read more:Gone Fishin
Salty, And Not From The Ocean 2007-07-25 16:20:00 I'm in a salty mood today.
All I can think about is how I'm not going to Blogher, and how totally, utterly stupid it is that I am not. It's taking place in my backyard, but I'm 1,200 miles east on Cape Cod.
Stupid!
I planned poorly. I should have flown straight to Chicago from Boston in time to meet up with y'all. Instead, I'll go directly home to Urbana next Wednesday, and I'm already Read more:Salty
, Ocean
Even My Brother Loves Them 2007-07-25 06:00:00 This post is dedicated to my fine friend Kristen.
She knows in her heart of hearts that Crocs are cool. Read more:Brother
Wifely Duties* 2007-07-24 18:01:00 From: Husband
To: Wife
Re: clothes
Dear Wife,
Are all my clothes clean?
*******
From: Wife
To: Husband
Re: Re: Clothes
Dear Husband,
All the clothes that I washed, folded and packed in your suitcase FOR YOU yesterday are clean, with the exception of any item of clothing that was on your body the day before you left me behind to cope with the insanity that is my family of origin ON MY OWN.
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