Living With Kids: Taryn Verde
Taryn’s New England home is so lovely. I can’t wait for you to see it. It is tall and narrow, and travels over six floors — which I’m sure leads to some exhausting trips up and down with laundry baskets and backpacks, but also creates all sorts of quiet nooks and beautiful moments.
The home is in Concord, Massachusetts, and Taryn lives there with her wife, Rebecca and their three adorable kids. Taryn and Rebecca’s story is beautiful and involves a couple of cross country moves, adoption, being pregnant at the same time, and major remodels. Let’s say hello: Welcome, Taryn!
… Living With Kids: Lindsay Howerton-Hastings
Friends, I would love to introduce you to Lindsay and her happy home in Greenville, South Carolina. While you read this interview, keep in mind that Lindsay had a baby last week. As we were communicating via email I knew she had a baby due and was trying to get everything wrapped up before the little one arrived, but he made his appearance between taking the photos and answering the interview questions. Huge congrats to Lindsay!
After getting to know her, I’m guessing you are going to wish she lived on your street. She works as a Perinatal therapist, which means she deals with all types of people in various stages of starting and creating families, and the advice she shares is smart and thoughtful and usable. She’s the kind of friend who’s house you want to swing by when you had a rough day and you just need someone to listen. Welcome, Lindsay!
… An Open Thread On This Week’s News
Holy moly. There’s so much going on in recent news that I want to talk with you about:
1) The midterms!
So HAPPY that more than 100 women were elected to congress. So HAPPY to see more representatives that look like our actual population. So many wonderful firsts! First Native American Woman in Congress, First Muslim Woman in Congress, First Lesbian Mother in Congress — click through for more. I heard someone call it a Rainbow Wave and I loved that.
This headline made me happy: All 19 Black Women Running for Judge in a Texas Race Won Tuesday Night.
… Let’s Talk About Step-Parenting
The other day I was chatting with a friend about step-parents, and step-siblings, and step-grandparents. I noticed my brain does such an odd thing when the topic of step-pareting comes up. I immediately think: I don’t know anything about step-relationships; they’re unfamiliar to me, not really part of my life. And then there’s a follow-up thought: What are you even talking about? You grew up with step-grandparents, you have a step-dad right this minute, and you have TEN step-siblings.
So weird, right? Not sure where it comes from, but clearly there’s a part of my brain that really wants nothing to do with step-parenting. And it’s extra weird, because the step-relationships in my life have only been positive.
… Living With Kids: Melissa Neff
Melissa and her family have graciously welcomed us into their home for this week’s Living With Kids home tour. And what a home it is! Bright, warm and beautiful, with a totally unique history — in its previous life, the building was a Social Services office building for the Catholic Church. They remodeled every inch of it and it has turned out beautifully.
The other thing I love about this interview is that Melissa talks very vulnerably and honestly about mental health — both challenges she has faced, and issues she is helping her daughter navigate through. Welcome, Melissa!
… Random Thoughts
[ NOTE: I wrote this in Australia and hit publish as I boarded the plane, but apparently it didn’t quite publish. Hah! So I’m home now and I just updated the post and am hitting publish again. ]
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I think it’s about time for a Random Thoughts post, right? Here’s what’s on my mind at the moment.
– Hello from the future. I’m writing this from the Sydney airport. It’s almost 5:00 PM on Monday. I’ll board the flight in about an hour, and I’ll go back in time, arriving in San Francisco at around Noon on Monday. What a remarkable trip this has been. I took about a million photos, 30% of which are shots of the Opera House — I tell you that building is irresistible. And Ben Blair is headed my way with one last Iced Chocolate to enjoy while we wait. I’m excited to give you a report of the whole trip — including details about my presentation and panel at the Feminist Writer’s Festival.
… Thoughts On A Horrific Weekend
Hello from Wednesday morning in Sydney. I hope you’re doing well. Here are some of the thoughts I had on the airplane as we crossed the ocean.
On the cold-blooded murder of two black people in a Kroger grocery story:
I can’t stop thinking about this. Did you see the video of the white witness? He said the killer didn’t kill him because the killer said: Whites don’t kill whites. The whole thing made me retch.
While I’m aware racism is an everyday fact in our country, it seems like sometimes racist people aren’t aware of how racist they are. Have you heard the story about the fish not knowing what water is? It’s like racism is so pervasive in our society, that they’ve never seen life without it, so they don’t recognize it. They might act in ways that are racist, but if you called them racist, they would be deeply offended.
… Living With Kids: Jennifer Beeson
When Jennifer Beeson sent over her photos for this weeks home tour, my jaw dropped. The home they live in was designed and built by Bernard Maybeck who was a luminary of the Arts and Crafts movement in California. There are bright open windows, tons of warm wood, and Jennifer and her family have tastefully decorated it so that the home feels modern and comfortable but maintains its original charm.
Welcome, Jennifer Beeson!
… Sydney Travel Advice
Hello, Friends. I need some advice, some Sydney travel advice specifically. I’m headed to Sydney on Monday. I was invited to speak at the Feminist Writer’s Festival and to present my Twitter thread on Irresponsible Ejaculation.
This is my first trip to Australia and I’m crazy excited about it. Though also somewhat overwhelmed. This is what’s on my mind:
…Living With Kids: Heather Deyo
Heather Deyo is goals. She’s mostly raised her kids and has only her youngest child still at home. Her house is gorgeous but she is already making plans to downsize. And she is the perfect example of living life well — her kids are successful and all-around decent human beings, she has done incredible work to help survivors of human trafficking, and to help with the HIV/AIDS crisis in South Africa. Heather is well-read, well-traveled, and has deep well of parenting wisdom to share. I’m so excited for you to meet her. Welcome, Heather Deyo!
… Living With Kids: Meredith Coe’s Pennsylvania Home
Today, Meredith Coe, of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, is sharing her home with us. Not only is her home incredibly charming and stylish, but Meredith really opens up about a second-trimester miscarriage she suffered during her first pregnancy. I am sure there are readers out there who have gone through something similar, or who have a friend or loved one who has. I hope that Meredith’s story might lend some light and perspective.
One of things I love the most about Living With Kids is getting to hear stories from all sorts of families. And I especially love when someone is brave enough to really be vulnerable and share tough things they’ve been through. Welcome, Meredith!
…Living With Kids: Meredith Coe’s Pennsylvania HomeRead More »
Living With Kids: Sarah Fremont
Today’s home tour is gorgeous. There are soft warm wood tones, and unique pieces of furniture, and the feeling that this house has been curated and collected over time. Plus there’s a dreamy yard — the kind made for lounging and watching the sunset. All of this beauty comes from the home of Sarah Freemont, a part-time writer and former teacher, who now home schools her four kids in this stunning home outside of Austin, Texas. Welcome, Sarah! We’re so glad you’re sharing your home with us.
… Living With Kids: Lindsey Daigle
Lindsey and her family live in Boston, and because she and her husband both work in the airline industry, they are frequent and avid travelers. Lindsey has some great advice on traveling successfully with small children, both as a traveling parent herself, and as an experienced flight attendant who’s seen every version of the good, and the bad, on airplanes. And to top it all off, Lindsey’s home is whimsical and stylish and full of bright colors and patterns. Welcome, Lindsey!
… A Few Things
Hello, Friends. How was your week? Are you angry? I’m angry. I’m so angry. At the end of the hearing yesterday, as I heard GOP senators apologizing to Kavanaugh, I concluded he will be appointed to the Supreme Court. A lifelong position. I concluded there was nothing Dr. Ford could have said yesterday that would have changed their minds. They were going to vote for him no matter what.
There was nothing Kavanaugh could have said that would have changed their minds either. He could have said, “Sure I got girls drunk, and my friends and I would take turns raping them all through high school and college. So what? It’s just a thing guys do.” And the entire body of Republican Senators would respond, “See? He’s so honest! I was already planning to vote for him, and now I’m even more convinced he’s the man for the job.”
I’m furious. I hate him. I hate him so much. I hate every entitled man who thinks he “deserves” a spot on the Supreme Court; that he “earned” it because he got into Yale Law School. I’m sick to my stomach when I hear women defending him. It’s so, so gross.
This is a job interview not a trial. If you are hiring someone, and you call a bunch of references, and several say the applicant sexually attacked or harassed them, then you would never hire him. Period. Even if lots of other people said he was great. As a boss you would consider him way too big of a risk. You would simply find another candidate who doesn’t come with that kind of baggage. Especially in a case like this where there are no particular time constraints, and you can carefully find another option with no rush.
This is the best option for the Supreme Court? Really?
I don’t know what else to say. I’m furious. Just a big boiling ball of rage at this point. I’ve got a few things I’ve wanted to share with you, but I’m not gonna lie, they might make you rage too.
… Men are Lucky Women are Seeking Equality and Not Revenge
Have you followed any of the coverage of today’s hearing? It’s quite horrific. I had to pull my car over as Dr. Ford described Kavanaugh covering her mouth, and her fear that he would accidentally kill her. I couldn’t stop crying. I felt a huge amount of anger well up in me as I listened. I keep thinking about that saying: Men are lucky women are seeking equality and not revenge.
I find myself so embarrassed by the spectacle. Women are the majority of America’s voting population, yet 11 men sit in judgment of Christine Blasey Ford (four of them Mormon dammit!). In the room, they are seated above Dr. Ford, unwilling to ask her their questions themselves, and instead they hired a woman to do their dirty work.
This is an especially hard day for anyone who is reliving a past abuse. If that’s you, I just want you to know there are millions of women (and plenty of men too) who are right here with you. We believe you.
How are you holding up, Dear Readers? Have you had to stay away from the coverage because it’s too traumatic? Are you at work and having a hard time keeping it together? Have you been hearing from friends who are having a hard time of it? Are you able to watch or listen and keep emotionally distant? Are your kids old enough to be aware of what’s happening? If you need a place to discuss how the hearings are affecting you, please feel free to use the comment section.
P.S. — Discussing this on social media today, I appreciated someone saying the equality-not-revenge quote also applies to race. So true.
Image by Erin Schaff-Pool via Nylon.
What to Wear to School: 3rd Grade & 11th Grade
Here’s Part Two in this year’s What to Wear to School series. Today’s post features Olive, 11th grader, age 17, and June, 3rd grader, age 8. Unlike Oscar and Betty, neither of their schools require uniforms, so they have free range of their closets when choosing an outfit.
We had so much fun doing these shoots this year. The kids love setting out the clothes, putting together outfits, and figuring out the perfect accessories. It’s fun to see their style develop over the years. For these photos, college-sister Maude gets a shout out for the pretty French braids in June’s hair.
… What to Wear to School: 7th & 8th Grade — Uniform Edition
Anyone in the mood for a What to Wear to School post? We shot these photos last month, on the day before school started, which I’m just now realizing is almost 6 weeks ago. I can hardly believe it. Sometimes it feels like life is on fast forward, you know?
Today’s post features Oscar, 8th grader, age 13, and Betty, 7th grader, age 12. Their school requires uniforms, but it’s not too formal. The rules are: 1) Tops must be navy or white (no prints), with a collar. 2) Bottoms — shorts, pants or skirts — must be khaki.
That’s it. There’s no particular style of top that’s required, there’s no particular shade of khaki for the bottoms. There’s nothing special that needs to be ordered, and no particular store where our “uniform” is stocked. Plus, the students can wear any kind of sweater or hoodie or topper that they want — which is basically a daily necessity here in Oakland.
It’s Betty’s first year at this school, and she was not happy about the idea of a uniform. She pictured putting together back to school outfits and it sounded super boring. But in reality, this uniform allows for much more flexibility and personality than you might expect. Of the outfits we picture here in this post, all are uniform-approved, except for one outfit for Oscar and one outfit for Betty — sometimes the school offers a Free-dress Fridays where no uniforms are required.
…What to Wear to School: 7th & 8th Grade — Uniform EditionRead More »
Living With Kids: Jennifer VanDerwerken
I think you’ll love getting to know Jennifer. She was living in the big city, working in publishing, never thinking she’d go back to the small home town she grew up in. But when she had kids, she started to feel that urge to return “home.” Her parents are still young and vibrant and love their grandkids, and because of the distance, Jennifer didn’t get to see them as often as she liked.
So Jennifer found a lovely 70s rambler in her home town, moved her family, and began to tackle updates to make it feel just right for their family. The house is so lovely, you’re not going to want to miss one bit.
Welcome, Jennifer!
… How Long do You Want to Live?
Last week, the Washington Post published a short article about how Japan has recently set a new record for the number of people in their country who are over 100 years old.
“The ministry announced Friday that the number of Japanese citizens who were older than 100 had risen to reach 69,785. Of that number, more than 88 percent are women.”
While my first thought is that it’s an amazing miracle that the average life span is going up, up, up, the reality of actually living longer lives brings up lots of questions and issues our modern societies don’t quite know how to deal with.
… Living With Kids – Shannon Waller
Today’s Living with Kids home tour comes to you from Ontario, Canada. Let me introduce you to Shannon, plus her husband and her daughters, who live in an old wartime era house that they have slowly renovated over the years. The house is brimming with personality, and the renovation made everything a bit more modern, while still staying true to the old home roots. I really think you’ll love how light and bright the house is — you’re going to want to hang out for a bit.
Welcome, Shannon!
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