Election Week
[Update: I continue you add links and tweets at the bottom of this post.]
Is this going to be the most unproductive work week ever? It sure feels that way. This election is weighing heavily on my shoulders, and I know I’m not alone. I’m having a hard time concentrating. I find myself wanting to stay away from Twitter — because the polls and predictions (no matter what they say) seem to trigger panic for me. At the same time, the election is the only thing on my mind, so trying to stay away from Twitter is challenging.
I keep looking for distractions. A typical good distraction for me is errands, but that’s not workable because we’re in a strict lockdown this month. Cleaning/organizing is also a good distraction for me, and that’s how I occupied myself yesterday. Maybe today I’ll tackle reorganizing the attic.
…Technical Difficulties
Hello, Friends. You may have noticed some tech issues yesterday. I’m sorry about that. I hired a team to migrate my site to a new server at the end of September. They thought it would only take a weekend (when my website traffic is slowest), but alas it ended up taking a whole month! And it didn’t finish until yesterday.
The problem is: since they started the migration at the end of September, none of the posts I’ve written since then, for the entire month of October, were transferred. It’s fixable, but the situation has turned into a bit of a comedy of errors.
I was on the phone with the new server host last night for a couple of hours. They have a migration team who can finish the final month of transfers for a fee (which I’m happily willing to pay — I just want this sorted), but it just so happens that their purchasing software is malfunctioning (not only for me, it’s not working for any of their customers). And they can’t/won’t start the transfer until the purchase has been made.
It’s killing me, because the hardest part is done — the website is transferred! We just need one month of missing posts, which should be a very quick thing. But their team can’t do it until their purchasing issues are resolved, and they don’t know when that will be.
Alternatively, I don’t have to use their team; I could hire another site migration expert who I’m betting could take care of this lickety split. But at the moment, I don’t know any site migration experts to hire. I’m not sure if it will be faster to seek someone out, vet them, and hire them. Or to wait for the current server migration team to deal with their purchasing issues. [UPDATE: I was finally able to make the migration package purchase. Hooray! Not sure how long until the team will get back to me on next steps, but hopefully soon.]
I’m feeling very stuck. This kind of thing is incredibly stressful because it feels so out of my control. There’s a lot of website maintenance that I’ve learned and that I do myself, but this is above my skill level and I don’t know how to fix it. Urgh.
Anyway. I’m hesitant to create more posts (except this little notice), until the issues are resolved — I don’t want more content and discussion lost in the shuffle. I’ll keep you updated as soon as I have more news.
Tall House Updates
Here are some updates from this week — about the house, and about everyday life-in-France stuff too. Including an amazing ladies kilt (genuine! wool! from Scotland!) that I found for 2 euros at the second-hand shop. Because of where the tag is placed in the kilt, for a minute I thought I might be wearing it backwards, but the Scottish Ladies chimed in and let me know I was wearing it correctly. : )
…Living With Kids: Stephanie Brubaker
I’m pleased to introduce you all today to Steph Brubaker, a mom, an etsy shop owner, and a big tech employee who lives in Seattle with her family. Stephanie rents her home and she’s done a really lovely job of making the home feel bright and personal and warm (which I know can sometimes feel extra challenging in a rental). You’ll really love seeing all the huge windows that let in bright sunlight to bounce off the soft white walls. It’s truly charming. Welcome, Steph!
…A Few Things
Hello, Friends. How are you? How was your weekend? We spent Friday at Olive’s new apartment in Paris, getting her all set up. (Looks cute and cozy now.) And then I spent half of Saturday and Sunday reading Midnight Sun (the Twilight story told from Edward’s point of view), and taking a little social media break. I kept thinking I would write a link list post, and never found the energy — but I had the energy this morning, so…
Anyone in the mood for a Monday edition of my Friday Link List? : )
Here are a few things I’ve wanted to share:
…Film School for Olive
Back in the Before time, when Olive was spending her senior year of high school as an au pair in Montpelier, France, it was time to think about college. We know from experience, the process is overwhelming, so Ben Blair and I scheduled weekly calls with Olive, specifically to discuss college options and track application progress. Olive knew she wanted to attend a film program, and she started the process by making a spread sheet where she would list info about potential schools, so she could compare and contrast. The first three entries on the spreadsheet were her top choice schools in Paris, London, and New York, and the school she chose in Paris was EICAR (which is where she is now enrolled!).
At the time, figuring out how to attend college in France felt overwhelming, and as she looked into EICAR their website described very limited enrollment, so she felt her chances there were slim and maybe not worth the effort. She decided not to apply.
…A Few Days In Empty Paris
On Sunday afternoon, we drove to Paris. On Tuesday afternoon, we drove back. I shared a little report about our visit on Instagram Stories and thought you might like to see it as well.
The main purpose for our trip? Olive is starting college in Paris! She was accepted to a Film Directors program at EICAR and her classes started this week. So exciting!
So we needed to sign her housing contract and confirm her class schedule and begin to get her settled.
…A Few Things
Hello, Friends. How was your week? To me, this year felt like it was inching along, and then suddenly it seems to be in high gear. I can not believe we’re halfway through October.
Our kids have a two-week school break starting today, and we are all looking forward to the non-school-day morning routines. Last year for the October break, we went to Prague, but this year, we haven’t made any travel plans at all.
The thing that is exciting us the most is progress on the renovation. Bathroom wall tiles started going up today and they look incredible! We’re thinking that a fun weekend project would be to plant a tree in the garden — and maybe some strawberries for next spring. What about you? Any weekend plans you’re looking forward to?
In the mood for some good links? Here are a few things I’ve wanted to share with you:
…Tall House Updates
In this batch of updates you’ll find:
-More treasures we found in the house! I’m especially excited about the book/scrapbook(?) about WWI. I’m also trying to figure out what to do with all that old tile.
-The kids bathroom floor tile is installed. Holy cow it looks so good. It’s now ready for grout (and I share which grout color we picked). This is my first ever custom tile design and I LOVE it so much. The parents bathroom will have the same design, but a different colorway (green for the kids, blue for the parents).
…The Senate Hearing is a Sham
The senate hearing for Amy Coney Barrett has me on edge. The size and makeup of her family doesn’t impress me, nor does it interest me. I don’t find it qualifying or disqualifying. There are a whole lot of other things about this rushed, forced, sham of a confirmation hearing that are worthy of our attention.
Barrett has shown she’s untrustworthy. Lots of “I’m not going to comment on that” and “I don’t recall hearing that.” Even an unwillingness to say even basic things like it’s illegal to intimidate voters.
…Living With Kids: Jo Bird
Jo and her family started out in Boise, Idaho, lived in London and New York and now find themselves in an expat community in Shanghai, China. Her husband’s work has given them the opportunity to travel, but being on the other side of the world from their friends and family during a pandemic has been tricky. Happily, Jo and her community have drawn close together and are weathering the storm, just like so many of us. Her home is a rental, and she’s done a wonderful job making it feel homey and full of charm. Welcome, Jo!
…Found Objects at The Tall House
Over the weekend we cleared out the living room at The Tall House. We have been using the space to house all the cool things we’ve found at the house, so I decided to make a record of them as we worked.
Old tools, a dusty soap block, a pantry with jam and wine, vintage wooden boxes, and a whole bunch more. Come see.
…A Few Things
Hello, Friends. How are you doing? I woke up so angry again today. Every once in awhile I realize how many people are still supporting Trump and I’m furious.
Brené Brown shared this quote the other day:
“Historians have a word for Germans who joined the Nazi party, not because they hated Jews, but out of a hope for restored patriotism, or a sense of economic anxiety, or a hope to preserve their religious values, or dislike of their opponents, or raw political opportunism, or convenience, or ignorance, or greed.
That word is “Nazi.” Nobody cares about their motives any more.
They joined what they joined. They lent their support and their moral approval. And, in so doing, they bound themselves to everything that came after. Who cares any more what particular knot they used in the binding?”
— Andrew R. Moxon
I realize that Trump supporters don’t see themselves in this quote. They don’t see themselves as being anything like Nazis. What they don’t seem to have realized is that the term “Trump Supporter” now carries its own negativity, oppression, and evil, just as the term “Nazi” does. You’re a Trump Supporter and you don’t think the term Nazi applies to you? Okay. You should know the term “Trump Supporter” is just as bad.
You watch: Every Trump Supporter you know in real life will one day deny they were ever cheering for Trump. They will try to hide it. They will pretend it never happened. (Of course, it’s different now than the 1940s, and much harder to hide — the internet remembers everything.) If you’re a Trump Supporter and still reading here, you should know I don’t make content for you.
On a separate but related note: I find I have two brains these days — the house renovation brain and the election brain. (The photo at top is the new doorway making a suite between the bedroom and bathroom.)
I’m finding it really hard to make time and energy for other creativity and problem-solving (like writing) beyond those two brain categories. I have a dozen blog post drafts waiting to be finished up, and a newsletter to send out, and every time I sit down to finish things up and hit publish, my brain starts moving like molasses. Anyone else?
Now to the link list. Here are a few things I’ve wanted to share:
…A Quick House Update/Blog Experiment
Hey there. I subscribed to some new software that will allow me to share the Instagram Stories I’ve created here on Design Mom. (I don’t think it will allow me to share older stories — just the new stuff moving forward — but I’m not totally sure about that yet.)
Let me know what you think about this format. And I should note: Stories include a mix of still shots and video, but I know not everyone can listen to video, so I try to be careful to add captions.
…A Few Things
Hello, Friends. Happy October! How was your week? Are you doing okay? What’s on your mind most? Trump having Covid-19? Trump’s criminal tax evasion and money laundering? The embarrassment that was Trump at the debate? (How are Trump supporters not exhausted by him about this point?)
The news came so fast and furious this week — I feel like I could barely keep up. And Monday feels like it was a month ago. Will things slow down over the weekend? We’ll find out.
Speaking of this weekend: I am trying hard to finish up the details of our kitchen design. My goal is go through each future cupboard and drawer and figure out what is going to go where, so that I can see if any of the cabinet configurations needs to change. Beyond that, I’m sure we’ll watch a Halloween movie or two.
Ready for links? Here are a few things I’ve been wanting to share:
…Random Thoughts
I hope you’re in the mood for a Random Thoughts post. Here are some of the things on my mind these days.
-The Presidential debate happened at about 4:00 AM France time. I woke up to texts about it and spent the first hour of my day watching highlights and reading commentary. It was painful to watch. Trump doesn’t debate, he just spouts lies and nonsense. Trying to have a logical, productive discussion is not even a possibility for him, and is a waste of time for everybody else.
Olive and I had appointments with a doctor this morning (just a quick checkup as part of our visa applications) and when he saw on our paperwork that we were American, all the conversation turned to Trump. He was so embarrassed on our behalf, and I don’t blame him. Trump has completely changed, in only negative ways, how America is viewed by the rest of the world.
…Living With Kids: Jennifer Colello
When Jennifer reached out to me about being featured in Living With Kids, she had such a compelling story to tell. Jennifer’s youngest has Spina Bifida and her family had the unique experience of having someone hold a fundraiser in their honor, to help them get a service dog for their son, to help manage his frequent seizures. It’s so great to be reminded that there is goodness and kindness in the world when everything else feels so difficult.
Jennifer also has a lovely home in Connecticut that she graciously wanted to share, and I think you’re really going to love taking a peek. Welcome, Jennifer!
…
A Few Things
Hello Friends. How are you? Did you have a good week?
I’m feeling LOTS of emotions this week. Ben Blair flew to Utah for his mother’s funeral and I’m having all sorts of angst about it. At first, we didn’t even think about traveling because A: pandemic, and B: we only have temporary visas at the moment and are still waiting for the official renewed long-stay visas to arrive, so leaving France feels risky.
The funeral will be an outdoor gathering for Julia’s children and grandchildren only. No friends or cousins, aunts and uncles, or church members from her congregation (but I should acknowledge that just her kids and grandkids is still a lot of people). The funeral will be live-streamed for those who can’t attend, and there is no plan for a future delayed memorial once the pandemic is in check.
As these plans came together, we realized that Ben’s siblings, and the grandkids, were making travel plans to Utah from all over the country, and from England too. Suddenly, we felt quite a bit of pressure to attend in person.
Having the whole family travel didn’t seem wise, so we decided Ben would go alone, and booked him a flight — Paris to Newark to Denver to Salt Lake City. He left for Paris on Tuesday night and I admit, I continue to be very stressed about the trip. The covid numbers in Utah are climbing, and it feels so risky to be there.
At the same time, I’m second guessing myself and wondering if I’m paranoid — sometimes it seems like I’m the only one nervous about this gathering mid-pandemic. In fact, things seem to have opened up in Utah over the last couple of months, with people apparently going about their business. Am I going to conclude it was a mistake to stay home? Will this turn into a big regret?
I find it all incredibly confusing, and I’m feeling some anger that there aren’t specific nationwide guidelines in place so that individuals aren’t having to make these decisions on a case-by-case basis.
In addition to the angst and paranoia, I’m feeling such loss from my mother-in-law’s death. She was dear to me and I’m feeling heartbroken that I won’t be there to celebrate the life of Julia Blair. I’m also feeling comforted that Ben will see our two oldest kids, Ralph and Maude, in person. It has been painful to be without them for so long. And I’m feeling worried that because of ever-changing travel restrictions, Ben won’t be allowed back into France.
I’m also feeling grateful. Ben left Tuesday night and Olive has been so great about feeding everybody. She’s made pumpkin cookies, cream of zucchini soup, quiche, and cherry turnovers. All the kids have helped me manage communication — coming with me to appointments, meeting deliveries at The Tall House, and helping me run errands. I’m very lucky.
Beyond my personal troubles this week, I know it was also a hard news week for the world in general. On that note, here are a few things I’ve been wanting to share with you:
…Living With Kids: Lesley Colvin
Lesley has been on Design Mom before. Her beautiful photography work has been on a few different Living With Kids post, and we featured her own home when she and her family lived in a small space on the Upper West Side.
That was a couple of years ago and Lesley and her family now live outside the city in a beautiful historic home. It still has all the bright white walls and open space of her previous home, but with so many cozy corners and adorable vignettes, you’ll want to pause on every photo. And Lesley shares some lovely advice about how her family has managed during the pandemic. Welcome, Lesley!
…Julia Gay Groberg Blair
My diligently positive mother-in-law, Julia Gay Groberg Blair, age 87, passed away this morning at her home, surrounded by several of her kids. We are so so sad.
Born December 28, 1932
Died September 21, 2020
Julia was an ideal mother-in-law. Seriously. I can’t believe how lucky I got in the mother-in-law department. She had 8 kids; Ben Blair is number 7 and the last one to marry. So by the time I joined the family she was a total pro. She gave us plenty of space, and was vocally supportive when we made decidedly risky plans to move across the country and around the world. She made a point of being expressive of how proud she was of what we were doing. She generously sent money when we moved to New York and started graduate school and just never had enough to make the bills.
There are some people in our Mormon community who questioned my priorities as I worked through young motherhood, but never Julia. She was consistently supportive. If she was judging me, I never knew it.
…