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make - craft"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"On Hobbies"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjMbUFzzJckrq6i9NR9ptvKmLaw7bs1pwUlNgeLvLN0RH-tM1pQuiaz7y3I6-pJrZd_gi4ohF5J2bNZyNlBnXPV0WS8NenCuZBiiUt33lZX5Q_R41RK_5l_QB4xTm-GMPCFkhntcd4UPA\/s2048\/B3E746CC-BDDA-45B5-8423-A004D6C0EDCA.jpeg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"2048\" data-original-width=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjMbUFzzJckrq6i9NR9ptvKmLaw7bs1pwUlNgeLvLN0RH-tM1pQuiaz7y3I6-pJrZd_gi4ohF5J2bNZyNlBnXPV0WS8NenCuZBiiUt33lZX5Q_R41RK_5l_QB4xTm-GMPCFkhntcd4UPA\/s16000\/B3E746CC-BDDA-45B5-8423-A004D6C0EDCA.jpeg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESomewhere along the way, between leaving Zurich in 2014 and finally getting back here this year, my hobbies were lost. One by one they dropped away. I stopped knitting. I stopped writing. I stopped podcasting. I stopped painting my nails. (Even silly hobbies are self care and good for the soul.) I stopped decorating and doting on my house. I stopped cooking and baking. I more or less stopped reading. I stopped playing with my hair and makeup. Basically, I stopped enjoying my life.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThen lockdown came along and everything ground to a halt. Honestly, the pandemic simultaneously helped and hindered. During the first, big, months-long lockdown in the US, I couldn’t help but take a long hard look at my life. Back in my twenties, everyone loved the book \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3Dy1kl8\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Alchemist\u003C\/a\u003E by Paolo Cohelo. But I knew that I was supposed to wait to read that book. J owned it and it sat on the bookshelves of all of our different apartments and houses throughout the years. During the lockdown, I didn’t read it, but I listened to it on audio book. And there was that sourdough craze! I got really good at sourdough. As the weather warmed and spring came, I took up writing morning pages every single day. What started with taking walks around the park by my house while listening to The Alchemist turned into long walks every day with my Apple Watch and a podcast. Then I topped off the long walks with a workout when I got back home! I lost ten pounds and felt so much clarity. I really do believe that I was able manifest the move back to Zurich during that time. Absolutely.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen fall 2020 came and the weather changed, it was darker, I was helping my kids do school-from-home on laptops and I was definitely not doing morning pages, or walks, or any workouts. I gained back the ten pounds and then some thanks to the sheer terror of following through with this move. My own personal reign of terror spanned over the course of months and months and it just about killed me. It came in the form of doubts about the move from myself, and guilt trips and disapproval from others. When things with the move didn’t go exactly as I had planned, I found myself in a strange mix of total joy at being back in Zurich and complete horror at it not being enough. I knew full well in advance that moving back here wouldn’t magically fix everything (in fact it made everything from parenting to marriage to finishing my masters much much harder) but the fallout was immense. Substantial.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESummer was miserable. The weather was complete garbage and I still didn’t have a job. My masters completion was on hold and I felt powerless. It felt like I was stuck and yet I was so happy to be back in Zurich and living in Switzerland. It was confusing. I had the occasional burst of energy, during which I might rearrange a room or make a good dinner, but for the most part I was kind of checked out. I did some coaching with \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/rikkilee.co\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERikki Lee\u003C\/a\u003E and it was so beneficial. She uses The Five Elements from traditional Chinese medicine to understand emotional patterns and tendencies. The dust had settled just enough to focus and evaluate and look back and begin to process the last 7 years. I truly didn’t have time to do that while I was in the US because life was busy and demanding and I looking back it’s like I was in perpetual survival mode.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOf course all of my hobbies had fallen away! I kept trying to hold onto them as part of my identity, but even my identity seemed to completely fall away. When the pandemic came along, it was a relief for me. I was so burnt out, way beyond anything four days at the beach could fix, and I needed that time out. (Obviously I’m only speaking to my own experience here.)\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI wake up sort of stunned and amazed most mornings that I’m here. I’m in the place I longed to get back to more than anything, with a job I genuinely love in the very field I went back to school for (by the way, my Masters is going to be fully completed by the end of January and I’ll be a fully certified Washington State School Counselor:). I’m blown away that my kids are learning German and making friends and we’re becoming part of the local community. You know what else? I’m painting my nails again. Roasting chickens. Baking pies. Checking the schedule of the adult ballet classes I used to love so I can get back to them. Writing more. Reading more. I ordered the embroidery kit pictured from Cotton Clara and I can’t wait to get started on it. Since moving I still don’t have an iron, so I need to get one of those to make the fabric nice and flat before I start stitching, but I will! I’m decorating and planning where all of our artwork will go. I’m enjoying the little things like buying a new scent of fabric softener, or lighting candles and turning on the string lights on my balcony in the evenings.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn season two of YOU, Will (at that time) says when he gets the job at the Anavrin bookstore, “I think I just felt my soul come back into my body.” I binged season two of YOU on the plane ride back from Zurich to Spokane when I visited in January 2020. I heard that line and rewound it, listened to it again, then paused it and wrote it down. I wanted to feel my soul come back into my body. It was then that I realized it had left. Or maybe I had just left it in Zurich and been briefly reunited with it? I cannot say for sure. Now that I’m back here, and working, life feels good. I feel that my soul has come back into my body. It’s not perfect. Moving internationally as a family strains your kids and your marriage in major ways. But I’m right where I’m supposed to be. I’m enjoying my life a lot.\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/4938544219293392261\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2021\/11\/on-hobbies.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/4938544219293392261"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/4938544219293392261"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2021\/11\/on-hobbies.html","title":"On Hobbies"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjMbUFzzJckrq6i9NR9ptvKmLaw7bs1pwUlNgeLvLN0RH-tM1pQuiaz7y3I6-pJrZd_gi4ohF5J2bNZyNlBnXPV0WS8NenCuZBiiUt33lZX5Q_R41RK_5l_QB4xTm-GMPCFkhntcd4UPA\/s72-c\/B3E746CC-BDDA-45B5-8423-A004D6C0EDCA.jpeg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-8120452555273912732"},"published":{"$t":"2021-11-05T17:15:00.009-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2022-03-16T00:45:24.865-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"weekend"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Weekend Links!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjJEQ7YcTr4aQ2Ov9f_g0jNlbaknSKK5WagMNbWwiX55dUbSIj9Vljh173hKhVFnqrY6xwrT9QN9ap06hl6J8Z71Vig-WJrYLT6RFD_XvWUlflfG057FLk2zDjuZOj_3ZflF7Gmasemig\/s1857\/nail+art.webp\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1857\" data-original-width=\"1240\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjJEQ7YcTr4aQ2Ov9f_g0jNlbaknSKK5WagMNbWwiX55dUbSIj9Vljh173hKhVFnqrY6xwrT9QN9ap06hl6J8Z71Vig-WJrYLT6RFD_XvWUlflfG057FLk2zDjuZOj_3ZflF7Gmasemig\/s16000\/nail+art.webp\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo it looks like I'm back! Starting my job has been the absolute best thing for me. I loved my internship back in Spokane before we moved, and I really, really sorely missed it once we arrived in Switzerland. Of course, then everything was so busy and chaotic and overwhelming that I was really spinning for a long time. It's been a crazy transition and it still doesn't feel complete. And yet - it's nearly one year since we arrived. February seems just around the corner, even though it feels like we just got here. Phew!\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince starting work, I feel so much more like myself. I gave myself a gel manicure at home yesterday and painted my nails black for the Scorpio new moon which feels so festive and dark and cozy at the same time. We've been using our fireplace in the evenings and I can't get over how cozy and homey our apartment is feeling. Yesterday, I went to Denner and stocked up on new scents of laundry detergent and fabric softener. I found my favorite dishwasher tabs on super Aktion! I'm enjoying the little joys and pleasures in life again in a way I haven't for some time. I absolutely love my job and its positive effects are rippling out through my life. It's so nice. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd, speaking of little joys, here are a few links for your weekend:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPretty \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/cupcakesandcashmere.com\/beauty\/how-to-do-the-prettiest-festive-nail-art-for-holidays-color-camp\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Enail art\u003C\/a\u003E (pictured).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI can't wait for our local \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/z-nuni.com\/raebelichtli\/\"\u003ERäbeliechtli-Umzug\u003C\/a\u003E tomorrow night!\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECoco and Theo are \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/famigros.migros.ch\/de\/ausfluege-und-freizeit\/basteln\/raebeliechtli-schnitzen?utm_source=pinterest.com\u0026amp;utm_medium=paid\u0026amp;utm_campaign=fam_pinterest_2021_kw7-52\u0026amp;pp=0\u0026amp;epik=dj0yJnU9R0J2UUlKMmowZ0RxU1oxUVA1VUU5OU5YZ1VGaS1uZm0mcD0xJm49aGk5UkE3V2lCRVo5RkVDYW1DMzJldyZ0PUFBQUFBR0dGQVNN\"\u003Ecarving their turnips\u003C\/a\u003E at school today.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHow stunning is this \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3H4l0Q2\"\u003EChanel Advent Calendar\u003C\/a\u003E?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI adore \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=t\u0026amp;rct=j\u0026amp;q=\u0026amp;esrc=s\u0026amp;source=web\u0026amp;cd=\u0026amp;cad=rja\u0026amp;uact=8\u0026amp;ved=2ahUKEwie7KaFwYH0AhUrh_0HHey9BKIQyCl6BAgFEAM\u0026amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DmRD0-GxqHVo\u0026amp;usg=AOvVaw3jCDQFjBgjjbKfbqdxLSwO\"\u003Ethis song\u003C\/a\u003E and keep listening to it on repeat.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Coco, I got this \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3GOqVIG\"\u003EAdvent Calendar\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd for Theo, I got \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3CQxvMx\"\u003Ethis one\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis made me rethink my \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/life-and-style\/food-and-drink\/i-m-a-mexican-irish-chef-we-grew-up-eating-avocados-but-i-ll-never-touch-them-again-1.4718228\"\u003Eavocado toast\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI hope you have a beautiful weekend! Maybe I'll even see you back here next week.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/8120452555273912732\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2021\/11\/weekend-links.html#comment-form","title":"25 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/8120452555273912732"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/8120452555273912732"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2021\/11\/weekend-links.html","title":"Weekend Links!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjJEQ7YcTr4aQ2Ov9f_g0jNlbaknSKK5WagMNbWwiX55dUbSIj9Vljh173hKhVFnqrY6xwrT9QN9ap06hl6J8Z71Vig-WJrYLT6RFD_XvWUlflfG057FLk2zDjuZOj_3ZflF7Gmasemig\/s72-c\/nail+art.webp","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"25"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-5822284333318958987"},"published":{"$t":"2021-05-03T09:39:00.004-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2022-03-16T00:45:12.873-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dreams - life - goals"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Drafts Galore!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiQnT9n1eR-HPUZ5LN7Jcm2eppAFMlkOo6IhNyCeN2MW2dHx4yDV1MbnZQuOskfgCTNuAu9I1OZy4vkmYU7oLB8NHNpUey0XoCbPY13y1DV3fofAN3j1TwjahkOJDz5OfZoH__en-l9nA\/s2048\/5D182477-9DF5-4110-8AF2-BF0CBD8FD5D5.jpeg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"2048\" data-original-width=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiQnT9n1eR-HPUZ5LN7Jcm2eppAFMlkOo6IhNyCeN2MW2dHx4yDV1MbnZQuOskfgCTNuAu9I1OZy4vkmYU7oLB8NHNpUey0XoCbPY13y1DV3fofAN3j1TwjahkOJDz5OfZoH__en-l9nA\/s16000\/5D182477-9DF5-4110-8AF2-BF0CBD8FD5D5.jpeg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI’m doing that thing again - that I’ve been doing for the last three years (maybe more?!) - where I have drafts upon drafts upon drafts saved, but essentially no published posts on here. I just don’t know how to blog anymore.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI asked Alexa this morning how many days ago February 11 was, because I know from experience that right around 90 days after arriving in a new place, there is a dip. And, my friends, it has been 80 days since I arrived in Switzerland on February 11 and I’m on the downward slope of that dip for sure. I feel myself slipping and sliding and I can’t stop it. It’s funny because this dip happens whether things are going well or not. It’s just a thing that happens. The transition from one phase to another, much like the trimesters in a pregnancy. When you move from one to the other, you’re still pregnant, it’s all still going the way it’s going, but it changes in some ways. In my case, this 90 day dip is usually the easing, creaking, uncomfortable pull from novelty to normal. Or maybe normal-ish.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis time around, most aspects of this move are going the way I had wished and hoped they would. It’s no exaggeration to say that every day I wake up so happy and feel so incredibly lucky to be back here. I’m still pinching myself 80 days into it. But in other ways, I feel like I’m getting sucker punched. You see, I was ready for the dip. I expected the initial bliss to retreat into normality. But this feels different. I feel like I’m being pushed in a different direction than I had planned for myself. It occurred to me today that despite my best efforts, I am being pushed out of my comfort zone and I do not like it. Instead of the usual pull into normal which feels like a groan and a pain, I feel like I’m being ejected from my seat and flying feet first through the air fumbling and freaking out and groping for the ripcord. But I can’t seem to find it. I’m going into a free fall I cannot avoid or stop.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI did not see this coming.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI had a plan. It was a safe and reliable and I worked my tail off at it and so it’s weird and annoying and just makes me furious that it’s not working. Safe. My plan was safe. Safety. Stability. These were things I really missed about Switzerland being back in the US. Switzerland is so safe. It’s stable. Many expats find it unbearably boring, but I love it. I do feel that safety now being back here. 100%. But it’s physical safety. It’s personal safety. The dangerous ejecting out of my comfort zone seems to be taking place entirely within.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI guess it makes sense. My time back in the States was nothing short of traumatizing. It all happened so fast and each phase roared in with such rapid, overwhelming succession, I never had time to process any of it. When you’re changing diapers and treading water at the same time, there isn’t a lot of time to reflect.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo that’s what I feel called to do now: reflect. On the need for control, on my definition of success versus others’. On what really matters to me now that I’m putting my money where my mouth is. Because I said for years and years and years that I would do anything to get back to Zurich. And I’ve done it all and I don’t have any excuses for not continuing. I need to push on and past and keep going toward the bigger things I want to do during my short time on this earth. I knew I didn’t want to do it anywhere but here, but now I see that getting back here was just the beginning. The real stuff is yet to be done, and apparently I don’t get to do it my safe and comfortable way.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat goes up must come down. Let’s see where I land, my dears. And apologies if this blog comes back in a really boring form, but I’m not writing for anyone but me for a bit. It’s just what I need.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd now I’m pressing “Publish” and NOT “Save” because I cannot resist the dip (catapult?!) and stay in my comfort zone any longer.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/5822284333318958987\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2021\/05\/drafts-galore.html#comment-form","title":"30 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/5822284333318958987"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/5822284333318958987"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2021\/05\/drafts-galore.html","title":"Drafts Galore!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiQnT9n1eR-HPUZ5LN7Jcm2eppAFMlkOo6IhNyCeN2MW2dHx4yDV1MbnZQuOskfgCTNuAu9I1OZy4vkmYU7oLB8NHNpUey0XoCbPY13y1DV3fofAN3j1TwjahkOJDz5OfZoH__en-l9nA\/s72-c\/5D182477-9DF5-4110-8AF2-BF0CBD8FD5D5.jpeg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"30"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-8570473040171981651"},"published":{"$t":"2021-02-13T07:42:00.006-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2022-03-16T01:02:33.054-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"switzerland - expat - foreign"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"We’re Back!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhMkD9Xzf0lNB3HKJ8eDDj_BGmfQ7UjH1Lw8OhWSDTY5XvXYE6vjlwOqFx7PMXW1Z3_kEk3uLF1xXbIN4lofjYn__MvQd85YW2hvqKtSuQRvEzYNAmJ_fHIIYeMJV60Qm1MBKEVeAsOLg\/s2048\/41DFDF17-71A9-4CB2-89FB-6A87B48546FB.webp\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1495\" data-original-width=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhMkD9Xzf0lNB3HKJ8eDDj_BGmfQ7UjH1Lw8OhWSDTY5XvXYE6vjlwOqFx7PMXW1Z3_kEk3uLF1xXbIN4lofjYn__MvQd85YW2hvqKtSuQRvEzYNAmJ_fHIIYeMJV60Qm1MBKEVeAsOLg\/s16000\/41DFDF17-71A9-4CB2-89FB-6A87B48546FB.webp\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003EI don’t even know where to begin, you guys. Being back in Switzerland - YES!!! We moved back. Head on over to my Instagram Stories and Highlights to get the whole scoop if you missed it - is so incredible. It honestly does not feel real. It seems totally insane and crazy and like the most natural and meant-to-be thing in the world all at the same time. I have dreamt of this moment, or rather the series of pivotal moments over the last few days, for many years. All four of us taking off on our flight back to Switzerland. Arriving in the Zurich airport and seeing the kids’ reactions. Of course, COVID-19 has completely changed how all of that went, but it was still just as special. Maybe even more special! On the flight, the captain came back and spoke to us twice. And being in quarantine, we have been literally spoiled by friends who have brought us care packages with food, wine \u0026amp; spirits, candles, bath salts, toys, books, even fresh flowers!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELike I said, I don’t even know where to begin. I’m so grateful that you’ve stayed with me throughout this journey. The almost 7 years we spent back in the US were so good and I’m truly glad that we had that experience. And now, I’m so happy to be back in Switzerland. No regrets. Onward! So what would you like to know? What questions do you have? What kind of pictures and posts do you want to see? Let me know in the comments.\u003C\/p\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/8570473040171981651\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2021\/02\/were-back.html#comment-form","title":"92 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/8570473040171981651"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/8570473040171981651"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2021\/02\/were-back.html","title":"We’re Back!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhMkD9Xzf0lNB3HKJ8eDDj_BGmfQ7UjH1Lw8OhWSDTY5XvXYE6vjlwOqFx7PMXW1Z3_kEk3uLF1xXbIN4lofjYn__MvQd85YW2hvqKtSuQRvEzYNAmJ_fHIIYeMJV60Qm1MBKEVeAsOLg\/s72-c\/41DFDF17-71A9-4CB2-89FB-6A87B48546FB.webp","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"92"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-665809865888388604"},"published":{"$t":"2020-03-06T16:31:00.002-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2022-03-14T08:27:44.960-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"weekend"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Have an Incredible Weekend!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhaSo8UbkGaC17tO9o4wRbmd2HcvEc8cBDmDX_h6Bnun0r7lqrszVyxLc3sBcfAn75nXoZ6AyDbs55P2G7YCI3SRjHqAJw-UdtlnfI72Uc_GgAlAL79JMNnpDGydvoX6flWi2vHrh9HTQ\/s1600\/E01ECA94-D631-4205-8D1F-1E86E7494591.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhaSo8UbkGaC17tO9o4wRbmd2HcvEc8cBDmDX_h6Bnun0r7lqrszVyxLc3sBcfAn75nXoZ6AyDbs55P2G7YCI3SRjHqAJw-UdtlnfI72Uc_GgAlAL79JMNnpDGydvoX6flWi2vHrh9HTQ\/s16000\/E01ECA94-D631-4205-8D1F-1E86E7494591.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nSo, do you remember how I went to Miami a year ago for my brother's wedding and was not super excited about it? I had this image of Florida (and therefore Miami) that it was was nothing but old people with no style wearing big white tennis shoes and fanny packs? And then I went to Miami and fell so totally in love with it and couldn't wait to go back?! Well, thanks to the coronavirus flight sales and an Alaska Airlines companion ticket, J and I are going to Miami on Thursday. WOOHOO!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI cannot wait to spend four whole days lounging on the beach, napping, reading, writing, zoning out, doing nothing, and having conversations that aren't interrupted every 20 seconds. It is going to be bliss. I am forever grateful to Lisa, my sister-in-law of nearly one year exactly, for showing me what a wonderful place Miami is! And a huge shoutout to my mom, who will have Coco and Theo stay with her while we're gone. That is seriously the best! I think it's officially a tradition now, and I hope that I will go to Miami every year at this time of year until I die. I really is the best medicine to be warm, to feel the sun on your face and body, and to get away from it all.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nBecause I've never been, I also looked at going to Hawaii because there were some serious fare deals there. But in the end, J and I agreed that we wanted to go somewhere with no learning curve and no time wasted getting oriented to our surroundings. We're going back to the same hotel, where we know the beach, the pool and the drill for getting set up; and we love that so much is within walking distance. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it and it still doesn't seem real. Six sleeps 'til Miami. Pinch me!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nAnd, here are some links for your weekend:\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/7RDRa3VXiQQ\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EA song for you\u003C\/a\u003E, if you're in a listening to music mood.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI went live this morning on Instagram doing my hair and makeup. \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.instagram.com\/swisslark\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWatch it while you can\u003C\/a\u003E! It's in my stories.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThis \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/bes0c\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECBD + Retinol oil\u003C\/a\u003E is gentle, yet effective. Just mix a few drops with your night cream.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nWould you plant a \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/moon-child.net\/plant-magical-moon-garden-flowers-bloom-night-2\/?fbclid=IwAR2fo_43Q4yoEEAKwuydX2wJfNg-GZBVU2MzD1W8koL_ijhws6etc3L-0MA\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emoon garden\u003C\/a\u003E?\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.quickanddirtytips.com\/education\/grammar\/fringe-or-bangs\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.quickanddirtytips.com\/education\/grammar\/fringe-or-bangs\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWhy do Brits call it fringe and we call them bangs\u003C\/a\u003E?\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thelocal.ch\/20200304\/more-cases-of-coronavirus-are-confirmed-in-switzerland\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESwitzerland has been hit pretty hard\u003C\/a\u003E with the coronavirus. :(\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nAs a result, the Minister for Home Affairs has urged people to \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/news\/world\/articles\/2020-03-01\/no-kissing-please-were-swiss-minister-urges-over-coronavirus\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Estop kissing\u003C\/a\u003E. So I'm feeling pretty vindicated for \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2012\/04\/european-kisses.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emy own criticism of the kisses\u003C\/a\u003E back in 2012! ;)\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nIf you're looking for some clean beauty here are\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/goop.com\/beauty\/skin\/toxic-beauty-documentary-and-clean-swaps\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esome recommendations\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(read\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2020\/03\/toxic-beauty.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis post\u003C\/a\u003E if you missed it) .\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/awakenwithjp\/videos\/633573624134301\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EI actually live here\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThe one Christmas present my kids are s\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/32UQAMo\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Etill playing with every day\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nEnjoy your weekend and I will see you back here soon!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/665809865888388604\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2020\/03\/have-incredible-weekend.html#comment-form","title":"48 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/665809865888388604"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/665809865888388604"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2020\/03\/have-incredible-weekend.html","title":"Have an Incredible Weekend!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhaSo8UbkGaC17tO9o4wRbmd2HcvEc8cBDmDX_h6Bnun0r7lqrszVyxLc3sBcfAn75nXoZ6AyDbs55P2G7YCI3SRjHqAJw-UdtlnfI72Uc_GgAlAL79JMNnpDGydvoX6flWi2vHrh9HTQ\/s72-c\/E01ECA94-D631-4205-8D1F-1E86E7494591.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"48"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-7143169709235564225"},"published":{"$t":"2020-03-04T19:25:00.002-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-03-04T19:28:51.394-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beauty"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Toxic Beauty"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiOwqYJkgMy8pR70HRgTAJE8EDs0JcD0v9Ht3HhW0O17zABOFY2Qm4F9X7VYL2kqUYPpnycGNxUrvaNnzpPk55cEuRpMGCuqdI7jTThhWZI28tKZVxs_EK6WyhJ3rq5w0qdOeZRBtV1fw\/s1600\/EFA05861-042A-4F22-9F1F-772FD22CE159.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1440\" data-original-width=\"960\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiOwqYJkgMy8pR70HRgTAJE8EDs0JcD0v9Ht3HhW0O17zABOFY2Qm4F9X7VYL2kqUYPpnycGNxUrvaNnzpPk55cEuRpMGCuqdI7jTThhWZI28tKZVxs_EK6WyhJ3rq5w0qdOeZRBtV1fw\/s640\/EFA05861-042A-4F22-9F1F-772FD22CE159.jpeg\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nEarlier this week, I watched the documentary \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/39AArOR\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EToxic Beauty\u003C\/a\u003E. This was not the first time I was exposed to information detailing the dangers of ingredients in cosmetics. I have heard all that before! But, it was the first time I felt compelled to scan the labels on all my shampoos, conditioners, dry shampoos, and deodorant. What I was I looking for? Parabens and phthalates. Also of particular worry was any product containing the words \u003Ci\u003Etalc\u003C\/i\u003E, and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003Eparfum\u003C\/i\u003E or \u003Ci\u003Efragrance\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;in the ingredients.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI heard about Toxic Beauty through a \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.vogue.com\/article\/toxic-beauty-documentary\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EVogue article\u003C\/a\u003E whose title includes the film’s main question: Are Skin-Care Products the New Cigarettes? As Jessica L. Yarborough explains in the article, skincare products seem to be positioned to be the next health scandal as cigarettes were in the 20th century. It’s a similar scenario, one in which we have toxicologists and corporations telling us that certain products and ingredients are safe, when in reality, the science of the compound effects of using multiple lotions, skincare and hair care products per day paint a very different picture.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI found it horrifying to learn that the US has not updated cosmetics regulations since 1938 and that 1,300 cosmetic ingredients are banned in Europe while here in the US we only have 11 banned ingredients. Eleven! While it was very upsetting to watch, I highly recommend \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/39oDObv\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EToxic Beauty\u003C\/a\u003E and I feel that it is especially relevant as our bodies and hormones change and become more susceptible to environmental factors as we age.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nDo you keep your beauty routine clean? Is it sort of clean, sort of filthy (I’m looking at you beloved \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/beoXu\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDonna Karan deodorant\u003C\/a\u003E), or do you not pay attention to ingredients at all? I would love to hear your take on this.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E(Image via \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.toxicbeautydoc.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EToxic Beauty\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/7143169709235564225\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2020\/03\/toxic-beauty.html#comment-form","title":"40 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/7143169709235564225"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/7143169709235564225"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2020\/03\/toxic-beauty.html","title":"Toxic Beauty"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiOwqYJkgMy8pR70HRgTAJE8EDs0JcD0v9Ht3HhW0O17zABOFY2Qm4F9X7VYL2kqUYPpnycGNxUrvaNnzpPk55cEuRpMGCuqdI7jTThhWZI28tKZVxs_EK6WyhJ3rq5w0qdOeZRBtV1fw\/s72-c\/EFA05861-042A-4F22-9F1F-772FD22CE159.jpeg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"40"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-7311485476651230304"},"published":{"$t":"2020-03-02T13:43:00.001-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-03-02T13:43:06.497-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"repat"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Repat: Disenfranchised Grief"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiX29kCAXMyMUrXRyNTUTYxg1QdTJe4K59ZUpHxLh3WtlgDc3NQHVwuV0dNhZOXJAFn1kLQiAXEuuitvBgzgB0_D00izvWXlkzFn-W4FnMB5toMvVfdHo_mlDlRun8F9F08Q9JwwVbBug\/s1600\/007b607779fdb787e68877433413776a.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"846\" data-original-width=\"564\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiX29kCAXMyMUrXRyNTUTYxg1QdTJe4K59ZUpHxLh3WtlgDc3NQHVwuV0dNhZOXJAFn1kLQiAXEuuitvBgzgB0_D00izvWXlkzFn-W4FnMB5toMvVfdHo_mlDlRun8F9F08Q9JwwVbBug\/s640\/007b607779fdb787e68877433413776a.jpg\" width=\"425\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\nThis morning, I opened up Instagram and the first thing I saw was \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/B9PE2HgjW8R\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ea post\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;about repat grief that absolutely blew my mind from Maria Latham of I Was An Expat Wife. The post was a photo with overlaid text that read, \"Saying goodbye to my expat self is one of the hardest things I've ever done.\" Then, in the caption, she dove deeper, writing, \"Re-entry comes with many losses...The hardest part is trying to make people understand that yes, it's possible to grieve the loss of a city, or a language, or a cuisine.\" She went on, explaining that as repats, \"because our losses don't involve death, they're widely considered to be frivolous or irrelevant. As a result, disenfranchised grief responses tend to be more severe than those of death-related losses, precisely because we're told they don't 'count.'\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWow. We are told they don't count.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nJust like that, in a few simple sentences, Maria pinpointed and made crystal clear exactly what I have been feeling for more than five years, but have never been able to fully or accurately articulate. Five years! Maria's words were so poignant and accurate, it made my jaw drop to read them. I re-read her caption several times, nodding my head in disbelief that I had never heard of disenfranchised grief before now. It turns out that disenfranchised grief \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Disenfranchised_grief\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eis very much a thing\u003C\/a\u003E and that it is the exact thing that has been weighing on me since I returned to the US from Switzerland.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI realize that not everyone experiences re-entry the way I did, but maybe you have. Based on what she wrote in that quick Instagram caption, Maria Latham definitely has. I can understand that from the outside looking in, it may seem genuinely frivolous or irrelevant, like it's not even a thing to those not experiencing it. My friends and family have watched me go through several deep depressions since I returned to the US and they can't even begin to genuinely connect those episodes with the grief and mourning I have been going through over losing Zurich and my life there. I get the feeling that their response to that is along the lines of \"well, maybe, but, (add in something more concrete here, like finances or career) is the real problem.\" And just like that, what they unwittingly do is disenfranchise my grief, and make it not count. The grief of repatriation is very real and it's more than enough all by itself.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThroughout my repatriation journey, I have really struggled with this added dimension of being told, directly or indirectly, that my grief doesn't count. It has been maddeningly disorienting and isolating. As I have grappled with this, I have been able to isolate examples of my disenfranchised grief - times when (hopefully) well-meaning friends or family dismissed my feelings of loss. This has always felt terrible - and terribly significant! - but I have never been able to name it. It is so powerful to be able to name a feeling or phenomenon. Knowing that disenfranchised grief is an actual thing, and that it's what the debilitating feeling I have been experiencing all this time is actually called, makes it seem more accessible and manageable somehow. I'm also genuinely surprised that not one of the coaches, therapists, or healers I have worked with over the past five years has known or used that term.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nRepatriating really is a lonely, difficult journey. So it makes sense that disenfranchised grief responses \"tend to be more severe than those of death-related losses\" doesn't it? How can we begin to process and move on with our grief when we're being told that it isn't even real? Does this concept resonate with you? If it does, please share your experiences in the comments below. And be sure to follow \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/iwasanexpatwife\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E@iwasanexpatwife\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;on Instagram. I always love her thoughtful and insightful posts and I think you will, too.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E(Photo via Pinterest\/\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/pullcast.eu\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPullCast\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/7311485476651230304\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2020\/03\/repat-disenfranchised-grief.html#comment-form","title":"22 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/7311485476651230304"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/7311485476651230304"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2020\/03\/repat-disenfranchised-grief.html","title":"Repat: Disenfranchised Grief"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiX29kCAXMyMUrXRyNTUTYxg1QdTJe4K59ZUpHxLh3WtlgDc3NQHVwuV0dNhZOXJAFn1kLQiAXEuuitvBgzgB0_D00izvWXlkzFn-W4FnMB5toMvVfdHo_mlDlRun8F9F08Q9JwwVbBug\/s72-c\/007b607779fdb787e68877433413776a.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"22"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-851529504369302401"},"published":{"$t":"2020-02-28T11:24:00.002-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-02-28T11:29:37.786-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"culture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"weekend"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Have a mystical weekend."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEga3Nr8Lx35TVrncdjkh_EyC_pNOke4hJjqsggXGwH3sryhyqwt1or9OojWIPXaL51gHLjUFl42x4ngL27jhY2uexFa888hpy3dIulLrGcxV4eYZf79vBkLJL7czjms6g7jIWAwvsjlZg\/s1600\/lucerne-3.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"750\" data-original-width=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEga3Nr8Lx35TVrncdjkh_EyC_pNOke4hJjqsggXGwH3sryhyqwt1or9OojWIPXaL51gHLjUFl42x4ngL27jhY2uexFa888hpy3dIulLrGcxV4eYZf79vBkLJL7czjms6g7jIWAwvsjlZg\/s1600\/lucerne-3.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nHello again, my lovelies. Being home with my sick girl Coco has been such a tonic to my soul. Through focusing on her, snuggling her, caring for her, and just \u003Ci\u003Ebeing\u003C\/i\u003E with her, I totally detached from the rest of my life. I didn't realize how much I needed that. Detaching is amazing in that it clears away all the noise and nonsense and, ironically, I really feel more deeply connected to the pieces of myself from which I had been feeling so lost and detached!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI thought that Coco would be ready to go back to school today, but as it turned out, she started complaining of an earache right as the doctor's office was closing yesterday afternoon and then I had to make the call to either take her to urgent care, or not. In the end, she was pretty calm while waiting for me as I was on hold with the nurse line, so I hung up, dosed her with a bit more ibuprofen (she's grown to a new dose since the last time she had to take it!) and got her to bed. J slept in Theo's bed last night and both the kids were in with me. It was a bit mad, I'll admit, but we all made it through and I'm keeping Coco home again today for good measure. We have family bingo tonight, so fingers crossed she'll be well enough to go eat dinner, play a few rounds of bingo and then come straight home for bed.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nWhat are you up to this weekend? I hope it's just what you want it to be! And here are some links for you:\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nCan you get over this gorgeous photo of Luzern (above) from this \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/mynameisyeh.com\/mynameisyeh\/2015\/3\/lucerne\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehoneymoon blog post\u003C\/a\u003E?\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI bought a New Moon course from Chani Nicholas and it's just as awesome as her \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2TaQHQO\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emagical book\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nCoco and I are \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/398HEW7\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emaking slime\u003C\/a\u003E today and it's just as outrageous as all the vloggers make it out to be \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/obYmHhFCdtc\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eon YouTube\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mnn.com\/family\/family-activities\/stories\/13-things-you-didnt-know-about-leap-year\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E13 Unexpected Leap Year Facts\u003C\/a\u003E (and leap year babies reading?)\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/outlook\/2020\/02\/26\/calm-down-establishment-democrats-bernie-sanders-might-be-safest-choice\/?fbclid=IwAR3lDgCWun4-RrFgms3TqdmIZeW37s7vQQXuqzIOCxEUjbfumLuhVutWrd8\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EInteresting perspective\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThe \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3cjiMg4\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emost binge-worthy podcast\u003C\/a\u003E I've listened to in a while.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nPeople (including me!) are obsessed with these \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/bedab\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Egorgeous face oils\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.swissinfo.ch\/eng\/covid-19_switzerland-confirms-second-coronavirus-case\/45582788?fbclid=IwAR2wU0rAqnJ3CZyqPfvmlk3-NE74Z9-HfVk2W2EaA72iogWfti-CzSDMKeY\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOh no\u003C\/a\u003E!\u0026nbsp;:( And \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/on.theatln.tc\/RwhZMPa?fbclid=IwAR1ANwu8wUZhNesuvMBVzmymrqf7yqkNStCGlR4L_nc0i4fIZBJ7OSySEYA\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI just ordered a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2voVjcP\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecursive book\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;for Coco and a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2VtHu7s\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eprinting book\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;for Theo.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nAnd, finally, please support \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.kickstarter.com\/projects\/olgabushkova\/how-i-tried-to-convince-my-husband-to-have-children?ref=3ub42a\u0026amp;fbclid=IwAR3zgJkVjA2sZBKqvhucBep7MsoCj2TESeZAFKpG7zVNaTwsGjnbkUZH12A\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOlga's beautiful, heartbreaking, personal project\u003C\/a\u003E!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nSee you back here soon!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E(Photo via \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/mynameisyeh.com\/mynameisyeh\/2015\/3\/lucerne\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMolly Yeh\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/851529504369302401\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2020\/02\/have-mystical-weekend.html#comment-form","title":"17 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/851529504369302401"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/851529504369302401"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2020\/02\/have-mystical-weekend.html","title":"Have a mystical weekend."}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEga3Nr8Lx35TVrncdjkh_EyC_pNOke4hJjqsggXGwH3sryhyqwt1or9OojWIPXaL51gHLjUFl42x4ngL27jhY2uexFa888hpy3dIulLrGcxV4eYZf79vBkLJL7czjms6g7jIWAwvsjlZg\/s72-c\/lucerne-3.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"17"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-8216312264704929851"},"published":{"$t":"2020-02-27T12:31:00.002-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-02-27T12:31:18.830-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"less plastic"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"motherhood"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Cuppow: Sick Day Solution"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjVP-blCt7-DcQ2Jw-uXvTDxf0okzjw9k_oFzCvwDTsZqW7sWbYBm1NNn_xtKTHqHVCPv7LA5qesxTVOt-LNEl7ddEdM0DZJLTaS7r2jotL6oH8G1obOXI0DTxLP_rEC_h9rTv1gBHRrQ\/s1600\/IMG_1770.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjVP-blCt7-DcQ2Jw-uXvTDxf0okzjw9k_oFzCvwDTsZqW7sWbYBm1NNn_xtKTHqHVCPv7LA5qesxTVOt-LNEl7ddEdM0DZJLTaS7r2jotL6oH8G1obOXI0DTxLP_rEC_h9rTv1gBHRrQ\/s400\/IMG_1770.JPG\" width=\"300\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHave you heard of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2VsFIDz\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECuppow\u003C\/a\u003E? I thought that everyone and their dog had one of these genius little inventions. However, when I mentioned the amazingly perfect \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2w9kKPC\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E8 oz. Ball mason jars\u003C\/a\u003E we use as our kids water glasses in my Instagram Stories one day, I got tons of responses. One in particular was from a mom of a toddler, lamenting the fact that there's no way to turn the Ball jars into sippy cups. Mais non, dear friend, there is! It's \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2VsFIDz\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECuppow\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhg_tt62rtyg3bGpwjOA3fNioT4_r_BKgfvfxOmIIxTda75-LvT3fByZvdvrISJl396t7_-MMAVR3I0kRbqOg0W6Q8CGURdpXxLb6SgEmQnThTZX1Mr3YgvbpMObqsFvDo0nBEtfGZXHQ\/s1600\/IMG_1765.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhg_tt62rtyg3bGpwjOA3fNioT4_r_BKgfvfxOmIIxTda75-LvT3fByZvdvrISJl396t7_-MMAVR3I0kRbqOg0W6Q8CGURdpXxLb6SgEmQnThTZX1Mr3YgvbpMObqsFvDo0nBEtfGZXHQ\/s400\/IMG_1765.jpg\" width=\"300\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThe Cuppow is a snazzy little lid that fits inside where the normal sealing metal lid would go on a mason jar, but it's a little coffee cup type lid. I use it for myself to turn a mason jar into a to-go coffee cup. It could also be used to make a jar into a sippy cup. The only thing you have to pay attention to is whether your jar is regular- or wide-mouth. Otherwise, easy!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhyIhbQdRiIEYaEjUv0gcZB7D1kVaG-cVO4Zzcdcu9UHtAKRRpDVfam8R3juzAcA0u2MD-iG11Q89sVvzGJzs3p_5-TY2Nnm4fOS5XDSLTLyy5yoRJHSWrtfVbiPJYLh-9gJDImArGLIw\/s1600\/IMG_1774.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhyIhbQdRiIEYaEjUv0gcZB7D1kVaG-cVO4Zzcdcu9UHtAKRRpDVfam8R3juzAcA0u2MD-iG11Q89sVvzGJzs3p_5-TY2Nnm4fOS5XDSLTLyy5yoRJHSWrtfVbiPJYLh-9gJDImArGLIw\/s400\/IMG_1774.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nToday I found a new use for it: sick day cup for drinking ginger ale on the couch. :) I don't know about you, but in our house drinking and eating on the couch are strictly forbidden. On sick days, I give Coco and Theo water in cups with straws. But I've noticed that straw cups tend to explode and bubble over if anything bubbly is put inside them. Problem solved with the Cuppow!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj_YFrW0Lkynvr17woQhtIYA1VS-Y-sAfpjeW-IzWUfxb3aPJP5inDkH84ND3dK8nof-qiIvsJHUYuoeQWlXRgCaMG5P_7Gwj1oojewa3yUnw5ixO5cdB4olF-64QUUZsMKk33_50O42g\/s1600\/IMG_1771_1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj_YFrW0Lkynvr17woQhtIYA1VS-Y-sAfpjeW-IzWUfxb3aPJP5inDkH84ND3dK8nof-qiIvsJHUYuoeQWlXRgCaMG5P_7Gwj1oojewa3yUnw5ixO5cdB4olF-64QUUZsMKk33_50O42g\/s400\/IMG_1771_1.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nOf course, it could still spill, but the spillage would be slow and the damage minimal by the time it was scooped back up by the offender. I've been doing a lot to minimize our plastic use, and using jars as glasses has been great. They are also great for packing apple sauce in lunches (with the usual metal lid, of course) and for storing leftover sauces or condiments. I've also become obsessed with \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3a7QLX5\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EStasher Bags\u003C\/a\u003E. More on those in a later post.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhHZdkKxQT2RfpxMbDJlRMtIkuW05fA4bOtQynkAu2iLQ3nGfYsQ1RDc2MgS34emPvlyYK-l480SuGDSorL54ISmMEH2SwU5cq9_DHDc-CLntMLiZyqTc01JG2Saz3sHkF4K36bjwJW2w\/s1600\/IMG_1780.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhHZdkKxQT2RfpxMbDJlRMtIkuW05fA4bOtQynkAu2iLQ3nGfYsQ1RDc2MgS34emPvlyYK-l480SuGDSorL54ISmMEH2SwU5cq9_DHDc-CLntMLiZyqTc01JG2Saz3sHkF4K36bjwJW2w\/s400\/IMG_1780.JPG\" width=\"300\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nNow all we need is for this beautiful girl to get back to 100%. As much as I enjoy our snuggles on the couch, I'll be happy when she's her usual happy self again. What are your favorite sick day hacks? Please share in the comments below!\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/8216312264704929851\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2020\/02\/cuppow-sick-day-solution.html#comment-form","title":"15 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/8216312264704929851"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/8216312264704929851"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2020\/02\/cuppow-sick-day-solution.html","title":"Cuppow: Sick Day Solution"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjVP-blCt7-DcQ2Jw-uXvTDxf0okzjw9k_oFzCvwDTsZqW7sWbYBm1NNn_xtKTHqHVCPv7LA5qesxTVOt-LNEl7ddEdM0DZJLTaS7r2jotL6oH8G1obOXI0DTxLP_rEC_h9rTv1gBHRrQ\/s72-c\/IMG_1770.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"15"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-8794813429421502833"},"published":{"$t":"2020-01-10T11:36:00.002-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-01-10T11:36:43.824-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"weekend"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Have a magical weekend!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgTdvOXkmpZhqlqtTiAcumPdCX7umDScZ4wT15-Tbh_vnl4-DlDsdTkwaVLwrhFjScUGgtkDhOVMzeAAEUsSQ-oXQnByM36_QBKTGTx2poxJ3fwGuqgtl3_XgNydQrCeSDPyYeZyDSWuw\/s1600\/18482B44-ED15-4E7B-8D2C-C727C5B05FEB.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgTdvOXkmpZhqlqtTiAcumPdCX7umDScZ4wT15-Tbh_vnl4-DlDsdTkwaVLwrhFjScUGgtkDhOVMzeAAEUsSQ-oXQnByM36_QBKTGTx2poxJ3fwGuqgtl3_XgNydQrCeSDPyYeZyDSWuw\/s640\/18482B44-ED15-4E7B-8D2C-C727C5B05FEB.jpeg\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nWell, hello there, strangers! You probably thought I was never coming back. I mean, I thought I was never coming back. Life has been so busy and demanding and trying to prioritize and make time for everything feels like a fool’s errand. But! I’m happy to report that yesterday, pictured, I finished week 5 of my \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/run-5k-couch-to-5k-program\/id313494823?mt=8\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECouch to 5k app\u003C\/a\u003E! OMG. Only three weeks left and I’ll be running 5k all by myself without stopping. As I go along through the program, my running time (naturally) keeps getting better and faster, and it’s pretty exciting to work through it and see that progress. :) I also figured out how to get it to work seamlessly with my Apple Watch, while listening to a podcast, and wearing my AirPods. Yes! I’m also so proud of myself for keeping on even through getting sick which set me back and slowed me down in December. Hooray for 2020! It’s off to a good start for me and I hope it is for you, too.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nWhat are your plans this weekend? We are expecting 8-10 inches (20-25 centimeters) of snow \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.kxly.com\/take-out-those-shovels-heavy-snow-is-headed-our-way-friday\/\"\u003Etoday\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E, so I see lots of sledding and snowman building in our not too distant future. The kids also have a pool party tomorrow and Theo and J are skiing Sunday, so it will be a busy one!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nIf you’re following along on Instagram, then you’ve been getting some updates and bits and pieces from me here and there. If you’re not following, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.instagram.com\/swisslark\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehop to it\u003C\/a\u003E! It’s where I’ve been spending time when I have time to devote to my online creativity and sharing, so I hope you’ll join me.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAnd, here are some links for you:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThe \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2R91nNm\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAmazon Coat\u003C\/a\u003E is on sale right now! I love mine and get compliments on it \u003Ci\u003Eall the time\u003C\/i\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHowever, if you live in NYC, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=t\u0026amp;rct=j\u0026amp;q=\u0026amp;esrc=s\u0026amp;source=web\u0026amp;cd=1\u0026amp;ved=2ahUKEwjV2Zi_3vnmAhVEGTQIHZnLDIgQFjAAegQIAhAB\u0026amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2019%2F11%2F26%2Fstyle%2Famazon-coat-shopping-the-amazon-coat-one-year-later.html\u0026amp;usg=AOvVaw0BELLmz4rQGuk6N4tsmg3E\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emaybe not\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.spokesman.com\/stories\/2020\/jan\/08\/am-i-really-alive-man-buried-for-50-minutes-recall\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMade me shudder\u003C\/a\u003E. Okay, cry. Made me cry.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI love these \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/thoughtcatalog.com\/kim-quindlen\/2018\/02\/25-tiny-habit-changes-that-will-make-you-a-different-person-in-a-year-from-now\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E25 tiny habit changes\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/B7JPw9SJt-X\/?igshid=12b1jgh86yrgs\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFantastic news\u003C\/a\u003E from one of my favorite creatives!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/health\/archive\/2019\/12\/sleep-cold\/604111\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EYes\u003C\/a\u003E times a million.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.bonappetit.com\/story\/hot-penicillin-cocktail\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHot Penicillin\u003C\/a\u003E. Because chances are you need it.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2019\/02\/05\/691697963\/close-enough-the-lure-of-living-through-others\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EYikes\u003C\/a\u003E. Hidden Brain nails it every time.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nDon’t miss out on the Polarn O Pyret \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/fs-bin\/click?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;offerid=735274.205\u0026amp;type=3\u0026amp;subid=0\"\u003Ewinter sale\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/better\/lifestyle\/why-scientists-say-experiencing-awe-can-help-you-live-your-ncna961826\"\u003EOn awe\u003C\/a\u003E. :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI am counting down the days to my trip to Zurich! Today I located my passport and put it in a safe place. Always the best first step toward any trip. LOL. And next I’m going to start packing a little bit. I have been stockpiling goodies and treats to take to my lovely hosts and mama group. I literally cannot believe that I am going. It’s been such a long time. I feel really ready. I can’t wait to give that place a huge hug and kiss straight from my heart.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHave a great weekend! And since I’m stepping back from the podcast a bit this month, I’ll see you back here Monday. Until then!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" height=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/ad.linksynergy.com\/fs-bin\/show?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;bids=735274.205\u0026amp;type=3\u0026amp;subid=0\" width=\"1\" \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/8794813429421502833\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2020\/01\/have-magical-weekend.html#comment-form","title":"15 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/8794813429421502833"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/8794813429421502833"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2020\/01\/have-magical-weekend.html","title":"Have a magical weekend!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgTdvOXkmpZhqlqtTiAcumPdCX7umDScZ4wT15-Tbh_vnl4-DlDsdTkwaVLwrhFjScUGgtkDhOVMzeAAEUsSQ-oXQnByM36_QBKTGTx2poxJ3fwGuqgtl3_XgNydQrCeSDPyYeZyDSWuw\/s72-c\/18482B44-ED15-4E7B-8D2C-C727C5B05FEB.jpeg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"15"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-146488773413529307"},"published":{"$t":"2019-12-21T12:15:00.001-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-12-21T12:23:01.395-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beauty"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chanel"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"eye cream"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"paula's choice"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"skin care"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Yes, You Need an Eye Cream"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiP8_C4OjXLFDUvhCypNSv8_R5i2RaUv4qJWs6yts_L0TkT94yEOnY3HGIzxxHH8VLiuFQAvHOUIXis5tMnrTeBoPSgdT0Fpx1ke82vOdTxd8QxUMkpgIGYNQm-SghMv4tulFVZZLorLg\/s1600\/4EB4D156-D408-4A4B-8F57-2B717571B8D1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"900\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiP8_C4OjXLFDUvhCypNSv8_R5i2RaUv4qJWs6yts_L0TkT94yEOnY3HGIzxxHH8VLiuFQAvHOUIXis5tMnrTeBoPSgdT0Fpx1ke82vOdTxd8QxUMkpgIGYNQm-SghMv4tulFVZZLorLg\/s640\/4EB4D156-D408-4A4B-8F57-2B717571B8D1.JPG\" width=\"360\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nI hopped on \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.instagram.com\/swisslark\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emy Instagram\u003C\/a\u003E stories this morning to talk about eye cream because I have been noticing lots of women in my age cohort of say 34-45, with very dry under eye skin, crepe-y-ness and buckling and wrinkles. Developing crow's feet and loss of elasticity and moisture are all normal parts of aging, and hormones do not help! So if you're in my age group and don't have a good eye cream or two that you're using morning and night, here are my recommendations. You can also watch my Instagram stories \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.instagram.com\/swisslark\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E, and I'll be sure to save it as a highlight for future reference.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fsr%3Forigin%3Drecentsearches9%26keyword%3Dpaulas%2Bchoice\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPaula's Choice\u003C\/a\u003E is my go-to brand for most skin care. Full disclosure, I do work for them as a brand rep for the Spokane market, but I have not been compensated for this post, nor asked to do it. :) I LOVE Paula's Choice so when the chance to rep them came up, I jumped at it.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\nI used to work for Chanel, so I used Chanel skin care and I love their eye creams, too (more on that below) but the price point was prohibitive for me once I was no longer getting it for free. So finding Paula's Choice was a lifesaver.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhCqBWsCEoxIV2gvqnF7-1vKPJ7c1IvhLg_KWxMmOatHATJ91SHAQzcwDh-_HLUa84gsDPRjq51uMCsqq_mnZm7_lfRZncHex3vAg4wt8Ef2Lxhyphenhyphenbm3hM3d9oTrm64Cse-ElaMLZLpgeg\/s1600\/1EEAA114-E2F4-4842-B407-4A0E765A0F07.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"900\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhCqBWsCEoxIV2gvqnF7-1vKPJ7c1IvhLg_KWxMmOatHATJ91SHAQzcwDh-_HLUa84gsDPRjq51uMCsqq_mnZm7_lfRZncHex3vAg4wt8Ef2Lxhyphenhyphenbm3hM3d9oTrm64Cse-ElaMLZLpgeg\/s640\/1EEAA114-E2F4-4842-B407-4A0E765A0F07.JPG\" width=\"360\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nIf you're brand new to using an eye cream (and preferably under 35) then the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fpaulas-choice-omega-complex-eye-cream%2F5347795%2Ffull%3Forigin%3Dcoordinating-5347795-0-2-PDP_1.PDP_1_DEFAULT-recbot-also_viewed%26recs_placement%3DPDP_1.PDP_1_DEFAULT%26recs_strategy%3Dalso_viewed%26recs_source%3Drecbot%26recs_page_type%3Dproduct%26recs_seed%3D4981230\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPaula's Choice Omega+ Complex Eye Cream\u003C\/a\u003E is perfect for you. It's nourishing, protective and will keep your skin youthful and healthy. If you're over 35, you can start here too, but progress to something with more punch in the anti-aging department after you go through your first bottle.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nThe \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fpaulas-choice-clinical-ceramide-enriched-firming-eye-cream%2F4981230%2Ffull%3Forigin%3Dcoordinating-4981230-0-2-PDP_1.PDP_1_DEFAULT-recbot-also_viewed%26recs_placement%3DPDP_1.PDP_1_DEFAULT%26recs_strategy%3Dalso_viewed%26recs_source%3Drecbot%26recs_page_type%3Dproduct%26recs_seed%3D4717357\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPaula's Choice Ceramide-Enriched Firming Eye Cream\u003C\/a\u003E is the best eye cream I have ever seen and used in my life! I have used a lot of fancy eye creams, including \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fla-prairie-skin-caviar-luxe-eye-cream%2F5370975%2Ffull%3Forigin%3Dcoordinating-5370975-0-2-PDP_1.PDP_1_DEFAULT-recbot-also_viewed%26recs_placement%3DPDP_1.PDP_1_DEFAULT%26recs_strategy%3Dalso_viewed%26recs_source%3Drecbot%26recs_page_type%3Dproduct%26recs_seed%3D2858585\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis sticker shock of a stunner\u003C\/a\u003E from La Prairie AND its accompanying \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fla-prairie-essence-of-skin-caviar-eye-complex-firming-eye-gel%2F2858585%2Ffull%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26breadcrumb%3DHome%252FAll%2520Results%26color%3Dnone\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eserum\u003C\/a\u003E, and they're not worth the price by any stretch of the imagination. The Ceramide Eye Cream from Paula's Choice has a comprehensive list of anti-aging, skin-perfecting ingredients, including\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EVitamin C for brightness\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ERetinol to smooth and accelerate skin cell turnover\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EPeptides to boost firmness and youthfulness of cells\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECollagen to increase elasticity and hold everything together\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIt's a true powerhouse and worth way more than $48! Perfect to use at night, and I prefer to use the Anti-Aging Eye Gel by day.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThe \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fpaulas-choice-resist-anti-aging-eye-gel%2F4717357%2Ffull%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26breadcrumb%3DHome%252FAll%2520Results%26color%3Dnone\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPaula's Choice Anti-Aging Eye Gel\u003C\/a\u003E will wow you with its instant lifting and firming properties. Skin is visibly de-puffed and lifted after applying. I use this during the day because why have visible lifting and firming at night? It wears well under makeup thanks to the lightweight gel texture. I prefer the Ceramide at night as its thicker and more powerful.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhJ9eoLZP5lEJzsFeDzHn6IZYdltTSuifURc3ytKuJhDukkNgg9Uwo-dj5yBw0JS8IpOCTLblLOdYqVbEKkhor6yaTPFwOl-W4Og3aFCXTBvs4qu4peWuvhyrYUxh9AIkdqLyP7TPi7vQ\/s1600\/B4C7F74D-BACE-4980-AD81-BA7DAE80D34C.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"900\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhJ9eoLZP5lEJzsFeDzHn6IZYdltTSuifURc3ytKuJhDukkNgg9Uwo-dj5yBw0JS8IpOCTLblLOdYqVbEKkhor6yaTPFwOl-W4Og3aFCXTBvs4qu4peWuvhyrYUxh9AIkdqLyP7TPi7vQ\/s640\/B4C7F74D-BACE-4980-AD81-BA7DAE80D34C.JPG\" width=\"360\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nIf luxury is your game, then Chanel is the way to go. The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fchanel-sublimage-la-creme-yeux-ultimate-regeneration-eye-cream%2F4584023%2Ffull%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26breadcrumb%3DHome%252FAll%2520Results%26color%3Dnone\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESublimage Regeneration Eye Cream\u003C\/a\u003E is truly phenomenal. It contains Vanilla Planifolia extract developed by Chanel technology to keep skin youthful and perfect. Plus it comes with a gorgeous black and gold applicator. You only need the size of a grain of rice with Chanel eye creams, so despite the price tag, a jar should last you for 6-8 months with proper application. Not as expensive when you think of it that way! ;)\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nI also LOVE the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fchanel-le-lift-creme-yeux-firming-anti-wrinkle-eye-cream%2F3804822%2Ffull%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26breadcrumb%3DHome%252FAll%2520Results%26color%3Dnone\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELe Lift eye cream\u003C\/a\u003E. It is the result of 12 years of research! Scientists produced an ingredient from the edulis morning glory plant to lift, firm and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It's pretty great!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nFinally, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fchanel-le-lift-concentre-yeux-firming-anti-wrinkle-eye-concentrate%2F4106664%2Ffull%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26breadcrumb%3DHome%252FAll%2520Results%26color%3Dnone\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELe Lift Eye Concentrate\u003C\/a\u003E is a lifting and firming, de-puffing powerhouse for daytime (quite similar to the Paula's Choice Eye Gel). But the beauty of Chanel is chic packaging that looks at once daring and understated on any vanity or within your medicine cabinet. Sometimes a little touch of luxury and beautiful design like that can really add to your day, can't it?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nDon't forget to go check out \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.instagram.com\/swisslark\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emy Instagram\u003C\/a\u003E stories and highlights for more skin care tips. Are you currently using an eye cream? Which one? Is skin care a high priority for you?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/146488773413529307\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/12\/yes-you-need-eye-cream.html#comment-form","title":"21 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/146488773413529307"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/146488773413529307"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/12\/yes-you-need-eye-cream.html","title":"Yes, You Need an Eye Cream"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiP8_C4OjXLFDUvhCypNSv8_R5i2RaUv4qJWs6yts_L0TkT94yEOnY3HGIzxxHH8VLiuFQAvHOUIXis5tMnrTeBoPSgdT0Fpx1ke82vOdTxd8QxUMkpgIGYNQm-SghMv4tulFVZZLorLg\/s72-c\/4EB4D156-D408-4A4B-8F57-2B717571B8D1.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"21"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-2295596686855765797"},"published":{"$t":"2019-10-11T10:13:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-10-11T10:13:04.383-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#deathinicevalley"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"design"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"podcasts"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Death in Ice Valley"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgsdaKBQfv492koWtCdTx2F5zMe5dyyPhAWpZ_oPdFVnT9j5-fwci57cA5_ggz22ghn2mjrr7hNBtQvhbL6B9qoZ65TEirHcQRVCO7PXjThumJMxWC8GkoWnzEr4ZiXrqKTxg5UwK9hdQ\/s1600\/EC053D0B-1394-4FE2-8031-AB88D818542D.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"328\" data-original-width=\"328\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgsdaKBQfv492koWtCdTx2F5zMe5dyyPhAWpZ_oPdFVnT9j5-fwci57cA5_ggz22ghn2mjrr7hNBtQvhbL6B9qoZ65TEirHcQRVCO7PXjThumJMxWC8GkoWnzEr4ZiXrqKTxg5UwK9hdQ\/s1600\/EC053D0B-1394-4FE2-8031-AB88D818542D.jpeg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nThe night before last, J sent me a podcast episode to listen to and I’m 100% obsessed. I already listened to three episodes yesterday (at regular speed!) by putting in my AirPods literally any moment I was walking, or driving, or on a break, or just had a few minutes to listen. I haven’t been that hooked on a podcast since the first season of Serial, and before that the last time I was so hooked on something was Harry Potter. It’s that good!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/programmes\/p060ms2h\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDeath in Ice Valley\u003C\/a\u003E is an investigative podcast produced through a partnership between the BBC and NRK, the Norwegian Public Radio service. It follows the unsolved death of a woman known as Isdal Woman who was found in Norway, in a remote natural area outside of Bergen, in late 1970. To this day the Isdal Woman’s identity remains unknown and her death unsolved. Was she a murdered? Was it an elaborate suicide? Why were all of the markings and labels on her clothing and personal items removed or rubbed off?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nThe story is instantly intriguing and the editing is excellent and captivating. You feel as if you’re actually there, following the investigative journalists as they follow the clue trail from Bergen to Stavanger and beyond. The original music is haunting and gripping and you will not be able to stop listening once you start. I cannot recommend it enough.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nWhat podcasts are you listening to these days? Have you listened to \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/programmes\/p060ms2h\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDeath in Ice Valley\u003C\/a\u003E? And, don’t forget to listen to my podcast, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.expatrepat.ch\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EExpat Repat\u003C\/a\u003E, which just kicked off in Season Two. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/2295596686855765797\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/10\/death-in-ice-valley.html#comment-form","title":"46 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/2295596686855765797"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/2295596686855765797"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/10\/death-in-ice-valley.html","title":"Death in Ice Valley"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgsdaKBQfv492koWtCdTx2F5zMe5dyyPhAWpZ_oPdFVnT9j5-fwci57cA5_ggz22ghn2mjrr7hNBtQvhbL6B9qoZ65TEirHcQRVCO7PXjThumJMxWC8GkoWnzEr4ZiXrqKTxg5UwK9hdQ\/s72-c\/EC053D0B-1394-4FE2-8031-AB88D818542D.jpeg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"46"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-7872653803742338892"},"published":{"$t":"2019-10-07T19:23:00.002-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-10-07T19:24:07.633-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"design"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Politician"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj-Dx1jOIitU0-HFyW818xJtMFZHLiKsAg87zaKlVW1h0oKQWv7mm7L8y8DVDnaaE61c9sNoQYuPBRUf3exEZVABQbLvvF0WCGeTg-4oNEpQ31WQR0AprsRkngKhyphenhyphenvbdRI5oSY1dmNQdA\/s1600\/E54E885B-06C9-409D-BABA-B4443E3F29B6.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"455\" data-original-width=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj-Dx1jOIitU0-HFyW818xJtMFZHLiKsAg87zaKlVW1h0oKQWv7mm7L8y8DVDnaaE61c9sNoQYuPBRUf3exEZVABQbLvvF0WCGeTg-4oNEpQ31WQR0AprsRkngKhyphenhyphenvbdRI5oSY1dmNQdA\/s1600\/E54E885B-06C9-409D-BABA-B4443E3F29B6.jpeg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAre you guys watching \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/draft.blogger.com\/Check%20out%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Politician%E2%80%9D%20on%20Netflix%20https:\/\/www.netflix.com\/title\/80241248?s=i\u0026amp;trkid=13752289\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Politician\u003C\/a\u003E on Netflix? It was released on my birthday (also Gwyneth Paltrow’s birthday) and it is amazing. The styling, the costumes, and visually satisfying artistic cinematography are reasons to watch it on their own. But the most exciting thing is that in the same way that \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Inglourious_Basterds\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EInglorious Basterds\u003C\/a\u003E does, it perfectly nails the flippant macabre, and manages to take extremely heavy material and somehow make it light and even funny. (Disclaimer: I’ve only seen two episodes.) I am hooked!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nMy friend, Bridget, in Zurich recommended it and she has impeccable taste so that was my first clue it would be fantastic. Secondly, I saw that Gwyneth Paltrow was in it and I love her. People either love or hate GP; I understand this. But I love her. She is always in super interesting, different, avant-garde productions. Finally, I started the pilot and one of my favorite songs of all time, Sufjan Stevens’ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/c_-cUdmdWgU\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EChicago\u003C\/a\u003E, is used for the opening credits sequence. Done deal. I knew I was not wasting my time. Also, the opening credits are super captivating. You will not want to look away, or skip over.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI am in such a fabulous spot as far as shows go right now. We have three going simultaneously - two of which are on Showtime, The Affair and On Becoming a God in Central Florida - so they’re only released once per week. Of course, the other show is\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/draft.blogger.com\/Check%20out%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Politician%E2%80%9D%20on%20Netflix%20https:\/\/www.netflix.com\/title\/80241248?s=i\u0026amp;trkid=13752289\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Politician\u003C\/a\u003E, which was all dropped at once. It’s so exciting to have good shows to watch. Do you prefer a season to be dropped all at once, or to come out once per week?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E(Photo via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.indiewire.com\/2019\/09\/the-politician-review-netflix-ryan-murphy-1202175481\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EIndiewire\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/7872653803742338892\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/10\/the-politician.html#comment-form","title":"13 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/7872653803742338892"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/7872653803742338892"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/10\/the-politician.html","title":"The Politician"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj-Dx1jOIitU0-HFyW818xJtMFZHLiKsAg87zaKlVW1h0oKQWv7mm7L8y8DVDnaaE61c9sNoQYuPBRUf3exEZVABQbLvvF0WCGeTg-4oNEpQ31WQR0AprsRkngKhyphenhyphenvbdRI5oSY1dmNQdA\/s72-c\/E54E885B-06C9-409D-BABA-B4443E3F29B6.jpeg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"13"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-1843980240908169656"},"published":{"$t":"2019-09-24T11:47:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-09-24T11:53:56.996-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"motherhood"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Mother Rage, Or How Do You React When You Burn the Toast?"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjgCdZYiv2bRNw0jUWr2h0y8m0GRs_4N1Yii8gep3d7LnMWFhC91kQWw2APO1qymh5OkxpHfxwljIUbNkNjuFvesQnX_AaT6zn0J5UcZkd0E-fZ-VOllMWeb0ESitT-OxB2Dhi839aZjg\/s1600\/IMG_5145.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjgCdZYiv2bRNw0jUWr2h0y8m0GRs_4N1Yii8gep3d7LnMWFhC91kQWw2APO1qymh5OkxpHfxwljIUbNkNjuFvesQnX_AaT6zn0J5UcZkd0E-fZ-VOllMWeb0ESitT-OxB2Dhi839aZjg\/s640\/IMG_5145.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\nI've been noticing lately, through my mindfulness and meditation practices, something omnipresent in my life: Anger. I've always been such a happy person, or at least felt expected to be cheerful and happy, that it took me a long time to recognize my anger for what it was. In my quest to understand my anger better, and to know why it was coming up so strongly after a life of smiling and laughing and people pleasing, I started reading. A lot. One fascinating article I found (and can't seem to re-find to link to, unfortunately) spoke of the moments in our day that give us a good read on our baseline mental state. It said that how you react when you burn the toast is a strong indicator of how we're genuinely feeling when all filters are removed. Think about it, you burn toast and it's no big deal. Just make more. But it can really make you flip your lid. And just reading that, I felt the anger bubble up fast, and red that I had experienced when I missed out on a parking spot the day before. Same concept, different no big deal. Deep down, I was angry. More or less all the time. Anger was my baseline mental state.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIn our modern lives and these bizarre times, there are plenty of things to be angry about. Take politics, for example. I mean, that's enough. We can basically just stop right there. But life has so much more. Work, schedules, money, relationships. \u0026nbsp;However, for me, the biggest source of my anger all made sense when I received my New York Times Parenting email three days ago, containing a piece on 'Mother Rage,' a term I had never heard anyone else use, but had identified myself - and learned to keep to myself because, for shame!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nOn the select few occasions that I had said in confidence to someone, a couple times even another mother, that \"you don't know true rage until you're a mother\" it \u003Cu\u003Edid not\u003C\/u\u003E go over well. And it turns out that that sense of shame that accompanies mother rage is damaging all on its own, and ironically, serves to make our rage cycle, and get even worse as time goes on. In her essay entitled \u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/parenting.nytimes.com\/parent-life\/mother-rage?type=roundup\u0026amp;link=intro\u0026amp;te=1\u0026amp;nl=nyt-parenting\u0026amp;emc=edit_ptg_20190921?campaign_id=118\u0026amp;instance_id=12545\u0026amp;segment_id=17225\u0026amp;user_id=9e41f19ed5f4d2d5bcd4efe5c663d1ed\u0026amp;regi_id=55424912\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Rage Mothers Don't Talk About\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E, author Minna Dubin writes,\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cblockquote class=\"tr_bq\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #333333;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI start working with a life coach. He assigns me a section of Daniel Goleman’s book “Emotional Intelligence.” Goleman cites the work of University of Alabama psychologist Dolf Zillmann, who discovered that the physiological effects of rage can last for days, and that rage builds on rage. Repeated aggravations — “a sequence of provocations” — can dramatically increase anger, so that by the third or fourth rage trigger, the person is reacting on a level 10 in response to a misplaced key or a dropped spoon.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\nAmazingly, that is exactly the burnt toast analogy, explained for overwhelmed mothers, isn't it? I felt such a wave of relief reading Dubin's essay, because when you're in it, and feeling ashamed of it, mom rage feels like a deep and personal defect. I imagine all the other moms I know as being perfect - as if they're straight out of a Little Golden Book from the 1950's. One of my neighbors truly does seem like a perfect mom, and Coco has made it abundantly clear to me that she'd rather live at their house than at ours, but I'm smart enough to know that she is a mom, too, and Coco is never there for her mother rage. Sigh. Luckily, another neighbor mom has shared with me that she drinks more or less on the daily to keep from killing people, to which I said 'cheers!' and understood exactly what she meant. Note: If you don't understand exactly what she meant, that probably means that you do not have a husband, and two children and full-time job. ;)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI keep trying to find the secret sauce to motherhood. And I haven't found it yet. Being a full-time stay at home mom was delightful for me when Coco was a baby, but then it became increasingly isolating and difficult as she emerged into toddlerhood. Working full-time as a mom left me unbelievably overwhelmed and short-fused, but even still the reliability of the daily rhythm was a positive. Being a part-time working mom and part-time student mom is kind of insane, but I'm doing my very best to create a schedule that, as Dubin writes, \"fills up my patience cup.\" She elaborates, \"when I manage to exercise, make art and eat healthy food, I have a longer fuse,\" and it truly felt like she was speaking to my soul as I read that. However, I couldn't help but laugh when she concluded, \"Unfortunately, as a working mom with a small child I am not swimming in spare time, and cooking, running and unpaid hobbies often fall to the bottom of the to-do list.\" Sigh. This is the mother's dilemma.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI know that I am more present and growl less when I am able to make my art - this blog and my podcast; and I know that cooking and exercise make me a better mom, too. So I'm determined to guard enough time in my schedule each week for these things. Not for myself, but for filling up my patience cup for them. Framing it as something I do more for my children than myself really highlights the validity of that self-care and what it really is after all. I highly recommend that you read Dubin's full essay \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/parenting.nytimes.com\/parent-life\/mother-rage?type=roundup\u0026amp;link=intro\u0026amp;te=1\u0026amp;nl=nyt-parenting\u0026amp;emc=edit_ptg_20190921?campaign_id=118\u0026amp;instance_id=12545\u0026amp;segment_id=17225\u0026amp;user_id=9e41f19ed5f4d2d5bcd4efe5c663d1ed\u0026amp;regi_id=55424912\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E, and please share your thoughts and feelings about it in the comments below. I would love to hear what you think!"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/1843980240908169656\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/09\/mother-rage-or-how-do-you-react-when.html#comment-form","title":"11 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/1843980240908169656"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/1843980240908169656"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/09\/mother-rage-or-how-do-you-react-when.html","title":"Mother Rage, Or How Do You React When You Burn the Toast?"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjgCdZYiv2bRNw0jUWr2h0y8m0GRs_4N1Yii8gep3d7LnMWFhC91kQWw2APO1qymh5OkxpHfxwljIUbNkNjuFvesQnX_AaT6zn0J5UcZkd0E-fZ-VOllMWeb0ESitT-OxB2Dhi839aZjg\/s72-c\/IMG_5145.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"11"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-7784528601903307634"},"published":{"$t":"2019-09-19T08:38:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-09-19T08:38:12.879-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"design"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"A Birthday Dilemma"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEha89K_XcAK3oOI8vgptE4gfxdTO4B770dpeb3IpIi2NGiJTQYWObosBwGstaca3k32uyFp4RtxI21H24UvwUdQXKNYycpRk_ylaWWAIo3ZwfBwSQcxb7PETFs_4aB6h0FLpMVrsndJBg\/s1600\/6852094F-F4E5-42EB-9346-3560E1142C1A.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1530\" data-original-width=\"1224\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEha89K_XcAK3oOI8vgptE4gfxdTO4B770dpeb3IpIi2NGiJTQYWObosBwGstaca3k32uyFp4RtxI21H24UvwUdQXKNYycpRk_ylaWWAIo3ZwfBwSQcxb7PETFs_4aB6h0FLpMVrsndJBg\/s1600\/6852094F-F4E5-42EB-9346-3560E1142C1A.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nNo, this is not about my birthday, which basically has been consumed by Coco's birthday for the rest of time. It's about hers! Coco was born two days after me, and two days before my mom, and coincidentally, two of her little besties have the same birthday as Coco. This makes it so hard to find a day for her party, and it also creates an internal dilemma for me every year - especially the last three years as her birthday has fallen on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, in other words, on good party days.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIt feels really weird to invite a child to your own child's birthday party on their own birthday. But it would feel even weirder not to invite them! I really love that we have been able to have Coco's birthday on her actual birthday for the last few years (and not on mine, which is what happened for a couple years there!) but it is a weird reality that two of her close friends have the same birthday. Last year, one of them was able to make it and then we went to their party the very next day. In this particular case, the little girl's brother has his birthday the day before hers, so they always do a joint birthday party together. Another layer of complexity!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nPlanning is always a challenge, and there is rarely going to be a date and time that winds up working out for absolutely everyone, so I just make a plan and hope for the best. And here are some photos from Coco's party last year. All of the ideas, including cake design and candy kabobs for each guest, were her own. That girls knows how to throw a party!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEguowgC8JO3f43rMUW1R4yTTgooJXjWNUrCAGmo7k6NxvKnDbB7jwRe_HhTlsEZNrBD7EjtoWwaWWr23QIN9hMBFtRAhYfHQQQ1cSxPsctj1S4fhBbL-JjTS1BjKewaeiNzET7G1gXtDA\/s1600\/D14F7D4A-4B53-42F0-BE1D-5E4AD887F4A2.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1530\" data-original-width=\"1224\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEguowgC8JO3f43rMUW1R4yTTgooJXjWNUrCAGmo7k6NxvKnDbB7jwRe_HhTlsEZNrBD7EjtoWwaWWr23QIN9hMBFtRAhYfHQQQ1cSxPsctj1S4fhBbL-JjTS1BjKewaeiNzET7G1gXtDA\/s1600\/D14F7D4A-4B53-42F0-BE1D-5E4AD887F4A2.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ECoco's chosen theme was donuts. She designed her cake (more below) and was then delighted to find a donut piñata that matched!\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjD0WZ6JOKoABIpFhzG1kPgWizr8oZEbs0wz28Ka5zbdkcsHO0SB6KVelKuqd_uPuglwiAsrd7_asxZAhyOVhUCiynZYVo8qXIj5Eds-RshTmygQp-p2O5LlPgbgyDjsy-_RNP0joOn1g\/s1600\/4583AC9B-83C0-4A18-AC75-04FCF2CC824C.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1530\" data-original-width=\"1224\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjD0WZ6JOKoABIpFhzG1kPgWizr8oZEbs0wz28Ka5zbdkcsHO0SB6KVelKuqd_uPuglwiAsrd7_asxZAhyOVhUCiynZYVo8qXIj5Eds-RshTmygQp-p2O5LlPgbgyDjsy-_RNP0joOn1g\/s1600\/4583AC9B-83C0-4A18-AC75-04FCF2CC824C.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EWe took this drawing of Coco's cake design into the bakery and they worked their magic!\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg3yUFwnsX0r8xGCNf24tZqjOnqf7YGAWiJkMnFPXo6Y1W_yznrfDm8s5m2Q_5sJL5s-u6TDY4BwuRAaun_7_YRYNezgCx_OrJR_JDzR6cdmsQ892qP0b9ZPOlOw04kGD0Nu_7snZSDww\/s1600\/F6D2687C-784D-421F-AE39-F68794F19957.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1280\" data-original-width=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg3yUFwnsX0r8xGCNf24tZqjOnqf7YGAWiJkMnFPXo6Y1W_yznrfDm8s5m2Q_5sJL5s-u6TDY4BwuRAaun_7_YRYNezgCx_OrJR_JDzR6cdmsQ892qP0b9ZPOlOw04kGD0Nu_7snZSDww\/s1600\/F6D2687C-784D-421F-AE39-F68794F19957.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ECoco picked out the table items. It all came together so well!\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiT_01QxYYgaP4VZORvIHZOJiLl2aDAFW_uongNbWpnX774wlH-aUwUmICRVOz9rUDDNWtJnetuvvxxYsOtcZ3UAE5Vr2vNdCDbPGjpPUFkAjgy6_JwpLlBv9Sp4xF0Q85VkFBe3G_Fzg\/s1600\/2A17AD10-787E-42C0-9BF9-970268B84E02.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1530\" data-original-width=\"1224\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiT_01QxYYgaP4VZORvIHZOJiLl2aDAFW_uongNbWpnX774wlH-aUwUmICRVOz9rUDDNWtJnetuvvxxYsOtcZ3UAE5Vr2vNdCDbPGjpPUFkAjgy6_JwpLlBv9Sp4xF0Q85VkFBe3G_Fzg\/s1600\/2A17AD10-787E-42C0-9BF9-970268B84E02.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EI loved that the bakery added the little donut rings around the outside! And that pink tassel decoration from Target has been the best. I keep it in the basement on our party shelf and get it out for all of Coco's parties.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgrworFXjg_qWGChaPLdQ2Mt3cHy-XI20Jnhgdv1lni3AGTaowWf0Ba2IQ7olh2_wuH52Akn02MPiUJVKZeb5QW8C6DaSKHj3NHAuKAREg1btUoH0wAIcy3KV-_No8exxz2ckyb4vKlOg\/s1600\/1A633E16-F845-42FC-B45D-69519490EC1D.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1530\" data-original-width=\"1224\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgrworFXjg_qWGChaPLdQ2Mt3cHy-XI20Jnhgdv1lni3AGTaowWf0Ba2IQ7olh2_wuH52Akn02MPiUJVKZeb5QW8C6DaSKHj3NHAuKAREg1btUoH0wAIcy3KV-_No8exxz2ckyb4vKlOg\/s1600\/1A633E16-F845-42FC-B45D-69519490EC1D.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ECoco, ever the style maven, chose the black and white cake with raspberry filling inside!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjQFgdLxrdv50kwZWHJYipEwuxs0-dSZctG3npqh_SOdUTgopkOEPgivqZghVtXyyg7cbWKAQyiVdqsvJqUX7tYn7w2jvKXKHmq6cVLQ7YvKeJeXKeEUJf2L9FWUPyOE9dnEM1mkm96QQ\/s1600\/E97C5157-3A07-4C0F-BE7D-3AE5805EB296.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjQFgdLxrdv50kwZWHJYipEwuxs0-dSZctG3npqh_SOdUTgopkOEPgivqZghVtXyyg7cbWKAQyiVdqsvJqUX7tYn7w2jvKXKHmq6cVLQ7YvKeJeXKeEUJf2L9FWUPyOE9dnEM1mkm96QQ\/s1600\/E97C5157-3A07-4C0F-BE7D-3AE5805EB296.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThe party started with backyard games, including ring toss and pin the horn on the unicorn. Then after cake and presents, it was piñata time. All in all a super fun time!\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/7784528601903307634\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/09\/a-birthday-dilemma.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/7784528601903307634"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/7784528601903307634"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/09\/a-birthday-dilemma.html","title":"A Birthday Dilemma"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEha89K_XcAK3oOI8vgptE4gfxdTO4B770dpeb3IpIi2NGiJTQYWObosBwGstaca3k32uyFp4RtxI21H24UvwUdQXKNYycpRk_ylaWWAIo3ZwfBwSQcxb7PETFs_4aB6h0FLpMVrsndJBg\/s72-c\/6852094F-F4E5-42EB-9346-3560E1142C1A.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-3073520547548711633"},"published":{"$t":"2019-09-16T20:44:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-09-16T20:57:25.507-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"repat"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Repat: Will My Expat Friends Forget About Me?"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgE3cYIzXLzCXZubgm7TdbsJNnLhffakdl0COK3Xe9BClkvS0LGnPHVuSYZsoYp_LJtcrXfV5dwHrVo236_4ULCI4guDHTVuNlOc3I-y4dZemfs9y45Q9n2dyKFj7uHKP1vmsWJrOD0Ww\/s1600\/4487A8C7-FD3C-407F-8688-51887C98F1A8.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"600\" data-original-width=\"750\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgE3cYIzXLzCXZubgm7TdbsJNnLhffakdl0COK3Xe9BClkvS0LGnPHVuSYZsoYp_LJtcrXfV5dwHrVo236_4ULCI4guDHTVuNlOc3I-y4dZemfs9y45Q9n2dyKFj7uHKP1vmsWJrOD0Ww\/s640\/4487A8C7-FD3C-407F-8688-51887C98F1A8.jpeg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI think the scariest thoughts at 3 am. I never used to wake up at 3 am. Well, that’s not true. I did, but I was up to breastfeed and so it was lovely and sweet and cozy and I went right back to sleep with a snuggling babe in my arms. In those days, 3 am was an entirely different animal. But once Theo was old enough to not be partaking in the 3 am feed, I found myself waking up, unable to go back to sleep, and despite the sweet sleeping baby next to me breathing deeply and sleeping soundly, 3 am became a very terrifying space. For a few years there, I woke up at 3 am, more or less on the dot, and my mind, my soul, my very body were flooded with existential angst and regret and fear. Not fun stuff.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nDuring one such middle of the night terror session, it occurred to me that my expat friends - the gorgeous women in the photo above - might forget about me before I have a chance to move back and get myself back into their orbit again. It made my heart ache in the spooky darkness while I stared, wide-eyed, at the patches of blue light that splashed into the room randomly through the curtains and blinds, illuminating swatches of the ceiling and walls of my bedroom. I felt an emptiness that overwhelmed me.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI grabbed my phone, which is normally a terrible idea at 3 am, but I knew I wasn’t going back to sleep anyway, so I started googling. Did you know that “I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends” is one of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.huffpost.com\/entry\/top-5-regrets-of-the-dying_n_3640593\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe top five regrets of the dying\u003C\/a\u003E? As I read those words, I went from feeling totally defeated and fearful to resolute. I started texting my friends more. It’s so easy when you’re far, far away, to drift apart. It’s only normal that text exchanges become rote and shallow. “How are you doing?” gets back a “Busy! Kids are in soccer and ballet and life is good” and it ends there. Instead of doing that, I started texting my friends and sharing things I had been pondering - grey hair and wrinkles, loss of identity as a mother, the fleeting quality of time. It turns out a lot of them were thinking about the same things. I found myself having discussions, albeit over text for the most part, that were meaningful and allowed us to connect with each other and what we were experiencing beyond what’s obvious and on the surface.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIt felt good to maintain those relationships, but also really confusing as I tried to make new friends here. And then, on top of that, came the confusion of knowing that deep down, I plan to leave again, but I never talk about it. That added another layer of complexity where my relationships feel false somehow because I’m concealing this huge piece of myself. And it really does feel like a piece of myself. The things we strive for are central to our identities. Isn’t the act of sharing our hopes and dreams the very stuff that builds connection and allows us to experience closeness with others? What if that is kept to oneself?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI don’t have all the answers yet, but what I’m learning as a repat, and also from reflecting back on my time as an expat, is that we have to be comfortable with ambivalence. We have to be able to simultaneously pursue two opposing ideals. I’m burrowing deep into my life here, making friends, joining a gym, building a community. And yet, I’m also focused on my goal of moving back to Zürich, building my new career, developing myself as an individual different from the person I am right now. In other words, as I burrow in, I’m also reaching out, striving for growth.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAs we get older, finding truly close, intimate friendships becomes more and more difficult, less and less likely. It’s not enough to say, “that was my life then, this is my life now” and let them go. I think it’s important to stay in touch with our friends, as is evidenced by how if affects the dying. Are you staying in touch with people you care about? Why or why not? Does knowing that it’s a top regret of the dying make you want to change what you’re doing?"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/3073520547548711633\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/09\/repat-will-my-expat-friends-forget.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/3073520547548711633"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/3073520547548711633"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/09\/repat-will-my-expat-friends-forget.html","title":"Repat: Will My Expat Friends Forget About Me?"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgE3cYIzXLzCXZubgm7TdbsJNnLhffakdl0COK3Xe9BClkvS0LGnPHVuSYZsoYp_LJtcrXfV5dwHrVo236_4ULCI4guDHTVuNlOc3I-y4dZemfs9y45Q9n2dyKFj7uHKP1vmsWJrOD0Ww\/s72-c\/4487A8C7-FD3C-407F-8688-51887C98F1A8.jpeg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-6902384776425910664"},"published":{"$t":"2019-09-11T14:07:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-09-11T14:07:27.526-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"design"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Volkswagen of the Future"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjlkvz5Fku58KXcMbPCDvwTfzxfKYyf2Gcbr31kqirUlxuEmNOtgvjQVuRf7N2iTl0cpPpJUoWktFurn5-tCVglibFOtNoA0HQiypsjHv44qOKL-Ka2iRfkbhOC4EVDwx_3OYum85sLkw\/s1600\/vw-id-buzz.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1273\" data-original-width=\"993\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjlkvz5Fku58KXcMbPCDvwTfzxfKYyf2Gcbr31kqirUlxuEmNOtgvjQVuRf7N2iTl0cpPpJUoWktFurn5-tCVglibFOtNoA0HQiypsjHv44qOKL-Ka2iRfkbhOC4EVDwx_3OYum85sLkw\/s1600\/vw-id-buzz.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI love Volkswagens and have \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2017\/03\/an-appraisal-of-values-and-more-on.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Enever\u003C\/a\u003E bought \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2010\/07\/dream-car-for-sale.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eanother\u003C\/a\u003E car in my life. They're so reliable and sophisticated and comfortable without being stuffy or over the top. Most of all, VWs have great style and design. Always. I have waxed poetic about my love for their ad campaigns \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2012\/06\/volkswagen-ads.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebefore\u003C\/a\u003E, but the latest ads for their new fleet of all-electric vehicles (set to hit roads in just a few years!) are truly swoon worthy.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj0ltmNy6Vkq8BGUHtznFRCmJ9mQXGBJzvVMeWPL3M3SWjyzXPGOq51Jphzz_L7efVVXrjtw0QSFwvWSj_O8VkGy1VufmHBTYE6HkqQbIOGESnFrnBMBStj22Imfs42C5rH1I6UrHUZJQ\/s1600\/vw-id-buzz-ad-campaign-thumbnail.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"628\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj0ltmNy6Vkq8BGUHtznFRCmJ9mQXGBJzvVMeWPL3M3SWjyzXPGOq51Jphzz_L7efVVXrjtw0QSFwvWSj_O8VkGy1VufmHBTYE6HkqQbIOGESnFrnBMBStj22Imfs42C5rH1I6UrHUZJQ\/s1600\/vw-id-buzz-ad-campaign-thumbnail.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nLike this two-page spread to explain the \"Lemonade\" above. Are their advertising reps geniuses, or what?! I love how they pulled in so much history of the brand and their story in this campaign. Swoon.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiP-rwXhDmSzCVmxaQjnl4xoG7VavZoZV_9RU0k5K4Lbhi4wIYn8HobapnqTwF1Fj59snNnlGl3M8bP791CmNtrYJ8mX192Sd8aKn1Y30QLHzb_uteE2MJQT_CdSAF6feOqssS6Ww-LCQ\/s1600\/Key-image_v3_printtest_web.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1036\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiP-rwXhDmSzCVmxaQjnl4xoG7VavZoZV_9RU0k5K4Lbhi4wIYn8HobapnqTwF1Fj59snNnlGl3M8bP791CmNtrYJ8mX192Sd8aKn1Y30QLHzb_uteE2MJQT_CdSAF6feOqssS6Ww-LCQ\/s1600\/Key-image_v3_printtest_web.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAnd this is so gorgeous - with the side view, and the surfboard on top! Yes I want for J and I to haul our kids and dog (maybe) and yoga mat and surfboard around in this totally rad electric VW bus. YES! Swooning again. :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"padding-bottom: 40px; padding-top: 56.25%; position: relative; width: 100%;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ispot.tv\/share\/oo8J\" style=\"bottom: 0; height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; width: 100%;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\nAnd I nearly started crying whilst watching this ad. That song, the notion of pivoting and moving forward with hope in the face of uncertainty after a major setback. Wonderful. Volkswagen will always have my heart! And in a weird way, it feels relevant to my own personal expat-repat experiences that were unfolding in the years that VW were dealing with their \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Volkswagen_emissions_scandal\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eemissions scandal\u003C\/a\u003E. From 2015 until very recently, I have felt completely lost and unsure of what is next for me. I feel like I, too, have found the light in the darkness. Swoon forever!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAre you a Volkswagen fan? If you are, please swoon with me in the comments below, and if you're not, please do not share your thoughts or opinions with me at this time! I'm just too in love with these ads to bear it. :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAds via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/vw-id-buzz-ad-campaign-thumbnail.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E1\u003C\/a\u003E \/ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/vw-id-buzz-ad-campaign-thumbnail.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E2\u003C\/a\u003E \/ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/annalitwiller.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Key-image_v3_printtest_web.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E3\u003C\/a\u003E \/ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ispot.tv\/ad\/oo8J\/volkswagen-id-buzz-hello-light-song-by-simon-and-garfunkel-t1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E4\u003C\/a\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/6902384776425910664\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/09\/volkswagen-of-future.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6902384776425910664"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6902384776425910664"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/09\/volkswagen-of-future.html","title":"Volkswagen of the Future"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjlkvz5Fku58KXcMbPCDvwTfzxfKYyf2Gcbr31kqirUlxuEmNOtgvjQVuRf7N2iTl0cpPpJUoWktFurn5-tCVglibFOtNoA0HQiypsjHv44qOKL-Ka2iRfkbhOC4EVDwx_3OYum85sLkw\/s72-c\/vw-id-buzz.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-2308863346776468044"},"published":{"$t":"2019-09-10T17:36:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-09-10T17:36:28.731-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Montessori"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"motherhood"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"One-on-One Time "},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEirvGcl3lzJh3HiN4E-XXZnBoWAGDdtrph-nJ-owpGZC5s4VSASsCoE1OxlrgElUUQzgcvP0kGlCuNCXy1E61zWHBQtgzlQGgXnKkMHVNepTBbkUMlRacN1WDskO0oqs6oCtrBz6U60pg\/s1600\/CCB118A5-F53E-4E67-B5C9-94EAF8A0E71D.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1544\" data-original-width=\"1158\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEirvGcl3lzJh3HiN4E-XXZnBoWAGDdtrph-nJ-owpGZC5s4VSASsCoE1OxlrgElUUQzgcvP0kGlCuNCXy1E61zWHBQtgzlQGgXnKkMHVNepTBbkUMlRacN1WDskO0oqs6oCtrBz6U60pg\/s640\/CCB118A5-F53E-4E67-B5C9-94EAF8A0E71D.jpeg\" width=\"479\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\nSomething I’ve started doing recently is spending one-on-one time with Coco. We need to do this much more frequently because it always has a really good effect on her mood and disposition. She is a very verbal and creative storyteller as she gets older. It’s amazing how during that period from birth-to-six, what Montessori defined as the first plane of development, children are truly in the moment and concerned with the physical world. Then, in the second plane from six-to-twelve, they really do change their focus. In the first plane, Montessori said the child seeks to wrap his hand around the world. Theo is definitely there, making “stew” out of things he finds in the garden in a sand bucket. But in the second plane of development, Montessori said the child seeks to wrap her mind around the world. And Coco is definitely there. She is imaginative and coming up with ideas and theories about everything. Without one-on-one time to listen and give her space to share her big thoughts and ideas, she gets understandably frustrated.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\nWhen we nearly went back to Switzerland in 2017, Coco had not yet entered the second plane of development. She was still very much in the first plane and her needs and desires seemed simpler and easier to meet. As we look forward and consider going abroad again, I can see how moving with children - older children who are aware and grasp the reality of changing continents, languages and cultures - is an entirely different ball game. Still, I’m grateful for her experiences here and I’m happy that both she and Theo will have had time at her school before we take off again on our next Expat adventure. And I’m glad that they’ll have that, too. In a way, going when they’re both in the second plane and ready to wrap their minds around the world will be the perfect time - completely in line with their developmental stage.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\nFor now, we’ll keep doing our one-on-one Mama and Coco days, and I’ll continue to encourage her imagination and creativity. Parenting is constantly changing, but it never decreases in time commitment or effort, does it? Luckily it’s as rewarding as it is demanding!\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/2308863346776468044\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/09\/one-on-one-time.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/2308863346776468044"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/2308863346776468044"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/09\/one-on-one-time.html","title":"One-on-One Time "}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEirvGcl3lzJh3HiN4E-XXZnBoWAGDdtrph-nJ-owpGZC5s4VSASsCoE1OxlrgElUUQzgcvP0kGlCuNCXy1E61zWHBQtgzlQGgXnKkMHVNepTBbkUMlRacN1WDskO0oqs6oCtrBz6U60pg\/s72-c\/CCB118A5-F53E-4E67-B5C9-94EAF8A0E71D.jpeg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-321167390560904953"},"published":{"$t":"2019-07-30T15:01:00.003-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-07-30T15:04:26.576-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"repat"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Repat: American Grocery Store Anxiety"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhzXymzadAVKdw2Vz13-FN_iXhNz1tdRRXdivFElOqGlTBhpwr6_192fIB-LVUZWI0BLbc8h0Y82GK-AcetQwFcmZ8aHz4ZuIc6r7XvySDzEFbkwAznfoClrHp2-E6Z2b_gxQ7rbg-umA\/s1600\/D9E8B369-8EBA-40D4-A795-C0FFCC7AB940.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhzXymzadAVKdw2Vz13-FN_iXhNz1tdRRXdivFElOqGlTBhpwr6_192fIB-LVUZWI0BLbc8h0Y82GK-AcetQwFcmZ8aHz4ZuIc6r7XvySDzEFbkwAznfoClrHp2-E6Z2b_gxQ7rbg-umA\/s640\/D9E8B369-8EBA-40D4-A795-C0FFCC7AB940.jpeg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ECoco helping me carry home groceries in the utterly worthless free bags from Coop, way back in the day.\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nYesterday, I went to the grocery store. Standard enough, right? Not really. I realized yesterday that I have mostly adjusted to American grocery stores and it felt like a win! I went to Super 1 Foods, which is a gigantic grocery store up on 29th, a “busy street” in our very residential, sweet neighborhood. There is everything easy about going to Super 1 from an expat perspective.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EI drive there in about 7 minutes and park in the parking lot - for free!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAt check-out, they bag my groceries for me, in my bag of choice - also for free!\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIf I want someone to help me out to the car, they will push the cart out to the car (even if there are children in said cart, so that my hands are free to find keys), and then they help me to put the bags in the car, and finally, take the cart back to the store for me - also for FREE!\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\nOn top of all this, while in the store, I can buy \u003Cu\u003Eso many\u003C\/u\u003E ingredients for Mexican food and there are dozens and dozens of options to choose from in each category. Enchilada sauces, taco seasoning packets, guacamole packets, hot sauces galore! Tajin, authentic tortillas and tortilla chips, spices, all the salsas! It’s quite wonderful. Then there is the same thing in the Asian aisle. Multiple varieties of rice noodles and curry pastes and Sriracha and chili garlic sauce in a jar. Yum! \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nBut there is a very dark side to shopping at Super 1, too. For the first few years we were back, I basically never went there. And when I did, I literally had to psych myself up and prep mentally for a trip to Super 1. As with any jumbo American supermarket, Super 1 is just SO big and vast inside. And it’s sooooo cold in there in the summer. It felt like I was spending hours and hours just walking around when I would go there and it stressed me out. Why were there so many aisles? Why were there so many of each thing?! Why. For a long time, I stuck to Trader Joe’s because it felt more like a European grocery store (minus the practically freezing temperatures) and it didn’t give me the sheer anxiety that Super 1 did. I had a short list of things that I didn’t necessarily need all the time that I would buy at Super 1. It included:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003Emy favorite organic \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2Ovn3oV\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESouthwest Taco seasoning\u003C\/a\u003E (I used to order 12-packs on Amazon and take them back to Zurich in my suitcase on trips home;)\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EKrab salad from their deli and Ritz crackers (I’m sorry, it’s just so good. Don’t judge)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EHot sauces, like Tapatio, Frank’s Red Hot, Cholula and salsas (duh!)\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EJaunita’s Tortilla Chips (the absolute best!)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ERomaine lettuce (random)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDoritos (the best ghetto garnish for a taco salad I make in the summer)\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EFrench Salad dressing (second ghetto ingredient for said taco salad, but so yum)\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EHeinz 57 ketchup in the stand up squeezer that ensures you never squeeze that yucky ketchup water out onto your burger or hot dog, (but which J always puts in the fridge cap side up anyway! Drrh)\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EC\u0026amp;H white sugar (big bag!)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECanning supplies for freezer jam\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\nBasically it was just the most random assortment of stuff that you can’t get (or which isn’t very good - romaine, I’m looking at you) at Trader Joe’s. But I avoided it. I avoided Super 1 because something about that gigantic, sprawling grocery store filled with scary things like Twinkies and gross, unethically raised, non-organic meats made me cringe inside. And not just cringe. I would get literally panicky and wind up leaving without half the things I needed if I didn’t have a list. Yikes! And yes, I realize that Trader Joe’s has plenty of bad meats, but the packaging is cuter. I was so relieved when a friend told me that she had a panic attack in a giant grocery store after moving back to the US from Zurich. She literally ditched the cart with everything in it in a random aisle and left the store crying. I get it! I totally get it.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIn a way it makes sense, because even in Portland, we did our shopping at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and the best grocery store ever, New Seasons. Fred Meyer freaked me out, as did Safeway. By the way, Super 1 makes your average Safeway look pretty small. All of our stores in Portland were pretty small. In Switzerland, there are two main grocery stores. Migros and Coop. Most people are either a Migros person or a Coop person, but very few are both. I was a Coop person all the way from the very beginning when I went to Neuchâtel in 2006. Neighborhood Migros and Coops were pretty small, the size of a Trader Joe’s, while at major shopping centers, there would be a “big” Coop or Migros. But even the big Coop we went to at Sihlcity didn’t freak me out the way Super 1 does. I guess some things just don’t make sense.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;But yesterday, I realized something when I went to Super 1. Granted, getting out of the parking lot afterward was kind of annoying, but driving is annoying period, especially in Spokane. Ha! So I won’t let that color my experience, because in the store, maybe for the first time, I was totally at ease! It struck me that I know where everything is now! I bought my favorite salsas and sour cream and grabbed some Tillamook cheese that was on sale and these adorable Mission “street taco” corn tortillas for making baby quesadillas. And I swung by the bakery to check out cakes for Theo’s birthday, got a bottle of Pinot Grigio, went through the check out and went on my merry way. All good. It only took five years! ;)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;Fellow repats, what has been hard for you to adjust to when moving back home? Or, maybe you’re not a repat and find big grocery stores scary regardless? Tell me all about it in the comments below! "},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/321167390560904953\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/07\/repat-american-grocery-store-anxiety.html#comment-form","title":"14 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/321167390560904953"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/321167390560904953"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/07\/repat-american-grocery-store-anxiety.html","title":"Repat: American Grocery Store Anxiety"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhzXymzadAVKdw2Vz13-FN_iXhNz1tdRRXdivFElOqGlTBhpwr6_192fIB-LVUZWI0BLbc8h0Y82GK-AcetQwFcmZ8aHz4ZuIc6r7XvySDzEFbkwAznfoClrHp2-E6Z2b_gxQ7rbg-umA\/s72-c\/D9E8B369-8EBA-40D4-A795-C0FFCC7AB940.jpeg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"14"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-173151686992744899"},"published":{"$t":"2019-07-24T15:02:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-07-24T19:19:29.670-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"repat"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Homeland Season 1"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgU-XjdeK0OHzRDOXwApOU77-iT-IRFfMHxhBbZFYgRMPrvf11psMGuX7BgSqbr1WvmOdunl_jf6sXVscJjyssKMwuwhrB-YMBLzTnDlyptrulAvWK2vPVweWU7tfz7i1WrGQ6dlfluKA\/s1600\/1EE504B1-65C4-4A5B-A7B4-7A17C051E28A.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"439\" data-original-width=\"780\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgU-XjdeK0OHzRDOXwApOU77-iT-IRFfMHxhBbZFYgRMPrvf11psMGuX7BgSqbr1WvmOdunl_jf6sXVscJjyssKMwuwhrB-YMBLzTnDlyptrulAvWK2vPVweWU7tfz7i1WrGQ6dlfluKA\/s640\/1EE504B1-65C4-4A5B-A7B4-7A17C051E28A.jpeg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI have been bummed that Homeland was postponed - again! - until Fall. But at the same time, I am sort of happy that they’re not releasing it during the summer. I mean, summer is a time to be outside, not sitting on the couch. So we don’t actually need Homeland right now anyway. And with it being the last season, it’s kind of going to suck to watch each episode knowing there won’t be any more. Like, it will really suck.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nBut I still wanted some Homeland in my life for some reason. I have thought back often to season one when Carrie and Brody met face-to-face for the first time after the surveillance was taken down. Do you remember the episode when she follows him to the support group meeting for returned vets? I have thought about that episode a lot as a repat because I wish I had a group like that to go to. I guess that is why I started \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/the-expat-repat-podcast\/id1441932098\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe podcast\u003C\/a\u003E, really. I couldn’t find the podcast \u003Ci\u003EI was looking for\u003C\/i\u003E, so I just created it myself, and a \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/719715798387487\/?ref=share\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFacebook group\u003C\/a\u003E to go along with it. But even though I love doing the podcast, and I know it’s helping people, I would still love to be able to get together \u003Cu\u003Ein person\u003C\/u\u003E with a group of other repats who get it and share.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nFor one of my grad school courses last winter, we had to attend a support group meeting - either AA or NA, or any type really. Just a group of people coming together to share a common struggle. I went to an AA meeting and I was bowled over by the non-judgment and support and comfort of it \u003Ci\u003Efor me\u003C\/i\u003E - as a repat! Obviously I was open about being there for school and didn’t share or anything, but there is something about a group of people coming together that is just powerful. I really wished that I could go back. Struggling with this process of repatriation is just so lonely and hard and J and I can only give each other so much understanding and support. I would just love, love, love a meeting.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSo back to Homeland - J and I went back and watched the episode when Carrie and Brody meet outside the support group meeting. And then, it turns out that season one is so good that we’re just watching it all over again anyway. But oh my god, Carrie and Brody’s exchange in the parking lot went right over my head when I watched it as an expat in Switzerland, but it stabbed me right through the heart watching it now.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003EBrody: Can I ask you a question - where was it you said you served again - Baghdad?\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003ECarrie: Yeah\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003EBrody: How come it’s so hard to talk about it with people who weren’t there? \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003ECarrie: I have a better question, how come it’s so hard to talk with anyone who wasn’t there about anything at all?\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\nWell, there it is. Sometimes life is fine being back here. Sometimes I feel like I’m totally okay. Sometimes I feel like I will die if I don’t get back to Zürich. Sometimes I want to crawl out of my skin and scream. Other times I want to sleep all day. Then there are the urges to run away from everything - motherhood, marriage, turning 40 - just screw it all and go live on an island. And then sometimes I want to put my most euphoric playlist on my AirPods as loud as it will go and dance by myself with my eyes closed. No matter what, it’s a perfect storm. Change, impermanence, longing, regret, wishing, waiting, aging, the sense of everything slipping away. I simultaneously want to hold on to all of it forever and also just burn it all down. So yeah, a group would be good.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIf you’re a former expat (what I call a repat) then you might feel great reading all that because you get it and you see that I get it and it makes you feel less alone and okay. If you’re not a repat, then you probably think I’m insane and need some help. Fret not. I’m okay, that’s just how repat life is, \u0026nbsp;and tomorrow is a new day."},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/173151686992744899\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/07\/homeland-season-1.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/173151686992744899"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/173151686992744899"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/07\/homeland-season-1.html","title":"Homeland Season 1"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgU-XjdeK0OHzRDOXwApOU77-iT-IRFfMHxhBbZFYgRMPrvf11psMGuX7BgSqbr1WvmOdunl_jf6sXVscJjyssKMwuwhrB-YMBLzTnDlyptrulAvWK2vPVweWU7tfz7i1WrGQ6dlfluKA\/s72-c\/1EE504B1-65C4-4A5B-A7B4-7A17C051E28A.jpeg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-8671835999807227631"},"published":{"$t":"2019-05-30T22:17:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-05-30T22:17:17.414-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"repat"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Repat: Crying In The Car"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiEKQZt5mvCJ3njyDSuFecxJxvGaLTveUs3647ROdkU7-FHSER1sFXoMjbcRFvHIONV3t_PbMP0H0ujKEetKBwf8IHr9qXKM2shgo55SMaIbVi3qknq1w9segiUgj5iaWUcjrHol_JbuA\/s1600\/F331F23D-DB9A-4245-9C9D-8E3A739082E1.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"500\" data-original-width=\"500\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiEKQZt5mvCJ3njyDSuFecxJxvGaLTveUs3647ROdkU7-FHSER1sFXoMjbcRFvHIONV3t_PbMP0H0ujKEetKBwf8IHr9qXKM2shgo55SMaIbVi3qknq1w9segiUgj5iaWUcjrHol_JbuA\/s640\/F331F23D-DB9A-4245-9C9D-8E3A739082E1.jpeg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nApparently, one of the litmus tests for being a real New Yorker is having cried while walking down the street. I have never openly cried while walking down a street anywhere, but here is something I do do: I cry in my car. The car is the perfect place to cry because you’re completely alone. This is not true, of course. You’re in your car! Any of the dozens of strangers all around you, either crossing the street, walking on the sidewalk, or driving in their own car literally right next to you, would see you if they happened to look your way. But the thing is, no one does look your way. Driving is one of the most isolating, lonely experiences a person has in the States. It’s one of, if not \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2017\/03\/an-appraisal-of-values-and-more-on.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe thing\u003C\/a\u003E, I hate the most as a repat. Now, I have discovered it has its silver lining in that the isolation and loneliness leaves you free to cry as you drive.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nIn Zurich, I would sometimes take a very quiet, solitary walk on the Hambergersteig, a steep footpath in the hills above our house whenever I needed to have a moment to catch my breath, hear myself think, or formulate something I was writing. This is one of the funny things about being a mom and living in a small apartment or house with your family, and also working and not really having a lot of time alone ever: It’s tough to find time to reflect and connect with yourself. The Hambergersteig had a balcony sort of landing, which opened up and jutted out from under the tree cover about half way up the winding path. There was a bench with a grand, sweeping view of the lake. It was the perfect place to sit and watch the boats go in and out on the Zurisee. I loved sitting there and thinking. It was so quiet and intimate. It would actually be the perfect place to go have a good cry.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nBut there is no Hambergersteig around here. These days, I’m so busy fulfilling one role or another all the time that whenever I’m alone driving that is my me time. Often I’ll listen to podcasts. Or just sit in silence and try to hear my own thoughts. But the last few days, I’ve been listening to my old favorite albums. Air Moon Safari, of course, and also Radiohead OK Computer, which is probably the best album of all time and truly a delight to listen to on a really good car stereo at really high volume. With the bizarrely frantic exhaustion that comes with the end of the school year looming, and finding my way to turning 40 this fall, and basically having some sort of weird mid-life thing going on, it turns out it’s is the perfect soundtrack for a good car cry, too. I can’t really say what I was crying about. Mostly I think I was just tired. I love that album, and it carries so many memories and moments for me and it was so cathartic and I felt so much better afterward.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHow is life for you lately? Are you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed? Do you sometimes just need a good cry?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E(Photo via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/pin.it\/edfoar4qt22zla\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EShop Style\u003C\/a\u003E\/Pinterest)\u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/8671835999807227631\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/05\/repat-crying-in-car.html#comment-form","title":"10 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/8671835999807227631"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/8671835999807227631"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/05\/repat-crying-in-car.html","title":"Repat: Crying In The Car"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiEKQZt5mvCJ3njyDSuFecxJxvGaLTveUs3647ROdkU7-FHSER1sFXoMjbcRFvHIONV3t_PbMP0H0ujKEetKBwf8IHr9qXKM2shgo55SMaIbVi3qknq1w9segiUgj5iaWUcjrHol_JbuA\/s72-c\/F331F23D-DB9A-4245-9C9D-8E3A739082E1.jpeg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"10"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-1872630570428917198"},"published":{"$t":"2019-05-28T11:36:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-05-28T11:40:44.618-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#swisslarkinamerica"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#visibleturns1 #visiblemobile #visible #visibleperks #visibleinthewild"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"design"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"review"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Visible: The Best Mobile Phone Service"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhS2Ji7SdpVCN0RyqkScrW9NA6m9D4Kripvo5TlxbCEiyw82E8yhJACVI-OaiIyKfVcBpa26TPJO70HKVTUP7uNx4Qk6UZF5nO-xvEeA_9kb_xpHUpaR4doUp39mtE_psINPYgIAziG1A\/s1600\/IMG_5540.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1113\" data-original-width=\"1125\" height=\"632\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhS2Ji7SdpVCN0RyqkScrW9NA6m9D4Kripvo5TlxbCEiyw82E8yhJACVI-OaiIyKfVcBpa26TPJO70HKVTUP7uNx4Qk6UZF5nO-xvEeA_9kb_xpHUpaR4doUp39mtE_psINPYgIAziG1A\/s640\/IMG_5540.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nHave you heard of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.visible.com\/referral\/tFcCF\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EVisible\u003C\/a\u003E? Okaaaaay then. I have so much to say (mostly bad!) about cell phone service and buying phones since getting back to the States.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nRaise your hand if you miss the old model where you committed to two years of service with a provider, and then they gave you a phone at a deep discount, and everyone went on their merry way? Drrh. Those days are gone.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI seriously started losing my mind back in September when the new iPhones were released and I needed to replace my iPhone 6 like nobody's business. Once upon a time, I thought that that 6 would be the one and only phone I would own during my American sojourn. But, those dreams were dashed, and then I decided to go get another Masters degree, and here we are. I have a brand spanking new, expensive as heck, iPhone XS as of March.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nBut back in the fall, all of the providers were completely changing their phone selling structure and introducing these long term loans which meant you tacked on 30 or 40 bucks to your monthly bill, ultimately paying full price for the phone and then they simultaneously jacked all their rates around and we were generally going broke on cellular service. You know what I'm talking about.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nWe were with AT\u0026amp;T for sooooo long and one day, I set aside an hour and called their customer service to get some ideas of how we could lower our bill. The person I spoke to said we could go to a 6GB plan and save $15 per month, but somehow, when I got the next bill, it was a $5 increase and when I called to fix it, they said the old 12GB plan was not available, but for another $10 per month, I could step up to the 8GB plan. Seriously, WTF?! Could they not hear what they were actually saying to me? \"Yeah, sorry, we can't do that, but you can pay more and get less?\" Drrh! \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nAs if that wasn't bad enough, the taxes and fees were so high and changing \u003Ci\u003Eall the time\u003C\/i\u003E. Side note: Do you read your phone bill? You should. AT\u0026amp;T said that we could purchase new phones at a discount through their loyalty program, but only if we switched to their unlimited plan, which was going to be something like $165 per month for our two lines before taxes and fees. Ultimately, I got so mad that I switched to Sprint, which basically does not work anywhere. I had to wave my phone above my head to send a text from my driveway, or stand on my bed to send a text from my bedroom, or press myself up against the window in the living room to make a call. Even after calling Sprint and updating the carrier settings on my phone, it just did not work.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nEnter \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/visible.com\/referral\/tFcCF\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EVisible\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nOne day, I was scrolling on Instagram while waiting in line at Trader Joe's, and I saw an ad for Visible. At that point, I knew a good phone plan when I saw one. In my humble opinion, here are the top 7 reasons you should ditch your current provider and switch to Visible \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/visible.com\/referral\/tFcCF\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eright now\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Col\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EUnlimited talk, text and data for just $40 per month, taxes and fees \u003Ci\u003Eincluded\u003C\/i\u003E. No more guessing how much that auto debit will be. It's just $40 per month. Flat. Pay with PayPal, Venmo, bank transfer, debit card - your choice!\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ENo stores, no phone number. Visible uses all online customer service through chat, text and tweet and it's actually really nice to never have to \u003Cstrike\u003Etalk to anyone\u003C\/strike\u003E listen to someone read off of a script. I get an immediate response every time I contact Visible and they are so helpful and basically bent over backward to make sure our phones arrived before we left for Miami.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EBest of all, Visible uses the Verizon 4G LTE network, so it works \u003Cu\u003Eeverywhere\u003C\/u\u003E. Even in Spokane, and that is saying a lot.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EYou can bring your own device, or finance a new one with rates as low as 0% through Affirm.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EKeep your phone number!\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EGet $20 off of your first month of service if you sign up though my referral link\/code: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/visible.com\/referral\/tFcCF\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EtFcCF\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAnd, you'll get a $200 MasterCard gift card for switching to Visible.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ol\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\nWe have been soooo happy with \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.visible.com\/referral\/tFcCF\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EVisible\u003C\/a\u003E. I cannot even tell you. The $200 gift card arrives after you pay for your second month of service, so we got ours last week. I have no more dropped calls or failed texts now that we're on Visible. If I'm in a spot that doesn't have WiFi, I can use the personal hotspot on my phone to connect my iPad or laptop to the internet (something you can't do on the Sprint plan we had), and I am constantly streaming music, watching videos on YouTube, or listening to podcasts on the go with no issues!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI am not a Visible affiliate, and this is not a sponsored post. I just love Visible so much, and have been so happy to find them amid a world of crappy, overpriced mobile service, and I thought who knows, maybe you are looking for a new phone plan, too? :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nNow the other thing I'm disappointed with since repatriating is INTERNET. Our Swisscom internet\/tv\/phone bundle was SO fast and so affordable. I miss it. Any tips for me there? Thank you for reading my mobile phone saga, and definitely check out Visible and get \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/visible.com\/referral\/tFcCF\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eyour $200 MasterCard gift card and $20 off\u003C\/a\u003E. You won't regret it!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E(Image via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/visiblemobile\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EVisible\u003C\/a\u003E\/Instagram)\u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/1872630570428917198\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/05\/visible-best-new-phone-service.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/1872630570428917198"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/1872630570428917198"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/05\/visible-best-new-phone-service.html","title":"Visible: The Best Mobile Phone Service"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhS2Ji7SdpVCN0RyqkScrW9NA6m9D4Kripvo5TlxbCEiyw82E8yhJACVI-OaiIyKfVcBpa26TPJO70HKVTUP7uNx4Qk6UZF5nO-xvEeA_9kb_xpHUpaR4doUp39mtE_psINPYgIAziG1A\/s72-c\/IMG_5540.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-1369934984113859586"},"published":{"$t":"2019-05-24T12:35:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-05-24T12:39:47.359-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"culture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"weekend"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Happy Memorial Day Weekend!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEglc76Fv4KjMyjpyjk6y7Fda9KepAiGv7hhTG7VzxnFlmUPNcRyKpAgvqt2UN9Qvb3Mo5Rvnomjq3UIp5ccqw3plxLnJLgANA3TNkvnX6LopXesBGVDwYRvF501vczcuAf5G2MDX0c5zw\/s1600\/normandy.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"640\" data-original-width=\"427\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEglc76Fv4KjMyjpyjk6y7Fda9KepAiGv7hhTG7VzxnFlmUPNcRyKpAgvqt2UN9Qvb3Mo5Rvnomjq3UIp5ccqw3plxLnJLgANA3TNkvnX6LopXesBGVDwYRvF501vczcuAf5G2MDX0c5zw\/s640\/normandy.jpg\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHave you been to the Beaches at Normandy? As an American studying in France, that was one of the most memorable day trips we took during my semester abroad. The beaches are startlingly beautiful, and quiet, with memorials and old Nazi bunkers still standing. It was profound and sobering to stand there and think of the horrors of WWII. So much respect and gratitude to those, and all, in the armed services. I can't believe it's already Memorial Day Weekend. For those of you not in the US, this is a day of remembrance for service members who have passed away. \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2016\/05\/remembering-my-dad.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMy dad\u003C\/a\u003E served in the US Navy during Vietnam, so we always go out to visit his grave on Memorial Day.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAside from that, I am going to get a new podcast episode up Sunday, go for a pedicure, have a Mama-Coco afternoon, and get out \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2YFSopc\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis book\u003C\/a\u003E and get started ahead of summer vacation! And, here are some interesting, fun and charming links for your weekend. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWarning: You'll never quite be the same after watching \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/NkRkuI0ZgX0\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis music video\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nCoco is old enough for my favorite \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2YL7No3\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Echildhood road trip staple\u003C\/a\u003E! :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/japantoday.com\/category\/features\/lifestyle\/how-to-find-a-lost-cat-unique-method-from-japan-proves-to-be-surprisingly-effective?\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to find a lost cat\u003C\/a\u003E. (Very cool!)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI just ordered this \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fsupergoop-sun-defying-sunscreen-oil-with-meadowfoam-spf-50%2F3913114%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26breadcrumb%3DHome%252FAll%2520Results%26color%3Dnone\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eoil sunscreen\u003C\/a\u003E and I can't wait for it to arrive! One reviewer says it's better than body lotion during the summer. Yassss.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nDid you already \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.expatrepat.ch\/2019\/05\/episode-nine-tina-busch-from-lost-repat.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Elisten\u003C\/a\u003E?! \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/qz.com\/1363294\/the-american-academy-of-pediatrics-is-telling-doctors-to-start-prescribing-play\/?fbclid=IwAR2YU6EQHUcG_FvXIFLsJ_7PbV0GMJOxmXTJKpE5Fb8QBzSpZPEa96o4Dc8\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPrescribing play\u003C\/a\u003E. (And \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/05\/montessori-benign-neglect-and-boredom.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eboredom\u003C\/a\u003E, in case you missed it)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nTheo's \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2YE5V0k\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Efavorite board game\u003C\/a\u003E as of late.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/KUTV2News\/videos\/2380353698865309\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EInfinite cuteness\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSo \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/335984530\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eintense, imaginative and colorful\u003C\/a\u003E. I'm swooning!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nMaybe this will end the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fsunshine-glitter-sea-star-sparkle-spf-50-sunscreen%2F5146486%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26breadcrumb%3DHome%252FAll%2520Results%26color%3Daqua\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esunscreen battle\u003C\/a\u003E with Coco? ;)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI hope your weekend is lovely and filled with remembrance of those you're missing, particularly former service members. See you back here next week!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E(Photo of Omaha Beach, Normandy via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/markwesley\/1148051946\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMark Wesley\u003C\/a\u003E) \u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/1369934984113859586\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/05\/links-524.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/1369934984113859586"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/1369934984113859586"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/05\/links-524.html","title":"Happy Memorial Day Weekend!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEglc76Fv4KjMyjpyjk6y7Fda9KepAiGv7hhTG7VzxnFlmUPNcRyKpAgvqt2UN9Qvb3Mo5Rvnomjq3UIp5ccqw3plxLnJLgANA3TNkvnX6LopXesBGVDwYRvF501vczcuAf5G2MDX0c5zw\/s72-c\/normandy.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-2631525250390825679"},"published":{"$t":"2019-05-20T14:00:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-05-20T14:03:37.425-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"boredom"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"free play"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"meditation"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Montessori"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"unstructured time"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Montessori: Benign Neglect and Boredom"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhusa5q7lEeDkn5JGaPPrjvyp-W4qyJVXhtWkEsBT_cTSZoLuq7J5oxNHbZsB_q8gyRh0uV8P28Kg3EwRPUp_Oh4lFF-fMGNpcVxjREAUMMNRwm6qj2yDhpot5kmAkCg-B8xv0vyl_Yig\/s1600\/IMG_5520%25281%2529.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhusa5q7lEeDkn5JGaPPrjvyp-W4qyJVXhtWkEsBT_cTSZoLuq7J5oxNHbZsB_q8gyRh0uV8P28Kg3EwRPUp_Oh4lFF-fMGNpcVxjREAUMMNRwm6qj2yDhpot5kmAkCg-B8xv0vyl_Yig\/s640\/IMG_5520%25281%2529.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nOne of the biggest takeaways from my Montessori training course way back in 2004-05 was the concept of benign neglect. Benign neglect describes the moment when we are just hands-off enough to give our children the space, time and freedom necessary for exploration, curiosity and learning -\u0026nbsp; without it being unsafe in any way. Our lecturer gave an example of a little baby she had seen on the bus several days prior. The baby's mom was sitting with her baby on her lap, deep in thought staring out the window, and while the mother zoned out, her baby leaned forward and starting mouthing the pole just in front of their seat. Germophobes might not consider this benign neglect, but a baby's way of understanding the world is to put things in their mouth, something adults are always stopping them from doing. Most of the time, this is necessary and protects the child from choking or other harm. But in this case, without the mom's interference, the baby was able to explore and learn and it probably did not result in any harm later. Make sense?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nFor the last two or three months, I have had so many moms at work, or school pick-up, or at the park ask me which camps and activities we've signed our kids up for this summer. Without fail they all gasp when I reply that we haven't signed them up for \u003Ci\u003Eany!\u003C\/i\u003E Even other couples who are both in education and therefore are both home all summer long are amazed that we don't have our kids fully booked. \"Everything is filling up!\" they say, \"August will be smoky and you don't want to be stuck at home entertaining your kids!\" is another popular one. \"Kids get so bored in the summer - save yourself!\" is another common refrain.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nUsually I keep my mouth shut, because I don't want to be that \"Montessori mom\" who deprives her children in other people's eyes, but finally I just said to a mom last week that I want my kids to be bored in the summer. She looked a little concerned, so I went on to explain that children need to have huge chunks of unstructured, unscheduled time during which adults are not facilitating and dictating their every move, or activity, or idea. This boredom is the only way a child human being can learn to listen to the whispers of intrinsic motivation inside their own brain and soul and begin to discover their own interests. Research on \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Theta_wave\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETheta brainwaves\u003C\/a\u003E, the state that our minds enter into when we're meditating, or in \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Flow_(psychology)\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eflow\u003C\/a\u003E, shows that children from 0-7 are almost constantly in a Theta state in their brains. That means this is the most powerful time in one's life to discover and learn and get to know oneself, a task made impossible by too much adult interference and direction.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIn the photo above, J had taken Coco and Theo on a hike and set up the hammock. He lay in the hammock and read a book while Coco and Theo found themselves with nothing to do. As frequent recipients of benign neglect, they got down to business without prompting and concocted a game of sticks and twigs that, while incomprehensible to any adult within earshot, was riveting and compelling to them. They focused their full attention on their game and had a great time for nearly an hour until it was time to go and J snapped this photo.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIn the article, \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/education\/archive\/2014\/06\/for-better-school-results-clear-the-schedule-and-let-kids-play\/373144\/?fbclid=IwAR0EQNAn4XxKzzOSYDfzEMRLXHjzdoafq2hRPmZaNjrZ7Zoo9o1zGO12cfU\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EWhy Free Play is the Best Summer School\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\" from the June 2014 issue of \u003Ci\u003EThe Atlantic\u003C\/i\u003E, author Jessica Lahey writes,\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cblockquote class=\"tr_bq\"\u003E\nUnscheduled, unsupervised, playtime is one of the most valuable educational opportunities we give our children. It is fertile ground; the place where children strengthen social bonds, build emotional maturity, develop cognitive skills, and shore up their physical health. \u003C\/blockquote\u003E\nI could not agree more. In interviews, David Lynch often credits his early childhood in Spokane, which was filled with wandering around the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.spokesman.com\/stories\/2018\/feb\/12\/ponderosa-pines\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPonderosas\u003C\/a\u003E, daydreaming, as a huge source of his creativity. And he has devoted himself to \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.davidlynchfoundation.org\/about-tm.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Etranscendental meditation\u003C\/a\u003E, which mimics the Theta brain state of early childhood, boosting creativity and imagination. This is not a coincidence.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIt's not always easy to provide this beneficial boredom for children. Sometimes on the weekends, once J and I are up and have turned off the television and confiscated the iPad (parents have got to sleep, you know?!;) Coco and Theo will whine and moan and gripe that they have nothing to do. We acknowledge that it's true that they have nothing to do and then suggest that they \u003Ci\u003Efind \u003C\/i\u003Esomething to do. Sometimes the whining goes on for a long time. It feels like forever because it's hard to listen to and really annoying. But we stay the course! It's a matter of staying consistent and forcing them to push through the boredom and into flow. They find flow in drawing and clay, puttering around the garden, Legos, and blocks. Theo is a huge fan of walking around the backyard singing and looking up at the trees. Coco gets completely absorbed in dollhouse play. And once, when she was a baby, she played with a single blade of grass with such intensity and focus for over half an hour. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThis is not to say that we don't do things together, like bake cookies, or watch movies, or dye Easter eggs with our kids. We do. In those activities, we are the adults in charge, facilitating and directing our children. But I definitely do not see it as my job to do those things all the time, or to keep my children entertained. Quite the opposite! This summer, my children will be bored, and it will be good for them.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhat's your approach to summer - free play and boredom, or scheduled and planned-out activities? Why do you do summer the way you do?"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/2631525250390825679\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/05\/montessori-benign-neglect-and-boredom.html#comment-form","title":"12 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/2631525250390825679"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/2631525250390825679"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/05\/montessori-benign-neglect-and-boredom.html","title":"Montessori: Benign Neglect and Boredom"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhusa5q7lEeDkn5JGaPPrjvyp-W4qyJVXhtWkEsBT_cTSZoLuq7J5oxNHbZsB_q8gyRh0uV8P28Kg3EwRPUp_Oh4lFF-fMGNpcVxjREAUMMNRwm6qj2yDhpot5kmAkCg-B8xv0vyl_Yig\/s72-c\/IMG_5520%25281%2529.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"12"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-7827931819773601792"},"published":{"$t":"2019-05-17T14:20:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-05-20T14:04:07.040-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"culture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"weekend"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Have a brilliant weekend!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg3NKqxZj3MS2ETumO7OD6TyRvbUyU0I4i5bxsD0VaDLi80PvkR_3i51_HTbKGGwVG3b6ZV0pdB3TNTgT2lxR6C5XysoRCdE1w5kviwE6-KhsII6hp6nHZuEBNTemz2zLIu8xf2RX0R6Q\/s1600\/zurichcity+slider.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"980\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg3NKqxZj3MS2ETumO7OD6TyRvbUyU0I4i5bxsD0VaDLi80PvkR_3i51_HTbKGGwVG3b6ZV0pdB3TNTgT2lxR6C5XysoRCdE1w5kviwE6-KhsII6hp6nHZuEBNTemz2zLIu8xf2RX0R6Q\/s640\/zurichcity+slider.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI have this gorgeous photo of Zurich as the wallpaper on my monitors at work. My two favorite parts about it are the archway in the pink building, lower right, that I've walked through so many times. And the little tiny dock on the river in front of the large salmon colored building on the opposite bank, more or less in the center of the photo. The other day, my friend Kate posted \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BuYn6JHlylT\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ea photo\u003C\/a\u003E in her stories taken from that dock, showing the church towers from which this photo was taken. It made me laugh to think that I was up in the church tower waving down to her since I’ve grown so accustomed to looking at this view every day. ;) Lately I've been missing Zurich terribly. I'm enjoying Spokane and springtime and lilacs (and the lack of hayfever!) but I still miss Zurich. I really did leave my heart there.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nDo you have any big plans this weekend? An outdoor pizza party we were invited to has been rescheduled due to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.khq.com\/news\/traffic-alert-standing-water-causing-problems-across-spokane\/video_428059de-783d-11e9-a00d-e72885dd0813.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Einsane rainstorm\u003C\/a\u003E that came through yesterday. I have never seen rain like that in the Northwest! It was on the same level as rains that caused flash flooding the summer I was in Maryland finishing up my Masters before I moved to Switzerland \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/swisslark.blogspot.com\/2006\/08\/voyage-and-arrival-in-pictures.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe first time\u003C\/a\u003E. So, in the absence of a pizza party, I think we're going to clean all day tomorrow and make \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2016\/05\/making-pavlova.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPavlova \u003C\/a\u003Eand do a movie night!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI hope you have a brilliant weekend, and here are some links for you.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nPlease vote for Swiss Lark in this \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/sparpedia.ch\/auszeichnungen\/best-expat-blogs-2019\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eblog contest\u003C\/a\u003E! And thank you to whoever nominated me. :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nA \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/braddelcat\/posts\/10156533104049200\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecomical look\u003C\/a\u003E at the flooding down the hill from our house. Ha!! (I love it when I see the Spokane Boat Car;)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThe perfect \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/watch\/?v=400815444088441\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Erainy weekend recipe\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI tried this \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/3slH\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eexfoliating treatment mask\u003C\/a\u003E last night and loved it! More in my Insta stories. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSuch \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.spokesman.com\/stories\/2019\/apr\/21\/searchers-recover-bodies-of-spokane-climber-jess-r\/?fbclid=IwAR1Ggbur0CRC7ehPFsv3RVJIDnGV0X9VpySCURB2Z9nYXjooCWqacCZPwbE\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esad news\u003C\/a\u003E for the climbing world, and Spokane.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAlthough houseplants grow and require care, they are \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.economist.com\/graphic-detail\/2018\/08\/06\/instead-of-houses-young-people-have-houseplants?fsrc=scn\/fb\/te\/bl\/ed\/insteadofhousesyoungpeoplehavehouseplantsdailychart\u0026amp;fbclid=IwAR3k44hTbJGo-fkKJzumJe8WgwB7OqV9x0Hu8DktyMJPn2JdrXuxDmQpgqY\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eneither as demanding nor as costly\u003C\/a\u003E as pets or children. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BuZTahMHgHq\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMotherhood\u003C\/a\u003E. (Read her original caption - link might transport you to the middle of the comments:)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BxfaGn_B_BN\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThis\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI kinda think \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/05\/16\/arts\/television\/binge-watch-game-of-thrones.html?smid=fb-nytimes\u0026amp;smtyp=cur\u0026amp;fbclid=IwAR3z9ifJPpztx5GHHT0TM4Ccw8Xopwx5UubmLBKulmZsQmDppgnGi25Qg7c\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewe might need to do this\u003C\/a\u003E... \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.theonion.com\/study-finds-newborn-infants-can-tell-if-parents-are-los-1819573372?fbclid=IwAR1rmGwsN9Qh3sHjlDo2dGOG3ig5aPG7UghNWE3nV1c4ML5DvOFBSzORkmE\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELOL\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSee you back here next week!"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/7827931819773601792\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/05\/have-brilliant-weekend.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/7827931819773601792"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/7827931819773601792"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/05\/have-brilliant-weekend.html","title":"Have a brilliant weekend!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg3NKqxZj3MS2ETumO7OD6TyRvbUyU0I4i5bxsD0VaDLi80PvkR_3i51_HTbKGGwVG3b6ZV0pdB3TNTgT2lxR6C5XysoRCdE1w5kviwE6-KhsII6hp6nHZuEBNTemz2zLIu8xf2RX0R6Q\/s72-c\/zurichcity+slider.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-1569788419466214600"},"published":{"$t":"2019-05-15T16:10:00.002-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-05-15T16:14:48.666-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"culture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"design"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"xennial"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Are you an Xennial?"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEh3Xy1zreUGUeUhgB9RbLdcf92M65zZgrnGz_Uaif5iFf8NPLtZYQVNfLImAhJago1oXuoH22GJWj0Qf-K67sF6dVv8rgPcWfBu0ADyOc3QcQhRDBw028j_SRbXi6MXgook5ob9jyk-SA\/s1600\/IMG_5442.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1136\" data-original-width=\"640\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEh3Xy1zreUGUeUhgB9RbLdcf92M65zZgrnGz_Uaif5iFf8NPLtZYQVNfLImAhJago1oXuoH22GJWj0Qf-K67sF6dVv8rgPcWfBu0ADyOc3QcQhRDBw028j_SRbXi6MXgook5ob9jyk-SA\/s640\/IMG_5442.JPG\" width=\"360\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nYesterday, my sister (who is ten years older than me) texted me this screenshot, to which I replied, \"The struggle is real!\" Because it is! It's bad enough that I'm turning 40 this year, but now I'm expected to somehow come to terms with being a 40-year-old Millennial?! My sister wrote back, \"You Xennial! We were just saying the other day that you are more of a millennial,\" which sort of made me cringe, but then again, maybe there's no use in hiding it anymore? So I took the plunge and completed \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2019\/05\/14\/style\/are-you-a-millennial.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe New York Times quiz\u003C\/a\u003E, and to her I sent back this photo that I took of my computer screen:\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhqI9dwHvvIwiM12u1uSELzcz5CBwyaB9Gk3pimlj40eXCxgp0wlhsF3gKeQJkIxes065hczhIPhodx3EhV44jIWJLGbxt-rMg-3HjbO3cMdXUni9fR5_jYwVQyYW5uUK0KQ78O51ZfKg\/s1600\/RenderedImage.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhqI9dwHvvIwiM12u1uSELzcz5CBwyaB9Gk3pimlj40eXCxgp0wlhsF3gKeQJkIxes065hczhIPhodx3EhV44jIWJLGbxt-rMg-3HjbO3cMdXUni9fR5_jYwVQyYW5uUK0KQ78O51ZfKg\/s640\/RenderedImage.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThe description went on to say\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cblockquote class=\"tr_bq\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nbut you also probably over-share a teensy bit less. Also you probably have slightly better taste in music. To know what you narrowly escaped on either side, embark on \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2019\/05\/14\/style\/generation-xers.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis sensory reproduction\u003C\/a\u003E of the life of Gen X and read true millennial Caity Weaver's experience \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/05\/14\/style\/enjoy-the-silence.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eof living in 1994\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\nAs much as I do not like being called a Millennial (let alone a really old Millennial), I am totally fine with what the New York Times dubs an Xennial. They explain that \"Like water on the rock,\" life has worn us Xennials down. We're not fully mired in existential angst like the Gen-Xers, but this also isn't our first rodeo. Caustic and ironic both sound good to me! As does being \"a smidge more practical and a smidge less idealistic.\" I would say I \"over-share a teensy bit less\" and \"have slightly better taste in music.\" Key word being \u003Ci\u003Eslightly\u003C\/i\u003E. We'll get to that;)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI know so many people born in 1978 and 1979 who are so boastful and proud of not being Millennials. But I'm over here writing my blog and doing tons of Instagram stories, and saying things like \"totes\" and I cannot deny that I am really, unabashedly in love with many a Justin Bieber (and Katy Perry) song. So how can I deny that I am an Xennial - or just a really old Millennial?! Oof.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSince posting the photo of my computer screen (seems like more of a Gen-X move than Millennial move to take a photo of a screen, don't you think?) on my \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.instagram.com\/swisslark\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EInstagram stories\u003C\/a\u003E (definitely a Millennial move!) I got a bunch of DMs from proud friends who scored as Gen-X adjacent, not Xennial. I felt a tinge of jealousy. I mean, come on! I had the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2Hki44W\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EcK one ad\u003C\/a\u003E I had torn from a magazine hanging on my bedroom wall in the 90s. I actually \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/03\/landline.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Estill have\u003C\/a\u003E that Sony phone that was used in the first photo of the quiz! I had The Bangles \"Eternal Flame\" on a cassingle, and I still love \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2Yvhkzu\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETemple of the Dog\u003C\/a\u003E. I went to Lollapalooza for goodness sake!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nNaturally, I did what any anxiety-ridden Millennial would do, and I went back and re-took the quiz, changing the one answer that I was on the fence about. Did they mean my parent's and my childhood best friend's \u003Ci\u003Ecurrent \u003C\/i\u003Ephone numbers? Or, did they mean do I remember my childhood best friend's number from childhood?! Because I do remember Katie \u003Ci\u003Eand \u003C\/i\u003ESinead's childhood numbers. I'm pretty sure Kate's parents (she gave up Katie after college;) still have that number. If they still have a landline, which maybe they do - or don't. Hmmm, they did move a couple years ago...But! The point is that that one answer pushed me into Gen-X Adjacent territory and I was free to wave the Gen-X flag loud and proud!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nExcept that I wasn't. Because I do not, and never did, have the number for Poison Control memorized. Does remembering Mr. Yuck stickers count?! Can you young Millennials remember those?! \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2VGr8Ke\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETake a look\u003C\/a\u003E - and while you're there, notice how easy that Poison Control number is. Also, apparently it's Mr. Yuk (no c) and should I be concerned that we're not using these with our own kids?! Hashtag Xennial.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSigh. There's no denying that I really am just an old Millennial. Have you taken \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2019\/05\/14\/style\/are-you-a-millennial.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe quiz\u003C\/a\u003E? Share your results in the comments below. And by all means, feel free to boast and brag. I'll console myself by double-screening, doing Instagram stories in front of Seinfeld on Hulu later. I would call them Seinfeld \u003Ci\u003Ere-runs\u003C\/i\u003E except I never saw the first run! It's all new to me. LOL! Like I said to my sister at the very beginning, the struggle is real."},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/1569788419466214600\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/05\/are-you-xennial.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/1569788419466214600"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/1569788419466214600"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/05\/are-you-xennial.html","title":"Are you an Xennial?"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEh3Xy1zreUGUeUhgB9RbLdcf92M65zZgrnGz_Uaif5iFf8NPLtZYQVNfLImAhJago1oXuoH22GJWj0Qf-K67sF6dVv8rgPcWfBu0ADyOc3QcQhRDBw028j_SRbXi6MXgook5ob9jyk-SA\/s72-c\/IMG_5442.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-5520440896653182414"},"published":{"$t":"2019-05-14T12:10:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-05-14T12:14:20.788-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"goldfish"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"motherhood"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Our Pet Fish"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjRnrGe8M-vLzehWJ_MY0b6NK5_HxZ28E8B88tBVU2A7TnjjI7Wd1Wl2OTtZS_YHLJmtV0NyRAdxmt9QrA8NVQvN-MtXBcjQohHa5-DgWjaj15lE7USPU78PqWTDx-7JsCqfVg4wvh_Ug\/s1600\/DC300C25-F7F4-4290-93B3-FDD4EB078996.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1359\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjRnrGe8M-vLzehWJ_MY0b6NK5_HxZ28E8B88tBVU2A7TnjjI7Wd1Wl2OTtZS_YHLJmtV0NyRAdxmt9QrA8NVQvN-MtXBcjQohHa5-DgWjaj15lE7USPU78PqWTDx-7JsCqfVg4wvh_Ug\/s640\/DC300C25-F7F4-4290-93B3-FDD4EB078996.jpeg\" width=\"542\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\nAt the Wilson Carnival, Theo won a fish! Well, he didn’t really win a fish, but he tried so hard - twice! - to win a fish that a girl who did win a fish and felt sorry for him gave him her fish. (Later I learned that was a very smart move on her part, but for the moment, we were so excited to have a new fish!) We got that fish home, aptly named “Goldie” by Theo, and for the first couple of nights, put him in a big wide water pitcher. He seemed happy enough and the kids fed him a little pinch of the goldfish food he had come with each morning. Friends assured me that having a filtered tank was a must given the level of muck and yuck and goldfish produce, and they were right! So the kids and I took off to Petco one day and got a little tiny tank. We also bought more goldfish food; and a little net for catching the fish; and gravel for the bottom; and a rock decoration thingy with fake plants attached. And by the time we had gotten out of there, we had spent way more money than seems reasonable on a two-inch fish. But, sigh. Such is life.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nNo sooner did we get Goldie into his (her? Coco was convinced Goldie was a girl) tank than Goldie died. Okay, it took about a day, during which Goldie was acting very strange and basically just sitting on the bottom of the tank. The day she died, we found her sucked up against the filter, not moving. I had noticed that her skin looked fuzzy the day before. It seemed odd for her skin to be fuzzy and I knew she was going south, but I hoped for the best anyway. It did not end well. Rather than replace her before the kids could notice, J and I opted to embrace the teachable moment. Coco was excited about burying or flushing her and was not one bit phased. The lesson for her was to be compassionate and sympathetic toward Theo, who was crestfallen. Theo wept and cried and even worried that perhaps Goldie had died because he had given her\/him too much food. What?! Never mind, I just let that go in the moment and hugged him. He would burst into tears at random moments and literally sob for a few seconds. It was at once touching, endearing, and so so sad to see him so upset.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nFollowing Goldie’s watery burial down the toilet, I replaced all the water in the tank and left it to filter for a few days before Coco and I went to get more fish last weekend. Can I just take a moment to say that the people who work in Petco are ridiculously knowledgeable and passionate about fish? We decided against a betta (they just sit there) and also against another goldfish (they get humongous and produce way too much yuck) and we got a couple of guppies instead! Guppies are darling little fish who swim about actively and are brightly colored and don’t get any larger than an inch or two. Theo named his guppy Seashell and Coco named hers Violet. Guppies don’t produce a ton of gunk, which makes them easy to care for, and best of all, they eat goldfish food. At that point, we had a big container of goldfish food of which we had only used a pinch or two. Perfect!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nExcept that Seashell and Violet died too! They went to same way Goldie did. It took about two days, starting first with fuzzy skin, then acting weird and hanging out at the bottom of the tank. Then we found them both sucked up against the filter intake this morning. Theo and Coco were a little bummed out, but then went about their usual games. “I guess we can just get a dog now!” chirped Theo as he ran off to the basement to play camping. But I was ticked off. What a ripoff! I rifled through the car console and house looking for the receipt for the tank and all the accoutrements, but I never found it. I put the tank with the dead fish down in the utility sink and decided that this time we’ll bury them after school in the backyard.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI honestly don’t know what to do. Should I buy more guppies and ask the Petco people what’s wrong with the tank set up? Or just go back in there, receipt be damned, and get my money back and forget the idea of having a pet for now? Or should we just fill the tank with water, but not have any fish? During the days between Goldie and the guppies, I noticed that it’s actually pretty cute and decorative all on its own.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI consoled Theo when he was distraught over Goldie by telling him all about my own Goldie. When I was in kindergarten, I also won a goldfish (or maybe was given one) at the Wilson carnival! My Goldie also only lived for two or three days. I remember feeding Goldie and then using a spoon to stir her round and round and round in her fish bowl! Watching her spin around in the whirlpool I created never got old. I can only imagine how miserable life was for my Goldie. Honestly, it was probably a relief for her when she passed on.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThere was just one last thing I was curious about - how had Theo managed “to pet” his own Goldie? I overheard him telling Coco about Goldie’s slippery skin and how he missed petting her. Oh dear! But, in the end, considering Seashell and Violet went the same way, I think we can rest assured it was not Theo’s fault.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHave you had fish die on you? Any secrets or insights to share? Please let me know in the comments below."},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/5520440896653182414\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/05\/our-pet-fish.html#comment-form","title":"12 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/5520440896653182414"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/5520440896653182414"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/05\/our-pet-fish.html","title":"Our Pet Fish"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjRnrGe8M-vLzehWJ_MY0b6NK5_HxZ28E8B88tBVU2A7TnjjI7Wd1Wl2OTtZS_YHLJmtV0NyRAdxmt9QrA8NVQvN-MtXBcjQohHa5-DgWjaj15lE7USPU78PqWTDx-7JsCqfVg4wvh_Ug\/s72-c\/DC300C25-F7F4-4290-93B3-FDD4EB078996.jpeg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"12"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-5014272268644103318"},"published":{"$t":"2019-05-03T07:30:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2022-03-14T08:21:58.729-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"weekend"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Have an incredible weekend!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg_NBHEJk6Jb1qPidg7oVFQfa1rWqz0_qBSCJ5A-MPi9K5qecEOr1C2qFgRyf9AF3kZ9ol5Ii_QMDXVALppiJ_-y0JtpfxGFx71U1CKmxwR5IqD4_F3bOyp7UI-BGgEFWrpLdcVM1yqKQ\/s1600\/BD7E09D6-7BDB-475C-9B23-E6A5A4EDE866.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"981\" data-original-width=\"736\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg_NBHEJk6Jb1qPidg7oVFQfa1rWqz0_qBSCJ5A-MPi9K5qecEOr1C2qFgRyf9AF3kZ9ol5Ii_QMDXVALppiJ_-y0JtpfxGFx71U1CKmxwR5IqD4_F3bOyp7UI-BGgEFWrpLdcVM1yqKQ\/s640\/BD7E09D6-7BDB-475C-9B23-E6A5A4EDE866.jpeg\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI’m baaaack (again!) and thank you for coming back, too. Life this school year has been completely insane. But, reprieve is near. With our local school district making huge, devastating cuts, J and I were both impacted. It’s going to mean a lot less money for us next year, but it also is going to mean a hell of a lot more time and you know what? I honestly, truly, 100% am so grateful for these upcoming changes. I’ve always been a person who says she values time over money, and it turns out I wasn’t blowing smoke! So, here’s to more time, more blogging, more podcasting. Yes! I’m so ready. (I wrote more about it \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Bw0NCE9A9lh\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E if you want to see.)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nAnd here are some links for you and your weekend:\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI bought these \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/2QMG\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBirkenstocks\u003C\/a\u003E (above) on Amazon and then freaked out when a friend shared \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.ilovebirkenstocks.com\/blog\/category\/spotting-fake-birkenstocks\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis blog \u003C\/a\u003Ewith me for spotting fakes! Nordstrom or Birkenstock direct from now on. Thankfully, mine are real!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nHave you seen this \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thekitchn.com\/this-coffee-chart-is-dividing-the-internet-268622\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecoffee chart\u003C\/a\u003E? I’m a 4C. When Starbucks drive-thru gives me 4B, I get so mad. I really do. But I’m super nice if I ask them to remake it. I swear.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.today.com\/style\/steve-madden-bringing-back-its-iconic-sandals-yes-those-sandals-t152336\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHorrifying\u003C\/a\u003E! I’ve spent the last 20 years trying to block these from my memory. ;)\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThis \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/UPS4nxI0b9g\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Evideo\u003C\/a\u003E cracked me up!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nHow \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.epicurious.com%2Frecipes%2Ffood%2Fviews%2Frack-roasted-chicken-56389991\u0026amp;h=AT0ViiUo3X7Ac-4Pg3xYL3n6vX_IRmc9QbpHs62Jcs4Es2DMdUcF-VRoHTr6cdaFsqTdAnM9gi9GDUOGFL8HtqzJBRUiH3lZCw_bdKmL65e4zeEOprHiFh-RDGRNCs-UFcGP6QM\u0026amp;s=1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edelicious\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.theonion.com\/despondent-jeff-bezos-realizes-he-ll-have-to-work-for-9-1833844631\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELOL\u003C\/a\u003E. Also, not funny at all.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nCan you drive a \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2019%2F03%2F23%2Fopinion%2Fsunday%2Fstick-shift-cars.html\u0026amp;h=AT0U1Lg-B6eNgJBH8EAjUEYLo9BrFZeVTKJKZuABOrReDdEeDu-P8Rjkxc0HCVp6DREuVPdxbgccbbLeAoeLygO9fASA6INfeYuTsGf3BVpxiyH9UjMGC4F2An4lrOogRck\u0026amp;s=1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Estick shift\u003C\/a\u003E? (I learned on one!)\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/VisitZurich\/videos\/2238106706248083\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESo beautiful\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nMy new favorite \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/2QUF\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eface cleanser\u003C\/a\u003E. It smells amazing.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newyorker.com%2Fmagazine%2F2019%2F04%2F08%2Fthe-day-the-dinosaurs-died\u0026amp;h=AT2-mvDpOVsAy2xFUJ1GlspzsXFjoOvfkSo5w4WmVyNlnjrosrL-OaXc0rkEZWknrOwOhpVkI--Y5fqcUDV3yCVRKQYPUgbvM3El6Ay946NiIZ_pjUkB3tXEknDYW3ibrxGfZ0Y\u0026amp;s=1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFascinating\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI hope your weekend is amazing and filled with delights. See you back here next week!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E(Photo via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/pin.it\/qnb4entbwbsgsc\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPinterest\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/5014272268644103318\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/05\/have-incredible-weekend.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/5014272268644103318"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/5014272268644103318"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/05\/have-incredible-weekend.html","title":"Have an incredible weekend!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg_NBHEJk6Jb1qPidg7oVFQfa1rWqz0_qBSCJ5A-MPi9K5qecEOr1C2qFgRyf9AF3kZ9ol5Ii_QMDXVALppiJ_-y0JtpfxGFx71U1CKmxwR5IqD4_F3bOyp7UI-BGgEFWrpLdcVM1yqKQ\/s72-c\/BD7E09D6-7BDB-475C-9B23-E6A5A4EDE866.jpeg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-7830831835987828536"},"published":{"$t":"2019-05-02T10:24:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-07-08T15:19:42.934-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"design"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Mixing Patterns"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiOk0ZrZ7YSiCKcsseIZcD-LBg_vBgspgf8h6KR_y6NzqGWshwEMTsbQx-M_16mIbczwk0vO7a1HS8qL1um6KrWF1aEWenCx3ZQ6dw2i75TahCxBr2BhxCIRisPq5v_R2HhNH0zc_vLzA\/s1600\/1135E450-E2E2-4727-9FD2-A32C85440ED6.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiOk0ZrZ7YSiCKcsseIZcD-LBg_vBgspgf8h6KR_y6NzqGWshwEMTsbQx-M_16mIbczwk0vO7a1HS8qL1um6KrWF1aEWenCx3ZQ6dw2i75TahCxBr2BhxCIRisPq5v_R2HhNH0zc_vLzA\/s640\/1135E450-E2E2-4727-9FD2-A32C85440ED6.jpeg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nA huge trend I’m noticing this spring is mixing patterns. Have you seen it around, or in catalogues and stores? I first saw it in Boden, then I noticed on the mannequins in Nordstrom that \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/2QEH\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EModCloth\u003C\/a\u003E was doing \u003Ci\u003Ea ton\u003C\/i\u003E of pattern mixing, and then \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/2QFF\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EJ.Crew\u003C\/a\u003E, too!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI’m not sure how I feel about pattern mixing. I am \u003Ci\u003Ein love\u003C\/i\u003E with this \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/2QFr\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Epolka dot top\u003C\/a\u003E from J.Crew (especially in white!), but I am so not crazy about pairing it with the dotted skirt in a different shade of blue. I mean, if pattern mixing means that we can feel less pressure to have our outfits match, I’m all for it. But, I’m not sure I would actually do it. It’s like modern art. What makes a good (mis?)match when mixing patterns? When is it actually just ugly?! LOL.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nPlease enlighten me, here. Are you mixing patterns? Have you always done so? Are you excited to now be able to get dressed in the dark and not worry about the results? Or is this a trend that you’re going to stay away from? All I know is that I’m ordering that top from J.Crew right now. Chime in with your thoughts in the comments below!\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/7830831835987828536\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/05\/mixing-patterns.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/7830831835987828536"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/7830831835987828536"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/05\/mixing-patterns.html","title":"Mixing Patterns"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiOk0ZrZ7YSiCKcsseIZcD-LBg_vBgspgf8h6KR_y6NzqGWshwEMTsbQx-M_16mIbczwk0vO7a1HS8qL1um6KrWF1aEWenCx3ZQ6dw2i75TahCxBr2BhxCIRisPq5v_R2HhNH0zc_vLzA\/s72-c\/1135E450-E2E2-4727-9FD2-A32C85440ED6.jpeg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-8300397658795154943"},"published":{"$t":"2019-03-18T16:01:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-03-18T16:01:40.491-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#danbrownforever"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dan brown"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"marriage"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"motherhood"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Give me my Dan Brown book, please."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEimNtGSyqNOfT8UyytQsEXtfpdG2dgObpQfn57OZpRwjPL5B2Yl9xewCD2MbBYgGLg6DxPuD_VDaYDMNA_GO_FTErjcI9hw6t7LKSoEUiq9QB1K5yZsLbCUJBneohVQhgKUL6GuhtxF0g\/s1600\/The-Confidante-Miami-Beach-P144-Beach.16x9.adapt.1280.720.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"720\" data-original-width=\"1280\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEimNtGSyqNOfT8UyytQsEXtfpdG2dgObpQfn57OZpRwjPL5B2Yl9xewCD2MbBYgGLg6DxPuD_VDaYDMNA_GO_FTErjcI9hw6t7LKSoEUiq9QB1K5yZsLbCUJBneohVQhgKUL6GuhtxF0g\/s640\/The-Confidante-Miami-Beach-P144-Beach.16x9.adapt.1280.720.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nEvery time I go on a trip, if at all possible, I buy a Dan Brown book. Go ahead. Laugh out loud. Gasp! Judge me in your head. I do not care. You can give me a little credit here because I did call it a book, not a novel. But before you write me off and get all judgey, let me tell you that I will be the happiest person on that beach.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nDo you know how I describe Dan Brown books? I say they're like chips for your brain. You know the feeling when you open a bag of chips and you start chomping on them and they're just so yummy and crunchy, and if you've chosen well then they have that crack salt all over them and you're just like, more, more, more?! Well, that my friends is your brain on a Dan Brown book. It's unadulterated, page-flipping goodness and if you've read any Dan Brown at all (no, watching the movies does not count) then you know you secretly love it, just like you love Justin Bieber but pretend that you don't.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWell, pretend no more! I have no shame. I ordered Dan Brown's latest, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2W2LAR4\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOrigin\u003C\/a\u003E, which I have been saving for a special occasion involving air travel such as this one, and I cannot wait to read it. It arrived yesterday afternoon, and I have to say that it was a total game changer for me. I was beginning to completely freak out over leaving the kids behind. I've been losing sleep and imagining the worst. But when I held that Dan Brown paperback in my hands, our trip flashed before my eyes and I remembered how totally awesome and good for us this is going to be. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nOn the way there, sans children, our first flight is a 45-minute Horizon Air flight, which offers free Northwest beer or wine to all passengers. That will be the ideal way to give a toast and kick off the celebration of not only my little brother's epic wedding, but also our first vacation since having kids! Then, after a layover in Seattle, we'll be on a red-eye to Miami and I will be taking an Ambien and checking out, because again, no children. Already this trip sounds like a trip to the spa.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nOnce we arrive, it will be an ungodly hour on the west coast, but with no children in tow, it will be easy to get ourselves to our hotel, check our luggage if the early check-in my brother's wedding planner requested isn't available, and then go grab some breakfast. No car seats, no crying. After breakfast, I figure we'll head down to the beach if our room still isn't available.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIt shall be there, on my beach chair, that I open and begin my Dan Brown \u003Cstrike\u003Enovel\u003C\/strike\u003E book. I'm so excited to get reacquainted with Robert Langdon and his attractive, smart young female protege, and learn some obscure historical art facts and read at a furious pace and flip the pages as fast as I can. There will be no children to interrupt me, or to want things like lunch or dinner. None of that! I'm going to be reading Dan Brown on the beach, in the warm sun, uninterrupted. Total ecstasy. Later on, I will read Dan Brown on our private ocean-view balcony. Either will do! Did I mention how badly we've needed a break? I'm so ready.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIn conclusion, Dan Brown forever. Be looking for that hashtag in my Instagram posts and stories! ;) And does anyone know when Dan intends to publish his next book? I've not come up with anything in my Google searches. But he does have a Masterclass. Eeek! Should I take it?! Probably not.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nTell me your favorite Dan Brown book in the comments below. Do not even think about criticizing him. Brain chips, remember?! Books, not novels. Writing, not literature. Just to get things started, I will say that I think \u003Ci\u003EDa Vinci Code \u003C\/i\u003Eand \u003Ci\u003EInferno\u003C\/i\u003E are my favorites. But it's so hard to pick just one! \u003Ci\u003EAngels and Demons\u003C\/i\u003E was so good, too. And \u003Ci\u003EThe Lost Symbol\u003C\/i\u003E. But, Paris! I'm sticking with \u003Ci\u003EDa Vinci Code\u003C\/i\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAre you an out-in-the-open Dan Brown lover; or a closeted fan? You can always comment as \"anonymous\" if the latter.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E(Photo via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.hyatt.com\/en-US\/hotel\/florida\/the-confidante-miami-beach\/miaob\/photos-reviews\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHyatt Hotels\u003C\/a\u003E) \u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/8300397658795154943\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/03\/give-me-my-dan-brown-book-please.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/8300397658795154943"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/8300397658795154943"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/03\/give-me-my-dan-brown-book-please.html","title":"Give me my Dan Brown book, please."}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEimNtGSyqNOfT8UyytQsEXtfpdG2dgObpQfn57OZpRwjPL5B2Yl9xewCD2MbBYgGLg6DxPuD_VDaYDMNA_GO_FTErjcI9hw6t7LKSoEUiq9QB1K5yZsLbCUJBneohVQhgKUL6GuhtxF0g\/s72-c\/The-Confidante-Miami-Beach-P144-Beach.16x9.adapt.1280.720.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-4300212593015772376"},"published":{"$t":"2019-03-09T11:23:00.005-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-03-09T11:23:57.811-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"culture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"weekend"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Have a gorgeous weekend"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhxw6MEuc4eSQUbK73Xtd-y0gQgbGbI6DA_H6hwXLXBjGEa-PC-vllvzxwgX1vsbN0azm0njFEKBuVmt4QmW7V-TzUPESczRzr3LGQLFLnJi-wC4HFF9OWbCRMiK4MHGwNAEQKUcCod4w\/s1600\/strawberries.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"778\" data-original-width=\"564\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhxw6MEuc4eSQUbK73Xtd-y0gQgbGbI6DA_H6hwXLXBjGEa-PC-vllvzxwgX1vsbN0azm0njFEKBuVmt4QmW7V-TzUPESczRzr3LGQLFLnJi-wC4HFF9OWbCRMiK4MHGwNAEQKUcCod4w\/s1600\/strawberries.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nFebruary and March are the weirdest time of year. So I'm keeping myself going by dreaming of summer days with strawberries and rose water vanilla whipped cream. Life has been so busy and demanding lately that I haven't even really been able to get excited about Miami. But, in ten days, J and I will be in the sun and I've never needed it more!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI hope you're up to something good this weekend, and here are some links for you:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mydomaine.com\/alternative-european-destinations\/slide17\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E9 of the Best Alternative European Cities\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nA \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.expatrepat.ch\/2019\/03\/episode-7-caroline-allen.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emust-listen\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nDo you believe in \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/02\/26\/magazine\/psychics-skeptics-facebook.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Epsychics\u003C\/a\u003E?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThese \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/smittenkitchen.com\/2016\/10\/winter-squash-pancakes-with-crispy-sage-and-brown-butter\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edinner pancakes\u003C\/a\u003E look amazing.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2SU4CY6\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Power of No\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHow gorgeous is this \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ateliermeipel\/p\/BunDFIugdtt\/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet\u0026amp;igshid=11t2pirn5vpd7\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESwedish summerhouse\u003C\/a\u003E?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHave \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ted.com\/talks\/celeste_headlee_10_ways_to_have_a_better_conversation?language=en\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebetter conversations\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI need to try this \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2TtHrZw\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esnail ampoule\u003C\/a\u003E ASAP!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhen you \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/getpocket.com\/explore\/item\/the-six-main-arcs-in-storytelling-as-identified-by-an-a-i\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emix AI and storytelling\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/seth.williams.9022\/posts\/10156689515022655\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELOL\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI hope your weekend is a good one! See you back here soon, my lovelies.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E(Strawberry illustration via \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.tracey-english.co.uk\/photos-7\/index.html#!prettyPhoto[gallery]\/1\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETracey English\u003C\/a\u003E\/Pinterest)\u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/4300212593015772376\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/03\/have-gorgeous-weekend.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/4300212593015772376"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/4300212593015772376"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/03\/have-gorgeous-weekend.html","title":"Have a gorgeous weekend"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhxw6MEuc4eSQUbK73Xtd-y0gQgbGbI6DA_H6hwXLXBjGEa-PC-vllvzxwgX1vsbN0azm0njFEKBuVmt4QmW7V-TzUPESczRzr3LGQLFLnJi-wC4HFF9OWbCRMiK4MHGwNAEQKUcCod4w\/s72-c\/strawberries.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-7916636482207159379"},"published":{"$t":"2019-03-06T03:00:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-03-06T03:00:01.135-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"culture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"motherhood"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Landline"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEge7DsEgNX_7-EJfkZ2vLB3y_UjI3sLDPq-IQdS8HnyuIzI1XwhGJoj-3gLc5WFXDTobq5kUQlQlQLh-QtHf9rQhFkA_MqUAfkTMiHuihPqX8L6Jo2A6NiJpeG6RlkRcaBB9eUx42-jbg\/s1600\/jackie+on+the+phone.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"488\" data-original-width=\"366\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEge7DsEgNX_7-EJfkZ2vLB3y_UjI3sLDPq-IQdS8HnyuIzI1XwhGJoj-3gLc5WFXDTobq5kUQlQlQLh-QtHf9rQhFkA_MqUAfkTMiHuihPqX8L6Jo2A6NiJpeG6RlkRcaBB9eUx42-jbg\/s1600\/jackie+on+the+phone.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nRecently I started having the nagging thought that we needed to get a landline. So this afternoon, I'm setting up our three-handset cordless phone (with answering machine!) and plugging in my old Sony phone from high school and I am quite relieved to have a home phone. I decided that we needed a landline for several reasons, including being reachable at night, Coco and Theo being able to call 911 should the need arise, and Coco is getting old enough to want to talk on the phone and call her friends.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgXup-f2y41eZ4uOHo3SRDw9EGec48147pijkEe2Mdtzm_tZviJyU3t2zA2VW6MBVSFZIMnWE2YGNmHLYa5DCExD9DNOzOAX5bwTniKKOkZMI4cDTbODQ2z6Lx5i9i_QIwrRR0WvFgBeA\/s1600\/phone+booth+photo.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"750\" data-original-width=\"488\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgXup-f2y41eZ4uOHo3SRDw9EGec48147pijkEe2Mdtzm_tZviJyU3t2zA2VW6MBVSFZIMnWE2YGNmHLYa5DCExD9DNOzOAX5bwTniKKOkZMI4cDTbODQ2z6Lx5i9i_QIwrRR0WvFgBeA\/s1600\/phone+booth+photo.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nIt bothered me that with our phones in airplane mode in the middle of the night, if someone needed to get ahold of us, they wouldn't be able to without coming over and pounding on our door. Now that we have mobile phones and apps that are lighting up our screens and setting off bells 24\/7, our modern devices have set up the opposite problem to what we had 20 years ago. It used to be that none of us were reachable unless we were home. Now we're not reachable at home overnight because if we want any sleep, we have to turn our phones off!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjFqLjrVYEm8xsR-b3u46HFUD0r1jo2sisojRJ-1ZzdCKOQ7dQTUmwX5hkTBzPsOW2InQ5Tuh9TWd_y_E9jpgMTncg3oJkAqlYrQ_XRsWiUubXgJ7vbfqs8DQOrwjuia93POKXmaDzrag\/s1600\/audrey+on+the+phone.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"569\" data-original-width=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjFqLjrVYEm8xsR-b3u46HFUD0r1jo2sisojRJ-1ZzdCKOQ7dQTUmwX5hkTBzPsOW2InQ5Tuh9TWd_y_E9jpgMTncg3oJkAqlYrQ_XRsWiUubXgJ7vbfqs8DQOrwjuia93POKXmaDzrag\/s1600\/audrey+on+the+phone.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nA few weeks ago, I tried to show Coco and Theo how to get to the emergency call screen on a locked iPhone. It was so convoluted and confusing for them, I knew it would never work if we were in an emergency situation and they had to call 911 without help. So, really that sealed the deal for me on getting a landline. It's something I hope will never be necessary, but an ounce of preparation, right?\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgqppW_JaQBVMxtExyyYOgEew79XwKdIsUCgwdRPj9pdPYrxpofo-nbmMSNL0AxfGesU_S1kZFuBhpk-9ObhbGE_yse-XnM-LE4SIXhwVVNTeQ9xzRH84NOosBEsixIjdem0ydmvD3Tgg\/s1600\/chatting+on+the+phone.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"439\" data-original-width=\"355\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgqppW_JaQBVMxtExyyYOgEew79XwKdIsUCgwdRPj9pdPYrxpofo-nbmMSNL0AxfGesU_S1kZFuBhpk-9ObhbGE_yse-XnM-LE4SIXhwVVNTeQ9xzRH84NOosBEsixIjdem0ydmvD3Tgg\/s1600\/chatting+on+the+phone.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nCoco is a total social butterfly and has many friends in the neighborhood. She loves running to our next door neighbor's house and to the little girl across the alley's house and asking them to come play. But she's also becoming more interested in the phone and I think learning phone skills is a really good thing, especially \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thecut.com\/2017\/02\/psychologists-explain-your-phone-anxiety.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis day in age\u003C\/a\u003E. But I do not want her using our mobile phones. So enter the landline! And I think she'll find it fun to answer, too.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nDo you have a landline at your house? Do your kids know how to call 911 and answer the phone? These are basics we take for granted having grown up with landlines, but our kids aren't necessarily phone-as-a-talking-instrument literate the way we are. What do you think?\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n(Photos via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/56506170310218496\/?lp=true\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E1\u003C\/a\u003E \/ \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/therowrow.tumblr.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E2\u003C\/a\u003E \/ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.whowhatwear.com\/audrey-hepburn-style-get-her-look-2014\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E3\u003C\/a\u003E \/ \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.yummymummyclub.ca\/blogs\/evelyn-hannon-aging-disgracefully\/20140502\/six-items-over-60-every-woman-will-recognize\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E4\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/7916636482207159379\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/03\/landline.html#comment-form","title":"10 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/7916636482207159379"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/7916636482207159379"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/03\/landline.html","title":"Landline"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEge7DsEgNX_7-EJfkZ2vLB3y_UjI3sLDPq-IQdS8HnyuIzI1XwhGJoj-3gLc5WFXDTobq5kUQlQlQLh-QtHf9rQhFkA_MqUAfkTMiHuihPqX8L6Jo2A6NiJpeG6RlkRcaBB9eUx42-jbg\/s72-c\/jackie+on+the+phone.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"10"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-6370325524769981167"},"published":{"$t":"2019-03-04T03:00:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2022-03-14T08:22:18.612-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"tv - movies - shows"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Derry Girls"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjcEhW4UcACTTjlc8YvFWHMXyhuyt9ClhLZBhyphenhyphenI1_zZ6u9Iga5y5p2ZGYqIt_sXK3bYjEFZxHrw8UfC1DvKHqH6lqIhd-NDBJfHptWqeHW9eXZyK32sN6qqjbFRIhKdq9-R-1Onmcvu6Q\/s1600\/derry+girls.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"413\" data-original-width=\"620\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjcEhW4UcACTTjlc8YvFWHMXyhuyt9ClhLZBhyphenhyphenI1_zZ6u9Iga5y5p2ZGYqIt_sXK3bYjEFZxHrw8UfC1DvKHqH6lqIhd-NDBJfHptWqeHW9eXZyK32sN6qqjbFRIhKdq9-R-1Onmcvu6Q\/s1600\/derry+girls.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAre you guys watching Derry Girls?! It is one of the most hilarious, compelling, and original series I have ever seen. I love it for so many reasons. Obviously, given \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/01\/thinking-back-on-cranberries.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emy time\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2016\/08\/the-candy-man-can.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Espent there\u003C\/a\u003E as a child and as a student, I love that it's set in Ireland. That scenery! I also adore it for the Irish humor, which is irreverent and dry and surprising every time. And the music is top notch with truly excellent editing that adds a lot of depth and texture.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThe show follows 16-year-old Erin Quinn and her group of friends in Catholic high school in Northern Ireland during the 90s (read: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Troubles\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Troubles\u003C\/a\u003E.) But the fact that there are bomb threats and armed bus checks on the way to school doesn't take away from the hilarity of the show one bit - at least, \u003Ci\u003Enot so far.\u003C\/i\u003E J and I literally find ourselves doubling over laughing and I actually laughed so hard I cried in one episode. Derry Girls is outrageous in the best possible way. I love the Catholic school and angle, the show's writers have finessed the art of poking fun at the many quirks and idiosyncrasies of Catholicism and Catholic school in the most accurate and laugh out loud way! It's a delight to watch. We're about half way through the first season on Netflix and I cannot recommend it enough. The second season is airing now in Ireland and the UK, so hopefully it will come to the US soon after.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhat shows are you watching right now? We don't (and can't with how busy we are) watch TV every night these days, but I do love an evening of wearing comfy clothes and zoning out on the couch. Isn't being an adult and parent so sexy?! ;) Let me know if you're watching Derry Girls and why you love it (or don't) and hit me up with your show recommendations in the comments below.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E(Photo via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/news\/tv\/2019-03-02\/derry-girls-series-two-air-date-trailer-cast\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERadioTimes\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/6370325524769981167\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/03\/derry-girls.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6370325524769981167"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6370325524769981167"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/03\/derry-girls.html","title":"Derry Girls"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjcEhW4UcACTTjlc8YvFWHMXyhuyt9ClhLZBhyphenhyphenI1_zZ6u9Iga5y5p2ZGYqIt_sXK3bYjEFZxHrw8UfC1DvKHqH6lqIhd-NDBJfHptWqeHW9eXZyK32sN6qqjbFRIhKdq9-R-1Onmcvu6Q\/s72-c\/derry+girls.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-4432605312454099689"},"published":{"$t":"2019-03-01T20:28:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-03-01T20:35:08.688-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"culture"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Have a lovely weekend"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiNxNwWBgFWsWIZba5dbfDE0CzRDVaGm2IRy1ysYcGM6DkzX352C4lGhX_6XEQr_aTcN_Mx0PDnroIluujU9_vw__UCVtpvVTlTG7MJV3WIag0vBvM6zZg_BnLcoYLAHKz6qs3q-UEKDw\/s1600\/spring.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1280\" data-original-width=\"960\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiNxNwWBgFWsWIZba5dbfDE0CzRDVaGm2IRy1ysYcGM6DkzX352C4lGhX_6XEQr_aTcN_Mx0PDnroIluujU9_vw__UCVtpvVTlTG7MJV3WIag0vBvM6zZg_BnLcoYLAHKz6qs3q-UEKDw\/s640\/spring.jpg\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI am so ready for spring! Even though the snow is ridiculously beautiful and we're in a veritable snow-globe-winter-wonderland, I am so over it. Spokane got over 30 inches (76 centimeters!) of snow in February. I just want to wear a pair of ballet flats and jeans. You cannot walk through 2 1\/2 feet of snow in ballet flats, and even if you could, you'd slip on the ice everywhere. Not to mention the 7 Fahrenheit (-14 Celsius) temps when we walk out to the car in the morning. The cold would freeze your feet into little ice stumps. So, needless to say, this photo is like a dream to me! Speaking of, J had a dream the other night that he woke up and went outside and there was green grass all around. It was so real, he woke up and ran to the window and then he was totally disappointed. But. It was light outside until nearly 6pm today, so it's coming! Spring is coming. Thank goodness.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAnd here are a few links for your weekend:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSnowiest February \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.krem.com\/article\/weather\/spokane-sees-snowiest-february-in-more-than-100-years\/293-3ee0cfd8-eaa5-4c17-9c5c-8a367a83765a\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esince 1894\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nMan gets arrested for epic IKEA store\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/9gag.com\/gag\/aNYLrXr?ref=fb.s\u0026amp;fbclid=IwAR2iXiOutjAUlHN8GLsxTBXIJki_Muyiv6XIrekpggkIMtGFgJiKWGWfHT4\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eprank\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2BIOQcQ\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBest pillow\u003C\/a\u003E for back sleepers ever!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nCool \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Bue59vFl5iD\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EInstagram vacation idea\u003C\/a\u003E. (It's not what you think;)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/local.theonion.com\/baby-has-sinking-feeling-he-left-home-without-oversize-1819577733?utm_medium=SocialMarketing\u0026amp;utm_campaign=SF\u0026amp;utm_content=Main\u0026amp;utm_source=Facebook\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELOL\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.travelhippies.in\/cycling-from-amsterdam-to-tulip-fields-keukenhof\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESpring travel goals\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/ideas\/archive\/2019\/02\/religion-workism-making-americans-miserable\/583441\/?fbclid=IwAR03o84kg14L0BKF_GvQWtsUyKeF5n92Nt9HHKcduHp-pc9ojVtm39A850Q\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWorkism is making Americans miserable\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nDo your kids love with The Runaway Bunny? If so \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mcsweeneys.net\/articles\/the-helicopter-bunny?fbclid=IwAR2tfIcqMTISmsm6HpAHVZn43zS2AUQu06wJH3LAw05Mapn9nTmowj0Gu8Q\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis McSweeney's re-write \u003C\/a\u003Ewill have you in stitches.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nDitch your phone and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/02\/23\/business\/cell-phone-addiction.html?fbclid=IwAR2uvDxLcw9v54I--09zEVwjdOmAq_PqOfM_rDhE_Czbwmy58A0M7St9ngk\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eun-break your brain\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2T7YGj4\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EEight Dates\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(Can't wait to read this!)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI've been so jealous that spring has sprung in Zurich, but then my friend Nina reminded me that along with Zurich spring, she has Zurich allergies and I do not miss those. So there is a silver lining to everything! Even eternal winter. Hrmm. Have a great weekend and see you back here soon!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E(Photo via Sugar\/\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ss-ugar.tumblr.com\/post\/82376039987\/vousetesmoncoeurr-apricot-perfection-tulips-at\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETumblr\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/4432605312454099689\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/03\/have-lovely-weekend.html#comment-form","title":"21 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/4432605312454099689"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/4432605312454099689"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/03\/have-lovely-weekend.html","title":"Have a lovely weekend"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiNxNwWBgFWsWIZba5dbfDE0CzRDVaGm2IRy1ysYcGM6DkzX352C4lGhX_6XEQr_aTcN_Mx0PDnroIluujU9_vw__UCVtpvVTlTG7MJV3WIag0vBvM6zZg_BnLcoYLAHKz6qs3q-UEKDw\/s72-c\/spring.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"21"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-6615021129588275394"},"published":{"$t":"2019-02-25T03:00:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-02-25T07:59:29.469-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beauty"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beauty - makeup - style"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Short Hair, Don't Care"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjmAH7__lU_KyeT4zDaj8iixY_wyl9jIyVIezK2-ZEVgLX-AUwsUIntGPsThmO-sFuxjKoBGtZ_rtatfiUvs0a2sWIf0BliZ9UOm_l4s6p1VGpGLRnZT7Q_yaJX66tnREdts3waOjqJBw\/s1600\/short+hair+don%2527t+care.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"799\" data-original-width=\"540\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjmAH7__lU_KyeT4zDaj8iixY_wyl9jIyVIezK2-ZEVgLX-AUwsUIntGPsThmO-sFuxjKoBGtZ_rtatfiUvs0a2sWIf0BliZ9UOm_l4s6p1VGpGLRnZT7Q_yaJX66tnREdts3waOjqJBw\/s400\/short+hair+don%2527t+care.png\" width=\"270\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI am dying to cut my hair. Ever since I weaned Theo nearly a year ago, my hair has become less wonderful: It's thinner, and duller, and greyer. Sigh! So the urge to go shorter came on pretty hard, and last summer I cut it into a \"lob,\" or long bob. I instantly regretted it! This may be silly, but particularly at this weird post-baby point in my life, having longer hair makes me feel more feminine and pretty. It all goes back to when I completely whacked off all of my hair and got a super short pixie style cut, like Gweneth Paltrow in Sliding Doors, when I was a freshman in high school. While Gweneth is slender and chic and blonde, I was skinny and awkward and trying to get rid of the last of the rebellious black hair dye. I also had braces. It did not go over well. I got made fun of, and called a lesbian, which makes me laugh now, but deeply wounded my sense of femininity as a 15-year-old girl. That wound went pretty deep, because despite being able to laugh at it now, I'll never deliberately go that short again, although I have had a few overzealous hairdressers get pretty close! Drrh. Now, my hair has grown back since my lob last summer, but even with the length, it's still looking pretty mediocre. So I had to ask myself, how much is long, feminine hair really doing for me?!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI had short-ish hair off and on all throughout my life, but with the change in hair after having Theo combined with getting older and feeling less fit and toned, I just have felt weird about hair and feeling pretty. But since the new year, I have started to notice more and more short haircuts everywhere I look. Much to my delight, they are very pretty, and feminine and most certainly better than what I'm rocking at the moment. The last\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/ZZJc\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBoden catalogue\u003C\/a\u003E comes to mind. And then, my gorgeous, always-ahead-of-the-trends friend,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/makeupartistalicia\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAlicia\u003C\/a\u003E, chopped her hair off, too! I think it's settled. I'm going to go short. Now I just need flatiron recommendations to get those effortless messy waves. And don't you love the messy tie-back with the hair pins all in a row? I'm definitely swooning over here. Best of all, this look will be perfect with the over-the-top \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/ZZMh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Egorgeous dress\u003C\/a\u003E I got for my brother's wedding - the actual reason we're going to Miami! I feel so sophisticated and beautiful in that dress and I do not want mediocre hair to ruin it.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nAre you a short hair person, or a long hair person - or do you go back and forth between both? Hair is a pretty big thing in Western culture. I would love to hear your thoughts on hair, and how it affects how you feel about yourself, in the comments below. Thank you for being here, and thanks a million for chiming in! That is the fun part, after all.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nAnd, if you're looking for some cute short hair styles or up-do's, pop on over to my \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/swisslark\/beauty\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeauty Board\u003C\/a\u003E on Pinterest. :) \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003EPhoto via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/7670261852398643\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPinterest\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/6615021129588275394\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/02\/short-hair-dont-care.html#comment-form","title":"116 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6615021129588275394"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6615021129588275394"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/02\/short-hair-dont-care.html","title":"Short Hair, Don't Care"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjmAH7__lU_KyeT4zDaj8iixY_wyl9jIyVIezK2-ZEVgLX-AUwsUIntGPsThmO-sFuxjKoBGtZ_rtatfiUvs0a2sWIf0BliZ9UOm_l4s6p1VGpGLRnZT7Q_yaJX66tnREdts3waOjqJBw\/s72-c\/short+hair+don%2527t+care.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"116"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-5311766313062467585"},"published":{"$t":"2019-02-20T10:08:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-02-20T10:27:31.400-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"motherhood"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"mummy tummy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"postpartum"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"repat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"swimsuit"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Lately"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg1NG8DwX29JLcCOK661qlU_Lb0yjs0NRb6SRpz579a0ndCjQ4-nnrSa1AUlw_TeTJo7iXX8KNlIWM4uK6l4EDWIQWw6K3GnNWYRZWBeIsjg7zWv7OGzWdsniApYchcLErzrWVLF4t_hg\/s1600\/Seaglass_Sidestroke_Front_2_1090x.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1090\" data-original-width=\"1090\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg1NG8DwX29JLcCOK661qlU_Lb0yjs0NRb6SRpz579a0ndCjQ4-nnrSa1AUlw_TeTJo7iXX8KNlIWM4uK6l4EDWIQWw6K3GnNWYRZWBeIsjg7zWv7OGzWdsniApYchcLErzrWVLF4t_hg\/s640\/Seaglass_Sidestroke_Front_2_1090x.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nJ and I leave for Miami in one month! I just ordered \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/2IE24xt\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis swimsuit\u003C\/a\u003E, which is a total mom suit with \"compression\" but also looks super hot, so I'm excited to get it. It comes in dozens of color combos, and solids, but deep greens and navy are \u003Cu\u003Emy colors\u003C\/u\u003E. I feel like this suit was made for me - and my mummy tummy compression needs. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWe are deep in the joy of anticipating our vacation (remember \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2014\/05\/11\/travel\/what-a-great-trip-and-im-not-even-there-yet.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis article\u003C\/a\u003E?) and it's surreal to see the Miami forecast for swimsuit weather on my phone each morning and then look out the window and see a foot of snow all around! I cannot wait for a dose of sunshine. I'm also increasingly nervous because this will be the first time we've been away from Coco and Theo for more than an overnight. Speaking of travel, I actually wound up cancelling my trip to Zurich last month because starting in late October, Theo was just more attached to me than usual. It made my mom hairs stand on end and I could not see how 12 days apart would possibly work.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI did not feel good about putting him, or J, in that position. And, really, I didn't want to put \u003Ci\u003Emyself \u003C\/i\u003Ein that position because when you're that far away, you're completely powerless to help should the need arise, and I'm sure in my heart of hearts that it would have been hard for him. So I didn't go. That was at once a huge disappointment, and a total relief, too. I was so sad to cancel, but then once I had done it, I realized that I wasn't really ready to go to Zurich just then. My poor heart is still so tender when it comes to missing Zurich, and yet, I've begun to find a sense of normalcy and stability and comfort here for the very first time since we repatriated in 2014. I can imagine that going to Zurich a few weeks ago might have knocked me off balance and made it harder for me to be present and to enjoy my current life. And that would be a shame, because life is pretty dreamy lately, and something I would not want to miss out on because I'm distracted by comparing it to something else.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nMore soon.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nPhoto via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/2IE24xt\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESummersalt\u003C\/a\u003E."},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/5311766313062467585\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/02\/lately.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/5311766313062467585"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/5311766313062467585"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2019\/02\/lately.html","title":"Lately"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg1NG8DwX29JLcCOK661qlU_Lb0yjs0NRb6SRpz579a0ndCjQ4-nnrSa1AUlw_TeTJo7iXX8KNlIWM4uK6l4EDWIQWw6K3GnNWYRZWBeIsjg7zWv7OGzWdsniApYchcLErzrWVLF4t_hg\/s72-c\/Seaglass_Sidestroke_Front_2_1090x.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-3086978833017502018"},"published":{"$t":"2018-11-14T11:00:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-11-14T12:06:35.536-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"motherhood"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"On Mom Guilt and Judging Others"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhbJSP9uXQrA1qeoKS1G4fx-C7AQVXmiWrJf5j3oGUFJelYa_l8uzAy7owAI7r3Y1B0ZOX9SIz9ufoknhyfePJLKMqlPwvWrjue1at9todoTq5Xz48M-_PRZjrD4ATOGHcSAvF4H7oVxA\/s1600\/but+i+held+you+instead+swiss+lark.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"960\" data-original-width=\"960\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhbJSP9uXQrA1qeoKS1G4fx-C7AQVXmiWrJf5j3oGUFJelYa_l8uzAy7owAI7r3Y1B0ZOX9SIz9ufoknhyfePJLKMqlPwvWrjue1at9todoTq5Xz48M-_PRZjrD4ATOGHcSAvF4H7oVxA\/s640\/but+i+held+you+instead+swiss+lark.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHave you guys seen the video going around on Facebook right now about holding your baby instead? You know - \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mother.ly\/child\/i-was-going-to-fold-the-clothes-but-instead-i-held-you\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis one\u003C\/a\u003E. I swear, that thing makes me cry every. single. time. And I've seen it more than a couple times! And then what happens is I get flooded with this terrible sense of mom guilt and I worry that I didn't hold my babies enough, and I fear that it's all behind me and I should have enjoyed it more - and then I just have to tell myself to stop! Because I was totally a mom who let everything else go so that I could hold my babies. You should have seen the mess our house was when Theo was a baby and Coco was a toddler. It was horrifically messy, and I was holding Theo. :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhhb87BL54sMiyDX9KixzN637yek8rZoKXg4dcOtZTb8iHnWYcLk_t2y8kV0eBDkh3prqyAf-G5OgePQ0IsRWUR1iMm-tK_WacEAXnj0eYU3VL_FeTb7wURMmRkLZjqgx5tdLKoXNlIGQ\/s1600\/IMG_1789.PNG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1280\" data-original-width=\"719\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhhb87BL54sMiyDX9KixzN637yek8rZoKXg4dcOtZTb8iHnWYcLk_t2y8kV0eBDkh3prqyAf-G5OgePQ0IsRWUR1iMm-tK_WacEAXnj0eYU3VL_FeTb7wURMmRkLZjqgx5tdLKoXNlIGQ\/s640\/IMG_1789.PNG\" width=\"358\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI really never go on Facebook much any more. I do go on on occasion to check one of my groups (my cohort at grad school actually has a Facebook page, and it's undeniably a great communication tool for us) but I do my best not to get sucked into the newsfeed. One thing that usually does get me is the memories. They're always right there, at the top, and usually they make me lament that my babies are growing up so fast. But a few months ago, I saw a memory that made me really grateful Coco has grown up since then. It is none other than this one pictured above. Coco was almost two-years-old and had become impossible to contain on public transit. She was fearless and boundless and wanted to run up and down the aisle of the tram or bus and I could not let her do that for two reasons: 1). Swiss people would never stand for that and the shaming looks and finger wagging were category 5 level panic inducing. 2). obviously it would have been dangerous. So I resorted to doing something that I would have judged other parents for doing just two short years before. Funny how parenting works like that.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhat have you done since becoming a parent that you would have (or did!) judge parents for when you were still childless? If you don't have children, what do you see parents doing that makes you cringe? (It could be that there's a logical explanation;) Let's hear it in the comments below!"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/3086978833017502018\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/11\/facebook-memories.html#comment-form","title":"12 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/3086978833017502018"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/3086978833017502018"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/11\/facebook-memories.html","title":"On Mom Guilt and Judging Others"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhbJSP9uXQrA1qeoKS1G4fx-C7AQVXmiWrJf5j3oGUFJelYa_l8uzAy7owAI7r3Y1B0ZOX9SIz9ufoknhyfePJLKMqlPwvWrjue1at9todoTq5Xz48M-_PRZjrD4ATOGHcSAvF4H7oVxA\/s72-c\/but+i+held+you+instead+swiss+lark.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"12"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-6033977836108995696"},"published":{"$t":"2018-11-09T12:23:00.003-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-11-09T12:25:06.239-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"culture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"weekend"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Have a lovely holiday weekend"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgepJBlF3Kbl7odpEYMigkOcKOfkKEQ3N3ljvUn46gmeRwKjVLN7Cu7JNquBR8Ak66N8k6nxdpW0p5I2A-RJ6UZlwJ9J5dtN4xpouBLeKiABVIvLFcc7GB54BLTY1ncZM7qOttcd3Fm0A\/s1600\/IMG_2788.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"743\" data-original-width=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgepJBlF3Kbl7odpEYMigkOcKOfkKEQ3N3ljvUn46gmeRwKjVLN7Cu7JNquBR8Ak66N8k6nxdpW0p5I2A-RJ6UZlwJ9J5dtN4xpouBLeKiABVIvLFcc7GB54BLTY1ncZM7qOttcd3Fm0A\/s1600\/IMG_2788.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nRaise your hand if you have baby fever. I saw this pic on Instagram last week and I just about died. How sweet is that sleeping babe? Oh, it makes my heart swoon.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWe are looking forward to two long weekends in a row! This weekend in Veterans' Day here in the States, and next weekend is Thanksgiving. The weather has gotten very cold, very fast and I need to wash our down coats and get out all the hats and mittens, pronto! Soon we'll be skiing and it's crazy to think that 2018 is starting to wind down already. Where has the time gone?!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI have no idea, but I do have some links for you:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAre you not using a \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2DarL4c\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Epopsocket\u003C\/a\u003E?! Game changer.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI have had \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/6LBWuWkvGGs\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis song on repeat\u003C\/a\u003E and I don't ever want to stop!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nRead \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.oregonlive.com\/portland\/index.ssf\/2018\/10\/frank_walsh.html?utm_source=facebook\u0026amp;utm_campaign=theoregonian_sf\u0026amp;utm_medium=social\u0026amp;fbclid=IwAR0mM_5-LBnjfLby77Azpk7wjOx9plWxQJh_889RkQ7dsJJicdxJ_DVBssI\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis \u003C\/a\u003Eand feel good. :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nCheck out \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.silverkris.com\/8-bars-galvanising-the-zurich-bar-scene\/?fbclid=IwAR2ztLNx54OxzVcB_4v_8KEAiB6I7fz2zSMVDPxu_JjHLXWcRj-Wyvohg9I\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethese cool bars\u003C\/a\u003E if you're in Zurich.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/10\/23\/magazine\/letter-of-recommendation-nail-biting.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fmagazine\u0026amp;action=click\u0026amp;contentCollection=magazine%C2%AEion=stream\u0026amp;module=stream_unit\u0026amp;version=latest\u0026amp;contentPlacement=13\u0026amp;pgtype=sectionfront\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOn nail biting\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nOne perk to winter and being pale is that \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/UPzm\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EI can wear Gaiety\u003C\/a\u003E again! \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHaruki Murakami on \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/qz.com\/quartzy\/1439356\/novelist-haruki-murakami-has-good-advice-on-what-you-can-do-when-life-looks-dark\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe state of the world\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=QWTNVgwfG1g\u0026amp;feature=youtu.be\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOnly in Ireland\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/worldradio.ch\/news\/2018\/10\/29\/zurich-cellar-burglars-target-fine-wines\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOnly in Switzerland\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.newyorker.com\/culture\/culture-desk\/aziz-ansaris-new-standup-tour-is-a-cry-against-extreme-wokeness\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThought-provoking\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI hope your weekend is absolutely wonderful in every way and I'll get back at you next week!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n(Photo via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ceciliarignell\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECecilia\u003C\/a\u003E\/Instagram)"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/6033977836108995696\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/11\/have-lovely-holiday-weekend.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6033977836108995696"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6033977836108995696"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/11\/have-lovely-holiday-weekend.html","title":"Have a lovely holiday weekend"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgepJBlF3Kbl7odpEYMigkOcKOfkKEQ3N3ljvUn46gmeRwKjVLN7Cu7JNquBR8Ak66N8k6nxdpW0p5I2A-RJ6UZlwJ9J5dtN4xpouBLeKiABVIvLFcc7GB54BLTY1ncZM7qOttcd3Fm0A\/s72-c\/IMG_2788.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-943173130214239400"},"published":{"$t":"2018-11-06T05:00:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-11-06T05:00:01.422-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"culture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"tv - movies - shows"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Romanoffs"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEh_uwAddH1pG3Na-QdLkTnVTWmgnGeGsYOy0crhmmIeN9ZmoftFYrEhtuE2xMj6L4iV2GmXJuBSR-2fRz1cmnuhvewPMwmghzaG8YqOJpnbgI2hx8zbrQSv_PPNcqe3V6ShxzC-SIf7JA\/s1600\/peet+and+slattery.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1000\" data-original-width=\"1333\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEh_uwAddH1pG3Na-QdLkTnVTWmgnGeGsYOy0crhmmIeN9ZmoftFYrEhtuE2xMj6L4iV2GmXJuBSR-2fRz1cmnuhvewPMwmghzaG8YqOJpnbgI2hx8zbrQSv_PPNcqe3V6ShxzC-SIf7JA\/s640\/peet+and+slattery.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAre you guys watching \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2Qkh5Uf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Romanoffs\u003C\/a\u003E? It has quickly become one of my top three favorite shows of all time. Each episode is its own stand alone short story and they're so emotionally compelling and thought-provoking that I find myself thinking about each one the entire next day. I can't say what it is they do exactly, but the writers and directors achieve such an incredible level of poignancy in capturing the messiness and complexity of the human experience. I am such a fan.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nLast night, we watched the episode, \"Expectation,\" pictured above and it was the best one yet. It had so many beautiful aspects, including a classic portrayal of New York City, and also John Slattery. Yes, I realize this has nothing to do with the show, but I love watching that man on screen. I am such a sucker for that Irish hairline and he is arguably one of the most handsome men alive. Unlike most of his roles, he is not arrogant or aloof in this one. He's vulnerable and real and a few lines of his really broke my heart.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAmanda Peet is completely awesome in her role in \"Expectation.\" She is feisty, relatable, flawed and also vulnerable. I loved her acting and was completely entranced by her the entire way through. She finds a way to convey and embody two emotions at once again and again, and it's at once comforting because so much of life seems to be about feeling two things at once, and fascinating. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI don't want to give anything away, so I will stop there, but if you haven't seen The Romanoffs already, you must watch it. Weirdly, the show only gets 3 stars on Amazon Prime, which blows my mind because it is so wonderful! I would chalk it up to people having pitifully short attention spans and a lack of patience for television that makes you think and reflect. But that's just me. ;)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhat are you watching these days? Is anyone enjoying House of Cards without Kevin Spacey? We watched the first episode and that show just isn't the same without him. I probably shouldn't say this, but it really is such a drag he got kicked off. As long as we're getting into political territory, if you're in the States and you haven't voted yet, get to it. ;) And don't forget to tell me what you're watching these days in the comments!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n(Photo via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt7548890\/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_i2\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EIMDb\u003C\/a\u003E)"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/943173130214239400\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/11\/the-romanoffs.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/943173130214239400"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/943173130214239400"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/11\/the-romanoffs.html","title":"The Romanoffs"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEh_uwAddH1pG3Na-QdLkTnVTWmgnGeGsYOy0crhmmIeN9ZmoftFYrEhtuE2xMj6L4iV2GmXJuBSR-2fRz1cmnuhvewPMwmghzaG8YqOJpnbgI2hx8zbrQSv_PPNcqe3V6ShxzC-SIf7JA\/s72-c\/peet+and+slattery.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-6794735182920190100"},"published":{"$t":"2018-11-05T05:00:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-07-09T07:58:30.467-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"expat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"podcast"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"repat"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Announcing something big!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEh_59jvBLpQZ8rWuMONKFSFjnQl7MrRYMcKPd2Ip-zh_fnD7K-ou2JdY0QsXM0AZscEr-KmBUiZul3rXIxFJ1KGcVnoVU5CnKFaczGtYWLmaPZ3Qvuv4d-JRx5CSig6hvrvSDgb-T8PjQ\/s1600\/expat+repat+full+bleed.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEh_59jvBLpQZ8rWuMONKFSFjnQl7MrRYMcKPd2Ip-zh_fnD7K-ou2JdY0QsXM0AZscEr-KmBUiZul3rXIxFJ1KGcVnoVU5CnKFaczGtYWLmaPZ3Qvuv4d-JRx5CSig6hvrvSDgb-T8PjQ\/s640\/expat+repat+full+bleed.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nLast year for Christmas, I had J get me a fancy microphone and accessories to go with it because I was finally feeling ready to jump head first into a podcast idea I've had percolating and brewing in my head for a long time. Here we are in November, and I am finally ready to bring \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/the-expat-repat-podcast\/id1441932098\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Expat Repat Podcast\u003C\/a\u003E to the world. I am so excited!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI spent a lot of time learning through trial and error, and reaching out to awesome people, and watching YouTube videos over and over again. It has finally resulted in something I feel really proud of and I'm so excited to share with you.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSo, please hop on over to The Expat Repat Podcast at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.expatrepat.ch\/\"\u003Ewww.expatrepat.ch\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;to learn more. And while you're there, don't forget to sign up for \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSdEIeqCW9hIZiFnHfXS6vSc3T0LEstdpl6j0COxndDmv6riEA\/viewform\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe mailing list\u003C\/a\u003E so you'll be the first to know when the show goes live!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThank you for your support and love, and don't worry, this does not mean I will stop writing Swiss Lark. I'll be back to the usual content this week. And I'll be curious if you find that my voice sounds like you think it should! ;) Thank you again, and do check out \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.expatrepat.ch\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe new site\u003C\/a\u003E and join\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSdEIeqCW9hIZiFnHfXS6vSc3T0LEstdpl6j0COxndDmv6riEA\/viewform\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe mailing list\u003C\/a\u003E. Hugs and love to you all!"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/6794735182920190100\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/11\/announcing-something-big.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6794735182920190100"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6794735182920190100"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/11\/announcing-something-big.html","title":"Announcing something big!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEh_59jvBLpQZ8rWuMONKFSFjnQl7MrRYMcKPd2Ip-zh_fnD7K-ou2JdY0QsXM0AZscEr-KmBUiZul3rXIxFJ1KGcVnoVU5CnKFaczGtYWLmaPZ3Qvuv4d-JRx5CSig6hvrvSDgb-T8PjQ\/s72-c\/expat+repat+full+bleed.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-3279032978292450796"},"published":{"$t":"2018-10-27T21:53:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-10-27T21:53:55.511-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"culture"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Weekend Links!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjao5KTsC3xmnqfSqGYV9eS8POhW3NufO-m9t5MsEJTgoyZK8k-qLz9TvWIGyLN24YU-kxve10Uz3S5i7Ny0Ut4XDy-B-WaltITF_FgQUAY7wUHkPckF3_x8O24WQqXEymPPkdU3jGRPw\/s1600\/white+bunny.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"761\" data-original-width=\"506\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjao5KTsC3xmnqfSqGYV9eS8POhW3NufO-m9t5MsEJTgoyZK8k-qLz9TvWIGyLN24YU-kxve10Uz3S5i7Ny0Ut4XDy-B-WaltITF_FgQUAY7wUHkPckF3_x8O24WQqXEymPPkdU3jGRPw\/s640\/white+bunny.jpg\" width=\"424\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nJ and I have been making more of an effort to get out and take date nights. We have been horrible about this for years and it's easy to get into that bad pattern of thinking of the kids, the family, work, self-care and sort of forgetting the relationship. So I'm happy that we're making more of an effort. Tonight we were remembering our sweet \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2013\/08\/my-moms-backyard.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERudy\u003C\/a\u003E, who died a year ago. Do you have any pets? Or have you lost one recently, or not so recently? It's a hard thing.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nBut, on a brighter note, here are some links for your weekend:\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThis would be \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/tasty.co\/recipe\/jack-o-lantern-chips-and-dip\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ea serious hit\u003C\/a\u003E at a Halloween party!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nTheo can \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2D8Hguc\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eplay with these sets\u003C\/a\u003E for hours.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nCan you get over \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BpK3P72F3iX\/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet\u0026amp;igshid=1weo2c7savn9q\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis darling cake\u003C\/a\u003E?!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/lifestyle\/2018\/10\/15\/i-quit-drinking-year-ago-heres-what-happened\/?noredirect=on\u0026amp;utm_term=.3b47aec2964a\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/lifestyle\/2018\/10\/15\/i-quit-drinking-year-ago-heres-what-happened\/?noredirect=on\u0026amp;utm_term=.3b47aec2964a\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAlthough it wasn't wrecking my life or my health, I wanted to know what would happen if I stopped\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI love this \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/Uc6r\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esimple earring set\u003C\/a\u003E so much.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/health-shots\/2018\/10\/18\/658335490\/grandma-was-right-sunshine-helps-kill-germs-indoors\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFascinating\u003C\/a\u003E - and I knew it. ;)\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10102843586987672\u0026amp;set=a.689741886562\u0026amp;type=3\u0026amp;theater\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EJust what I needed to see\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thecut.com\/2018\/10\/an-argument-for-going-to-bed-super-early.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe ideal bedtime\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2yCd86s\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPerfect for Instagram photos\u003C\/a\u003E. I have one on my desk at work. :)\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.economist.com\/international\/2018\/10\/27\/the-backlash-against-overtourism?fsrc=FacebookInstant\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.economist.com\/international\/2018\/10\/27\/the-backlash-against-overtourism?fsrc=FacebookInstant\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe backlash against overtourism\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI hope the rest of your weekend is amazing, and that you manage to have some time away from the news. Sigh. Such a lot of upsetting things going on. See you back here next week!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n(Image via \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/aquariusplanet.tumblr.com\/post\/112409487724\/likes-this\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eaquariusplanet\u003C\/a\u003E)"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/3279032978292450796\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/10\/weekend-links.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/3279032978292450796"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/3279032978292450796"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/10\/weekend-links.html","title":"Weekend Links!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjao5KTsC3xmnqfSqGYV9eS8POhW3NufO-m9t5MsEJTgoyZK8k-qLz9TvWIGyLN24YU-kxve10Uz3S5i7Ny0Ut4XDy-B-WaltITF_FgQUAY7wUHkPckF3_x8O24WQqXEymPPkdU3jGRPw\/s72-c\/white+bunny.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-645605489491796884"},"published":{"$t":"2018-10-24T12:00:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-10-27T18:17:42.400-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"design"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Repatriate: Pillow Case Size Troubles"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEieJGJYGpfkzp4b5L_mCZKF_J4mwBTC203T3ZUw_A4PV2yn3XQLBa-khTX3-3mD68Ys_699PBvmn7FGRuo3MF3nRCMZe80gx43vO__U6kzqOHzR7Z84NOwz_RNplxm-wQks7TSsX4M4ZQ\/s1600\/Hay-Colour-Block-Bed-Linen-Red.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"900\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEieJGJYGpfkzp4b5L_mCZKF_J4mwBTC203T3ZUw_A4PV2yn3XQLBa-khTX3-3mD68Ys_699PBvmn7FGRuo3MF3nRCMZe80gx43vO__U6kzqOHzR7Z84NOwz_RNplxm-wQks7TSsX4M4ZQ\/s640\/Hay-Colour-Block-Bed-Linen-Red.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\nA few weeks ago, some bedding I have been stalking online - because as far as I can tell it's \u003Ci\u003Ethe only \u003C\/i\u003Estock of the HAY and Scholten \u0026amp; Baijings collaboration left in the entire world - went on sale. So despite the £34.99 shipping fee (yes British Pounds, not dollars!), and the minor inconvenience that \u003Ci\u003Ethey were the wrong size\u003C\/i\u003E, I went ahead and ordered them!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEh3QovivX6mc_3xR2Nr9R2gTFPi9B8J_nmFvs-T60ZAzUjxFGauTdQ_NSxLm0-uWM7CBn5_Qx6gJH5BoZSknn3o1-_O-PbjQllo0-99zVO2dnWsmCzkXA-u2O94CbGR0MgoYgrL9ll3Wg\/s1600\/Hay-Minimal-Collection-Bed-Linen-Lemon.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"900\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEh3QovivX6mc_3xR2Nr9R2gTFPi9B8J_nmFvs-T60ZAzUjxFGauTdQ_NSxLm0-uWM7CBn5_Qx6gJH5BoZSknn3o1-_O-PbjQllo0-99zVO2dnWsmCzkXA-u2O94CbGR0MgoYgrL9ll3Wg\/s640\/Hay-Minimal-Collection-Bed-Linen-Lemon.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nBOTH SETS! Aren't they gorgeous?! The reverse of the pillow cases on this very chic and minimal set pictured above are bright yellow. Swoon! They literally could not make me any happier. Except that I might ruin them resizing them, and I seem to have fallen down some international bedding size rabbit hole!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiw2gNglwEnhdMavy38x1iT8ran3OttokpNKllUSd7ueGM1O5Siz-Z0ZHJRiW0TcaL56RNNv_ZtaMroXaiotNarpsFQXUN2JB1-zORqvz5b8yqCImq5NHGikFSlEQd40jQwzWijRO7TgA\/s1600\/Hay-Minimal-Collection-Bed-Linen-Syrup.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"900\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiw2gNglwEnhdMavy38x1iT8ran3OttokpNKllUSd7ueGM1O5Siz-Z0ZHJRiW0TcaL56RNNv_ZtaMroXaiotNarpsFQXUN2JB1-zORqvz5b8yqCImq5NHGikFSlEQd40jQwzWijRO7TgA\/s640\/Hay-Minimal-Collection-Bed-Linen-Syrup.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIf you've been reading this blog for any amount of time since 2014, then you probably recognize this duvet set above. I ordered these from the US site of Finnish Design Shop right as we were moving back to the US from Zurich. Quite by accident, this duvet wound up being the background in Theo's birth announcement and it's nothing short of perfection. I never get tired of looking at these duvet covers. They're so pleasing. Naturally, because I loved them so much, I went back to the US site of Finnish Design Shop to buy more in other styles, but they were all out of stock! I emailed Finnish Design Shop as to when they would get more and they informed me that that was it! No more stock would be coming in - ever. I was devastated and threw myself into a neurotic internet search that went on for days. No, really. Days. You can do that sort of thing when you're nursing 10 hours per day.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj9mGLw3e-VhnZjVjuMnLAXzMgPrHqSt7sMYbZSyDkMsMKQDIN6Kqwqm512aS6HMUBRzLMJZAtBZsDugOsF4EXzeoBvp1gEi3i0A48YZz5A6-3nrijpu-iB8G8RLrqK1rxxzGRDWWkubg\/s1600\/1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"900\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj9mGLw3e-VhnZjVjuMnLAXzMgPrHqSt7sMYbZSyDkMsMKQDIN6Kqwqm512aS6HMUBRzLMJZAtBZsDugOsF4EXzeoBvp1gEi3i0A48YZz5A6-3nrijpu-iB8G8RLrqK1rxxzGRDWWkubg\/s640\/1.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\nMy search was not fruitful. I found some in the UK that were the wrong size (LOL;) and I was about to give up all together when I happened upon a German site that had a few colors in our size, although not the ultra-minimalist set I really wanted, sadly. But I figured it was better than nothing, so I ordered this set pictured above. They arrived and I was happy, except for one very weird problem - the pillow cases were these giant squares! \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhen I saw them, I was so puzzled because the pillow cases in the set we had ordered on Finnish Design Shop were just the right size for our pillows. And then, as I was changing Coco's pillow case one day, I realized that the pillows we had bought at IKEA USA for the kids' room were way bigger than the pillows J and I had on our bed - which, of course, had come back from Switzerland with us! Crazy. Over the months that followed, I realized that our US-bought duvet covers fit our US-bought summer duvets, but not our Switzerland-bought winter duvets. Germany and some other Northern European countries use these gigantic square pillows, while Switzerland uses what Americans would consider a normal rectangular pillow, but it's very small. At first glance, the UK pillowcases that came with the two I just ordered are the same as a US pillowcase, but then when I went to measure the duvet covers we already have to see how much to cut off of the new ones, I realized they're all different sizes, too!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nMy head is about to explode with all of this. Truly. IKEA pillow sizes and duvet sizes vary by country. And that's not all - within countries, IKEA pillow and duvet sizes tend to vary from standard. Is that not the most bizarre thing to think about?! My mind is blown. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAm I nuts or would you do the same thing for something that beautiful? Do you have high quality duvets, or just IKEA or other affordable ones? I'm ready to buy some nice ones...but I guess the size of my duvet covers will determine which country I buy them in!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nPS - Is pillowcase \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/10\/how-living-abroad-messed-up-my-english.html\"\u003Eone word or two\u003C\/a\u003E?! And sleeping with \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2016\/06\/two-duvets.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Etwo duvets\u003C\/a\u003E instead of one.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n(Photos via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/hay.dk\/da-dk\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHAY\u003C\/a\u003E\/\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.scholtenbaijings.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EScholten \u0026amp; Baijings\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.nest.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENest\u003C\/a\u003E)"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/645605489491796884\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/10\/repatriate-pillow-case-size-troubles.html#comment-form","title":"18 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/645605489491796884"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/645605489491796884"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/10\/repatriate-pillow-case-size-troubles.html","title":"Repatriate: Pillow Case Size Troubles"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEieJGJYGpfkzp4b5L_mCZKF_J4mwBTC203T3ZUw_A4PV2yn3XQLBa-khTX3-3mD68Ys_699PBvmn7FGRuo3MF3nRCMZe80gx43vO__U6kzqOHzR7Z84NOwz_RNplxm-wQks7TSsX4M4ZQ\/s72-c\/Hay-Colour-Block-Bed-Linen-Red.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"18"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-5502271872796384750"},"published":{"$t":"2018-10-22T21:30:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-10-22T21:35:32.325-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"motherhood"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"How to get your *#\u0026! together"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjRV3tp4GcNcM8poj2bzi4IF1FUS_XSq5PPbWBmyuRqHlUXZo5_GtY-QwRbpPMmyNPQt-edDElZ4BqeyV1wBy1PmbyRufB7K59K6zBO0QJLn5gfLlUmU3WlzfPYhaWVkzhXL84LK2KOTA\/s1600\/DSCF6672.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"887\" data-original-width=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjRV3tp4GcNcM8poj2bzi4IF1FUS_XSq5PPbWBmyuRqHlUXZo5_GtY-QwRbpPMmyNPQt-edDElZ4BqeyV1wBy1PmbyRufB7K59K6zBO0QJLn5gfLlUmU3WlzfPYhaWVkzhXL84LK2KOTA\/s1600\/DSCF6672.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\nWhen you have a lot going on, it can feel like life really gets on top of you. Sometimes it feels like you're a complete mess, but more often it's a subtle thing and you'll feel just a little behind \u003Ci\u003Eall over\u003C\/i\u003E, in each area of your life. For me when this happens, I find myself being rushed and\/or late wherever I go. I notice that I buy a lot more food on the go. And my inbox and texts seem to pile up throughout the day while my attention is scattered. That is no good and results in feeling stressed. So I have picked up and learned a few tricks that have really helped.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiHylvjOoJ_Reiu2k_sQQvh-IED1ZAkPwCF2Yr8wGDwFLFge0sA4AmUBqBN9KnUz9vsKc_tGjflRkJ2MUh0M285r2BOEos41T5tk6mMjVw38ePRURG_qOBO2_SrgXHzTMIFR_lb40Q2HQ\/s1600\/DSCF6661.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"282\" data-original-width=\"500\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiHylvjOoJ_Reiu2k_sQQvh-IED1ZAkPwCF2Yr8wGDwFLFge0sA4AmUBqBN9KnUz9vsKc_tGjflRkJ2MUh0M285r2BOEos41T5tk6mMjVw38ePRURG_qOBO2_SrgXHzTMIFR_lb40Q2HQ\/s640\/DSCF6661.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EShare your calendars\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nOn our iPhones, we use iCal and we have our calendars shared with one another. It's really handy, because when I go to schedule something, I can see if there is a conflict without actually asking J. Of course, this only works if you're actually consistent about putting your appointments and plans in the calendar. But since we've started doing this, the bonus is that you can schedule something just for yourself. Yoga, shopping with a friend, happy hour with my sisters are all things I add to my calendar and then J knows I won't be home. I also have \"Family\", \"Coco\" and \"Theo\" calendars I share with J. When we're busy, it serves as a good communication tool for plans as well.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESimplify menu planning\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI started getting Hello Fresh last spring and it's been a lifesaver during particularly crazy times. While J is not usually a fan of cooking and tends to make really simple meals (mac \u0026amp; cheese or spaghetti, anyone?) he actually kind of likes cooking Hello Fresh meals and it's definitely expanded his repertoire in the kitchen. We find that with our two kids and us, a standard two-serving, three-meal box takes care of most of the week. We also do weekly meal plans that don't vary much - that means I can keep the shopping list relatively identical from week to week. My new favorite thing is 5-ingredient meals that are healthy, quick and tasty. Because eating well is key to having it all together and not getting overly stressed or sick. (If you would like to try it, you can get $40 off your first Hello Fresh box \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.hellofresh.com\/?c=LINDSEYJOA\u0026amp;utm_source=raf-share\u0026amp;utm_medium=referral\u0026amp;utm_campaign=clipboard\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E;)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOutsource where you can\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWe hired a house cleaner a few months ago and she comes every two weeks. It is easily the best money we've ever spent. Because let's be honest, keeping up with the day-to-day, laundry, grocery shopping and so on is enough!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUse an old school calendar\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIn addition to our phone calendars, it is really helpful to have an \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2RdMo3p\"\u003Eold school calendar\u003C\/a\u003E on the kitchen wall, right by the back door, where we see it every time we leave the house. I'm really visual, so I like being able to glance at the week, and it's helpful to remember upcoming events, holidays, kids' birthday parties (so many parties!) and so on. As much as I love technology, I will never get rid of my \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2q4N6Ef\"\u003Efun pens\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;paper calendar and agenda.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EEmbrace the night before\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nObvious things to do the night before are make lunches and pick out clothes. These are hugely helpful - especially the clothes with kids. But there are other things you can do the night before, too. I have taken to showering at night instead of the morning. And recently, a friend told me that she does yoga before bed when I complained that I never seem to be able to find the time to do my Headspace app for meditation during the day. As long as it's not an overly stimulating activity, before bed can be a good time to make time for things you don't seem to have time for - reading, knitting, meditation, yoga, and showering (!) are all good before bed activities that actually contribute to a restful sleep.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003EWith kids, take care of yourself first\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThis one took me the longest to wrap my head around. I used to wake up in the morning, make the kids their oatmeal, take care of them, dress them, make sure they had their lunches and all their things, and then when it was time to go, I wasn't ready! Or sometimes I was only half ready and it meant we'd either be late, or I would go to work feeling disheveled. Not good! When Theo was a baby, I remember mornings when I would get up and instantly be responding to demands and not even have a moment to go to the bathroom. Sigh. Moms, get up, get yourself in the shower or wash your face if you don't shower every day, brush your teeth, get dressed, do your makeup, put on your jewelry and deodorant and perfume before you help your kids! Be ready for your day first. Then help or direct your kids with a coffee in hand. It makes everything so much better.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI'm curious, what are your best tricks to keeping life running smoothly when it gets busy and demanding?"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/5502271872796384750\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/10\/how-to-get-your-together.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/5502271872796384750"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/5502271872796384750"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/10\/how-to-get-your-together.html","title":"How to get your *#\u0026! together"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjRV3tp4GcNcM8poj2bzi4IF1FUS_XSq5PPbWBmyuRqHlUXZo5_GtY-QwRbpPMmyNPQt-edDElZ4BqeyV1wBy1PmbyRufB7K59K6zBO0QJLn5gfLlUmU3WlzfPYhaWVkzhXL84LK2KOTA\/s72-c\/DSCF6672.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-6154394148889880855"},"published":{"$t":"2018-10-19T20:32:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-10-19T20:37:55.014-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"culture"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Have a lovely weekend"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgpYE6dext9FKEI64Lv2AtoZ5NA6-yCuWI_0QitYkpo-dosSS2ZZU6cBLTXruPaOeBx99L8DqtwTMY6Y_0itXR1UXpvUjul10AoKGWhVm5Bu0g3QAipPs75PkG4iKT4eh-bPMtrnzKoiw\/s1600\/IMG_2610.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgpYE6dext9FKEI64Lv2AtoZ5NA6-yCuWI_0QitYkpo-dosSS2ZZU6cBLTXruPaOeBx99L8DqtwTMY6Y_0itXR1UXpvUjul10AoKGWhVm5Bu0g3QAipPs75PkG4iKT4eh-bPMtrnzKoiw\/s640\/IMG_2610.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nDo you have much going on this weekend? We're planning some walks, and naps (J was sick this week), and the kids and I are going to Coeur d'Alene on Sunday for a lunch- and play-date with my friend Kat and her boys, who are basically the same ages as Coco and Theo. Kat also happens to be a third-generation Tarot reader with a new set of cards she needs to break in. Lucky me, I get to help! It should be \u003Ci\u003Eawesome. \u003C\/i\u003EShe is so talented!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAnd, here are some links for you:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI'm painting my nails with \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2QWWd5i\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis classic\u003C\/a\u003E tonight. It's not really fall until it's on my nails. :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nExcept, that it's really fall. Which you know if you've been following \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.instagram.com\/swisslark\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emy Instagram\u003C\/a\u003E. (Or live somewhere where it's fall;)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.itchyfeetcomic.com\/2018\/10\/omnimappus-europeus.html#.W8oJVcRRcdU\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKinda true\u003C\/a\u003E. ;)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/gabe.b.montoya.5\/posts\/2133520000046345\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESO true\u003C\/a\u003E. :(\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/10\/15\/opinion\/politics-race-white-tribalism.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EA smarter look at America's divide\u003C\/a\u003E. Excellent!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nMellow enough for everyday, but that still gives \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Flaura-mercier-velour-a-deux-lip-duo-49-value%2F5041111%3Forigin%3Dcategory-personalizedsort%26breadcrumb%3DHome%252FBrands%252FLaura%2520Mercier%252FAll%2520Laura%2520Mercier%26color%3Dred\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethat glam pop\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nMy work bestie and I are syncing gel manicures next week so that we can gab the whole time.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/43487952632427913\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EI'm going to have them do this\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThis \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.hellofresh.com\/?c=LINDSEYJOA\u0026amp;utm_source=raf-share\u0026amp;utm_medium=referral\u0026amp;utm_campaign=clipboard\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ereally makes life easier\u003C\/a\u003E, and I'm into that. Plus, awesome. And $40 off for you!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nCan't wait to hear the rest of\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.manateecommune.co\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis new album\u003C\/a\u003E. LOVE!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nJust when you thought\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thelocal.ch\/20181019\/sbb-to-introduce-free-internet-for-customers-from-2019\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESwiss trains couldn't get any better\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAnd, a small favor to ask - if you enjoy something you read here on Swiss Lark, please share on Facebook, or Twitter, or wherever you go to read good stuff. I would appreciate it so much! I hope your weekend is simply lovely and see you back here Monday."},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/6154394148889880855\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/10\/have-lovely-weekend.html#comment-form","title":"10 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6154394148889880855"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6154394148889880855"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/10\/have-lovely-weekend.html","title":"Have a lovely weekend"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgpYE6dext9FKEI64Lv2AtoZ5NA6-yCuWI_0QitYkpo-dosSS2ZZU6cBLTXruPaOeBx99L8DqtwTMY6Y_0itXR1UXpvUjul10AoKGWhVm5Bu0g3QAipPs75PkG4iKT4eh-bPMtrnzKoiw\/s72-c\/IMG_2610.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"10"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-4618915750653177459"},"published":{"$t":"2018-10-17T20:46:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-10-17T20:54:43.161-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"culture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"expat"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"How Living Abroad Messed Up My English"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjLkydBLnHmRRriVLn1xPNpTZxktKnPzKCuawv3k8RCnV5bzsmOqxBsqVCfeN_gJ_3Wc0x_lqJ-uJbt-ygSRbrwLOqTcdiEMWeXtPN9gV00vyW3CakugkwayucNje4rd3HK6UpbSEAWfg\/s1600\/IMG_6661.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjLkydBLnHmRRriVLn1xPNpTZxktKnPzKCuawv3k8RCnV5bzsmOqxBsqVCfeN_gJ_3Wc0x_lqJ-uJbt-ygSRbrwLOqTcdiEMWeXtPN9gV00vyW3CakugkwayucNje4rd3HK6UpbSEAWfg\/s640\/IMG_6661.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhile we were living in Zurich, I did not consider myself a German speaker (because I wasn't!) and I also did not consider myself a person who possessed any knowledge of German whatsoever.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nZurich is so metropolitan that you hear English wherever you go. And Swiss German is so far and away \u003Ci\u003Enothing\u003C\/i\u003E like High German that I never even bothered trying to learn. With French being a national language, if I ever got a sneer or an eye roll when I asked someone\u0026nbsp;if they spoke English (natürlich\u0026nbsp;auf Deutsch!), I would just tilt my head to the side, smile, switch into French and ask, \"Oh, so you would prefer French?\" and their attitude always stopped right there. And we continued in English.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiDAplinwJ1hew05a_lYUffg72W-k3JQtrZKQAfSN8nWhp88LVqiSJ7h8zezsbiSDqdbJJaByITZKeSNxke_Ttd8hd8X2gPYX4I1FC4UDuwlIrZm6McnozN7b_JAR5v9a1yqVso9RbBQw\/s1600\/IMG_6658.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiDAplinwJ1hew05a_lYUffg72W-k3JQtrZKQAfSN8nWhp88LVqiSJ7h8zezsbiSDqdbJJaByITZKeSNxke_Ttd8hd8X2gPYX4I1FC4UDuwlIrZm6McnozN7b_JAR5v9a1yqVso9RbBQw\/s640\/IMG_6658.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nBut even when you don't speak a language, if you're reading all day, every day, it starts to sink in somehow! This became startlingly evident the last time I was in Zurich. I was standing idly, waiting for the train, looking around aimlessly while Theo slept in his buggy. My eyes passed over the billboard above and I was surprised to not just put it together, but to understand it. I did not translate it in my head; I understood it 100%.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003EFever after sex without a rubber? Speak with your doctor about HIV.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI would have said condom just there, but that's not what the poster says. Gummi. Can you believe it?! Just like the bears. Wow.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSo anyway. I stood there, shocked that I had just ingested German effortlessly, and my first instinct was to Google if in fact HIV would give you a fever because the way I had learned it in school, it was really more of a silent, symptomless, shows-up-later-and-kills-you sort of thing. But, sure enough! It can give you a fever within a few days. Who knew?!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAnd wait! Since when could I read German?! If you speak another language, then you understand what I'm saying when I specify that I didn't translate it. Although our brains are crazy fast, they're not designed to toggle that way. When we speak a language, we're supposed to be in that language. Our brain actually designates a physical section and devotes it to each language we speak and we occupy that part of the brain while speaking that language, which means that in order to translate, it would have to flash back and forth between two brain areas and it very much does not like to do that. So, it turns out I have a German section and all it took to realize it was a very provocative poster in a train station. Thank you, love life.ch!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjyod79xgxK6S0DINIzvLYHxHEVb65WZzf8hiiQ3-OhCbhC4656EaekudbOOI8We1zQCDWaNvnQOmPRDRmhCfc3Y9aDk8XSDiNTHuGdam-IZwUVt2aujt4IXaYRZfU5JwJTDN9i777BCw\/s1600\/IMG_6802.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1202\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjyod79xgxK6S0DINIzvLYHxHEVb65WZzf8hiiQ3-OhCbhC4656EaekudbOOI8We1zQCDWaNvnQOmPRDRmhCfc3Y9aDk8XSDiNTHuGdam-IZwUVt2aujt4IXaYRZfU5JwJTDN9i777BCw\/s640\/IMG_6802.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSince arriving back in the States after \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2015\/11\/zurich-in-photos.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethat lovely visit\u003C\/a\u003E, I notice at least once or twice per week that my brain wants to do some whacky thing as a result of having read so much German. I'll by typing and I'll try to join words together - like rollerskates and footstool - which are each actually two separate words. I literally tried to write eyeroll in the second paragraph above. I couldn't quite accept it was two words and wanted to hyphenate it, but I stopped myself! In German, by contrast, they're not afraid to string together all the words. Until it was removed from use a few years ago, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/news\/worldnews\/europe\/germany\/10095976\/Germany-drops-its-longest-word-Rindfleischeti....html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe longest German word\u003C\/a\u003E had 63 letters in it. Sixty-three! That is more than two alphabets worth of letters.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAnother silly German thing I do is try to capitalize everything. In German, all the nouns are capitalized - every single one. After seeing that many caps when you try to read the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.friday-magazine.ch\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Etrashy magazines\u003C\/a\u003E in the trams, or when you clip coupons, or go to any German language website, you start to think they're necessary. Lots of caps just start to look right.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nFinally, when I was subbing and would call roll, I always got corrected in how I pronounced the kids' names. I would pronounce according to German phonetics. I makes the sound \"eeee,\" A makes the sound \"ahhh\" (like you're opening your mouth for the doctor) so the name Amarisa would be Ah-ma-riza. And then the kid would roll their eyes and be like, \"It's A (as in cat) marissa.\" Okay, check, she's here. And I thought this was surprising because I lived in the US for so long before I ever lived in Switzerland. Yet, as a teacher there with oodles of students with European names (or names that were pronounced the German way) I adapted very quickly. And by adapted very quickly, I mean, I learned to respond to \"Leen-say\" (rhymes with Green Bay) almost overnight!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nPlease share your funny Denglish, Franglais, or other linguistic crossover mishaps in the comments! Linguistic immersion is fascinating. I would love to hear your experiences."},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/4618915750653177459\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/10\/how-living-abroad-messed-up-my-english.html#comment-form","title":"11 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/4618915750653177459"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/4618915750653177459"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/10\/how-living-abroad-messed-up-my-english.html","title":"How Living Abroad Messed Up My English"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjLkydBLnHmRRriVLn1xPNpTZxktKnPzKCuawv3k8RCnV5bzsmOqxBsqVCfeN_gJ_3Wc0x_lqJ-uJbt-ygSRbrwLOqTcdiEMWeXtPN9gV00vyW3CakugkwayucNje4rd3HK6UpbSEAWfg\/s72-c\/IMG_6661.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"11"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-418249502579070958"},"published":{"$t":"2018-10-16T11:54:00.004-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-10-16T12:07:06.075-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"motherhood"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Recovering from Diastasis Recti with Bellefit"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj3DDp6gymwSnR6A1NfaeG0PJUUi5jrvfAJkc0ZgRjNVN7xIer4sorjvUV6pCS9GQsoUPHo91EIE6pFmXIZPNWsM9BWIiLyqk4CLySiGLuc55atsjJIaPCQswNjb-x8Kig1Z1lhZNdOgQ\/s1600\/5Q0A3109_1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj3DDp6gymwSnR6A1NfaeG0PJUUi5jrvfAJkc0ZgRjNVN7xIer4sorjvUV6pCS9GQsoUPHo91EIE6pFmXIZPNWsM9BWIiLyqk4CLySiGLuc55atsjJIaPCQswNjb-x8Kig1Z1lhZNdOgQ\/s640\/5Q0A3109_1.jpg\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan id=\"goog_777960332\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"goog_777960333\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nAfter my adorable 9 lb 10 oz baby Theo was born, I did not receive the best postpartum care, unfortunately. After a few months, I started to notice a lot of lower back pain. I figured it was normal given I had just delivered a large baby and I assumed it would go away on its own over time. But after more than a year, when I still had the pain and and my little buddha pooch was not going \u003Ci\u003Eanywhere\u003C\/i\u003E, I decided that maybe it was worth looking into. Sadly, doctors were very dismissive and did not validate my concerns. So I consulted Dr. Google and after self-diagnosing Diastasis Recti, I returned to my doctor's office and had her feel my abdominal muscle separation for herself.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhh1CUFDl9kLc8lTycBZrC3AMun2nXWK2mtMPg2HyuAtS_otA2-7QO68pS5kNOcOVPtboAUUP8yUprx4lUuxmo54rO9tFmVEjHYrIm9hzfXs8LPl4eJVUmV76jOhsX51qinmA1PkoMn2g\/s1600\/5Q0A3070_1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhh1CUFDl9kLc8lTycBZrC3AMun2nXWK2mtMPg2HyuAtS_otA2-7QO68pS5kNOcOVPtboAUUP8yUprx4lUuxmo54rO9tFmVEjHYrIm9hzfXs8LPl4eJVUmV76jOhsX51qinmA1PkoMn2g\/s640\/5Q0A3070_1.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThat changed things for the better and she wrote me a referral for Physical Therapy. I was delighted to finally be on my way to a solution. Then at the very first session, the PT started out by saying that Diastasis Recti is pretty impossible to fix, but that they could show me some exercises anyway. Drrh.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI'll be honest with you; throwing a ball back and forth with a physical therapist felt like a massive waste of time and even with doing the exercises faithfully at home, I didn't see any improvement.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nAnecdotal advice recommended waiting patiently for the muscles to close as the best remedy. Then, and only then, could one resume normal physical activity. The list of don't-do's was so long: no planking, no crunches, no sit-ups, no triangle pose or other poses that bisect the body, no twisting. What could I do?!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhfkVyq1nu8k0kAFkrHo3amVT_ehA8poe9gDsl3kfMY5T8-1nTCdRUFOgnLrpkEFMiWQc3J4T92M6PSeZT9P4Qeg-m_M_NbnJhQKTpomQT1PNcnY_bgJobAtF4vpzhpJXF4jMtYSr4gIA\/s1600\/5Q0A3210_1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhfkVyq1nu8k0kAFkrHo3amVT_ehA8poe9gDsl3kfMY5T8-1nTCdRUFOgnLrpkEFMiWQc3J4T92M6PSeZT9P4Qeg-m_M_NbnJhQKTpomQT1PNcnY_bgJobAtF4vpzhpJXF4jMtYSr4gIA\/s640\/5Q0A3210_1.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI spent a while being patient and getting weaker and I watched my posture really go south. Then, I would have a period of defiance and get back to \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2017\/04\/dont-yo%E2%80%A6\"\u003Eyoga so hard\u003C\/a\u003E and then injure myself. My muscles, being separated, would strengthen into these hard balls on either side of my belly button and my back would hurt so much. It became a really negative cycle. I was disappointed in my body and frustrated that I couldn't make it better.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjXfm4UnAxYghx537HjzzkSOa9lqxDY_R9YI48C4gye6oz0P0n3Wo7WE1fmxzT9f7JpuMpPJQjcnq0TXJxcAJAq6RclbVylnY-JAPncY-UEX3IdX20rLak265QwXuo3LK_sqBIXAlzbCA\/s1600\/5Q0A3194_1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjXfm4UnAxYghx537HjzzkSOa9lqxDY_R9YI48C4gye6oz0P0n3Wo7WE1fmxzT9f7JpuMpPJQjcnq0TXJxcAJAq6RclbVylnY-JAPncY-UEX3IdX20rLak265QwXuo3LK_sqBIXAlzbCA\/s640\/5Q0A3194_1.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThen I got a really sweet email from Carolina, a mom of two boys in Florida who works as the marketing manager at \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.bellefit.com\/a\/237\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBellefit\u003C\/a\u003E, a female-owned company specializing in postpartum recovery corsets and girdles. I was skeptical at first because at that point, Theo was already three years old and I had Diastasis Recti! But Carolina kept emailing me and finally I decided it couldn't hurt to try. I explained my situation to her and she told me I was a perfect candidate for Bellefit! I couldn't believe it. Here were all of these physical therapists and doctors telling me to basically accept this new normal and Carolina thought their medical grade corsets and girdles could help. Yes, please!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhenxUWBmCmRi7CZ9B9esP5aS8yKKiYge9-VylpjB2KGzGe0GbxWn-xMTBghPwZNrjC8B3-sqH6l70KeRPBKzS2eGZ5nTv0QXDmlkwctSX0g_z2P9DN8xAbtnPISxZs7Jo2hOvlRFcOGA\/s1600\/5Q0A3088_1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhenxUWBmCmRi7CZ9B9esP5aS8yKKiYge9-VylpjB2KGzGe0GbxWn-xMTBghPwZNrjC8B3-sqH6l70KeRPBKzS2eGZ5nTv0QXDmlkwctSX0g_z2P9DN8xAbtnPISxZs7Jo2hOvlRFcOGA\/s640\/5Q0A3088_1.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nCarolina guided me through every step of the sizing process and determined the Bellefit product that would be the best match for me, my concerns and my goals. A few days later, it arrived in the mail and while I was initially horrified because it looked like something my grandma would have worn, I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable and not-at-all noticeable it wore under clothing. I am so amazed at how well the Bellefit corset worked out!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhnVVZ-G6zojQf2yDLMf6FDOgKRncq2b5gGOxybcxJ9t-5DyYLWkKiO8e8JCaWOYPGJjR9p73sYvTDlQ_HFm39AK9BrxhMXIbhcxscvteF8LKm-i1AYzO2HpEC2wFDD9cuBWci61AxQVw\/s1600\/IMG_0786.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhnVVZ-G6zojQf2yDLMf6FDOgKRncq2b5gGOxybcxJ9t-5DyYLWkKiO8e8JCaWOYPGJjR9p73sYvTDlQ_HFm39AK9BrxhMXIbhcxscvteF8LKm-i1AYzO2HpEC2wFDD9cuBWci61AxQVw\/s640\/IMG_0786.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI took these really attractive \"before photos\" one morning, and then started wearing the corset daily. It has lots of hook and eye closures so you get a nice snug fit and there's a handy little flap so you can go to the bathroom no problem. Wearing the Bellefit corset was helpful in two ways. Obviously the first was that it pulled everything in and held it where it is supposed to go - muscles, organs, everything felt nice and supported. The second way was the constant reminder. While it's comfortable, you also feel it if your posture starts to droop and it's always there, reminding you to keep your abs engaged and not let it all hang out throughout the day.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjaZrGxannsNkFMgm5NyrMr3y_jmjVn6yYJ_aF-pAGpeMhf5EOVdXFZqui4n1elwHA8yTqe7P4V7OSqxWs9svxeqecRkKqOfqXLqpHZychbmgH8zpP8TTyw2zwdnmjE-mG4uZnxf9J5Sg\/s1600\/IMG_2172.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjaZrGxannsNkFMgm5NyrMr3y_jmjVn6yYJ_aF-pAGpeMhf5EOVdXFZqui4n1elwHA8yTqe7P4V7OSqxWs9svxeqecRkKqOfqXLqpHZychbmgH8zpP8TTyw2zwdnmjE-mG4uZnxf9J5Sg\/s640\/IMG_2172.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nAfter about a month of wearing the corset, I could see a very marked difference in my stomach and a Diastasis Recti check proved that the muscles had begun to grow back together. At that point, I started doing some really \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/gmqjLD_hJ-c\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esimple yet targeted exercises\u003C\/a\u003E on my yoga mat \u003Ci\u003Ewhile wearing the corset \u003C\/i\u003Eto strengthen the muscles in the proper position.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj03lP7mUS-Ankn8oLHzPeFAvwcRORdzThnezKL5GEPfTVY_r0G09IEFTlCh2ZN4DV5tx-h7avhZpURxMTaFDc-q4rlIbIwUYpLmOa34FruXzpTDC9pr_Q3WokBGspk7nlHsbDWf6F-rw\/s1600\/IMG_2157.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj03lP7mUS-Ankn8oLHzPeFAvwcRORdzThnezKL5GEPfTVY_r0G09IEFTlCh2ZN4DV5tx-h7avhZpURxMTaFDc-q4rlIbIwUYpLmOa34FruXzpTDC9pr_Q3WokBGspk7nlHsbDWf6F-rw\/s640\/IMG_2157.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI do think that my cervical spine is still straightened and my shoulders somewhat hunched from five years of breastfeeding! But I feel better about my body now than I have in years and I am so over-the-moon happy to have fully functioning abdominal muscles - and a waistline again. Hooray!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nIf you are pregnant or recently gave birth, or if you struggle with Diastasis Recti, I cannot recommend Bellefit enough. Learn more and see the entire line of corsets and girdles right \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.bellefit.com\/a\/237\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E. Thank you so much for reading! And for for supporting the brands I very selectively choose to collaborate with, AND for letting me do a Theo baby photo dump. Isn't he just the cutest? Would you consider a Bellefit corset or girdle? Have you already tried it for yourself?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nAlso - Swiss Lark readers can get $20 off any \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.bellefit.com\/a\/237\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBellefit.com\u003C\/a\u003E purchase of $67.50 or higher. Just type in the code SWISS20 at checkout. :)\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/418249502579070958\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/10\/recovering-from-diastasis-recti-with.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/418249502579070958"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/418249502579070958"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/10\/recovering-from-diastasis-recti-with.html","title":"Recovering from Diastasis Recti with Bellefit"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj3DDp6gymwSnR6A1NfaeG0PJUUi5jrvfAJkc0ZgRjNVN7xIer4sorjvUV6pCS9GQsoUPHo91EIE6pFmXIZPNWsM9BWIiLyqk4CLySiGLuc55atsjJIaPCQswNjb-x8Kig1Z1lhZNdOgQ\/s72-c\/5Q0A3109_1.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-6919484589316123809"},"published":{"$t":"2018-10-15T22:07:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-10-15T22:07:19.391-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"motherhood"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"How much time do you spend with your kids?"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhwamz6KIIPP7wutzJzrFfg2kqEHD_wILLlMBkNP-6or2s7BcYXvEvAm9pfE6XZZqXpJdwdLDCXawhgdu_c_Gv7T6khVCeJQytO9vmlR7lLqS-j2u9UrqwYqhF4KpYs8Y7gT70gh_mEmQ\/s1600\/BF9AD993-D8A2-4FE5-8DDC-70526A767832.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"638\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhwamz6KIIPP7wutzJzrFfg2kqEHD_wILLlMBkNP-6or2s7BcYXvEvAm9pfE6XZZqXpJdwdLDCXawhgdu_c_Gv7T6khVCeJQytO9vmlR7lLqS-j2u9UrqwYqhF4KpYs8Y7gT70gh_mEmQ\/s640\/BF9AD993-D8A2-4FE5-8DDC-70526A767832.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nLately I find myself worrying constantly about whether or not I spend enough time with Coco and Theo. It's so bad that I actually had a really vivid dream last night in which I was having a heart-to-heart with an acquaintance over work schedules as a mom, and it was so emotional for me that it woke me up! It is true that I have a lot going on. I'm working quite a bit, I'm going to grad school two evenings per week, and I have a few side projects that I really care about and want to devote my time to working on. Plus, both kids go to school five days per week. So when it boils right down to it, we have evenings and weekends, and it feels to me that we spend a lot of time apart.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIn response to this worry, I do what any normal person would do and I compare myself to others. Unlike 99.9% of situations that involve comparing, when I do this, I actually feel much better! J and I have really family-friendly work schedules and we're all home together by 4:15pm at the latest. I have the flexibility to walk Coco to and from school a few days per week and by the time I leave after dinner to go to my classes, Coco and Theo are getting ready for bed and will be asleep just a short while later anyway. We are fortunate enough to eat dinner together every night. And on the weekends, we have been doing some pretty great stuff. We went to Greenbluff to pick pumpkins one weekend, put all of our Halloween decorations up another. In the past month, we have walked to the park, taken the bus downtown, gone for bike rides, and walked to our favorite neighborhood pizza joint.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSo why am I worried?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI guess a huge part of it is that when I envisioned motherhood (before becoming a mother!) I always imagined myself being a stay-at-home-mom. I thought that I would walk the kids to school and then take care of everything at the house and have a gorgeously clean home and everything would be sort of perfect and idyllic like a Little Golden Book or Leave it to Beaver. On some level, I still want that. But, the fact is, once Coco was about two and a half, I was really starting to lose my mind as a stay-at-home mom. I was horrible at structuring our days and creating a routine for us, and life felt chaotic. I remember craving a work environment with other adults, and a strong desire to get back to using my brain on a regular basis.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAs it stands right now, I like working. I like getting dressed for work and feeling put together; I like using my brain and I actually like being busy. The problem is, I also need a lot of alone time spent recharging, reflecting and writing. I try to consolidate my work hours, errands and tasks into the hours when the kids are at school. That way, \u0026nbsp;the rest of the time, I can be with them, which feels right because I love them so much and they matter so much to me. Except sometimes, when I find myself so depleted and exhausted that I just wind up being irritable and grumpy when I'm with Coco and Theo, and that is the absolute worst!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI've had to accept that motherhood is a constant balancing act. Despite my biggest fear being that I will look back and regret not making the very most of this time, I have to realize that maybe I should be more afraid that I will look back and wish I had been more engaged and refreshed when spending time with my darlings.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nBoth Coco and Theo have begun to have more playdates and social life away from home. It's a bittersweet transition. On the one hand, I am grateful to be able to have an afternoon that is quiet, in which I can hear myself think and regroup. On the other hand, I want them near. I want to overhear their playing in the next room, even if we're not doing something all together. And I definitely want to make more trips to the library together than we do.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI'm curious, how much time do you spend with your kids? Do you feel like it's enough? How do you take time for yourself that doesn't take away from your time with them? Please share! I would love to know all about it."},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/6919484589316123809\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/10\/how-much-time-do-you-spend-with-your.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6919484589316123809"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6919484589316123809"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/10\/how-much-time-do-you-spend-with-your.html","title":"How much time do you spend with your kids?"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhwamz6KIIPP7wutzJzrFfg2kqEHD_wILLlMBkNP-6or2s7BcYXvEvAm9pfE6XZZqXpJdwdLDCXawhgdu_c_Gv7T6khVCeJQytO9vmlR7lLqS-j2u9UrqwYqhF4KpYs8Y7gT70gh_mEmQ\/s72-c\/BF9AD993-D8A2-4FE5-8DDC-70526A767832.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-6809518130148696942"},"published":{"$t":"2018-10-12T12:20:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-10-12T12:20:07.549-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"culture"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Not that kind of crown...and weekend links!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj99MXhBszn5JCWTrDAeym_Zz0sZ6DeVxOWHgDA97hsAul5mzBYbExdNtRpi9xgrIZvkg6RNH7u1WKoXUZ5HwoujHcfmd8yxcTmTszGqDzC-0SZZ3knbYlPWvmg2GQgSvPsfEV23T-61Q\/s1600\/weekend+links+swiss+lark.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"960\" data-original-width=\"768\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj99MXhBszn5JCWTrDAeym_Zz0sZ6DeVxOWHgDA97hsAul5mzBYbExdNtRpi9xgrIZvkg6RNH7u1WKoXUZ5HwoujHcfmd8yxcTmTszGqDzC-0SZZ3knbYlPWvmg2GQgSvPsfEV23T-61Q\/s640\/weekend+links+swiss+lark.jpg\" width=\"512\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nHello, lovelies! Have you ever had a dental crown? If you answered yes to that question, then you know the pain and misery I have been in since I had my first crown ten days ago. It was a harrowing ordeal in which my tooth wouldn't go fully numb and I wound up with \u003Ci\u003Ethree rounds \u003C\/i\u003Eof novocain shots that left me looking like a stroke victim with one eye that wouldn't blink and watered uncontrollably for, oh, just six hours or so. When I picked Coco up from school, she recoiled and asked, \"What is wrong with you?!\" Sigh. I am finally starting to experience more time throughout the 24-hour day not in pain rather than in pain, but it's been utter hell. I had no idea that dental work could be so life-altering. And it was definitely made worse by the fact that I have developed fully debilitating anxiety surrounding going to the dentist over the past couple of years. I was already super panicky and then the epinephrine in the novocain shots left me freezing and shaking uncontrollably for 15 minutes each time. Ugh. It's so bizarre! And awful. So, I'm finally back to blogging and that's what caused me to fall off the face of the earth for a while...\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nDo you have anything exciting going on this weekend? Today is a no-school day for Coco and Theo and a no-work day for me, so we're taking the bus downtown with their scooters and enjoying the beautiful fall sun and fall colors and it's so nice to have a full day with my sweeties. Life has been too busy since school started!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nAnd here are some links for your weekend:\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nPeople who \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/09\/25\/travel\/love-marriage-stories-airplanes-cruises.html?mc=adintl\u0026amp;mccr=2018-10\u0026amp;ad-keywords=IntlAudDev\u0026amp;subid1=kenshoo\u0026amp;dclid=CPPorpn59t0CFYU24Aod6vwE2g\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Efound love on planes, trains and automobiles\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: start;\"\u003EIf you're in South Carolina,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/news.furman.edu\/2018\/10\/11\/furman-symphony-orchestra-in-concert-oct-26\/?fbclid=IwAR2KGMj0yjfZpdbRXzxJx0EREP77TkHRnP1t1chrHkCrDPfzirufgYtx2cM\" style=\"text-align: start;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ego see my friend Alison perform\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: start;\"\u003E. Brava, Alison!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nCoco got this cute \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2A6QTH0\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ekids' terrarium\u003C\/a\u003E for her birthday and is taking care of it every day. :)\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mother.ly\/child\/7-key-phrases-montessori-teachers-use-and-why-we-should-use-them-too-\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E7 key phrases Montessori teachers use and why we should use them, too\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/hitherandthither.net\/vote-vote-vote-ready-midterm-elections\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EVote, vote, vote\u003C\/a\u003E! (This is cute:)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThis is by far the best and most creative\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/de2vWAb7jFo\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHalloween costume\u003C\/a\u003E ever.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThese time lapse videos of a classically trained painter are \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/katewrayvita\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eso magical\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhy?! Why, why, why, why, why? \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/bbcthree\/article\/fe46907b-d860-4a72-ae32-809a1da4c1eb?fbclid=IwAR2w2GWUTtqUQL4QabcTyynVWSxP1jnGy78x717VW5BMDMc0de8XJV8XHQw\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBUT WHY\u003C\/a\u003E?!?!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CursedCommercials\/videos\/2002836256675060\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELOL\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSo ugly. But so cozy that when the weather turns, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/Twua\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EI want a new pair anyway\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI hope your weekend is stellar and see you back here next week!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n(Photo via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/43487952636649564\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPinterest\u003C\/a\u003E - does anyone have a photo credit? So gorgeous)"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/6809518130148696942\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/10\/not-that-kind-of-crownand-weekend-links.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6809518130148696942"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6809518130148696942"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/10\/not-that-kind-of-crownand-weekend-links.html","title":"Not that kind of crown...and weekend links!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj99MXhBszn5JCWTrDAeym_Zz0sZ6DeVxOWHgDA97hsAul5mzBYbExdNtRpi9xgrIZvkg6RNH7u1WKoXUZ5HwoujHcfmd8yxcTmTszGqDzC-0SZZ3knbYlPWvmg2GQgSvPsfEV23T-61Q\/s72-c\/weekend+links+swiss+lark.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-8467218987377914808"},"published":{"$t":"2018-10-02T16:42:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-10-02T16:42:50.078-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"expat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"repat"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Repatriate: Nothing's Special Anymore"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjn21y0lGCg5AUI-1-t6bOTKhTX8soaK7IRhzgVnU7tlmaD24IRfhmEO-2niS5GvX6qi1hhZyW4ONgx-cuWL98WVchxwkQ8RyPxe9KlkxQYJzeFwYo6EN-9JH7wnB91otXlBi8KaI7i3A\/s1600\/IMG_7420_1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1196\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjn21y0lGCg5AUI-1-t6bOTKhTX8soaK7IRhzgVnU7tlmaD24IRfhmEO-2niS5GvX6qi1hhZyW4ONgx-cuWL98WVchxwkQ8RyPxe9KlkxQYJzeFwYo6EN-9JH7wnB91otXlBi8KaI7i3A\/s640\/IMG_7420_1.JPG\" width=\"478\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nWhen you're an expat, you miss things from home. This comes as no surprise to anyone and as result and a way to cope, expats regularly gather together, both physically and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.englishforum.ch\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Evirtually\u003C\/a\u003E, to lament the lack of whatever. Halloween, Chipotle and Mexican food in general, Target, J.Crew, macaroni and cheese, Bugles, root beer, whatever it is that you dislike living without. This is a drawback when you're an expat. And then, you realize later when you're no longer an expat, it's actually a huge boon to one's daily life.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nYou may be a little confused, dear reader, and wondering why. Well, I shall tell you. Do you see that box behind Coco in the photo? That is a US Postal service Priority Mail Flat Rate Box. As an expat, I was always overly delighted when one of those arrived at our house. This is because I always knew exactly what was inside it. I'd love to say that my friends and family sent me care packages filled with surprises all the time, but they didn't. They sent me the things that I had had sent to their house with \u0026nbsp;their willingness to then forward along to me in these boxes. Then I would reimburse them for the outlandish postage. It was incredibly special because having boxes sent, or making trips home, meant that we had things in Switzerland that no one else could get. Things like that pumpkin Halloween costume Coco is wearing. Or taco seasoning that didn't taste like curry, or clothes from J.Crew. People would compliment an item of clothing and follow it up with, \"You got that in the States, didn't you?\" and it was fun and felt fancy to say yes.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEi1pFbdCyBnlX_VF_rdIeSlujABQn4XigGR3bGdXp1inbZwW6uKH6Flw8QEQ3AjI6MAwIDGqOjPZajGfNcE75wZ1KYTNBSOlzpKcB1O12FqMTI2IHRFGBGrU3Nuhe2fdEURBd1vrzdSpQ\/s1600\/IMG_0147_1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1196\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"478\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEi1pFbdCyBnlX_VF_rdIeSlujABQn4XigGR3bGdXp1inbZwW6uKH6Flw8QEQ3AjI6MAwIDGqOjPZajGfNcE75wZ1KYTNBSOlzpKcB1O12FqMTI2IHRFGBGrU3Nuhe2fdEURBd1vrzdSpQ\/s640\/IMG_0147_1.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nOn the flip side, when you make a trip home as an expat, you spend months beforehand crafting extensive \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2013\/06\/usa-bucket-list.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebuckets lists\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;of things you'll do, people you'll see, and salivating over the food you will eat the entire time. When we landed on US soil, we would often go straight from the airport to a favorite restaurant. And it felt downright magical to hop in the car and walk into Target during those first days of a visit. All of it felt very, exceedingly, wonderfully special. Because it was.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI wish it weren't so, but when you move home, you lose all of that. Having Swiss things here in US just isn't the same. I have one scarf in particular from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.alprausch.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAlprausch\u003C\/a\u003E that gets lots of compliments and I have learned to say a simple \"Thank you\" and not \"Thank you, I got it in Switzerland\" as it's received as bragging or putting on airs every time I do. Sigh. And as much as I miss Switzerland and Zurich, the anticipation when going for a visit is not the same. My upcoming trip in mid-January almost feels within reach, but I don't feel that same special intoxication when I think about it. It should be the same because I am imagining the people I'll see, the things I'll do and the places I'll go just as I did when I visited the US from Switzerland. I have shopping and food included on my list that I'm really excited about! But it's different. I guess the difference is that I don't want to indulge in Switzerland and then leave it again. I really miss living there.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nAre you an expat or a repat? What do you miss from home if you're an expat, and have you experienced this too if you're a repat?\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/8467218987377914808\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/10\/repatriate-nothings-special-anymore.html#comment-form","title":"11 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/8467218987377914808"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/8467218987377914808"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/10\/repatriate-nothings-special-anymore.html","title":"Repatriate: Nothing's Special Anymore"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjn21y0lGCg5AUI-1-t6bOTKhTX8soaK7IRhzgVnU7tlmaD24IRfhmEO-2niS5GvX6qi1hhZyW4ONgx-cuWL98WVchxwkQ8RyPxe9KlkxQYJzeFwYo6EN-9JH7wnB91otXlBi8KaI7i3A\/s72-c\/IMG_7420_1.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"11"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-5444409885684245705"},"published":{"$t":"2018-09-28T13:47:00.003-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-09-28T13:51:41.329-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"culture"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Have a darling weekend"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhnJm1z6zKankLtfggf0rZldekOKhX1BWZNjlZpKKq7885FbPtMNyNYqljFNiYTGHOkB2a2qWPaZf2QuzwRt031ITqh8XTBrizjfeK6L5DzFQ0eLyMpGkkZyU02RHKDgbLEfUd97ibF_A\/s1600\/IMG_2125.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"934\" data-original-width=\"750\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhnJm1z6zKankLtfggf0rZldekOKhX1BWZNjlZpKKq7885FbPtMNyNYqljFNiYTGHOkB2a2qWPaZf2QuzwRt031ITqh8XTBrizjfeK6L5DzFQ0eLyMpGkkZyU02RHKDgbLEfUd97ibF_A\/s640\/IMG_2125.jpg\" width=\"513\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThis weekend is going to be a big one at our house. Coco is turning 7 tomorrow and she designed the concept for her birthday party entirely on her own. Attractions will include candy kabobs, root beer floats, a donut-shaped cake per her own design\/illustration, a piñata, ring toss, pin-the-horn-on-the-unicorn, and all the balloons. She can't wait! I decided to add a bunch of Totino's Party Pizzas because a). why are those nasty cardboard things so tasty?! and b). something has to temper all that sugar. ;)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThis week, I've had this balloon photo from L'Instant Parisien's \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/linstantparisien\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EInstagram \u003C\/a\u003Eas the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/repatriate-motivation-trick.html\" target=\"\"\u003Ewallpaper\u003C\/a\u003E on my phone and it has made me smile ear to ear \u003Ci\u003Emany \u003C\/i\u003Etimes a day. This week was a doozy, so thank you darling little boy with the balloon. Honestly, I love everything about this photo. Such mirth and joy! I just want to give him a little squeeze and a snuggle. Where do you suppose his mom is? Do you think maybe he's just cruising around 1930's Paris on his own à la \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2NdO62k\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELe Ballon Rouge\u003C\/a\u003E?!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAnd, here are a few links for your weekend, including a few of Coco's top birthday wish list picks:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Airplane4\/videos\/1074470949375608\/?hc_ref=ARSvIqXW8x86q5P5KP0Od3OQwFX7dHXghxiQmKQ0uRFE_D4NTAOSsbjvt-Sp71a4qjU\u0026amp;__xts__[0]=68.ARDX0iD3kqcJJyvPJplX62oPzRPv8gzewUYGcV8u0-hrAW2iUBJSTEyHZSM9iJQY_KrwpLJKAzc15_lLRsL5jxxUvxc322-yFGyuljBz8NaaT4PqRDl3bcOS-Idl-Q4ZFaC8uwu8yVQUDtDs86MJnAQW0JCIV4mD2QPRtwr5NzMvXZcFqajWWhNM8d0rETLN1RJt8n5Y9pZtAB9Zy1I4xX0rbeWqx2Dyj2bvy8VOKA\u0026amp;__tn__=FC-R\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMade me chuckle\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nEither the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2DM5sUa\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebest birthday present ever\u003C\/a\u003E - or a trip to the ER!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/stcu.org\/learn\/blog\/lifestyle-inflation\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAre you a victim of lifestyle inflation\u003C\/a\u003E?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/highline.huffingtonpost.com\/articles\/en\/everything-you-know-about-obesity-is-wrong\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe big article\u003C\/a\u003E blowing up the internet this week. (No pun intended)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI love \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.hauxmusic.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis music\u003C\/a\u003E I just discovered.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2xM7j6e\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EI have no words\u003C\/a\u003E. (Watch the video! LOL;)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/streetfilms\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EInspiring\u003C\/a\u003E! The Zurich one made me cry. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.buzzfeed.com\/stephenlaconte\/tony-hawk-recognized-twitter\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EInternet gold\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Ireland\/videos\/10156156217260629\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EIreland in 60 seconds\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI want to get \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/SQ0s\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Etwo of these\u003C\/a\u003E in C and T. So cute!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI hope your weekend is wonderful in every way. I will see you back here next week. Thank you, as always, for reading!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n(Photo via L'Instant Parisien\/Instagram. Streetfilms via lovely reader Rhiannon. Tony Hawk via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.margaretalbaugh.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMargaret Albaugh\u003C\/a\u003E.)"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/5444409885684245705\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/have-darling-weekend_28.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/5444409885684245705"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/5444409885684245705"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/have-darling-weekend_28.html","title":"Have a darling weekend"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhnJm1z6zKankLtfggf0rZldekOKhX1BWZNjlZpKKq7885FbPtMNyNYqljFNiYTGHOkB2a2qWPaZf2QuzwRt031ITqh8XTBrizjfeK6L5DzFQ0eLyMpGkkZyU02RHKDgbLEfUd97ibF_A\/s72-c\/IMG_2125.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-4220683233801267515"},"published":{"$t":"2018-09-27T17:00:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2022-03-14T08:22:41.136-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recipes"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Perfect Bruschetta"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg02A19jPDnPcx1430Gtwvuvq9L_isvyL0PyVj_nUapV5b8iJ9sREAryyoyfUhxqw-q4a5bKIblwOvzd2J3NLt4wf7EnJ0XZsvqZVR5039nyCNcT0puMRwFPF4n8NkDaIMOz8mnsz2YiA\/s1600\/IMG_8317_1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg02A19jPDnPcx1430Gtwvuvq9L_isvyL0PyVj_nUapV5b8iJ9sREAryyoyfUhxqw-q4a5bKIblwOvzd2J3NLt4wf7EnJ0XZsvqZVR5039nyCNcT0puMRwFPF4n8NkDaIMOz8mnsz2YiA\/s640\/IMG_8317_1.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nProbably my favorite ever comfort food to eat on a night when I don't really feel like cooking or maybe I'm just not that hungry is Trader Joe's Bruschetta Sauce on crostini with prosciutto. \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2016\/03\/my-five-favorite-products-from-trader.html\"\u003EI've sung its praises before\u003C\/a\u003E, but it bears repeating that this stuff is to die for! Especially with a glass of red wine, it can literally cure any bad day blues.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiA8xHDwTOO5S_2YG5loA7RYJn7WdyjlXTe7lg5jF2p8NJ5wT5QaOJrAzEJV2fRDGXxdvn3MMHBdhG2TQBusTLcnz7uIfB7VUTy5zUMN4cRvx9fuQwt4NMnVJINaO4iygT_2nBAzF5GAw\/s1600\/IMG_8308_1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiA8xHDwTOO5S_2YG5loA7RYJn7WdyjlXTe7lg5jF2p8NJ5wT5QaOJrAzEJV2fRDGXxdvn3MMHBdhG2TQBusTLcnz7uIfB7VUTy5zUMN4cRvx9fuQwt4NMnVJINaO4iygT_2nBAzF5GAw\/s640\/IMG_8308_1.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nIt requires minimal prep, starting with slicing a baguette thin on the diagonal. You might only want 2\/3 of the baguette as it's quite filling, so save the rest (unsliced!) to eat toasted with jam in the morning.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEi-1944iBHrS77dLhbkpo3jrDQ7S9HX-YH8d1g65OgYk2k6ZhkP4Fc9zdC6Z__-yBJNYXThyduvn9qBqEiqeY6rjtjBMu7y8hBUmZoJ46OUYeJZcEYFXVpFavl2PfB73bTfyVZJi6e6jQ\/s1600\/IMG_8309_1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEi-1944iBHrS77dLhbkpo3jrDQ7S9HX-YH8d1g65OgYk2k6ZhkP4Fc9zdC6Z__-yBJNYXThyduvn9qBqEiqeY6rjtjBMu7y8hBUmZoJ46OUYeJZcEYFXVpFavl2PfB73bTfyVZJi6e6jQ\/s640\/IMG_8309_1.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nOnce you have your bread slices, lay in a single layer on a baking sheet and either brush with butter or oil, or spray with oil! These Trader Joe's oil sprays are one of my favorite things in the world. They save so much time for tasks like this, and they're awesome for spraying your cast iron skillet. Typically, I use olive oil, but you can also just use whatever you happen to have on hand, like this day I used coconut oil and it tasted great.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiVLT7vZEs87XV6LfooU951XWX_j1qVANlknFljxzWN0VC9Qb14blxFoi95AToCUfNodGCTPmFuRSzw25VxQCNaC7Fw7P9VHNQhkqq2I2YCW1EW-Lm6rnyE_1khm3wTN3E_B_tdl_Daaw\/s1600\/IMG_8310_1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiVLT7vZEs87XV6LfooU951XWX_j1qVANlknFljxzWN0VC9Qb14blxFoi95AToCUfNodGCTPmFuRSzw25VxQCNaC7Fw7P9VHNQhkqq2I2YCW1EW-Lm6rnyE_1khm3wTN3E_B_tdl_Daaw\/s640\/IMG_8310_1.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThen sprinkle some cheese on each piece of bread. I like the quattro formagio cheese from Trader Joe's, but any Italian cheese like parmesan, mozzarella, etc will do beautifully.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgEKj18RzzHX6TN8xccqFVndBr3itEYh1V_QCjpNayrwkufiVm0Hl08K9Wow-4WZCrXNu86i3yC9Dl1TRP3MHPWrlu0xrr-eUpwqodpVVA7hMnLvfZxfFzOiC1igHx9nyCbmhvbzKQVwQ\/s1600\/IMG_8311_1_1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1532\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"612\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgEKj18RzzHX6TN8xccqFVndBr3itEYh1V_QCjpNayrwkufiVm0Hl08K9Wow-4WZCrXNu86i3yC9Dl1TRP3MHPWrlu0xrr-eUpwqodpVVA7hMnLvfZxfFzOiC1igHx9nyCbmhvbzKQVwQ\/s640\/IMG_8311_1_1.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nPop the crostini under the broiler for a few minutes, but do not step away. You must keep watch as they toast and the cheese bubbles very quickly!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhGEK4VuNqLzZsBC8mv87GKh1njaYbJLUfZgloZsMy1y_Ib6vYqLaqdMCsy4RnQZx_1a1yFMi0gW4ThktiHse3x85wH9fuuWiYJ8patSk_zy64v967-j-zNq_On2Qt2Gu-bcXVV7C52fw\/s1600\/IMG_8313_1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhGEK4VuNqLzZsBC8mv87GKh1njaYbJLUfZgloZsMy1y_Ib6vYqLaqdMCsy4RnQZx_1a1yFMi0gW4ThktiHse3x85wH9fuuWiYJ8patSk_zy64v967-j-zNq_On2Qt2Gu-bcXVV7C52fw\/s640\/IMG_8313_1.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nWhen they're ready, they'll look like this. It's a good idea to let the crostini cool for a few minutes before serving.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiHlAr3U0x_XnBbb3V-v4lSNboq7KEFHlAg9hUkRdvkhDtVRJKZwVZSMAdq41wHsoBnM9dIb6SumygvIkM3pPiH8lA4l0_KO8M-FNo0RCz21NmafD3PvACNg9n2yF5UpJneW_7X-NXT8w\/s1600\/IMG_8312_1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiHlAr3U0x_XnBbb3V-v4lSNboq7KEFHlAg9hUkRdvkhDtVRJKZwVZSMAdq41wHsoBnM9dIb6SumygvIkM3pPiH8lA4l0_KO8M-FNo0RCz21NmafD3PvACNg9n2yF5UpJneW_7X-NXT8w\/s640\/IMG_8312_1.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nGather up all the fixings, including the delicious bruschetta and take them to wherever you're sitting - this is great in front of the TV if you have a coffee table!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhd8TydDB0WOWx6SUKPEo3jKCHJ9WGsPyqiv_KvGeZ18Lur4f5J6xTXUYF-bzDZjXNpqwvYUo4dFg567m4rMB34caIBkTF8TVK3ACJZuDUarUoTTA0RDm1vsLL_A3N7zLy3rcpQdnUTQQ\/s1600\/IMG_8319_1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhd8TydDB0WOWx6SUKPEo3jKCHJ9WGsPyqiv_KvGeZ18Lur4f5J6xTXUYF-bzDZjXNpqwvYUo4dFg567m4rMB34caIBkTF8TVK3ACJZuDUarUoTTA0RDm1vsLL_A3N7zLy3rcpQdnUTQQ\/s640\/IMG_8319_1.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nOr hustle outside before Al Fresco dining season is completely over. As is typical, I always forget to take a photo of the finished product. To enjoy, just scoop some bruschetta onto a crostini, tear off a piece of prosciutto and pop on top and enjoy! Sort of messy, but totally worth it. Buon appetito!\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/4220683233801267515\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/the-perfect-bruschetta.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/4220683233801267515"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/4220683233801267515"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/the-perfect-bruschetta.html","title":"The Perfect Bruschetta"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg02A19jPDnPcx1430Gtwvuvq9L_isvyL0PyVj_nUapV5b8iJ9sREAryyoyfUhxqw-q4a5bKIblwOvzd2J3NLt4wf7EnJ0XZsvqZVR5039nyCNcT0puMRwFPF4n8NkDaIMOz8mnsz2YiA\/s72-c\/IMG_8317_1.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-3813442606594360709"},"published":{"$t":"2018-09-26T17:00:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-09-26T17:00:08.131-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"spokane"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"A fun thing about living in Spokane"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj0wTyOSjEnIOau48TL82NucrErLj-H4jotV_1wxGQKo7Vu1dVCLyI-PRpWH-U6idp-Y7jfAuz9TKHbb8IDIPNGGFoV4I6NOptc9GszrTEYcGCZz385oev7FcLWB94C5siistfaIB5wog\/s1600\/turkeys.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"551\" data-original-width=\"810\" height=\"434\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj0wTyOSjEnIOau48TL82NucrErLj-H4jotV_1wxGQKo7Vu1dVCLyI-PRpWH-U6idp-Y7jfAuz9TKHbb8IDIPNGGFoV4I6NOptc9GszrTEYcGCZz385oev7FcLWB94C5siistfaIB5wog\/s640\/turkeys.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThis morning, our \"commute\" - if you can call driving at 20 mph through gorgeous old neighborhoods a commute - was held up by something out of the ordinary: A flock of turkeys! It is the craziest thing, and it never gets old, but in our neighborhood here on the South Hill in Spokane are \u003Ci\u003Etons \u003C\/i\u003Eof wild turkeys. The photo above was taken just a few blocks from our house! I literally cannot get over it. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nHave you ever interacted with a turkey? They are \u003Ci\u003Eobnoxious!\u003C\/i\u003E Turkeys are very brazen birds and they do not give a %*!@ about anything. Their motto seems to be \"You can go %*!@ yourself\" and they regularly hold up traffic and paralyze four-way stops. The South Hill turkeys strut around like they own everything and stop in people's lawns to peck at whatever it is they eat in the grass, and of course to poop and gobble. They're quite the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.spokesman.com\/blogs\/outdoors\/2015\/mar\/30\/wild-turkey-suppression-planned-spokanes-south-hill\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Enuisance\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nBack during the time of our founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin criticized (mildly) the choice of the eagle as a national symbol in a letter to his daughter. According to\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.fi.edu\/benjamin-franklin\/franklin-national-bird\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E The Franklin Institute\u003C\/a\u003E, he wrote that the “Bald Eagle...is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly…[he] is too lazy to fish for himself.” Conversely, the turkey he finds to be  “a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America...He is besides, though a little vain \u0026amp; silly, a Bird of Courage.” That sounds pretty American to me. Courageous by all means, and yes, a little vain and silly! After all, we would be naive to pretend there is not still a shadow to every virtue.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI love the South Hill turkeys. Every time I come upon them, they sort of snap me out of whatever state of mind I'm in. If I'm rushed, I slow down, if I'm angry, I can't help but laugh, and if I'm sad, there is something about seeing a flock of wild turkeys strutting along that injects a little wonder and magic into my day.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n(Photo via \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.spokesman.com\/blogs\/outdoors\/2015\/mar\/30\/wild-turkey-suppression-planned-spokanes-south-hill\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Spokesman-Review\u003C\/a\u003E)"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/3813442606594360709\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/a-fun-thing-about-living-in-spokane.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/3813442606594360709"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/3813442606594360709"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/a-fun-thing-about-living-in-spokane.html","title":"A fun thing about living in Spokane"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj0wTyOSjEnIOau48TL82NucrErLj-H4jotV_1wxGQKo7Vu1dVCLyI-PRpWH-U6idp-Y7jfAuz9TKHbb8IDIPNGGFoV4I6NOptc9GszrTEYcGCZz385oev7FcLWB94C5siistfaIB5wog\/s72-c\/turkeys.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-1468971013338305121"},"published":{"$t":"2018-09-25T06:00:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-09-25T13:06:31.118-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"repat"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Repatriate: A Motivation Trick"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhFaAFm3L4jAtpWAoSQQKsr0UFc2WxUeeONm3ioB7qkITc3cCgduE0BHFLIDPLffBQbkUTatHoIWGCl6n8pQKE0SfWOQXu43FLo5jWG7VXL9iK0LrbK4XVLYf4o3DeDnB9E1ojS1t0uEQ\/s1600\/fc485b57d7fa553d29478877e69e4c51.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"311\" data-original-width=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhFaAFm3L4jAtpWAoSQQKsr0UFc2WxUeeONm3ioB7qkITc3cCgduE0BHFLIDPLffBQbkUTatHoIWGCl6n8pQKE0SfWOQXu43FLo5jWG7VXL9iK0LrbK4XVLYf4o3DeDnB9E1ojS1t0uEQ\/s1600\/fc485b57d7fa553d29478877e69e4c51.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nBeing a repat is interesting because one day you can be feeling great, and the next day completely awful. In the beginning, the days that you feel great are pretty few and far between, but as time goes on, they become more frequent (I promise!) but then the bad ones can really take you by surprise.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjydSBxj1qC7X9R0CgjBhYNyBOOfrPTGJ0uvWJFdDT9Rk3nwwdSFC7s3M24lp1HD75ATX5JeIKbHSi4MattKmDl1sGpNd9XpvkLN5KK90KSKeZzPam8qEPx3ywUR7dErnUDMGHrixXhYw\/s1600\/f4d1a7ce53245737442239078bca6b5f.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1001\" data-original-width=\"564\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjydSBxj1qC7X9R0CgjBhYNyBOOfrPTGJ0uvWJFdDT9Rk3nwwdSFC7s3M24lp1HD75ATX5JeIKbHSi4MattKmDl1sGpNd9XpvkLN5KK90KSKeZzPam8qEPx3ywUR7dErnUDMGHrixXhYw\/s640\/f4d1a7ce53245737442239078bca6b5f.jpg\" width=\"360\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nSo I came up with a little trick - I put something motivating or comforting (or both:) on my lock screen wallpaper on my iPhone. It's amazing how quickly it takes hold when you set the intention of remembering to try to inhabit a certain mental space and then have multiple reminders per day to do so.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEij5Sn1joVAY9KLTxCLt-UyY0fGF0coKdrMxz9kH6HjJ5CpFy5ymH8B8riw9n3KaJCfY3kG3FylW5xuWOk626vVTOhdjxH1Xs7Ts07TyLF-ZcJmtmT5YA5bIdp67MI25lqdnNghsYC0jA\/s1600\/20a52768b5fd099a6f466e5fd4410db7.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"841\" data-original-width=\"474\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEij5Sn1joVAY9KLTxCLt-UyY0fGF0coKdrMxz9kH6HjJ5CpFy5ymH8B8riw9n3KaJCfY3kG3FylW5xuWOk626vVTOhdjxH1Xs7Ts07TyLF-ZcJmtmT5YA5bIdp67MI25lqdnNghsYC0jA\/s640\/20a52768b5fd099a6f466e5fd4410db7.jpg\" width=\"360\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nYou can't force it, but I'm pretty sure every repat must eventually have a moment when they decide to go forward in their life instead of continuing to focus on going back, or wishing for what they used to have, or regretting that they no longer live their expat life. It's a big turning point in the process, but it's still an open door and there are days that you keep your eyes straight ahead and days that you find yourself looking back.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgfPCsENLCeuZGe5JmLlHimJDTkHApQKC7ClidZPtvs_oUhAo_sPFBHS9ljCsSNHHi32ZAwIv70_oLcRv5ua4ESbVUOclz0-of2Qs7AcWWEKG-_AbHcUFawX-M0DfrEoLEl1EYwg6iIrQ\/s1600\/31a47151ebce2dbc00e5f4abfaec6b6d.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"602\" data-original-width=\"426\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgfPCsENLCeuZGe5JmLlHimJDTkHApQKC7ClidZPtvs_oUhAo_sPFBHS9ljCsSNHHi32ZAwIv70_oLcRv5ua4ESbVUOclz0-of2Qs7AcWWEKG-_AbHcUFawX-M0DfrEoLEl1EYwg6iIrQ\/s640\/31a47151ebce2dbc00e5f4abfaec6b6d.jpg\" width=\"452\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nBeing a repat hurts so much. You feel like you've lost your sense of self, your identity, your rhythm and way of being in the world, your community and support system, your daily habits and creature comforts, your confidence in things both big and small. And that is okay. There's no use denying it. Even if the friends and loved ones around you\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/01\/repatriating-dont-talk-about-that.html\"\u003E don't understand in this moment\u003C\/a\u003E, know that it's okay and you're okay.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgXj7FyKyvs0hCQw3qpe4NhlkX7tSv8S2GE_KaTuJyfNVYuLLf9jNaf3zgtm0wSE_dNGyEvPf2j-bkBdBc6TK1Y_lsSnllQVY_nortZcig274AG-LiNlSdSL7DD6ja7Z2Su8Tgvjq5DtQ\/s1600\/4169c46cf19f0e953dcb87a02ac26879.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1003\" data-original-width=\"564\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgXj7FyKyvs0hCQw3qpe4NhlkX7tSv8S2GE_KaTuJyfNVYuLLf9jNaf3zgtm0wSE_dNGyEvPf2j-bkBdBc6TK1Y_lsSnllQVY_nortZcig274AG-LiNlSdSL7DD6ja7Z2Su8Tgvjq5DtQ\/s640\/4169c46cf19f0e953dcb87a02ac26879.jpg\" width=\"358\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nKnow that it won't last forever, because it really does feel like waiting as a repat. Waiting to feel at home, waiting to feel like yourself again, waiting to find joy. So when there are little glimmers and moments of joy (because there are!) it's important to remind yourself to cling to them.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI have\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/swisslark\/phone-wallpapers\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E an entire Pinterest board\u003C\/a\u003E of phone wallpaper ideas. Go check them out and see if one might help you! Are you a repat struggling to move on, or maybe you're going through another type of grief or loss? What has helped you? Would you try a motivating phone wallpaper? Why or why not?\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n(Images via \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thefreckledsc.blogspot.com\/2014\/06\/year-1-in-quotes.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E1\u003C\/a\u003E \/ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/kraftmint.com\/2015\/07\/27\/keep-going-wallpaper-freebie\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E2\u003C\/a\u003E \/ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.bando.com\/pages\/mobile-desktop-wallpapers#top\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E3\u003C\/a\u003E \/ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/emilymcdowell.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E4\u003C\/a\u003E \/ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/morganharpernichols.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E5\u003C\/a\u003E)"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/1468971013338305121\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/repatriate-motivation-trick.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/1468971013338305121"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/1468971013338305121"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/repatriate-motivation-trick.html","title":"Repatriate: A Motivation Trick"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhFaAFm3L4jAtpWAoSQQKsr0UFc2WxUeeONm3ioB7qkITc3cCgduE0BHFLIDPLffBQbkUTatHoIWGCl6n8pQKE0SfWOQXu43FLo5jWG7VXL9iK0LrbK4XVLYf4o3DeDnB9E1ojS1t0uEQ\/s72-c\/fc485b57d7fa553d29478877e69e4c51.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-4461811330665494269"},"published":{"$t":"2018-09-24T06:00:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-07-08T14:42:08.113-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"design"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"My Birthday Wish List"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgSTbdlSBTeORj3LRrWMLAxe6SzjW8U9nHWEbTov22jLlVzuh8Q6Sodl2uRJLMgr4COn5YKfXWwSzg_bOZaLNCvDxP4pOjhzHtglJCbnb9nlw7DJahmZ5CCWjTBT4O-i3GyagEdVuDStw\/s1600\/linz-birthday-wish-list.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1459\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgSTbdlSBTeORj3LRrWMLAxe6SzjW8U9nHWEbTov22jLlVzuh8Q6Sodl2uRJLMgr4COn5YKfXWwSzg_bOZaLNCvDxP4pOjhzHtglJCbnb9nlw7DJahmZ5CCWjTBT4O-i3GyagEdVuDStw\/s1600\/linz-birthday-wish-list.png\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThis year, I shall have a proper birthday. Meaning, I am not going to let my birthday be completely and totally eclipsed by Coco's birthday. Coco was born two days after the day I turned 32 and I have not really had a birthday ever since! I mean, I have. Of course it didn't go by with nothing, but it has always felt like an afterthought and been a bit disappointing since she was born. So, not this year!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI gave J a wish list with all of this fabulous stuff and I ordered a present for myself from the kids already. It's going to be a good one. ;) Here's what I'm after this year and why, clockwise spiral from top left:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/SBBg\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERay-Ban Cats 5000 Pilot Sunglasses\u003C\/a\u003E because they're so timeless and edgy. I've been wanting these for years and I realized that the last time I bought a nice pair of sunglasses \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2012\/03\/swimsuit-shopping-postpartum.html\"\u003Ewas in 2012\u003C\/a\u003E. So, bring 'em on! \u0026nbsp;I have another pair of Cats 5000 that I got while I was pregnant on a trip to Greece. I fell in love with them on the spot and didn't give it one second thought! But they're really wild. (About half way down in \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2013\/02\/our-timeline-ten-years-together.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis post\u003C\/a\u003E. So me, but definitely not everyday shades;) The tortoise is so classy even though the sunglasses themselves are pretty bold. Perfect for any occasion!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Flaura-mercier-face-illuminator%2F4051713%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26breadcrumb%3DHome%252FAll%2520Results%26color%3Dinspiration\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Flaura-mercier-face-illuminator%2F4051713%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26breadcrumb%3DHome%252FAll%2520Results%26color%3Dinspiration\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELaura Mercier Face Illuminator in Inspiration\u003C\/a\u003E is technically a highlighter, but it's deep and dark enough to be a really shimmery blush for me and I'm totally smitten with it. I wore it for a day last week and every time I caught my reflection in our living room mirror, I loved how radiant and rosy I looked. Definitely a must have. Bonus - if you purchase during the month of September, proceeds are donated to the Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fherschel-supply-co-little-america-backpack%2F5062418%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26breadcrumb%3DHome%252FAll%2520Results%26color%3Ddeep%2520teal%252F%2520tan\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fherschel-supply-co-little-america-backpack%2F5062418%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26breadcrumb%3DHome%252FAll%2520Results%26color%3Ddeep%2520teal%252F%2520tan\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHerschel Supply Co. Little America Backpack\u003C\/a\u003E has a laptop sleeve and padded straps, which are just perfect for schlepping around my computer and giant grad school textbooks now that I'm a student again! I've been using an old \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/beckelcanvas.com\/products\/handi-bag\/\"\u003EEena tote\u003C\/a\u003E, which I adore, but\u0026nbsp;my arms and back are not happy about it. This would be a vast improvement.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fsorel-lexie-wedge-boot-women%2F4966898%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26breadcrumb%3DHome%252FAll%2520Results%26color%3Dquarry\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESorel Lexie Wedge Boots\u003C\/a\u003E are waterproof and would look so adorable with my green rain jacket and stripey scarves. I mean, when you live in the PNW and deal with some serious weather for about half of the year, can you really say no to contrasting laces and snow gripping soles that still look good? No. No, you cannot!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2QS7jJL\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERifle Paper Co. Tapestry iPhone Case\u003C\/a\u003E will look perfect on my new iPhone. I've been using the same iPhone 6 since we got back to the States and an upgrade is in order. This case is so stunning and symmetrical and beautiful, that I decided to get a black phone expressly for this case!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2DqUPpX\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EUgg Andi Slippers\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;in grey will replace my beloved Ugg Andi slippers in black that I totally destroyed from loving and wearing them so much. These slippers have leather soles and a sheepskin insole and they're so dainty and cozy, they make any freezing winter morning that much more appealing. Stocks are getting really low everywhere, but they're still available \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2DqUPpX\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/SB7A\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E. I'm so glad Coco and Theo already ordered mine last week! ;)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fle-labo-santal-33-eau-de-parfum%2F4335764%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26breadcrumb%3DHome%252FAll%2520Results%26color%3Dnone\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELe Labo Santal 33\u003C\/a\u003E was something I was sure could never live up to the hype, but honestly it smells so amazingly good on my skin that now that my little sample has run out, I have to have it. My friend Jackie loves it on me, but can't wear it herself because it just smells like dill weed on her. Word to the wise: If you're interested, try it first because it seems to either be the sexiest, most wonderful scent in the world on some, or like straight up dill weed on others. No in between!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nDo you make a big fuss over your birthday, or prefer to let it go by without a lot of fanfare?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nPS - My lists from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2016\/09\/my-birthday-wish-list.html\"\u003E2016\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2013\/09\/my-birthday-wish-list.html\" target=\"\"\u003E2013\u003C\/a\u003E. I see a theme emerging! ;)"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/4461811330665494269\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/my-birthday-wish-list.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/4461811330665494269"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/4461811330665494269"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/my-birthday-wish-list.html","title":"My Birthday Wish List"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgSTbdlSBTeORj3LRrWMLAxe6SzjW8U9nHWEbTov22jLlVzuh8Q6Sodl2uRJLMgr4COn5YKfXWwSzg_bOZaLNCvDxP4pOjhzHtglJCbnb9nlw7DJahmZ5CCWjTBT4O-i3GyagEdVuDStw\/s72-c\/linz-birthday-wish-list.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-4539282055162538725"},"published":{"$t":"2018-09-17T12:00:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-09-17T14:41:00.348-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"expat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"repat"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Horn. Or, Swiss vs American Cultural Values"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEh95IgfhDFvLGnheeUFOpFpnqnaA6xfjGyjA0dC0qexTFeTVapF4NuTXZfbGoYR7ZLBEA_sbzNKjjsxibIc6pFfhxyR6nTVABuSwho52RycB6xvAQPNGf2LJlUhL_YDZlP8V5LYwok6yw\/s1600\/the+horn+switzerland+swiss+lark.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"500\" data-original-width=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEh95IgfhDFvLGnheeUFOpFpnqnaA6xfjGyjA0dC0qexTFeTVapF4NuTXZfbGoYR7ZLBEA_sbzNKjjsxibIc6pFfhxyR6nTVABuSwho52RycB6xvAQPNGf2LJlUhL_YDZlP8V5LYwok6yw\/s1600\/the+horn+switzerland+swiss+lark.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nA month or two ago, J and I started watching a new Netflix series called \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.netflix.com\/title\/80233842\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Horn\u003C\/a\u003E. It's all about a search and rescue team on the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2015\/04\/regret-moving-onward.html\" target=\"\"\u003EMatterhorn\u003C\/a\u003E. After three or four episodes we had to stop watching it because it made us painfully homesick and nostalgic for Switzerland. Although the show itself is excellent, interesting and gripping, we couldn't deal with hearing the accents and the ring of the telephone; or seeing the familiar doorknobs and office furniture. Such little things stood out so much! The familiarity drew us in and made us feel closer to Switzerland somehow - right at a time when we're making a concerted effort to enjoy where we are now and be present. It made it impossible to watch.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nBut, I still haven't stopped thinking about the show and the people in it since! It took me a few days of mulling it over to put my finger on what was so remarkable about it and then it struck me: The fundamental cultural differences between Switzerland, a country that is very much a collectivist society as far as Western Democracies go, and the United States, a country which is very much the quintessential individualist society among Western Democracies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nSo what does that mean? Well, it affects everything in a large over-arching way. In the show, there were three key things that stood out to me.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n1 \/\/ \u003Ci\u003EThe doctors, pilots and EMTs in The Horn repeatedly express a profound understanding of nature's strength and power. \u0026nbsp;They are humbled by nature and regard it with a deep level of respect. This includes both the power and strength of the mountain, but also a humility and respect for the fragility and limits of the human body.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI love this and find it very inspiring because all of these things align with my instincts and worldview and make sense to me. But I can't help but think that an American version of the same show would be much different. Instead of bowing down in reverence before Mother Nature and respecting her strength and divine power, I imagine that the American version would name nature as Enemy No. 1 and set out to conquer and dominate the forces of nature. We know that this could never happen, of course, because nature cannot be tamed. And yet, in order to make the show appealing to an American audience, I believe this would be the angle chosen - complete with ultra-manly music and intense sound effects. Since returning from life abroad, I can't stop noticing that the typical American mindset seems to hold true the idea that in life we must have an enemy or something we're fighting against. Is this a hangover from our days opposing British rule and fighting for our hard-won independence? Could be. I can't say exactly, but it's there. Freedom is hands-down the most highly prized facet of American life and the definition is very much tied up in the absence of an oppressor because we've taken them down!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n2 \/\/ \u003Ci\u003EIn the interviews with pilots and paramedics and doctors, each of them keeps saying things like, \"I care about helping people,\" or \"For me, it's knowing I helped that makes me feel good.\"\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nAmericans like winning. They like guts and glory. Make no mistake, the people in The Horn are doing very gutsy things when they go on rescue missions. But because they prioritize safety and minimize risk and \u003Ci\u003Edon't do it for the glory\u003C\/i\u003E in the first place, it's not likely to impress Americans.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n3 \/\/ \u003Ci\u003EA huge emphasis is made on\u0026nbsp;how important it is to listen to one's teammates, to trust one another and to recognize the small ways each of them contributes to create a valuable and effective whole.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nIn general, I think it is safe to say that Americans do not like this way of thinking. In American culture, one way to describe a disappointing failure is someone who winds up \"just a cog in the wheel\" instead of a stand out superstar. When someone is a cog in the wheel, they \"hold a minor but necessary post in a larger organization\" and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.dictionary.com\/browse\/cog-in-the-wheel\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eby definition\u003C\/a\u003E, that is not a good thing. Americans want to be the hero. They want to save the day. Alone.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThis is not meant to be a characterization of every single American. These are generalizations and broad ones at that. But, I maintain that these larger American undercurrents are there and they are real. These attitudes and beliefs seem imprinted on our national identity and play out in interesting ways politically (on both sides of the aisle!), inter-personally in workplace hierarchies, and most certainly across the media in movies, books, TV etc. These are some of America's shared cultural values. It actually makes me quite sad to think that not only do I not embrace these cultural values, but I find them quite barbaric and despicable.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nProbably the most interesting thing about this is that these cultural undercurrents are just that; they \u003Ci\u003Edo not\u003C\/i\u003E mirror what happens in everyday experiences and interactions in these two places. Americans are very talkative, helpful and warm in passing. By contrast, the Swiss can be openly critical and intolerant and downright cold in everyday life. That is a topic for an entirely separate post! \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nWhat do you think? Have you seen \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.netflix.com\/title\/80233842\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Horn\u003C\/a\u003E? Would you agree with my observations or do you feel that I am coming at this from a position of major bias and prejudice? I'm always open to discussion and would love to hear your point of view.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n(Photo via \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/fofstudios.com\/the-horn-red-bull\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFight or Flight Studios\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/4539282055162538725\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/the-horn-or-swiss-vs-american-cultural.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/4539282055162538725"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/4539282055162538725"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/the-horn-or-swiss-vs-american-cultural.html","title":"The Horn. Or, Swiss vs American Cultural Values"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEh95IgfhDFvLGnheeUFOpFpnqnaA6xfjGyjA0dC0qexTFeTVapF4NuTXZfbGoYR7ZLBEA_sbzNKjjsxibIc6pFfhxyR6nTVABuSwho52RycB6xvAQPNGf2LJlUhL_YDZlP8V5LYwok6yw\/s72-c\/the+horn+switzerland+swiss+lark.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-2004406844140772107"},"published":{"$t":"2018-09-14T20:15:00.003-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-09-15T15:51:18.610-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"culture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"weekend"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Have a sweet weekend"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhj3n7srwNW3iQ17J7OMCdX7Hdmyv_0FwLUZ2zgBAPfHR_SohsFuN-RZLJt8BGIas1Y98GP5NxplN0aJG68jLMlJtRT7kBw9OAUd4D1EJXQPbb-Xo2u3n3_sSzu5BMLLh90f6loJMOwGg\/s1600\/peaches+burtsbrisplease+preset.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhj3n7srwNW3iQ17J7OMCdX7Hdmyv_0FwLUZ2zgBAPfHR_SohsFuN-RZLJt8BGIas1Y98GP5NxplN0aJG68jLMlJtRT7kBw9OAUd4D1EJXQPbb-Xo2u3n3_sSzu5BMLLh90f6loJMOwGg\/s640\/peaches+burtsbrisplease+preset.jpeg\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhat are your weekend plans? I am looking forward to having some one-on-one time with J, getting a gel manicure and going to yoga. It's been a while since I've been to yoga with all of the back-to-school madness and I need to get back on the mat! I'm so glad things are finally beginning to mellow out. Tonight we're watching \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.netflix.com\/watch\/81009009?trackId=14006288\u0026amp;tctx=0%2C2%2C6f87557e-c5b8-4bef-a86f-653f38b0cf1e-40484837%2C%2C\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOzark season two\u003C\/a\u003E. Are you watching?! It is soooooo good. We're about 7 episodes in; no spoilers, please!And I really want to buy \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/Ozark\/comments\/73bx54\/anyone_know_what_kind_of_jacket_marty_is_wearing\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethat jacket\u003C\/a\u003E that Marty is always wearing for J.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWithout further ado, here are a few links for your weekend:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI processed this photo of peaches with the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/helloemmylowe.com\/burts-bris-x-emmy-lowe\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBurts Bris x Emmy Lowe\u003C\/a\u003E preset. So pretty!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI have decided this shall be\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2MxcVWy\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETheo's future backpack\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;when he starts kindergarten.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thelocal.ch\/20180905\/zurich-residents-evacuated-after-gardeners-find-ww2-bomb\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EYikes\u003C\/a\u003E! This is just down the lake from our old neighborhood.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI'm getting this \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fapieu-milk-sheet-mask-set-nordstrom-exclusive-17-50-value%2F4955483%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26breadcrumb%3DHome%252FAll%2520Results%26color%3Dnone\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esheet mask set\u003C\/a\u003E to use in the bathtub this winter. (Only $12!)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nMyers and Briggs \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.economist.com\/books-and-arts\/2018\/08\/30\/the-enduring-appeal-of-personality-types?fsrc=scn\/fb\/te\/bl\/ed\/theenduringappealofpersonalitytypesjungatheart\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewere women\u003C\/a\u003E. :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nOh, I hope \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thelocal.ch\/20180910\/is-switzerland-set-to-get-a-new-low-cost-long-distance-airline\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis\u003C\/a\u003E is happening.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.newyorker.com\/magazine\/2018\/09\/17\/can-mark-zuckerberg-fix-facebook-before-it-breaks-democracy\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECan Mark Zuckerberg Fix Facebook Before It Breaks Democracy\u003C\/a\u003E?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nEyeing this \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fmadewell-rhyme-garden-party-top%2F5061011%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26breadcrumb%3DHome%252FAll%2520Results%26color%3Dblue%2520night\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecute top\u003C\/a\u003E for fall.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Bnm26irFS38\/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet\u0026amp;igshid=17ppdqkyrg5ua\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESo true.\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;And so unfair!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/health\/archive\/2017\/03\/podcasts-are-the-new-xanax\/519366\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPodcasts Are the New Xanax\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI also want to say welcome and thank you for reading to the new readers as of late. I hope you'll find something helpful, or inspiring, or funny and keep coming back. And, I promise to do my best to come back and see you all here Monday! ;) Have a darling weekend, my dears. Smooches!"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/2004406844140772107\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/have-darling-weekend.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/2004406844140772107"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/2004406844140772107"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/have-darling-weekend.html","title":"Have a sweet weekend"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhj3n7srwNW3iQ17J7OMCdX7Hdmyv_0FwLUZ2zgBAPfHR_SohsFuN-RZLJt8BGIas1Y98GP5NxplN0aJG68jLMlJtRT7kBw9OAUd4D1EJXQPbb-Xo2u3n3_sSzu5BMLLh90f6loJMOwGg\/s72-c\/peaches+burtsbrisplease+preset.jpeg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-213116892014547618"},"published":{"$t":"2018-09-12T22:47:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-07-08T14:42:38.136-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beauty"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"design"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"A couple of cool friends"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiOEE5L3jPFyamHOyWeSldvFrPkQuRITgcaDY8Sw4e-N_eLgHOMNVItpCGNttP3vUkGr5_M4VoCQRyIu_DDFIs9tg0JQuM5P_BdneSxPnhoEJ4TZppoPuaeAYDO6cMLZFWSx1xTQ7zuwQ\/s1600\/IMG_2106+2.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"737\" data-original-width=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiOEE5L3jPFyamHOyWeSldvFrPkQuRITgcaDY8Sw4e-N_eLgHOMNVItpCGNttP3vUkGr5_M4VoCQRyIu_DDFIs9tg0JQuM5P_BdneSxPnhoEJ4TZppoPuaeAYDO6cMLZFWSx1xTQ7zuwQ\/s1600\/IMG_2106+2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI was driving home from a work event tonight when I got a text from my friend \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/makeupartistalicia\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAlicia\u003C\/a\u003E that she had modeled this beautiful dress and ridiculous jacket today for Nordstrom. WHAT?! Yes. It's true. Alicia is a poet with a degree in Creative Writing from the University of Washington and also a professional makeup artist and Laura Mercier brand ambassador. How cool is it that she is my friend and that the day I was building Coco and Theo's bunkbeds she came over for coffee and a long, leisurely chat about writing and creativity, and that just last night I was texting her for brow pencil recommendations?! Alicia's style is off the charts and not only that, she is one of the most genuine, soulful people I know.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhSBCj43rSS9Cfc4_oeboeZzOFJuH01vSy7vpVMFi1hSC3XZ1n7TgMYOkmmsUQhpXJOx5fUvL5oAdJuuRY7qwc5J_U1kaxIw73h3-qcB-iproAJqWz1YiXYFpXZ0z1lv_rTarolK3yY_Q\/s1600\/IMG_2105.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"744\" data-original-width=\"749\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhSBCj43rSS9Cfc4_oeboeZzOFJuH01vSy7vpVMFi1hSC3XZ1n7TgMYOkmmsUQhpXJOx5fUvL5oAdJuuRY7qwc5J_U1kaxIw73h3-qcB-iproAJqWz1YiXYFpXZ0z1lv_rTarolK3yY_Q\/s1600\/IMG_2105.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nAlso so cool is that my friend Charlotte is a total \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/stoneknits\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eknitting superstar\u003C\/a\u003E who is crazy talented at writing \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ravelry.com\/designers\/stone-knits\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esock patterns\u003C\/a\u003E. Honestly, how adorable are these Magic Toadstool socks?! I especially love these because the day I went into labor with Coco, J and I went for a looooong hike through the Zürcher Oberland and on our way we actually saw a mushroom like this. I'm not kidding! It was red with white spots and until that moment (even afterward?!) I had always assumed they were make-believe. Like unicorns! But they're real. Just like my Coco, who was a dream come true. Charlotte has three kids and a very busy life and always manages to be in the moment, carefree and so much fun. She is amazing if you ask me!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI am so grateful to have amazing friends who keep me inspired to be my very best in my creative endeavors and just in life. Thank you, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.aliciawheeler.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAlicia\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ravelry.com\/people\/StoneKnits1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECharlotte\u003C\/a\u003E! You both rock.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n(Photos via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/nordstromsea\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENordstrom Flagship\u003C\/a\u003E\/Instagram and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/stoneknits\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EStone Knits\u003C\/a\u003E\/Instagram)\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/213116892014547618\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/a-couple-of-cool-friends.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/213116892014547618"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/213116892014547618"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/a-couple-of-cool-friends.html","title":"A couple of cool friends"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiOEE5L3jPFyamHOyWeSldvFrPkQuRITgcaDY8Sw4e-N_eLgHOMNVItpCGNttP3vUkGr5_M4VoCQRyIu_DDFIs9tg0JQuM5P_BdneSxPnhoEJ4TZppoPuaeAYDO6cMLZFWSx1xTQ7zuwQ\/s72-c\/IMG_2106+2.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-7277494873429295910"},"published":{"$t":"2018-09-11T14:13:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-09-11T14:13:27.961-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"repat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"repatriate"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Repatriation: Unfollow"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"742\" data-original-width=\"750\" height=\"632\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiwUzS1NU87MQJGiyP1Jl8ugV91vG6ocNilwWvr4-RadH8J3ggqKycEpfO6gVjt1yw9fOxob-qAjwRkXMg6PZs01gH9RBl7IGQjohCfoMAzA8HmRIPDYoivcrpcwBuLrgd0SO6CDw-sfw\/s640\/IMG_2087.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nAre you struggling as a repat? Returning home after our time in Zurich was, and some days still is, the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. If you're newly back home, or even if you repatriated a few years ago and still can't find your footing, I have a simple tip to share. A few months ago, after \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/05\/just-enjoy-where-you-are-now.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe decision\u003C\/a\u003E to stay put for a while and make the most of life in Spokane had been made, I did something I wish I had done a lot sooner: I unfollowed just about every Instagram account I had been following that had anything to do with Zurich.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEivuO_H9WBW9H0Q-RjRHHyB8vAnhON0zdn7VT6GDmVsUtQ091xPrSI45uPa-nplob8Stkd78jBOrp2WcIP_384DuS-UmArj_72sLv5RqaYB7vW4KadQQ__LiGUB0T92hG4fl4pZ3ihWzQ\/s1600\/IMG_2089.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"924\" data-original-width=\"750\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEivuO_H9WBW9H0Q-RjRHHyB8vAnhON0zdn7VT6GDmVsUtQ091xPrSI45uPa-nplob8Stkd78jBOrp2WcIP_384DuS-UmArj_72sLv5RqaYB7vW4KadQQ__LiGUB0T92hG4fl4pZ3ihWzQ\/s640\/IMG_2089.jpg\" width=\"518\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nYou see, it kept happening that I would open Instagram and see a photo like this one and be instantly teleported back to Zurich. I would actually be able \u003Ci\u003Eto feel\u003C\/i\u003E the rumble of the tram beneath me and \u003Ci\u003Eto hear\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003Ethe robot announcer's voice announcing the next stop. I wanted to be there so badly\u003Ci\u003E,\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;just back in my old life, riding the tram into the city, or on my way to meet a friend at the Bürkliplatz market. In other photos, I'd be reminded of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2012\/05\/zurich-haus-zum-ruden.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Elittle traditions\u003C\/a\u003E we had at cafes or favorite spots. In others, I'd see places from my \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2016\/08\/happy-725th-birthday-switzerland.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebucket list\u003C\/a\u003E which I had never visited. And every once in a rare while, I'd see a photo that was almost identical to a photo of my own. Like this one, taken in Neumarkt, of J walking with baby Coco in the BabyBjörn.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhAP5na2HPSRH96YUqjC1LhCBMLqx8aESragTVDXcyh6f0ypqDfI3iDVD9EBnDdyON9TL4Ic4Vj3l65rGIc-PB2INtBndZRnsX4kuRMilnj4aR7UkTRYciqZi3Xpa1MmGC8RU9kaVEilA\/s1600\/IMG_2090.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"925\" data-original-width=\"750\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhAP5na2HPSRH96YUqjC1LhCBMLqx8aESragTVDXcyh6f0ypqDfI3iDVD9EBnDdyON9TL4Ic4Vj3l65rGIc-PB2INtBndZRnsX4kuRMilnj4aR7UkTRYciqZi3Xpa1MmGC8RU9kaVEilA\/s640\/IMG_2090.jpg\" width=\"518\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgB5GwIMp8scwU7atDOw9pC2-pehPst25QQq7qu6J2kkbdAd9ICj0QiPdsSBqpWeaOs0k8ni6E-jqu_rhUKVScCk_rQFxxxx_YrlcAlYm9kqfxIdeFPdiBTkmPf3Am1CsViGsP_xB1kig\/s1600\/IMG_2092.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1322\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgB5GwIMp8scwU7atDOw9pC2-pehPst25QQq7qu6J2kkbdAd9ICj0QiPdsSBqpWeaOs0k8ni6E-jqu_rhUKVScCk_rQFxxxx_YrlcAlYm9kqfxIdeFPdiBTkmPf3Am1CsViGsP_xB1kig\/s652\/IMG_2092.JPG\" width=\"518\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nRegardless of the instance, the result would be the same: I'd wind up feeling all angsty and sad and cycling through all of the emotions of regret and longing and yet being grateful for where we are now, and it was plain exhausting to do that every day, once or twice a day, or more.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEh4tbIedgBqf1Fm3RMfTgSDNWyivRQorvSF92z1R3EikxiUcGl1rO8uh2TLjO6VBL2TFEJNY-r-ze97QhFLy4CIhz-9UN1aQR2TaA1pWOB_kYJUW7vXj7nDOedCFofH-Z8PsPdc156q1w\/s1600\/IMG_2094.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"926\" data-original-width=\"750\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEh4tbIedgBqf1Fm3RMfTgSDNWyivRQorvSF92z1R3EikxiUcGl1rO8uh2TLjO6VBL2TFEJNY-r-ze97QhFLy4CIhz-9UN1aQR2TaA1pWOB_kYJUW7vXj7nDOedCFofH-Z8PsPdc156q1w\/s640\/IMG_2094.jpg\" width=\"518\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nIt took a while. At first I thought I would just unfollow the big ones like \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/visitzurich\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EVisit Zurich\u003C\/a\u003E, the official Instagram account for Zurich Tourism; and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/zurichseefeld\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EZurich Seefeld\u003C\/a\u003E, the account for our old neighborhood. But over time, I realized that I had to unfollow friends, too. It was hard to do, but now that it's been a few months, I can see that it was so necessary.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nSo what will happen to you if you unfollow your old life? Well, you'll start noticing more in your current life. You'll begin paying attention to the aspects of it that have the ability to make you happy. For me, that's \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BniQMVpD0Qf\/?taken-by=swisslark\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edecorating my house\u003C\/a\u003E, enjoying things like walking Coco to school and paying more attention to and participating in local events. It may be very similar for you, or it could look different. There's one easy way to find out: unfollow, unfollow, unfollow!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjTHFCxRsgWUdAWiXQiOQLeAsos4tUYGjhDwXf-YROn9Cdk-16UJV2ZiTyQwKyXI2v776S9eAekFCwac_lo-tX6K2cyCRguRjwwEb-HJTVwDuQrJGblJupMI7Lk4ygTQlYiRo1Yj893ug\/s1600\/IMG_2093.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"918\" data-original-width=\"749\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjTHFCxRsgWUdAWiXQiOQLeAsos4tUYGjhDwXf-YROn9Cdk-16UJV2ZiTyQwKyXI2v776S9eAekFCwac_lo-tX6K2cyCRguRjwwEb-HJTVwDuQrJGblJupMI7Lk4ygTQlYiRo1Yj893ug\/s640\/IMG_2093.jpg\" width=\"522\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nIt can feel scary at first, as if you're forsaking all that you had in that place. It can feel as if the identity you have wrapped up in your former life is rooted there and you cannot bring it with you. But you're not, and it's not. Remind yourself that those photos and accounts are always there if you go look; and that place will always be there. The important thing is to begin watering the grass you're standing on because it matters a lot. When we focus our energy on our current reality, it makes space for being present and experiencing joy in a way that is otherwise impossible when you're constantly being pulled backwards by Insta-reminders.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nWould you unfollow for the sake of being happier? If you're a repat, what have you found helpful in adjusting to life back home? Even if you're not a repat, it always makes sense to unfollow any Instagram account that makes you feel sad as you scroll past their photos, don't you agree?\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n(Photos via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/daniah99\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E1\u003C\/a\u003E \/ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/michelleahunziker\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E2\u003C\/a\u003E \/ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/hrrbhn\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E3\u003C\/a\u003E \/ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/swisslark\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E4\u003C\/a\u003E \/ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mominzurich\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E5\u003C\/a\u003E \/ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/justmovedtoswitzerland\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E6\u003C\/a\u003E)"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/7277494873429295910\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/repatriation-unfollow.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/7277494873429295910"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/7277494873429295910"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/repatriation-unfollow.html","title":"Repatriation: Unfollow"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiwUzS1NU87MQJGiyP1Jl8ugV91vG6ocNilwWvr4-RadH8J3ggqKycEpfO6gVjt1yw9fOxob-qAjwRkXMg6PZs01gH9RBl7IGQjohCfoMAzA8HmRIPDYoivcrpcwBuLrgd0SO6CDw-sfw\/s72-c\/IMG_2087.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-4616583814556546814"},"published":{"$t":"2018-09-10T22:09:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-09-11T11:34:12.810-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"motherhood"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The First Day of School"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgRQGXhqPM-sLp6jlj21UE6PnhX1JZi5HoOXUHhR4ctda4A5V9NlYrd9abezqrXMJsmpstkyWmw8f81Hr4UFLB6zaiU2ghatbPdJqda_y7xxfop_znoR_pb0ZgRU5NKP3tB6CEgL5zq6A\/s1600\/first+day+of+school.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgRQGXhqPM-sLp6jlj21UE6PnhX1JZi5HoOXUHhR4ctda4A5V9NlYrd9abezqrXMJsmpstkyWmw8f81Hr4UFLB6zaiU2ghatbPdJqda_y7xxfop_znoR_pb0ZgRU5NKP3tB6CEgL5zq6A\/s640\/first+day+of+school.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EA picture is worth a thousand words.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI promised you all an account of our very bad, no good, horrible first day of school.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI'll sum it up like this: Coco threw a massive fit over a backpack that was really hideous and poor quality that J and I wouldn't let her have. (Weeell, it would be more accurate to say that we wouldn't let her \u003Ci\u003Ekeep\u003C\/i\u003E it. Because I had been wimpy enough in the face of a lot of crying and whining in the middle of Target a few days before to buy it in the first place, with the caveat that we would take it home and \"see what Daddy thinks.\" Fail.) Nothing went as planned. I wound up driving her to school instead of walking, which I had really been looking forward to. And just when I had arrived back home from taking Theo to his school and thought it was all over, they called to say that he had thrown up all over the playground and I had to go straight back. But it gets worse! I got there just in time to see quite plainly that Theo was also suffering from diarrhea. There were lots of tears on the first day of school, mostly my own. And I didn't even manage to get a first-day-of-school photo. :(\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhtz3SFCdMAqqw4m2INOpfVYD67Rxd23P82ku29lpJ5kjMvphXP0amcVCyCRlmhyphenhyphenL1Xf1ATXw_wS0bD6WgKqKG6iYnRW7ovDDcjPv2ffpjvGbLusqOSQ2UsnhUnyfDWIL5tbeXv1JSNDQ\/s1600\/IMG_1988.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhtz3SFCdMAqqw4m2INOpfVYD67Rxd23P82ku29lpJ5kjMvphXP0amcVCyCRlmhyphenhyphenL1Xf1ATXw_wS0bD6WgKqKG6iYnRW7ovDDcjPv2ffpjvGbLusqOSQ2UsnhUnyfDWIL5tbeXv1JSNDQ\/s640\/IMG_1988.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EBut Coco's teacher did! Obviously Coco did not remain upset for long. :)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nOn the one hand, I have to share the honest truth because I do not want to be part of the social media conspiracy that makes motherhood look like all cupcakes and roses. When I share this less-than-perfect day, it might make others who may have had a rotten first day feel less alone. And that is important because it is \u003Ci\u003Eno joke\u003C\/i\u003E that there is a lot of pressure when you see everyone else's perfect first-day photos plastering Instagram!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgMYWLhQHUlJAdk6YKmXgj0pqh2hAWh96C1qEp_EylJnKoMMiAdXvhHEZlci2WMRaB9LMUYiIjcN8hzn23NRxOtk4lxr2CwmzroXRkpoaNqNQHuyW4cw0XLeS3Z8TzwtnzURCn9PtqMGA\/s1600\/IMG_1907.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgMYWLhQHUlJAdk6YKmXgj0pqh2hAWh96C1qEp_EylJnKoMMiAdXvhHEZlci2WMRaB9LMUYiIjcN8hzn23NRxOtk4lxr2CwmzroXRkpoaNqNQHuyW4cw0XLeS3Z8TzwtnzURCn9PtqMGA\/s640\/IMG_1907.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003ECoco: day two. Theo: sick.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nBut on the other hand, at some point honesty becomes \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/gomiblog.com\/the-freckled-fox-home-is-aspirational-and-relatable\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esort of depressing\u003C\/a\u003E. We don't go on Instagram or read blogs for a dose of depressing reality - we have newspapers for that! ;) We read blogs and go on Instagram because we want to be inspired and to see things and read things that will give us ideas to live more beautifully. I'm trying to strike a sort of keeping-it-real balance here but I have no idea if I'm even close.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj21KfD-F02Qs_UfHJt-sqF3F0kI5rmOPfOb-L5Iimxv4IbY92B-ULbMRhvGit8Pw_6FZ5E1JQPiv52aBUXtv6sSjfDV0qpLPkECSib9F2ak4iqygqSo1fabAwzn32l7BXpmWJCrSiFRg\/s1600\/IMG_1975.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj21KfD-F02Qs_UfHJt-sqF3F0kI5rmOPfOb-L5Iimxv4IbY92B-ULbMRhvGit8Pw_6FZ5E1JQPiv52aBUXtv6sSjfDV0qpLPkECSib9F2ak4iqygqSo1fabAwzn32l7BXpmWJCrSiFRg\/s640\/IMG_1975.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003ECoco: scooting to day three. Mama and Theo: walking! Also, backpack. \u003Cbr \/\u003EI'm glad I stayed firm and set good limits.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nSo here's what I learned on the first day of school: When it comes to parenting, it is so important to let go of perfectionism (particularly when it comes to milestones!) and to be mindful of how we frame things. So, instead I'll sum up our first day like this:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIt can be very hard to set limits with our children sometimes.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ENot everything always goes to plan, and that's okay because we can be flexible.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESickness always arrives at the most inconvenient moment!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECrying is a great release.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECoco will get such a kick out of their first-day-of-school photo some day - and Theo looks positively adorable spacing out, most likely because he has a fever no one yet knows about!\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nHonestly, what can you do?! I hope you had a wonderful first day of school wherever you are. And if you \u003Ci\u003Edidn't\u003C\/i\u003E have a wonderful first day of school, \u003Ci\u003Eplease\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;share in the comments. Obviously this is a safe space. No judgment here!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nPS - If you're curious, Coco's backpack that we finally agreed upon can be found \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/RZee\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E. And the awful one that she initially wanted (\"What is that? A backpack for strippers?!\" J said when he saw it) can be found \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2CIBsIu\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E. ;)\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nPPS - The best reaction to the first-day-of-school photo, from Coco's godmother in Switzerland. (I had sent the photo with the caption, \"I'm the worst mother on earth.\")\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003EI have no idea what you're talking about.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Ci\u003ELooks like a typical day to me.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003EGoddamn they are both adorable!\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003EHer jean jacket is awesome.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nSo there you have it, folks. Let go of perfectionism, be mindful of how you frame things, and get by with a little help from your friends!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/4616583814556546814\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/the-first-day-of-school_10.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/4616583814556546814"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/4616583814556546814"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/the-first-day-of-school_10.html","title":"The First Day of School"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgRQGXhqPM-sLp6jlj21UE6PnhX1JZi5HoOXUHhR4ctda4A5V9NlYrd9abezqrXMJsmpstkyWmw8f81Hr4UFLB6zaiU2ghatbPdJqda_y7xxfop_znoR_pb0ZgRU5NKP3tB6CEgL5zq6A\/s72-c\/first+day+of+school.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-7459898687532925669"},"published":{"$t":"2018-09-07T08:00:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-09-09T09:07:25.524-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"design"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"weekend"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Have a sweet weekend"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEi8UaZZfqwG5TbD3OAzF6fmOyWg1Qp7fcEksJ_fnimkZB0TPj2InvzDWLT8TdHafixIs157adC9FmZEFb6u8P2sz97J-qNcCzox92BQ-G2cUvFVSxocWuqQTOLeVGMsTf-aElxyNdVRRA\/s1600\/gummies+swiss+lark.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"500\" data-original-width=\"500\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEi8UaZZfqwG5TbD3OAzF6fmOyWg1Qp7fcEksJ_fnimkZB0TPj2InvzDWLT8TdHafixIs157adC9FmZEFb6u8P2sz97J-qNcCzox92BQ-G2cUvFVSxocWuqQTOLeVGMsTf-aElxyNdVRRA\/s640\/gummies+swiss+lark.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAre you up to anything exciting this weekend? I am still recovering from a stomach bug and fever, so my weekend is going to be filled with many naps. That's the plan, anyway. ;) Sometimes I'll look back through my \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/swisslark\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPinterest\u003C\/a\u003E and notice that I've pinned something twice, and I think to myself, \"Wow, I guess I really liked that one!\" But these gummy bears, I actually pinned them\u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003Ethree times\u003C\/i\u003E! So I guess I really love them. They are pretty darn cute, aren't they? And apparently I have no memory!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHere are a few links for you until we meet again:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIf you're in the mood for risotto, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/markbittman.com\/laid-back-risotto\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis recipe\u003C\/a\u003E is my fave.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI'm ordering \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shrsl.com\/15jsq\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis sweet desk calendar\u003C\/a\u003E for work, filled with pics of Coco and Theo.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/apple-events\/september-2018\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EIt's coming\u003C\/a\u003E. (Do you care?!)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.economist.com\/prospero\/2018\/09\/04\/the-revival-of-french-electro-pop\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe revival of French electro-pop\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nEt \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/f5IruTV-LGQ\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eun petit goût\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(pour les oreilles;)\u0026nbsp;de la musique en question.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nJ and I are going \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.spokesman.com\/stories\/2018\/may\/02\/tiki-with-a-twist-the-tiny-tiki-mixes-tradition-wi\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E on our next date night.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shrsl.com\/15jvg\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECute hat\u003C\/a\u003E for little girls or boys.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/08\/30\/travel\/what-to-do-in-the-dolomites.html?action=click\u0026amp;module=MoreInSection\u0026amp;pgtype=Article\u0026amp;region=Footer\u0026amp;contentCollection=Travel\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBreathtaking\u003C\/a\u003E. (Take me there now, please:)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/here-there-and-everywhere\/201701\/11-warning-signs-gaslighting\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E11 warning signs of gaslighting\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.newyorker.com\/magazine\/2018\/04\/02\/how-a-young-woman-lost-her-identity\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELong, but fascinating and worth the read\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI hope your weekend is as sweet as can be! See you back here next week.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n(Photo via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/43487952637312704\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewildfoxuk\u003C\/a\u003E\/Pinterest)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/7459898687532925669\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/have-sweet-weekend.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/7459898687532925669"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/7459898687532925669"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/have-sweet-weekend.html","title":"Have a sweet weekend"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEi8UaZZfqwG5TbD3OAzF6fmOyWg1Qp7fcEksJ_fnimkZB0TPj2InvzDWLT8TdHafixIs157adC9FmZEFb6u8P2sz97J-qNcCzox92BQ-G2cUvFVSxocWuqQTOLeVGMsTf-aElxyNdVRRA\/s72-c\/gummies+swiss+lark.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-9067786094414393975"},"published":{"$t":"2018-09-06T10:44:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-09-06T10:55:12.455-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"design"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Kid O toys"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"motherhood"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"toys"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Kid O Toys: MagnaTab"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEi_AFfG07sTx7X6l9wOvlrll1BGKg-SIduG-Qhu9p_Gy1nT2BFj85DQM7ZZhP43CoN7cT_Zg_AGdQJ-xvNYZ8DzyhTX3Bz2bOGgP6zeMnKJevPy8HX9mJNwaR1YMr5pu0Z9o4pJr1WA6g\/s1600\/IMG_1920_1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEi_AFfG07sTx7X6l9wOvlrll1BGKg-SIduG-Qhu9p_Gy1nT2BFj85DQM7ZZhP43CoN7cT_Zg_AGdQJ-xvNYZ8DzyhTX3Bz2bOGgP6zeMnKJevPy8HX9mJNwaR1YMr5pu0Z9o4pJr1WA6g\/s640\/IMG_1920_1.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nOur kids seem to play with their toys less and less these days. Many of the toys from Theo's birthday party have already lost their luster and made their way down to our (mess of a) playroom to gather dust. Sigh. Because of that, I try to shop with purpose for our children's toys anymore.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgpfKTPuqv-TpREBTHqSJEZPQTvzsjlDifXvq8_L1nh-GtLpGo0SV1nNYe3Zf51X-mREfbf-K-OfCPaFCHjRaIQEE9AbBfWKlLhTgrPhqwmVkiHmJLnkYo3ESZNv2Gp1OkWD6537E_dbw\/s1600\/IMG_1916_1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgpfKTPuqv-TpREBTHqSJEZPQTvzsjlDifXvq8_L1nh-GtLpGo0SV1nNYe3Zf51X-mREfbf-K-OfCPaFCHjRaIQEE9AbBfWKlLhTgrPhqwmVkiHmJLnkYo3ESZNv2Gp1OkWD6537E_dbw\/s640\/IMG_1916_1.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2oKjKdR\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKid O Toys\u003C\/a\u003E make clean, modern, cheerful toys for infants and children. I love their slogan, \"We make learning look like child's play\" and I have admired their gorgeous, well-designed toys for years. Naturally, when they contacted me to ask if I would like to write a review, I was thrilled!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhWZlH7WJhjw74Eg8Nfl8xjd28ext87sa8z6MMWTPn6VnaTKOn73bP-A0cX4tdmAYnUhFAtTd9bqHldDIOM9rpxZi4qg88PJT8jJwW5rzcuDoiyIs8QiAkwW3xGPTZ-7RBCrrft59Ifsw\/s1600\/IMG_1925_1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhWZlH7WJhjw74Eg8Nfl8xjd28ext87sa8z6MMWTPn6VnaTKOn73bP-A0cX4tdmAYnUhFAtTd9bqHldDIOM9rpxZi4qg88PJT8jJwW5rzcuDoiyIs8QiAkwW3xGPTZ-7RBCrrft59Ifsw\/s640\/IMG_1925_1.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhen I saw Kid O's \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2wOyg8H\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMagnaTab Glow\u003C\/a\u003E, I thought it could be the answer to a recent problem that has cropped up in our car: backseat bickering! In an effort to curb iPad use, we have been relying on books on tape and other non-screen solutions when we know we'll be in the car for a while. But oddly, just on short trips around town, we've noticed a lot of arguing and disagreeing in the backseat. It's stressful to drive with that going on behind you.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiLNpQWb9BNaFrCQ3x5Jq4FYb2NOYoNqxGyKsTA80yuOMf1zfdrsAV-THdovydAgSZJRR3JPofFUzOCSGMF7M505dwB8w9NkMyJhgYOl3TJLgBcEiYoy1-PWjZlr7UeRIo-YgYUiZk_uA\/s1600\/IMG_1928_1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiLNpQWb9BNaFrCQ3x5Jq4FYb2NOYoNqxGyKsTA80yuOMf1zfdrsAV-THdovydAgSZJRR3JPofFUzOCSGMF7M505dwB8w9NkMyJhgYOl3TJLgBcEiYoy1-PWjZlr7UeRIo-YgYUiZk_uA\/s640\/IMG_1928_1.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgoknsf0jDDrL8cRS8qMFqhYm5zvFHzA4s03E2fdKl508DqLpSVD89suds0RMa5E82s43cAmfTWXngvmy8bwYNCxlMl9FuwLt-3wpqt80_X6fAPUFjNQwoTnaUDldg1fmj3iQy6odPsqg\/s1600\/IMG_1931_1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgoknsf0jDDrL8cRS8qMFqhYm5zvFHzA4s03E2fdKl508DqLpSVD89suds0RMa5E82s43cAmfTWXngvmy8bwYNCxlMl9FuwLt-3wpqt80_X6fAPUFjNQwoTnaUDldg1fmj3iQy6odPsqg\/s640\/IMG_1931_1.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThe MagnaTab works by using the magnetic stylus to pull the metal beads to the surface. It's so fun to write your name, make a design, draw a picture, or try to get just one single line of beads to rise up. (Harder than it looks!) Then, just turn the stylus sideways to push all of the balls back down.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhcPzDpR9G4NutWxK9j_0NF7Ld-M8UfuF7S2cJuqhKKGek8YydhWuAX4jweWZJPQibf25ZvUSxFWY2fu1JMfjd7CxR1CyXTKf-qoMbQtkWbfZj1m6P4EtR1QOgjLMH_oXqzornB9y-36Q\/s1600\/IMG_1927_1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhcPzDpR9G4NutWxK9j_0NF7Ld-M8UfuF7S2cJuqhKKGek8YydhWuAX4jweWZJPQibf25ZvUSxFWY2fu1JMfjd7CxR1CyXTKf-qoMbQtkWbfZj1m6P4EtR1QOgjLMH_oXqzornB9y-36Q\/s640\/IMG_1927_1.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThe coolest part is that at night, the entire thing glows! It's quite mesmerizing. We keep Coco and Theo's MagnaTabs in the seat back pockets and they never leave the car - except to charge up to glow if we're driving home from a dinner party or school event in the dark!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEigBlgDMTYERkqmibTsK8D9MEnb_A4AcNU7vWfkkgPO92yuLWNa6T92qE5jxQyLlwegtAlM6CrfinHDVnsuCuNVWvlPMbgIYX0pFEo0KIc6B8v3-Hc3BKrovpiPYU6MoQNY_RrYDUfNvg\/s1600\/IMG_1929_1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEigBlgDMTYERkqmibTsK8D9MEnb_A4AcNU7vWfkkgPO92yuLWNa6T92qE5jxQyLlwegtAlM6CrfinHDVnsuCuNVWvlPMbgIYX0pFEo0KIc6B8v3-Hc3BKrovpiPYU6MoQNY_RrYDUfNvg\/s640\/IMG_1929_1.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThe other day, on our way to school, Coco got in the car, buckled up and spontaneously grabbed her MagnaTab and handed Theo's his! We hadn't even gotten out of the driveway and they were both doodling happily and showing each other what they had made. We've had these in the car for well over a month now and I can happily say they've made a positive difference. Plus, they're absolutely beautiful and pleasant to use, even for adults!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAre you familiar with Kid O toys? Their \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2oL1NM5\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMyland Collection\u003C\/a\u003E was created based on STEM principles of cause and effect and sequencing so that kids learn though exploration, without the need for instructions or adult involvement. And the chic\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2wMVLiI\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Efloating duck\u003C\/a\u003E would make such a sweet baby shower gift!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI love that all of Kid O's toys are so attractive and multifunctional. You can shop the entire collection right \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2CpFWnh\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E. What do you think? Which would you choose for your children?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003EThis is a sponsored post and I received product in exchange for writing a review reflecting my honest opinion. Please know that I only accept sponsorships from brands I truly admire and thank you for choosing the brands that work with Swiss Lark!\u003C\/i\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/9067786094414393975\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/kid-o-toys-magnatab.html#comment-form","title":"16 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/9067786094414393975"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/9067786094414393975"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/kid-o-toys-magnatab.html","title":"Kid O Toys: MagnaTab"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEi_AFfG07sTx7X6l9wOvlrll1BGKg-SIduG-Qhu9p_Gy1nT2BFj85DQM7ZZhP43CoN7cT_Zg_AGdQJ-xvNYZ8DzyhTX3Bz2bOGgP6zeMnKJevPy8HX9mJNwaR1YMr5pu0Z9o4pJr1WA6g\/s72-c\/IMG_1920_1.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"16"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-2384219571982018967"},"published":{"$t":"2018-09-01T09:33:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-09-01T09:36:18.120-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beauty"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"weekend"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Have a lovely holiday weekend"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjMyk9CPDMl-oSTS8WGWsrWNqF4nfAdp-HiswpbbR11hmlVnhWukONJrI1HTl-zEJwTArWyMH6G5rShCqeS2FI6QxTdeUyPlH4gf-LsiDt6ZnTuiv5U-5Ne5MwLJAerRY-be5l9IPMgAQ\/s1600\/tools+of+the+trade.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"705\" data-original-width=\"564\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjMyk9CPDMl-oSTS8WGWsrWNqF4nfAdp-HiswpbbR11hmlVnhWukONJrI1HTl-zEJwTArWyMH6G5rShCqeS2FI6QxTdeUyPlH4gf-LsiDt6ZnTuiv5U-5Ne5MwLJAerRY-be5l9IPMgAQ\/s1600\/tools+of+the+trade.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nMy god, do I have a story for you. Thursday was the first day of school and it could not have been worse. Nothing went as planned and just when I thought we had hit rock bottom, the day bottomed out more and I actually had to cancel all of my plans for the day. It was so bad. Don't be fooled by all the smiling photos on Instagram. They never tell the full story and I'm 100% certain that other mamas who had a day like mine did not share. But I'll share the full tale (with pictures!) next week. In the meantime, I'm going to assume that Lisa Congdon was speaking to motherhood in making this illustration above. Am I right? ;)\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nAnd here are a few links for your weekend:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nGet your own snazzy \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/listing\/621816061\/lisa-congdon-tools-of-the-trade-print\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETools of the Trade print\u003C\/a\u003E here. So cute!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nAnd speaking of motherhood,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.janetlansbury.com\/2015\/12\/stop-being-so-stern-what-to-do-instead\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Estop being so stern\u003C\/a\u003E. \"...our overresponse gives our child’s undesirable behavior power.\"\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nIt's that time of year again! Time to clean the house from top to bottom and then make it \u003Ci\u003Esmell\u003C\/i\u003E \u003Ci\u003Elike heaven\u003C\/i\u003E with this \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2005\/09\/21\/dining\/recipe-original-plum-torte.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Egorgeous torte\u003C\/a\u003E. Have you made it?!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThis is great! A non-spill cup \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2N8QdIG\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Efor adults\u003C\/a\u003E. Perfect for the gym or yoga because you don't have to take off the lid to have a drink. (Turns out you didn't know you needed this;)\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nEveryone's favorite \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.newyorker.com\/magazine\/2018\/08\/06\/trapped-in-the-garden-with-parker-posey\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebon vivant\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nHow irresistibly cute are these\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fstem-zip-jogger-pants-toddler-boys-little-boys-big-boys%2F4835088%3Forigin%3Dcoordinating-4835088-2375500-4-HP_FTR-recbot-recently_viewed_snowplow_mvp%26recs_placement%3DHP_FTR%26recs_strategy%3Drecently_viewed_snowplow_mvp%26recs_source%3Drecbot%26recs_page_type%3Dhome\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E kids' joggers\u003C\/a\u003E? (And on sale:)\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n80% of Europeans favor \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thelocal.ch\/20180831\/europe-takes-another-step-towards-ditching-clock-changes\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis change\u003C\/a\u003E - or lack thereof!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nMy all-time \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/RsOU\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Efavorite skin care product\u003C\/a\u003E. Total game changer!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nHooray for \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.esquire.com\/uk\/latest-news\/a22807536\/who-is-beto-orourke-democrats-candidate-next-obama\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeto\u003C\/a\u003E! And my favorite Texan, my friend Morgan, has some pretty awesome \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.teepublic.com\/t-shirt\/3060888-beto-for-texas\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeto merchandise for sale\u003C\/a\u003E - all proceeds go to his campaign.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThe perfect \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fclaus-porto-guest-soap-box%2F4796581%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26breadcrumb%3DHome%252FAll%2520Results%26color%3Dnone\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehostess gift\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI hope your weekend is fun, relaxing and productive. I'll see you back here next week!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/2384219571982018967\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/have-lovely-holiday-weekend.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/2384219571982018967"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/2384219571982018967"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/09\/have-lovely-holiday-weekend.html","title":"Have a lovely holiday weekend"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjMyk9CPDMl-oSTS8WGWsrWNqF4nfAdp-HiswpbbR11hmlVnhWukONJrI1HTl-zEJwTArWyMH6G5rShCqeS2FI6QxTdeUyPlH4gf-LsiDt6ZnTuiv5U-5Ne5MwLJAerRY-be5l9IPMgAQ\/s72-c\/tools+of+the+trade.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-2211448156874381875"},"published":{"$t":"2018-08-29T21:31:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-07-08T14:42:28.133-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"design"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Fall Style Crush: Sweatshirts"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg9fNOV5D1Sg4LX2vGRuom1AX63k5U3PqHmL3kJ1RWI_7QN7Gur9kOKt6i_q3sIfoXTkGRSJS0C8aTHB8uCQZ_gRjURsRMAkk2UcpWpUMtuu5njk4Z4PfQVtzgQwWyMLfYs-bdIC71QNQ\/s1600\/sweatshirts.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1237\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg9fNOV5D1Sg4LX2vGRuom1AX63k5U3PqHmL3kJ1RWI_7QN7Gur9kOKt6i_q3sIfoXTkGRSJS0C8aTHB8uCQZ_gRjURsRMAkk2UcpWpUMtuu5njk4Z4PfQVtzgQwWyMLfYs-bdIC71QNQ\/s1600\/sweatshirts.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSweatshirts seem to be going through a major renaissance right now. Everywhere I look, I see cute, presentable, versatile sweatshirts and I \u003Ci\u003Ewant them all\u003C\/i\u003E! Here are a few of my favorites, which are all just perfect for this late summer and early fall weather. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/RjLl\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E1\u003C\/a\u003E \/\/ A straightforward, clean cut \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/RjLl\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENew York crew neck\u003C\/a\u003E for layering over striped tees or a chambray button-down. Perfect for a casual office look - or brunch!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/RjuH\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E2\u003C\/a\u003E \/\/ A classic cut \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/RjuH\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPatagonia Hoody\u003C\/a\u003E with the iconic bear logo is just the thing for PNW adventures. Or Saturday mornings, or ducking out into the cold to run to the garage for more firewood.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/RjJ2\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E3\u003C\/a\u003E \/\/ The inimitable \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/RjJ2\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESt James Marnière\u003C\/a\u003E, but in a thicker cotton body with bold, defining cuffs will unleash your inner French girl. Equally wonderful to wear while walking on the beach, or cuddling on the couch with a glass of red.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/RjIo\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E4\u003C\/a\u003E \/\/ Adorable grey hearts on black are cute (without being too cute!) and this \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/RjIo\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eheart sweatshirt\u003C\/a\u003E would look great with jeans, or let's be honest, just a pair of baggy grey sweats.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/RjLs\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E5\u003C\/a\u003E \/\/ A timeless white sweatshirt with stand-out red print to spread the love! Wouldn't this \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/RjLs\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esweet sweatshirt \u003C\/a\u003Ebrighten any gloomy day with dark jeans and a cute pair of sneakers?\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/RjLG\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E6\u003C\/a\u003E \/\/ A super punchy pink \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/RjLG\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELA sweatshirt\u003C\/a\u003E to remind you of sunsets on the beach (and also for \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/RjK9\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ematching\u003C\/a\u003E your favorite girl.) I love the ombre, color block effect of this cheerful pink wonder!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nWhich one do you like the best? Could you get away with wearing a sweatshirt to work at your job?\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/2211448156874381875\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/08\/fall-style-crush-sweatshirts.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/2211448156874381875"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/2211448156874381875"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/08\/fall-style-crush-sweatshirts.html","title":"Fall Style Crush: Sweatshirts"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg9fNOV5D1Sg4LX2vGRuom1AX63k5U3PqHmL3kJ1RWI_7QN7Gur9kOKt6i_q3sIfoXTkGRSJS0C8aTHB8uCQZ_gRjURsRMAkk2UcpWpUMtuu5njk4Z4PfQVtzgQwWyMLfYs-bdIC71QNQ\/s72-c\/sweatshirts.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-2598441285662531959"},"published":{"$t":"2018-08-27T21:10:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-08-27T21:10:42.813-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"design"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recipes"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"That first taste of Fall"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhqUAEUsgzfL491-6WYsZCBuaStbnKMBZNkIpjy0TYdWOshFWDoI1GIYGy2vjYJlYflAbHoFGonDiVnDCiUx-imOI3X9uPWTyWAQCP_rSMNIQT_AwpsSS3TEn9mylU24_ogChpmxdlNkA\/s1600\/IMG_1776.dng\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhqUAEUsgzfL491-6WYsZCBuaStbnKMBZNkIpjy0TYdWOshFWDoI1GIYGy2vjYJlYflAbHoFGonDiVnDCiUx-imOI3X9uPWTyWAQCP_rSMNIQT_AwpsSS3TEn9mylU24_ogChpmxdlNkA\/s640\/IMG_1776.dng\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThere is a most magical time of year. It is a time when summer produce is still available, but there is the faintest snap of cold in the early morning air. It is a time when the light is changing in a perceptible way, and yet the sun still shines hot and golden all day. It is a time of year when produce seems to give it its all and turn out more tomatoes, basil and flowers than ever before. It's hard to believe this magical time of year because just shy of three weeks prior, summer was in full swing. We were camping, it was sweltering, the days were oppressive, the evenings steamy; it seemed certain that summer would go on forever. But our clever blue earth tilts on and summer is forced to give way.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThat magical moment is now.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nWe woke up to R-A-I-N this morning. I could not get out of bed for how cozy and wonderful everything felt. I actually wore a scarf today! Fall is coming and fall is \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/tmCUMpTa37\/?taken-by=swisslark\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emy forever favorite\u003C\/a\u003E. I am over the moon.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEij7bybH3apuogO47n2CanRN1SKhp4ezfTdJzDjaDkGRqogAHIX2Nd0lcW0kkJWY9FBEt7Zb6mnUSYI8DM6wp1JBKWwYRnOSuwlbzqAYWmG93Gq_1-q8zEV62OGFBYg0DJyG835D9gG4A\/s1600\/IMG_1780.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEij7bybH3apuogO47n2CanRN1SKhp4ezfTdJzDjaDkGRqogAHIX2Nd0lcW0kkJWY9FBEt7Zb6mnUSYI8DM6wp1JBKWwYRnOSuwlbzqAYWmG93Gq_1-q8zEV62OGFBYg0DJyG835D9gG4A\/s640\/IMG_1780.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nEvery year when fall comes along, I get really tired. For some reason the change of seasons awakens within me a need to rest. I suppose it's because all summer long we are busy, doing, getting out there, staying on. I love the duality of this magical time of year. High octane meets calm as we spin from hot, fast, intense summer into cool, slow, mellow fall.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjR1rtOGCgy4g36JESfRRYqKxRJtbYM5mhGcYQgrS3lvZGYGw9Ja7J3GB9GDln1i4ukpIzXzR3PJyjwB27OAvGszh2kPvbEJ66T7UkbnNKh3v9pNmtfS2wdb_aJzoujMEnDdCblL394uQ\/s1600\/IMG_1779.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjR1rtOGCgy4g36JESfRRYqKxRJtbYM5mhGcYQgrS3lvZGYGw9Ja7J3GB9GDln1i4ukpIzXzR3PJyjwB27OAvGszh2kPvbEJ66T7UkbnNKh3v9pNmtfS2wdb_aJzoujMEnDdCblL394uQ\/s640\/IMG_1779.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI came home from work today and took a nap. I cat napped for twenty minutes. The sheets felt cool and smooth; my duvet fluffy and warm. Something about late summer (or shall we call it early fall?) napping is so intoxicating and inspiring.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhUFKZy6oVxZ-qeB9dpCI99NftMOdFg7RaLtzR91ns-tjG3qo0KzGNmwtrJLTHtt8wNTS9-E7BoPdsfofBFJ7gFcVg6N0jIhOD1UrxwUMqkWhEResdVcQm0-pxwFG7_1xLjghhqpv3Chg\/s1600\/IMG_1778.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhUFKZy6oVxZ-qeB9dpCI99NftMOdFg7RaLtzR91ns-tjG3qo0KzGNmwtrJLTHtt8wNTS9-E7BoPdsfofBFJ7gFcVg6N0jIhOD1UrxwUMqkWhEResdVcQm0-pxwFG7_1xLjghhqpv3Chg\/s640\/IMG_1778.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nAfter twenty minutes quite nearly on the dot, I woke up with a start and an idea. I took a rapid mental inventory of the ingredients I had on hand. Asparagus, check. Arborio, probably just enough. White wine, check and check: Two older bottle ends that needed to be used up or tossed out. Parmesan, check: It was just about down to the rind, but enough to grate a cup or so. Onion, check. Lemon, check. \u0026nbsp;Chicken broth, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2BSXrMo\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ealways\u003C\/a\u003E. There was only one thing left to do and that was to make a beautiful summer-meets-fall Lemon Asparagus Risotto. That's exactly what I did and it was perfection. Total end of August bliss.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nSometimes, when we stop and enjoy the little things right in front of us, life really is so extraordinarily beautiful. Do you enjoy the changing of the seasons? What is making you feel satisfied, content or awestruck right now?\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/2598441285662531959\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/08\/that-first-taste-of-fall.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/2598441285662531959"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/2598441285662531959"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/08\/that-first-taste-of-fall.html","title":"That first taste of Fall"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhqUAEUsgzfL491-6WYsZCBuaStbnKMBZNkIpjy0TYdWOshFWDoI1GIYGy2vjYJlYflAbHoFGonDiVnDCiUx-imOI3X9uPWTyWAQCP_rSMNIQT_AwpsSS3TEn9mylU24_ogChpmxdlNkA\/s72-c\/IMG_1776.dng","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-4711257269363476128"},"published":{"$t":"2018-08-26T20:28:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-08-26T20:34:49.008-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"design"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"IKEA"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"A Pilgrimage to IKEA"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"960\" data-original-width=\"1280\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEihuL7UAOJD5Sxp9fpcyp_YnQ4u3Cw6QhTU8NzrbdqWoINkMnantymqzr36tQhbi_gr6BPHet4L4SPawl1aAVczrkdelOxawWc-PFdgIoR1iHexT8NHNgkCEcotc8P5KRMAm3z-6huSnA\/s640\/IMG_1640.dng\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nBehold. Here is the happy face of someone who loves going to IKEA. This is on the drive \u003Ci\u003Eback to Spokane\u003C\/i\u003E after we had gotten up at 5, driven to Seattle, made a failed attempt at having lunch at my favorite restaurant on Capitol Hill (sad that didn't work out due to a \"moderate kitchen fire\" - what are the chances?!), sat in a good amount of traffic because, Seattle; gone to IKEA Renton on a Saturday (WHY?!) and then loaded everything up to get back on the I-90 and drive another 4 hours back to Spokane. Still smiling. Still happy. I love IKEA.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiaoaBfMh0rojfnox0bV9F-uVwu_qE8mMLD1TGbVfT6Mwne6oekiJBfW0E6-7-WD_V9HKVY5HIFBvnCzkPhSFOYFkALpxb7ygkEAm3QRmwl6rdtsB8r0dxEKVezjC25AHj3ScSg86zUOw\/s1600\/IMG_1638.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiaoaBfMh0rojfnox0bV9F-uVwu_qE8mMLD1TGbVfT6Mwne6oekiJBfW0E6-7-WD_V9HKVY5HIFBvnCzkPhSFOYFkALpxb7ygkEAm3QRmwl6rdtsB8r0dxEKVezjC25AHj3ScSg86zUOw\/s640\/IMG_1638.jpg\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nHad I been on my own, I would have been doing Instagram stories and live broadcasts and reveling in it, because, now that we live 4 hours and 17 minutes from the nearest IKEA, I pretty much never get to go. But, I was not on my own. And J hates going to IKEA, so it was all business and we got in there, got everything on my IKEA family list and got out of there as quickly as we could. Sigh.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiIyM-XswZS2OWGwrOXLpXQpRqi69ml5vAP260oZJzhClG1TNdBxMgsppD_JqDMNFKM1Yd9bvovFe2oyveBPi2vHiyBo0FMbWj_m-dkcZ_n3NAOCHETzodKKgMfC7HNQvgqjOcYhlWxeA\/s1600\/IMG_1641.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiIyM-XswZS2OWGwrOXLpXQpRqi69ml5vAP260oZJzhClG1TNdBxMgsppD_JqDMNFKM1Yd9bvovFe2oyveBPi2vHiyBo0FMbWj_m-dkcZ_n3NAOCHETzodKKgMfC7HNQvgqjOcYhlWxeA\/s640\/IMG_1641.jpg\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\nI had measured everything to be sure it would all fit in the car and it all worked out. Phew!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhg9uId3EldWmLiDMUnB4-qvdEnkGOhyphenhyphen9Y5P-O4MlZPMzZUfQMT3sG39SbT8FMC-Yl0FrmR-wx_uiatVqUN6FchfjoqJabYiaRrAcocJWJafve0gBPE5lAgSsWHflTN5Ym5Y-Y3MBcm8A\/s1600\/IMG_1639.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"960\" data-original-width=\"1280\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhg9uId3EldWmLiDMUnB4-qvdEnkGOhyphenhyphen9Y5P-O4MlZPMzZUfQMT3sG39SbT8FMC-Yl0FrmR-wx_uiatVqUN6FchfjoqJabYiaRrAcocJWJafve0gBPE5lAgSsWHflTN5Ym5Y-Y3MBcm8A\/s640\/IMG_1639.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nBut I was a little worried that Nissedal mirror would either whack us in the head or break on the drive back. Remarkably, everything went just fine and we've been very slowly implementing all of the changes since we got back. It's amazing how hard it is to build IKEA furniture and spruce up spaces with children at home. It's more or less impossible!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjJN-7S4ygZ3yr2eP3I8x-rBz1OZw2p_fkKPRa62-INT4gEwETD5him_54_1qVci5yHPeOSmpbM6IvwAzHIeItNdrDUhtEJ3mIZkLqrDJVD7WQpvI7R9gsVO2p_cOBBqVFBjr_snhyPtQ\/s1600\/IMG_1773.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjJN-7S4ygZ3yr2eP3I8x-rBz1OZw2p_fkKPRa62-INT4gEwETD5him_54_1qVci5yHPeOSmpbM6IvwAzHIeItNdrDUhtEJ3mIZkLqrDJVD7WQpvI7R9gsVO2p_cOBBqVFBjr_snhyPtQ\/s640\/IMG_1773.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIt killed me to dismantle this sweet room today, but it's been a long time coming. Coco and Theo have soundly outgrown these beds and it was time to say goodbye. Still. But I did it! And now that the band-aid has come off, so to speak, I'm looking forward to sharing all of the new spaces with you. If you're on Instagram, be sure to check out \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/swisslark\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emy stories\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nMore soon! Thank you, my dears, as always for reading."},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/4711257269363476128\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/08\/a-pilgrimage-to-ikea.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/4711257269363476128"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/4711257269363476128"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/08\/a-pilgrimage-to-ikea.html","title":"A Pilgrimage to IKEA"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEihuL7UAOJD5Sxp9fpcyp_YnQ4u3Cw6QhTU8NzrbdqWoINkMnantymqzr36tQhbi_gr6BPHet4L4SPawl1aAVczrkdelOxawWc-PFdgIoR1iHexT8NHNgkCEcotc8P5KRMAm3z-6huSnA\/s72-c\/IMG_1640.dng","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-3776413466678567103"},"published":{"$t":"2018-08-06T12:45:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-08-06T12:45:13.211-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"motherhood"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Theo's 4th Birthday Party"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjCRL1MP8aVsfBqWaOBQ6HM77-0Rn3mjEdy53VDn_yXjIwe_s_fyAWeU7Th1RhIrPTL8p7c2QQLuMTf30BzmC3O8YIKp_uACCzfLT5exr_SSPb6ZIpJqDQu58m62RjiRd9QCwhoCnLTeQ\/s1600\/IMG_1513.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjCRL1MP8aVsfBqWaOBQ6HM77-0Rn3mjEdy53VDn_yXjIwe_s_fyAWeU7Th1RhIrPTL8p7c2QQLuMTf30BzmC3O8YIKp_uACCzfLT5exr_SSPb6ZIpJqDQu58m62RjiRd9QCwhoCnLTeQ\/s640\/IMG_1513.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEi4xISiBVJogNMijYcg0OYB50akq1mMBVL1IRo9WTIShP819jcbQ3cnQGuGVV3ms5aV1VqD7wSpOOQd6u7AGYTsgGhfzeDN1Ed7TowJGFSt1B1xkrtiMrgGirRKoT3hSU6L7XJB5LBVKg\/s1600\/IMG_1544.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEi4xISiBVJogNMijYcg0OYB50akq1mMBVL1IRo9WTIShP819jcbQ3cnQGuGVV3ms5aV1VqD7wSpOOQd6u7AGYTsgGhfzeDN1Ed7TowJGFSt1B1xkrtiMrgGirRKoT3hSU6L7XJB5LBVKg\/s640\/IMG_1544.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nMy sweet little Theo Bear turned four last week and we had the best-ever construction site birthday party for him at the splash pad at Manito Park. As a parent, I am so grateful for the tradition of birthday parties because each year feels monumental and significant. It's at welcome a reminder of all we have to be proud of as parents! And now brace yourselves for a photo dump...\u003Ci\u003Eloads\u003C\/i\u003E of photos straight ahead.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg5m3poc8FqNu4TyS7bZP79S6GlTYIwfHEGgnpkEPtG5wy1A_tTL2ClY9Rvnk9Jya8DC7Uon5RosTajZC3OVmUtSJQ2BQv4AvM-nMhq-1B1qqCJ7ho2VeE0gc4w7pTlSoR21tZEms0kxA\/s1600\/IMG_1529.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg5m3poc8FqNu4TyS7bZP79S6GlTYIwfHEGgnpkEPtG5wy1A_tTL2ClY9Rvnk9Jya8DC7Uon5RosTajZC3OVmUtSJQ2BQv4AvM-nMhq-1B1qqCJ7ho2VeE0gc4w7pTlSoR21tZEms0kxA\/s640\/IMG_1529.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nBecause the splash pad is located in a huge open park, as we suspected, all of the parents stayed. We got pizzas for everyone and then, to make it more tolerable, we had a Bota Box of Rosé alongside all of the juice boxes in the cooler. \u0026nbsp;That was a huge success and made for happy parents and kids!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjYdQrQepKdd8qkS59U5T9Xts1eWpC_CRhiMBDZEVOpi79eLCGyv0Dqbwyon1mBclybsbEu4uqNfCWZalfuExa3N8y-KL_i2PatbH8MrlXAs1_7v6lcmjfZA7LY8hNRAfLpxwJKT5dkTg\/s1600\/IMG_1520.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjYdQrQepKdd8qkS59U5T9Xts1eWpC_CRhiMBDZEVOpi79eLCGyv0Dqbwyon1mBclybsbEu4uqNfCWZalfuExa3N8y-KL_i2PatbH8MrlXAs1_7v6lcmjfZA7LY8hNRAfLpxwJKT5dkTg\/s640\/IMG_1520.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhVB13yMnVKuyfjLk0j3AbxjpD0wzubceR3jJK5aoMDI0dM241Nff72LozQx3VfVAUDZwh0a9dHRyn5ms1WzCwDayYJNhJGdBJJbNPkc2xvCUbXU7g3HEnTKyX_gqrOxUJ_EiKF1szelg\/s1600\/IMG_1525.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhVB13yMnVKuyfjLk0j3AbxjpD0wzubceR3jJK5aoMDI0dM241Nff72LozQx3VfVAUDZwh0a9dHRyn5ms1WzCwDayYJNhJGdBJJbNPkc2xvCUbXU7g3HEnTKyX_gqrOxUJ_EiKF1szelg\/s640\/IMG_1525.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nWe had Theo's party from 4-6, and one mom of a baby was very grateful that it was nap-time friendly. Win! First the kids all splashed around in the water, then everyone ate pizza and it was so cute to see the kids all together laughing and having fun.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiC6V241oamHTuphfmkSrWlCuYe8binHVEsWSAO3GF_S8n5HruP3zqn6WKoz648w4iTk7neZ2Qd-ISXRZUDFJ9-nHv_OBAknQRUySnWPtksFCf_mL8Wbhd6erNGMUSEuwDQ3fd8hfc4NA\/s1600\/IMG_1527.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiC6V241oamHTuphfmkSrWlCuYe8binHVEsWSAO3GF_S8n5HruP3zqn6WKoz648w4iTk7neZ2Qd-ISXRZUDFJ9-nHv_OBAknQRUySnWPtksFCf_mL8Wbhd6erNGMUSEuwDQ3fd8hfc4NA\/s640\/IMG_1527.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjfIR_vppN-CK8XIwmq0wNrpu4DrOWc5NG0Wtp4UFBvD1fnmSxLVIBf_LfNKja1uQpo9fQMAcbZKiZfFIt4cM0s5Yhayj0i_E05Z_5LuTUO9DvNdZuPU27dnlnXxDWWY7o3X5V1RDQORw\/s1600\/IMG_1532.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjfIR_vppN-CK8XIwmq0wNrpu4DrOWc5NG0Wtp4UFBvD1fnmSxLVIBf_LfNKja1uQpo9fQMAcbZKiZfFIt4cM0s5Yhayj0i_E05Z_5LuTUO9DvNdZuPU27dnlnXxDWWY7o3X5V1RDQORw\/s640\/IMG_1532.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nAll of the adults chatted while the children ran around and played. It was so great to have two play structures, the splash pad as well as lots of open green space for the kids to roam freely. They didn't get bored for one second!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhFDWhZeHByg95JKCJPB88bQy81f1CQ4Yv_tsrtJwjEclig0C2i1uyUg7szHb_o19L_GcXAd4s8JjuiQA4jkA99dz9IIJb8aNp670ZqSQx6ps8I9BleKLruewI_2l3pvX31ZXnS1AbQ_g\/s1600\/IMG_1516.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhFDWhZeHByg95JKCJPB88bQy81f1CQ4Yv_tsrtJwjEclig0C2i1uyUg7szHb_o19L_GcXAd4s8JjuiQA4jkA99dz9IIJb8aNp670ZqSQx6ps8I9BleKLruewI_2l3pvX31ZXnS1AbQ_g\/s640\/IMG_1516.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjaB_aSJsiyimPFVaCntmUiVKBVPmXPh6T4aMsFQqwDSS-s9kE35qB1vRdpqvbtT7XQd5BBrdVGMnBQBXgpiq_TLSNhKhUjhxPlko3OEj8pmrBpLlPscN6BcxRfTocBgfZwq9bK2xVY2A\/s1600\/IMG_1541.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjaB_aSJsiyimPFVaCntmUiVKBVPmXPh6T4aMsFQqwDSS-s9kE35qB1vRdpqvbtT7XQd5BBrdVGMnBQBXgpiq_TLSNhKhUjhxPlko3OEj8pmrBpLlPscN6BcxRfTocBgfZwq9bK2xVY2A\/s640\/IMG_1541.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThen it was time for singing and cake! Theo was \u003Ci\u003Ethrilled\u003C\/i\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEh1xz6SY0E6rmt9-h08g0PzE5WTxPjr_xoLGYGK3b7jCer4j5PFn2bSVVRmuIoXJfPu02sDJ6X2Cu617wrvKxw__jT-2HWuiLN41FqGX_QD-vFk4Q-TOR2dO06rR3d6ec0yi7MhLKL3bQ\/s1600\/IMG_2564.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1067\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEh1xz6SY0E6rmt9-h08g0PzE5WTxPjr_xoLGYGK3b7jCer4j5PFn2bSVVRmuIoXJfPu02sDJ6X2Cu617wrvKxw__jT-2HWuiLN41FqGX_QD-vFk4Q-TOR2dO06rR3d6ec0yi7MhLKL3bQ\/s640\/IMG_2564.JPG\" width=\"426\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEivHdNYqsB_02c0oD4aE-x1vtrrMOrZsIrIhijByEbV-MTJ9mFIDvyfHM1gpD5NzeeLyTsfg5Kr_852lub6TJDDgegXfT3zeWbxBDvOY019PfhEfrSb65hBCETvlOBF9STFdkY3zO_dbw\/s1600\/IMG_1534.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEivHdNYqsB_02c0oD4aE-x1vtrrMOrZsIrIhijByEbV-MTJ9mFIDvyfHM1gpD5NzeeLyTsfg5Kr_852lub6TJDDgegXfT3zeWbxBDvOY019PfhEfrSb65hBCETvlOBF9STFdkY3zO_dbw\/s640\/IMG_1534.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nIt was so windy that lighting the candles was more or less impossible. But we finally got them going and sang \"Happy Birthday\" to the over-the-moon excited birthday boy.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgv0tcHU08X68vzLlqVS-uDLx-xSyaeqCG_NFQqYtWzyRehWke0Sh1lz6mbDRWWuQzvmwkPQEi3Wu_BOTlLJ-Ch3uxeO4RrbYhxIDxKyGP5ZxMtzoQYXyFgZGqpRAi_iHHvKoOFn7kv1g\/s1600\/IMG_1548.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgv0tcHU08X68vzLlqVS-uDLx-xSyaeqCG_NFQqYtWzyRehWke0Sh1lz6mbDRWWuQzvmwkPQEi3Wu_BOTlLJ-Ch3uxeO4RrbYhxIDxKyGP5ZxMtzoQYXyFgZGqpRAi_iHHvKoOFn7kv1g\/s640\/IMG_1548.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhy6uLuSRaEiGrgF5uqDtmgqan7IHFZkbwNE69zqiqO9twfNm3-dEMh-XMu3kSQyOxyvbU298jSGu5vSkN-7NURtQZmzRSQRyWGMaMSNxe9236qCuuw42fQNIbaKzX7JQZLlkmgIBabIA\/s1600\/IMG_1574.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"388\" data-original-width=\"588\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhy6uLuSRaEiGrgF5uqDtmgqan7IHFZkbwNE69zqiqO9twfNm3-dEMh-XMu3kSQyOxyvbU298jSGu5vSkN-7NURtQZmzRSQRyWGMaMSNxe9236qCuuw42fQNIbaKzX7JQZLlkmgIBabIA\/s640\/IMG_1574.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nTheo was quite literally in love with his construction site cake. I was really impressed with how well it turned out myself. The best part is that now he has the little toys to play with in the sandbox and he remarks that they're from his construction site cake from his birthday at the splash pad! If you live in Spokane, you cannot go wrong with the cake department at Super 1. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgTfdnNXnWA3InimqJTv5zhmDd8jGjWe3ET7KRquGOJVuwBnEPXstEHBgrmENdLeJuvC9c0XqyUL1ZlAOdRg9qgNNtNE3OjZi0v6uGiQcrCjpnXDl35n6ktVRyJhr9xgEL97rsipOUVlw\/s1600\/IMG_2571.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgTfdnNXnWA3InimqJTv5zhmDd8jGjWe3ET7KRquGOJVuwBnEPXstEHBgrmENdLeJuvC9c0XqyUL1ZlAOdRg9qgNNtNE3OjZi0v6uGiQcrCjpnXDl35n6ktVRyJhr9xgEL97rsipOUVlw\/s640\/IMG_2571.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiCxqGAwFa5I3GrzG_uhanQC92dtIZZJ4ljGyxvKDnvVCQN3h6k5BqkNdaN1Rhu3nvEovKAQQINoM56pvxVBIUPhBm4JYoKVg5xCW8YS5VN2mb6oC1hcrpPjLmZFEDdr8CGm8ThYRZB9A\/s1600\/IMG_2569.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1067\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiCxqGAwFa5I3GrzG_uhanQC92dtIZZJ4ljGyxvKDnvVCQN3h6k5BqkNdaN1Rhu3nvEovKAQQINoM56pvxVBIUPhBm4JYoKVg5xCW8YS5VN2mb6oC1hcrpPjLmZFEDdr8CGm8ThYRZB9A\/s640\/IMG_2569.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\nAfter that, we cleaned up and took all the presents for opening at home. By the time it was all over, Theo seemed a bit overwhelmed. And it was hard for Coco to see Theo be the birthday boy and the center of attention. She has been asking how many days until her own birthday ever since!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgagsMqLqGm6LX1tQOCLjdcCTeYiS7a_40gBtP07bZUj27vAJEgvrcCX0r3TKIN4u_ITScTIlSyhUrXRD0q9dbIOCs1arWOd8QW1MuOSWwzbZ1QH6OMlctOne_9oiLFIXpNPeeD1xNNBQ\/s1600\/IMG_1570.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgagsMqLqGm6LX1tQOCLjdcCTeYiS7a_40gBtP07bZUj27vAJEgvrcCX0r3TKIN4u_ITScTIlSyhUrXRD0q9dbIOCs1arWOd8QW1MuOSWwzbZ1QH6OMlctOne_9oiLFIXpNPeeD1xNNBQ\/s640\/IMG_1570.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nTheo got all sorts of big boy toys and his mind was simply blown by this dinosaur. He and Coco both slept like logs after so much splash pad and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2Od4ZuL\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeamo\u003C\/a\u003E fun. And Theo took the dinosaur to bed with him even though it's all hard plastic and pointy and not the least bit snuggly! Once they were asleep, I went in and moved the dinosaur to his bedside table and kissed their sweet little heads. This time of life, with little kids who are a bit more independent, capable and reasonable is pretty darn sweet after all. Thank you for reading and indulging me in sharing \u003Ci\u003Eallllll\u003C\/i\u003E the photos. :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/3776413466678567103\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/08\/theos-4th-birthday-party.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/3776413466678567103"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/3776413466678567103"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/08\/theos-4th-birthday-party.html","title":"Theo's 4th Birthday Party"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjCRL1MP8aVsfBqWaOBQ6HM77-0Rn3mjEdy53VDn_yXjIwe_s_fyAWeU7Th1RhIrPTL8p7c2QQLuMTf30BzmC3O8YIKp_uACCzfLT5exr_SSPb6ZIpJqDQu58m62RjiRd9QCwhoCnLTeQ\/s72-c\/IMG_1513.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-6516166693836240908"},"published":{"$t":"2018-08-03T09:32:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-08-03T09:33:46.450-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#nordstrom"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"#nsale"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beauty"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"weekend"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Have a great weekend!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgwtJbNgIwYbr62BuLtCT8WGE7xCE7UogKURUjmR8PrHk6GIUNu1lvNb4TPMznh-4OPTvpZcqUTCYIYnuSDDadEM0olGkwQvPrB5Z5F0IeS7Qc1-LKpFJM-zK6VoNhN7dyPTLAS5BP5jQ\/s1600\/IMG_1340.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgwtJbNgIwYbr62BuLtCT8WGE7xCE7UogKURUjmR8PrHk6GIUNu1lvNb4TPMznh-4OPTvpZcqUTCYIYnuSDDadEM0olGkwQvPrB5Z5F0IeS7Qc1-LKpFJM-zK6VoNhN7dyPTLAS5BP5jQ\/s640\/IMG_1340.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nWhat are your weekend plans? It's the very last weekend of the Anniversary Sale, so if you haven't already, get shopping. The Anniversary Sale is quite possibly the greatest sale ever conceived of by man because the reductions are on new merchandise, at the beginning of the season, rather than the other way around!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI'm sharing what we got at Anniversary, as well as a few fun links for your weekend today.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nCoco's back-to-school \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fnike-flex-contact-running-shoe-baby-walker-toddler-little-kid%2F4548338%3Forigin%3Dcategory-personalizedsort%26breadcrumb%3DHome%252FAnniversary%2520Sale%252FKids%252FShoes%26color%3Drose%2520gold%252F%2520storm%2520pink\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Egym shoes\u003C\/a\u003E. (That rose gold swoosh has me swooning!)\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nTheo's back-to-school shoes are sold out! But \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fplae-max-customizable-high-top-sneaker-toddler-little-kid%2F3843790%3Forigin%3Dcategory-personalizedsort%26breadcrumb%3DHome%252FAnniversary%2520Sale%252FKids%252FShoes%26color%3Dleather%2520wind\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe high-top version\u003C\/a\u003E is still available.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI'm going to feel so chic walking around Zurich \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fsorel-joan-wedge-ii-waterproof-chelsea-bootie-women%2F4884598%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26color%3Dmajor\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ein these sexy winter booties\u003C\/a\u003E come January! (Also, all around Spokane from November until March;) I also considered getting \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fsorel-lolla-cutout-bootie-women%2F4812401%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26color%3Dash%2520brown\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethese waterproof cuties\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThese \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fpikolinos-pyrgos-oxford-women%2F4922273%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26color%3Dcuero%2520leather\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esoft-as-butter oxfords\u003C\/a\u003E are perfect for work and look \u003Ci\u003Eso ridiculously good\u003C\/i\u003E with a pair of cropped black pants. (I got the cuero)\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI got J the jumbo size (sold out, of course) of this \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/shop.nordstrom.com\/s\/kiehls-since-1851-body-fuel-all-in-one-energizing-conditioning-wash\/4926409?origin=category-personalizedsort\u0026amp;breadcrumb=Home%2FBrands%2FKiehl%E2%80%99s%20Since%201851%2FKiehl%27s\u0026amp;color=none\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecreamy yet energizing body and hair wash\u003C\/a\u003E. So good! Just the thing to awaken the senses first thing in the morning.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nWhen I ran out of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fdonna-karan-cashmere-mist-deodorant-trio-81-value%2F4932081\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emy beloved deodorant\u003C\/a\u003E, I told myself it was silly to spend so much on deodorant. Now that I have it back in my life, I could not be happier (no exaggeration:), and I'm all stocked up for a while now. Yassss!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nAnd because Coco is so stylish and growing up (first grade this year!) she insisted on getting \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Ftreasure-bond-isla-bootie-little-kid-big-kid%2F4871827%3Forigin%3Dcategory-personalizedsort%26breadcrumb%3DHome%252FAnniversary%2520Sale%252FKids%252FShoes%26color%3Dtaupe%2520faux%2520leather\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethese adorable booties\u003C\/a\u003E. She is going to be more sophisticated than me in no time. And she can't wait for the first day of school so she can \u003Ci\u003Efinally\u003C\/i\u003E wear them!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.spokesman.com\/stories\/2018\/jul\/05\/day-trippers-seven-sites-to-explore-within-two-hou\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E7 day trips from Spokane\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thelocal.ch\/20170420\/study-swiss-teenagers-are-very-happy-with-their-lives\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESwiss teenagers\u003C\/a\u003E are very happy with their lives. (And in case you missed it,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/07\/drinking-versus-driving-at-age-16.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis post\u003C\/a\u003E.)\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/happyketo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThis gorgeous blog\u003C\/a\u003E is so clean and vibrant and calming to look at.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nBasically \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Bl8raetFCpC\/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet\u0026amp;igshid=1m63aepgl84s1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehow I feel\u003C\/a\u003E right now.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThat's it for this week. Theo's birthday party was a huge success yesterday and I'll be sharing all about that next week. Honestly, it was the best party we've thrown; I'm still basking in the glow of it. I hope you have a great weekend and see you back here Monday!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/6516166693836240908\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/08\/have-great-weekend.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6516166693836240908"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6516166693836240908"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/08\/have-great-weekend.html","title":"Have a great weekend!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgwtJbNgIwYbr62BuLtCT8WGE7xCE7UogKURUjmR8PrHk6GIUNu1lvNb4TPMznh-4OPTvpZcqUTCYIYnuSDDadEM0olGkwQvPrB5Z5F0IeS7Qc1-LKpFJM-zK6VoNhN7dyPTLAS5BP5jQ\/s72-c\/IMG_1340.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-412647018375710398"},"published":{"$t":"2018-08-02T13:32:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-08-02T13:32:09.486-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"design"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"motherhood"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Best Kids' Summer Shoes"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"478\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjN_evIcOC6WnNeL2A0kB53ds6YTDNvCCzz9sFzQmah004Fc5fppQfLACF0i0HrKt1QfFEEQx-9d5hdwXDHLZEV3XwKwjYdm7sWIOEmegN1ifJiXmMktFvTlHMf2w9tRoAAE02LeNkLcQ\/s640\/IMG_1350.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThis year we discovered the best ever children's summer shoe thanks to the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/fs-bin\/click?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;offerid=357944.10050776\u0026amp;type=3\u0026amp;subid=0\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENordstrom Children's Department\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;Everywhere we go, people stop me to ask where we got Coco and Theo's shoes and I can't help but gush that they're amazing, so easy for little kids to put on without help, and that they stay remarkably clean through all of their climbing, scootering and exploring.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEh4XsXfF69QeKYXD2b_UlCV3Tgke93pP4gf-Wzd8tbOeuPWzXEXkIRvE8tcE_qqvv6ssxYkvzrQW-OwjBl3jf8F6ekigCTG8SRSQD9AjHpvb8yApMBRkyKU7zVGfhUt7eHwYCxgUa7icg\/s1600\/IMG_1354.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEh4XsXfF69QeKYXD2b_UlCV3Tgke93pP4gf-Wzd8tbOeuPWzXEXkIRvE8tcE_qqvv6ssxYkvzrQW-OwjBl3jf8F6ekigCTG8SRSQD9AjHpvb8yApMBRkyKU7zVGfhUt7eHwYCxgUa7icg\/s640\/IMG_1354.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThey're Native Shoes - find \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fnative-shoes-jefferson-water-friendly-slip-on-sneaker-baby-walker-toddler-little-kid-big-kid%2F3850729%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26color%3Dregatta%2520blue%252F%2520shell%2520white\" target=\"new\"\u003ETheo's here\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fnative-shoes-juniper-bling-glitter-perforated-mary-jane-baby-walker-toddler-little-kid%2F4570918%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26color%3Dregatta%2520blue%252F%2520shell%2520white\" target=\"new\"\u003ECoco's here\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;- and I could not possibly love them more. Initially I balked at the $35 price tag ($29.90 \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fnative-shoes-juniper-bling-glitter-perforated-mary-jane-baby-walker-toddler-little-kid%2F4570918%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26color%3Dregatta%2520blue%252F%2520shell%2520white\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Efor Coco's\u003C\/a\u003E through this Sunday on the Anniversary Sale!) because it seemed like a lot for what is essentially a plastic shoe. But once Coco and Theo tried them on, I saw that they're actually quite well made and provide arch support with a stable sole. We took a chance on them and they have proven to be comfortable for everything from biking to running.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgdu85fqZ9PAAUewcywo4jewXn6nh-nubSZVNbK_4vJz3P1JEA_Y8sbIyMhUCbwz4gMujErT6LodDXDryqIeTst_aQb42QLlTw26Ulsnwcs9MtSsCJ_mncNvc4dCMeiYJPrvGG5AGrsaA\/s1600\/IMG_1355.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgdu85fqZ9PAAUewcywo4jewXn6nh-nubSZVNbK_4vJz3P1JEA_Y8sbIyMhUCbwz4gMujErT6LodDXDryqIeTst_aQb42QLlTw26Ulsnwcs9MtSsCJ_mncNvc4dCMeiYJPrvGG5AGrsaA\/s640\/IMG_1355.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nWith a little sock underneath, I think these shoes might be useful right up until mid-October here in Spokane, and I imagine in a warmer place you could wear them year-round. I'm so happy we discovered them because I was so tired of saying, \"put your shoes on!\" a thousand times and then just winding up doing it for Theo. Ugh. At least that one thing has been a little easier this summer! :)\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj7mTi5lI6EmKct55Ebi8Va46crhW0PBXa3S9hKUnDMVArKNdyN9pMVCeGFo4OC8SZhgUjYFXmjo8YnwGCdXKoaX6aZ1mrXZzKtM054IwU66nWrXrl_CCF-Rl1mAMIw7zCGO1meAdlN9A\/s1600\/IMG_1347.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEj7mTi5lI6EmKct55Ebi8Va46crhW0PBXa3S9hKUnDMVArKNdyN9pMVCeGFo4OC8SZhgUjYFXmjo8YnwGCdXKoaX6aZ1mrXZzKtM054IwU66nWrXrl_CCF-Rl1mAMIw7zCGO1meAdlN9A\/s640\/IMG_1347.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI'm always looking for high quality practical pieces for my kiddos and loved \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fsalt-water-sandals-by-hoy-sea-wee-sandal-baby%2F3241073%3Forigin%3Dkeywordsearch-personalizedsort%26color%3Dshiny%2520fuchsia\" target=\"new\"\u003ESalt Water Sandals\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;when Coco and Theo were toddlers, but the big kid version hurts Coco's feet, so we moved away from those after a brand new pair wound up back in the box after only being worn four times! Sigh. Plus, with the buckles, I always wound up putting them on and taking them off. So far I have not discovered one negative thing about Native shoes. (And yes, the glitter totally stays put!)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nHave you tried \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/deeplink?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;mid=1237\u0026amp;murl=https%3A%2F%2Fshop.nordstrom.com%2Fsr%3Forigin%3Drecentsearches1%26keyword%3Dnative%2Bshoes%2Bfor%2Bkids\" target=\"new\"\u003ENative Shoes\u003C\/a\u003E\n\u003Cimg alt=\"icon\" height=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/ad.linksynergy.com\/fs-bin\/show?id=IeOQ1COdJL0\u0026amp;bids=357944.1\u0026amp;type=10\" width=\"1\" \/\u003E for your children? What are your go-to summer kids' shoes?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/412647018375710398\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/08\/the-best-kids-summer-shoes.html#comment-form","title":"30 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/412647018375710398"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/412647018375710398"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/08\/the-best-kids-summer-shoes.html","title":"The Best Kids' Summer Shoes"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjN_evIcOC6WnNeL2A0kB53ds6YTDNvCCzz9sFzQmah004Fc5fppQfLACF0i0HrKt1QfFEEQx-9d5hdwXDHLZEV3XwKwjYdm7sWIOEmegN1ifJiXmMktFvTlHMf2w9tRoAAE02LeNkLcQ\/s72-c\/IMG_1350.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"30"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-2282256508591691150"},"published":{"$t":"2018-08-01T18:47:00.002-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-08-01T18:47:47.126-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"repat"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Happy birthday, Switzerland! "},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiqxwBLQlkv1tLVUoQq2hOcLZMVQb6KkRMOEhPfhOUkXEkQwWeOOZKXIOwBgHjF2uowP9KG7C5ht3zKh8IhKNY5ataAN0PMlvA2erfdPB8l-SgXFl2sTfnk12imvFi1rpHPmktfFSKwNQ\/s1600\/DSC00754.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiqxwBLQlkv1tLVUoQq2hOcLZMVQb6KkRMOEhPfhOUkXEkQwWeOOZKXIOwBgHjF2uowP9KG7C5ht3zKh8IhKNY5ataAN0PMlvA2erfdPB8l-SgXFl2sTfnk12imvFi1rpHPmktfFSKwNQ\/s640\/DSC00754.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIn honor of Swiss National Day, here are a bunch of never-before-shared-on-Swiss Lark photos of me and J \u0026nbsp;in Spring 2007 in Neuchâtel when we first got engaged - and both fell head over heels in love with Switzerland. I had moved to Switzerland for a teaching job and J came to stay for three months. He was a clever little monkey and brought a ring with him and carried it around everywhere we went\u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003Efor over a week\u003C\/i\u003E waiting for a good moment to literally pop the question.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhzixONfbcZC37pCpjYrfluz92EldW5JKRyDncBirmLG-0F9iXeblGXq-qf8-iaIa-nW4RPO2AhRm-w02eja-6F8CZBXnyrWDMl_lHluC1B1biyyBc6rYrMOHInUIN26jyFVM6daHx4fA\/s1600\/DSC00767.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhzixONfbcZC37pCpjYrfluz92EldW5JKRyDncBirmLG-0F9iXeblGXq-qf8-iaIa-nW4RPO2AhRm-w02eja-6F8CZBXnyrWDMl_lHluC1B1biyyBc6rYrMOHInUIN26jyFVM6daHx4fA\/s640\/DSC00767.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHe ended up taking me completely by surprise while we were watching a total lunar eclipse down on the Esplanade du Mont Blanc. Apparently, it is actually really bad luck to get engaged during an eclipse, but whatever! We have been married for ten years and counting, so it couldn't have been that bad. The lunar eclipse over Europe last week had me thinking a lot about that spring in Neuchâtel and just how much we really do love Switzerland.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiWDyrf5tAJuSJd9v1Y8j7igiitJ5yHwIiOHuvPYPsHUeoNgCLbsjZfDcHp4YCmWOAWHrPujNC49A5nE35pR13HeVMa2GqC2ZyUqFsFTJ5qv9Vnp2f8FS_LReW5zq0Ol5dy8dsbT9u_0Q\/s1600\/DSC00733.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiWDyrf5tAJuSJd9v1Y8j7igiitJ5yHwIiOHuvPYPsHUeoNgCLbsjZfDcHp4YCmWOAWHrPujNC49A5nE35pR13HeVMa2GqC2ZyUqFsFTJ5qv9Vnp2f8FS_LReW5zq0Ol5dy8dsbT9u_0Q\/s640\/DSC00733.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThis photo is from our favorite hike in all of Switzerland, the Gorge de l'Areuse. It's breathtaking and magical and offers such a variety of views and terrain.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjg4T5eAdUPCodNerY7AY26z2FpZqgBWuYRglUR5WjeCGcoQdISNLyptk9q7GnJthMZ4B1MzFGNK5rt9LwmFUMBzQ5gq1D_9W7WVPayPG1fPGhSEZNZkOlRocDzIkV1fbZBU1UUOvrXAg\/s1600\/DSC00745.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjg4T5eAdUPCodNerY7AY26z2FpZqgBWuYRglUR5WjeCGcoQdISNLyptk9q7GnJthMZ4B1MzFGNK5rt9LwmFUMBzQ5gq1D_9W7WVPayPG1fPGhSEZNZkOlRocDzIkV1fbZBU1UUOvrXAg\/s640\/DSC00745.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIt's funny to see photos of us as a young couple with no children. We had so much time - and freedom. I've always loved this photo with the cherry blossoms and the train going by. So Swiss!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg3-RWxLpVsq6Cxi86I9vy0-FDYMUrCMUnVm8TR6n_O6VY-k_XsJpIhUKzgLXvNp8EH0hScp3aowe1yvhmuxxwH-z_Onc_6uLrNpmerucQf3tCIS_rZgGd2lkpCOrLZx0jgy4phefQjeQ\/s1600\/DSC00883.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg3-RWxLpVsq6Cxi86I9vy0-FDYMUrCMUnVm8TR6n_O6VY-k_XsJpIhUKzgLXvNp8EH0hScp3aowe1yvhmuxxwH-z_Onc_6uLrNpmerucQf3tCIS_rZgGd2lkpCOrLZx0jgy4phefQjeQ\/s640\/DSC00883.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI desperately miss the sound of cowbells. I hope that they still have the Heidi movie with cowbell sounds in the terminal to terminal airtram at Zurich Airport. It has always made me bawl my eyes out, but in a good way.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhdjXR2bNoQbn9GTb91eo-61ewUvtx-eFLQbGrfoYxdY0WYy7P2gFbOy9kDXwjZTy0m_fIen8xWIpuFZELMdPs8Gs2UyEUsFNVysVGOj9ycEKuGcgHHwRp7ktCK5Z9dYD7whk-JeAxY8Q\/s1600\/DSC00766.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhdjXR2bNoQbn9GTb91eo-61ewUvtx-eFLQbGrfoYxdY0WYy7P2gFbOy9kDXwjZTy0m_fIen8xWIpuFZELMdPs8Gs2UyEUsFNVysVGOj9ycEKuGcgHHwRp7ktCK5Z9dYD7whk-JeAxY8Q\/s640\/DSC00766.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIt's fun to think of taking our kids to visit the area around Neuchâtel. J and I made a trip there the year before Coco was born and it was fun to revisit all of the vineyards, our favorite hikes and the beautiful medieval towns.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgP_AQ3OaZmwFLem01xUDf3JSs9yJ-6FJCq89rVERrDEw-b9w9XEmfcceolZcrOXE9HOd3LMH0hAz_wFauZUibaCI1hd0k7zKaetzTgTLHhcRn_C0Ij8uKrXZMDhV7uaifSoklzgq6IXg\/s1600\/DSC00759.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgP_AQ3OaZmwFLem01xUDf3JSs9yJ-6FJCq89rVERrDEw-b9w9XEmfcceolZcrOXE9HOd3LMH0hAz_wFauZUibaCI1hd0k7zKaetzTgTLHhcRn_C0Ij8uKrXZMDhV7uaifSoklzgq6IXg\/s640\/DSC00759.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIt's also important to remember that our kids will grow up and move away and it will be just the two of us again some day. During this time of life, ten years into marriage, a lot of the romance is on the back burner, we have tons of responsibility and day to day duties, and it can feel really overwhelming at times. But it's also so wonderful and amazing. I like to call it \"equal parts delight and despair\" because it really is. High highs, low lows. Real life, people!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgDSFBkA8-S_fUiTzrgNyBdG4hddmeSbntnT0ztkATJOUXUHw5U6wDn82KrmZVoeURHTRveUx6cFOF-ly8hHWXCpmbizFp8LcX_xJbHaI1uPnw2ragV7X1Gct__47Yl8twVTHdPXcQIwg\/s1600\/DSC00793.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgDSFBkA8-S_fUiTzrgNyBdG4hddmeSbntnT0ztkATJOUXUHw5U6wDn82KrmZVoeURHTRveUx6cFOF-ly8hHWXCpmbizFp8LcX_xJbHaI1uPnw2ragV7X1Gct__47Yl8twVTHdPXcQIwg\/s640\/DSC00793.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI can't help but think of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/PT2_F-1esPk\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethat Chainsmokers song\u003C\/a\u003E when I look at this photo. Just a relaxing day on the lake and we never through we'd get older.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhdG-30okBoBcPpdXiTRdiL97r1qHm4vk-tC9UrhA48ArvqiCPBoLCVEuVp5uke0vVTit9EddaZ0rFxdf9NH-1oz-vOwC2zG8xf0PUUcoJWyYM3Sgk9ePfExdUUQaQdZEAk5qSLShBjrQ\/s1600\/DSC00741.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhdG-30okBoBcPpdXiTRdiL97r1qHm4vk-tC9UrhA48ArvqiCPBoLCVEuVp5uke0vVTit9EddaZ0rFxdf9NH-1oz-vOwC2zG8xf0PUUcoJWyYM3Sgk9ePfExdUUQaQdZEAk5qSLShBjrQ\/s640\/DSC00741.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nBut we did! And Switzerland is a year older, too. Happy 727th, Switzerland. We'll see you for 728."},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/2282256508591691150\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/08\/happy-birthday-switzerland.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/2282256508591691150"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/2282256508591691150"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/08\/happy-birthday-switzerland.html","title":"Happy birthday, Switzerland! "}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiqxwBLQlkv1tLVUoQq2hOcLZMVQb6KkRMOEhPfhOUkXEkQwWeOOZKXIOwBgHjF2uowP9KG7C5ht3zKh8IhKNY5ataAN0PMlvA2erfdPB8l-SgXFl2sTfnk12imvFi1rpHPmktfFSKwNQ\/s72-c\/DSC00754.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-518102508847064829"},"published":{"$t":"2018-07-30T23:48:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-09-11T14:43:48.334-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"expat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"repat"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Repat: Would visits be enough?"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEi_rM8aku_P-mSzA9L03-uTKyHSVl4iDU1KhtClJBr-iWyngyMXJbylJzyZuwdVZb6c4NvbeMQRsF5CHV3XozpMmYv9Kx2Fuqd_kqERrhAqQJfnWTsWAyE3TSYoI7_MHYaxAKbyZvqUxQ\/s1600\/tiefenbrunnen.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"682\" data-original-width=\"1024\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEi_rM8aku_P-mSzA9L03-uTKyHSVl4iDU1KhtClJBr-iWyngyMXJbylJzyZuwdVZb6c4NvbeMQRsF5CHV3XozpMmYv9Kx2Fuqd_kqERrhAqQJfnWTsWAyE3TSYoI7_MHYaxAKbyZvqUxQ\/s640\/tiefenbrunnen.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nUgh, yesterday I was missing Zurich so much. My heart actually ached throughout the day, and on several occasions, I had these flashes and glimpses of being there that felt completely and totally real. It was a new and different type of missing than I've ever experienced and it struck me for its depth and intensity. Normally, when I miss Zurich, I miss my old life. I miss living in our sweet apartment and being a new mama to a young baby (and toddler) and all of the things that go along with that phase of life and motherhood. But yesterday was different. Yesterday, I missed what Zurich \u003Ci\u003Emeans to me\u003C\/i\u003E. I longed for both the grandiose - the very city itself, the lake, the exquisite, luxurious feeling that only Zurich can produce; and the mundane - using my Supercard in Coop and collecting stickers for this promotion or that, my favorite brand of bacon, the whirring sound the tram makes when it pulls away from a stop.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAs I allowed my longing for Zurich to wash over me, I realized that deep down, I had sincerely hoped that we would forget about Zurich by \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/05\/just-enjoy-where-you-are-now.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edeciding to stay here\u003C\/a\u003E. Life would be \u003Ci\u003Eso much easier\u003C\/i\u003E if we just bought a house in Spokane and set about securing a rock solid, stable situation for ourselves here instead of setting our sights on living the expat life again once I finish my graduate program in a few years. Spokane is just fine; there is really nothing to dislike. We live in a beautiful neighborhood with great access to nature. It's affordable, the schools are top-notch, our kids are happy and I am surrounded by family. It seems strange to still be longing for Zurich when we have now officially been back in the States a little while longer than we were ever in Zurich in the first place. Why can't we just forget it? I wish we could.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nBut I love and miss so much about Zurich. I long for magical summers at the badi, riding the tram every day and walking my heart out year round. I long for leisurely Sunday walks to the Botanical Gardens, going to the forest for wiener roasts over the fire in the fall, foggy November days and Conelli circus at Christmastime. I want Grittibänz in the bakery window in early December and Fasnachtschüechli stacked all over the Coop in February. Hikes in the mountains, alpine springs and most of all the feeling of being somewhere I truly admire. I see now that it isn't the amount of time one spends in a place that matters, but rather how deep the connection is that's formed.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIt seems I cannot forget Zurich and go all in on life in Spokane, no matter how much I'd like to. I'm grateful to have the next three years here, but beyond that, I seem to have this bizarre ability to view my current life and impending crossroads through an omniscient lens, as if seeing all that is taking place now from the point of view of my 80-year-old self. I know full well that we may never get back to Zurich. I have not forgotten that living as a foreigner in Switzerland can be difficult and demoralizing at times. And I realize that going back will create as many problems as it solves. But the fact remains, my 80-year-old self will be greatly disappointed if I squander the opportunity to get out there and live my life fully alive right now.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nTo that end, I am beyond ecstatic to announce that I am going to visit Zurich in January for 10 days. My mommy group is having our annual spa weekend in the French Alps a couple days after I arrive, and then I'll spend a week in Zurich visiting friends and networking. I am already counting down the days! Then, next summer, J and I have decided that nothing will stop us from taking our kids to visit for a month. We've been away from Zurich for so long and it feels time to renew our bond and feel connected to the city again.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nBut it got me wondering, would visits be enough? What if we were to live and work here in total comfort and also spend a month or two in Zurich each summer? Sometimes in life we can't have exactly what we want, but we can find a happy medium.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI'm curious, are you living right where you want to be right now? If so, how did you make it happen? And if not, what keeps winning out in the priorities list instead? Please chime in in the comments below! I would love to hear your take on this.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n(Photo via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/hiveminer.com\/Tags\/tiefenbrunnen%2Czurich\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehiveminer\u003C\/a\u003E)"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/518102508847064829\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/07\/would-visits-be-enough.html#comment-form","title":"16 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/518102508847064829"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/518102508847064829"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/07\/would-visits-be-enough.html","title":"Repat: Would visits be enough?"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEi_rM8aku_P-mSzA9L03-uTKyHSVl4iDU1KhtClJBr-iWyngyMXJbylJzyZuwdVZb6c4NvbeMQRsF5CHV3XozpMmYv9Kx2Fuqd_kqERrhAqQJfnWTsWAyE3TSYoI7_MHYaxAKbyZvqUxQ\/s72-c\/tiefenbrunnen.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"16"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-4190964208464002436"},"published":{"$t":"2018-07-24T14:56:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-07-24T15:28:47.993-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"culture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"expat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"repat"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Drinking vs Driving at Age 16"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhnL5GxGge-w9dgSx1X2f7wJUjeQiEqpE2YTaUegIFlVX13fPoybT3wGW7tHkD7NX8vFxZAOapei7E_WNFPclv2zbLWsE-a2exe2IOEo5fXb-2G8yW0z0PXqdDSDQcdnzdj_tHcIaMOEw\/s1600\/pink+fiat.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"564\" data-original-width=\"564\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhnL5GxGge-w9dgSx1X2f7wJUjeQiEqpE2YTaUegIFlVX13fPoybT3wGW7tHkD7NX8vFxZAOapei7E_WNFPclv2zbLWsE-a2exe2IOEo5fXb-2G8yW0z0PXqdDSDQcdnzdj_tHcIaMOEw\/s1600\/pink+fiat.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSomething interesting came up as I was talking with an acquaintance recently. Our conversation had begun with the question, \"Do you ever think you'll live abroad again?\" which unbeknownst to her is, of course, something I never stop thinking about! So I launched into my usual answer that we love Zurich and miss it every day, but that living away from family can be hard and feel selfish, but that it's an amazing opportunity for our kids and would expand their opportunities in life immensely; and of course Switzerland is a beautiful country and safety is one of the main reasons I would want to move back, especially when I think of having teenagers. That piqued her interest and she asked why with teenagers in particular? I explained that the crime rate is very low and the laws are set up for greater safety. \"Kids can buy wine and beer when they're 16...but! They can't \u003Ci\u003Edrive\u003C\/i\u003E until they're 18,\" I said with a satisfied smile, assuming that she would share my view of the positives of this arrangement. But she did not. Her face fell and her retort was that alcohol is highly damaging to the adolescent brain and that the drinking age should be kept high and parents should do their best to keep their kids from drinking until they are 21.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhoa, what?! Isn't that like preaching abstinence? While everything she said is completely true from a biological and developmental standpoint, I couldn't help but find her view incredibly unrealistic. Teenagers in the US drink; and they have cars and they drive. In my humble opinion, it is the actual worst possible combination. I would much rather have my teenage children drinking wine openly and legally with their friends in the park and then taking the tram home, I explained, than drinking illicitly at a party with zero adult supervision and getting into the car with a friend who had been drinking. My acquaintance, however, remained resolute in her view that if we encourage teens not to drink and warn them of the risks, they will not. No way, rosé! was my thought, and in the end we had to agree to disagree.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nBut it got me thinking, is hers a common view in America? Do American cultural feelings toward alcohol tie back to our puritan roots and the days of prohibition? I had always assumed that with American cities being built for cars and the constraints that inherently created, that the driving age was kept young and the drinking age high out of sheer necessity and against all common sense - not as the best option. How do you see it? Would you rather have your child drive or drink at age 16? Please chime in with your reasons why in the comments below!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n(Photo via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/43487952637116775\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPinterest\u003C\/a\u003E\/Etsy)"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/4190964208464002436\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/07\/drinking-versus-driving-at-age-16.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/4190964208464002436"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/4190964208464002436"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/07\/drinking-versus-driving-at-age-16.html","title":"Drinking vs Driving at Age 16"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhnL5GxGge-w9dgSx1X2f7wJUjeQiEqpE2YTaUegIFlVX13fPoybT3wGW7tHkD7NX8vFxZAOapei7E_WNFPclv2zbLWsE-a2exe2IOEo5fXb-2G8yW0z0PXqdDSDQcdnzdj_tHcIaMOEw\/s72-c\/pink+fiat.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-409459482450810791"},"published":{"$t":"2018-07-20T21:38:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-07-20T21:40:39.026-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beauty"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Summer Beauty Favorites"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjlrXEsNMoIaP7GuP2Z93F8HrVsyGLc-gYpoxOVSs3bz-A2wjAzGGbmd2kppEQ7o8FMiCBtTyT6lTLMuQczhV6ODYnOYNGC8drC8taWdyjgNjwNELoueXJsx9XHB9cDX2GquUcvST79zw\/s1600\/summer+favorites.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1237\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjlrXEsNMoIaP7GuP2Z93F8HrVsyGLc-gYpoxOVSs3bz-A2wjAzGGbmd2kppEQ7o8FMiCBtTyT6lTLMuQczhV6ODYnOYNGC8drC8taWdyjgNjwNELoueXJsx9XHB9cDX2GquUcvST79zw\/s640\/summer+favorites.jpg\" width=\"494\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nHave you updated your beauty routine for summer? This year I've been running around to swim lessons and gymnastics, spending afternoons at the pool, as well as going back to school. So I wanted to keep my look polished, but quick and easy for summer. I set out to find a simple and fresh new daily routine and along the way discovered a few new favorites I would love to share with you.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/OZfL\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBody Blur\u003C\/a\u003E by Vita Liberata is an amazing alternative to self-tanner. It's a tinted lotion with a hint of shimmer in it. For best results, I put it on after I've shaved my legs (which don't seem to tan anymore?!) and also after I've put on some \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2mvm9bb\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebaby lotion\u003C\/a\u003E. It's best to put it on immediately after the baby lotion (before it has completely sunk in) as this helps the Body Blur go on evenly with no streaks. It looks so natural and finally my legs have some natural glowing color!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI'm a huge fan of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2JDuEKs\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELiving Proof\u003C\/a\u003E. Coco, J and I all use their \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/OZe4\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPerfect Hair Day shampoo\u003C\/a\u003E and it has kept our hair so soft and healthy this summer despite our swimming in chlorine nearly every day. My other favorite is their \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/OZer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBlowout\u003C\/a\u003E spray. It keeps my hair smooth and ends intact by providing heat protection up to 450 degrees.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSpokane summers are insanely dry, but I want to be able to wear my bright lipsticks and have plump, supple lips during the day. So every night before bed, I put on this \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/OZgz\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELanolips \"101 Ointment\" Multipurpose Superbalm\u003C\/a\u003E. It's made with lanolin, known for its conditioning and healing properties by breastfeeding mamas everywhere. And you can also use it on your cuticles, cuts and scrapes, and even your nasal passages! One tube lasts forever it seems.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI am all about the \"five minute face\" during the summer. Two things I'm loving right now are \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/OZmv\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELaura Mercier Matte Caviar Sticks\u003C\/a\u003E in Fog and Blossom to get a fresh and easy look, and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/OZmi\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMac Extra Dimension Blush\u003C\/a\u003E in Wrapped Candy for a flushed summery glow. The caviar sticks are easy to apply and smudge with your fingers and the Mac blush is so shimmery and magical, it's almost like a blush and highlighter in one!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhat are your go-to summer beauty products? Do you keep your routine simple in the summer? Would you opt for just mascara and blush, or do you like a full-face year round? Chime in in the comments below!"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/409459482450810791\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/07\/summer-beauty-favorites.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/409459482450810791"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/409459482450810791"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/07\/summer-beauty-favorites.html","title":"Summer Beauty Favorites"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjlrXEsNMoIaP7GuP2Z93F8HrVsyGLc-gYpoxOVSs3bz-A2wjAzGGbmd2kppEQ7o8FMiCBtTyT6lTLMuQczhV6ODYnOYNGC8drC8taWdyjgNjwNELoueXJsx9XHB9cDX2GquUcvST79zw\/s72-c\/summer+favorites.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-482280408461097301"},"published":{"$t":"2018-07-16T16:09:00.002-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-07-16T16:13:16.922-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"celebrations"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"childhood"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"motherhood"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"parties"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"How do kids' birthday parties work, anyway?"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhyo5gmRxM0jOJWrYIXAshS2TD2E1Cjjs1ni505hRjzFAclg6xYWPxqlWrV5fnmWbNTC3QjUxABd1BU_IIxSZZeIlN1FPG8Vnm7seYylBGCvBnrk7N3qEMWqzrTPwz26582nZOsG7h4jg\/s1600\/IMG_8217_1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhyo5gmRxM0jOJWrYIXAshS2TD2E1Cjjs1ni505hRjzFAclg6xYWPxqlWrV5fnmWbNTC3QjUxABd1BU_IIxSZZeIlN1FPG8Vnm7seYylBGCvBnrk7N3qEMWqzrTPwz26582nZOsG7h4jg\/s640\/IMG_8217_1.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\nTheo is turning 4 in a few weeks (sob!) which means I need to plan another kid's birthday party. Let me just take this moment to say that I do not understand the ins and outs of kids' birthday parties \u003Ci\u003Eat all\u003C\/i\u003E. A few of the many thoughts that plague me when it comes to children's birthday parties are as follows:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhat is a good price point for a child's birthday present? $10? $20? Does that include the gift bag and tissue I wind up buying every time?\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhy does everyone bring gifts, even if the invitation says \"no gifts please\"?\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhy do party favors exist?! Kids fight over them, they break and then parents throw it all in the garbage while the kids are either not looking or sleeping.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhat about dietary restrictions?\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAm I the only one who thinks it would be more polite to open the presents after everyone has left?\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIs it weird that when given the option, I choose to drop my child off rather than stay the whole party?\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIf adults are expected to stay, why aren't there more adult beverages? (And why don't people accept them when offered at mine?)\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhy do we fuss about anyway beyond making our child feel loved, celebrated and letting them eat cake?\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\nAfter all, that is all children really care about on their birthday anyway. They want to feel loved (surrounded by friends and family and loved ones), celebrated (fun and games and yes, some presents all for them!) and finally, they want to eat cake (naturally!). Alright, that is all for now. I'm off to work out what will make Theo feel all of those things. And then I've got some invitations to send!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHow do you feel about kids' birthday parties? ;)\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/482280408461097301\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/07\/how-do-kids-birthday-parties-work-anyway.html#comment-form","title":"22 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/482280408461097301"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/482280408461097301"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/07\/how-do-kids-birthday-parties-work-anyway.html","title":"How do kids' birthday parties work, anyway?"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhyo5gmRxM0jOJWrYIXAshS2TD2E1Cjjs1ni505hRjzFAclg6xYWPxqlWrV5fnmWbNTC3QjUxABd1BU_IIxSZZeIlN1FPG8Vnm7seYylBGCvBnrk7N3qEMWqzrTPwz26582nZOsG7h4jg\/s72-c\/IMG_8217_1.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"22"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-5399293232436792884"},"published":{"$t":"2018-07-06T13:25:00.004-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-07-06T13:27:23.343-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"design"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"weekend"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Have a brilliant weekend"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjeD_RqrjpJnrH6UWp0oUPkcg918LRd6jFtdU8rEmFDs1sbEwpoI3hWyQFlk1pZG8t_smn3yE8LNoJSY3cmYyT9ZojFWdQtCgXiBHXMUGK0M6mBFNvfJUAnMqSO2Pk_sAdfDseLVyqf3Q\/s1600\/here+now+swiss+lark.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"731\" data-original-width=\"520\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjeD_RqrjpJnrH6UWp0oUPkcg918LRd6jFtdU8rEmFDs1sbEwpoI3hWyQFlk1pZG8t_smn3yE8LNoJSY3cmYyT9ZojFWdQtCgXiBHXMUGK0M6mBFNvfJUAnMqSO2Pk_sAdfDseLVyqf3Q\/s1600\/here+now+swiss+lark.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nI hope everyone in the US had a lovely 4th of July holiday. Ours was very sweet with a neighborhood 4th of July parade, dinner at my sister's house, fireworks and \u003Ci\u003Elots\u003C\/i\u003E of arguing over current affairs and politics in America. That only felt right and luckily everyone is still talking!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nI've been so incredibly busy with starting grad school and finally getting to the household projects that never got one iota of attention after we moved into this house and the school year swept us away. If I'm perfectly honest, this summer hasn't even felt like a break yet! I thought it would be a stretch of unscheduled, open time to read books, focus on the blog and start in on my long-simmering podcast idea, but so far that has not been the case.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nI'm taking the bull by the horns now - because unless we make things happen, they don't, right? And I was genuinely excited to be contacted by two brands I really respect and admire for collaborations and I am looking forward to sharing what they're all about with you. ;) So, coming up, I'll be posting about being married to J for ten years (!), the bliss that is summer in Spokane, our new stance on camping with kids, my favorite summer beauty finds, the best kids' summer shoes and much, much more!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nI hope you have an amazing weekend filled with all of the things and people you love the most.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAnd here are a few links for you:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BkOH4xOneoP\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeautiful radishes\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nNot what you'd normally expect from \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/longreads.com\/2017\/08\/28\/can-love-sparked-at-burning-man-last-in-everyday-life\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ean essay based around Burning Man\u003C\/a\u003E. Beautiful and raw.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nShould I be embarrassed to admit that\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/NXAB\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EI must have this palette\u003C\/a\u003E?\u0026nbsp;Those pinks!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nQuintessential \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/harrysding.ch\/2018\/05\/08\/pool-bar-zuerich\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EZurich styling and luxury\u003C\/a\u003E. (Look at the bill;)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/07\/05\/upshot\/americans-are-having-fewer-babies-they-told-us-why.html?hp\u0026amp;action=click\u0026amp;pgtype=Homepage\u0026amp;clickSource=story-heading\u0026amp;module=second-column-region\u0026amp;region=top-news\u0026amp;WT.nav=top-news\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E...a record low for the second consecutive year.\u003C\/a\u003E\" Very interesting.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI've heard great things about \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2ucsFqy\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis book\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nLiterally swooning over these\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/pomverte\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAmerican vacation photos\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thelocal.ch\/20180418\/20-telltale-signs-you-have-gone-native-in-switzerland\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E20 telltale signs you have gone native in Switzerland\u003C\/a\u003E. (#18!)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI love the idea of doing this\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/sayyes.com\/2018\/07\/5-minute-happier-workout\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E5 Minute Happier Workout\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;as part of my morning routine.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nCute \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/NXPd\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esweatshirt\u003C\/a\u003E. (On sale!)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI hope you have a brilliant weekend! See you back here Monday.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E(Photo via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/AR-1ch2yk5RO0_ZyaebZ0yQ_Orjgj3jgvEeq-MDiosh2KO6znm85ffE\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPinterest\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/5399293232436792884\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/07\/have-brilliant-weekend.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/5399293232436792884"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/5399293232436792884"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/07\/have-brilliant-weekend.html","title":"Have a brilliant weekend"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjeD_RqrjpJnrH6UWp0oUPkcg918LRd6jFtdU8rEmFDs1sbEwpoI3hWyQFlk1pZG8t_smn3yE8LNoJSY3cmYyT9ZojFWdQtCgXiBHXMUGK0M6mBFNvfJUAnMqSO2Pk_sAdfDseLVyqf3Q\/s72-c\/here+now+swiss+lark.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-8242064017257050837"},"published":{"$t":"2018-06-08T20:59:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-06-08T21:04:28.367-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"design"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Have a fab weekend"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiHmGwhH6Xnml0-GHIpEsp4hbtrJUQC2UpqaPEx5mxcSp3a4UdzVq9W2awVwG6Jl4gVDo5nzNUWg_3Tg9oW8Z0LaiGZ9k6t_dGzSR9nqLKebnwFF3rKqLD8MPuTWiKCGKn7ei3qzCCqxg\/s1600\/citrus+swiss+lark.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"556\" data-original-width=\"562\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiHmGwhH6Xnml0-GHIpEsp4hbtrJUQC2UpqaPEx5mxcSp3a4UdzVq9W2awVwG6Jl4gVDo5nzNUWg_3Tg9oW8Z0LaiGZ9k6t_dGzSR9nqLKebnwFF3rKqLD8MPuTWiKCGKn7ei3qzCCqxg\/s1600\/citrus+swiss+lark.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhat are your weekend plans? We have three parties this weekend - two kids' birthdays and one high school senior graduation! (I'm planning to do lots of yoga;) This week was such a sad one with \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=t\u0026amp;rct=j\u0026amp;q=\u0026amp;esrc=s\u0026amp;source=web\u0026amp;cd=1\u0026amp;ved=0ahUKEwjUibeI2cXbAhUJCDQIHYU8DJIQFggpMAA\u0026amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2018%2F06%2F05%2Fstyle%2Fkate-spade-death.html\u0026amp;usg=AOvVaw23M5uyNVhWNDbQgt9qVgBS\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKate Spade\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2018\/06\/08\/us\/gallery\/anthony-bourdain\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAnthony Bourdain\u003C\/a\u003E. What really upsets me is to think of how many low-profile, normal people each of these celebrity suicides represents. Depression is endemic. Of course it's a mental health issue, but social isolation and the internet definitely don't help. Sigh. If you suspect someone you know is depressed or suicidal, call them, reach out to them, let them know that you see and that you care. It could make all the difference.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAnd here are some links for you:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.newyorker.com\/news\/news-desk\/preventable-tragedies\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPreventable tragedies\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.fubiz.net\/2016\/06\/25\/funny-digital-art-by-alessio-f\/funny-digital-art-alessiof2\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EClever digital art\u003C\/a\u003E. (The nail polish!)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThis is my kind of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.traderjoes.com\/recipes\/breakfast\/savory-hot-cereal-with-softcooked-eggs\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebreakfast\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nJust ordered \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2JjHVMO\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis book\u003C\/a\u003E and cannot wait to read it!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/benimdunyamdan.com\/en\/8-reasons-why-living-abroad-will-ruin-your-life\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E8 reasons why living abroad will ruin your life\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/imnotrightinthehead\/posts\/10161102142655377\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELOL\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI do not believe that one can have too many \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/L0f8\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Estriped dresses\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TEDEducation\/videos\/1127655593914312\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow stress affects the brain\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThe best \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2JBBeFp\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebandaids\u003C\/a\u003E in the world. Yoga-proof!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI love these\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmenttherapy.com\/johnny-and-freddies-cozy-collected-shared-room-kids-room-tour-203725\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esiblings' shared room\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHave a wonderful weekend! Next week is the last week of school and we are so ready for summer. I hope to see you back here Monday.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n(Citrus photo via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/43487952636858212\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPinterest\u003C\/a\u003E)"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/8242064017257050837\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/06\/have-fab-weekend.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/8242064017257050837"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/8242064017257050837"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/06\/have-fab-weekend.html","title":"Have a fab weekend"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiHmGwhH6Xnml0-GHIpEsp4hbtrJUQC2UpqaPEx5mxcSp3a4UdzVq9W2awVwG6Jl4gVDo5nzNUWg_3Tg9oW8Z0LaiGZ9k6t_dGzSR9nqLKebnwFF3rKqLD8MPuTWiKCGKn7ei3qzCCqxg\/s72-c\/citrus+swiss+lark.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-6588458634246233989"},"published":{"$t":"2018-06-05T23:13:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-06-06T09:17:11.496-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"design"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"life"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"News I wish I hadn't heard today: Kate Spade is dead"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhyX276em-FXyloTJIwmAK2gNffOxZT9h-Agw7DjMdQ9bTlESg-p7MQOa1RfcOJ1AsTS_GyZPh4HnAU_iL8LVzS1l1UHRffkJwJNQRyIsmGWm1v69U_lHAzWclxBdgodzSoFntwpX4mWQ\/s1600\/KATESPADECH.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"400\" data-original-width=\"284\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhyX276em-FXyloTJIwmAK2gNffOxZT9h-Agw7DjMdQ9bTlESg-p7MQOa1RfcOJ1AsTS_GyZPh4HnAU_iL8LVzS1l1UHRffkJwJNQRyIsmGWm1v69U_lHAzWclxBdgodzSoFntwpX4mWQ\/s1600\/KATESPADECH.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI have always had a special place in my heart for Kate Spade. Her bags, as the New York Times said, \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/06\/05\/fashion\/kate-spade-dead.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecarried women into adulthood\u003C\/a\u003E\" and that was the case for me. Looking back on my college to adult life, Kate Spade was there for every big event. The first time I was pick-pocketed, it was a Kate Spade wallet they got. Ugh. The second time too! When J and I got married, we registered for Kate Spade china and vases, and this little \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/LLJ9\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edot rose bowl\u003C\/a\u003E is still one of my favorite things \u003Ci\u003Eever\u003C\/i\u003E. I had light green spray roses and eucalyptus in it on my nightstand just a couple weeks ago. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI love how Kate Spade items always say something surprising. Like on the box for the place setting of china, as you open the lid, inside the flap it says, \"\u003Ci\u003Eshe sets the table with poise and purpose,\u003C\/i\u003E\" and the inside of my Kate Spade phone case says, \"LIVE COLORFULLY\" which I tend to aim to do each and every day.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhen I started my Montessori course, I got a Kate Spade pencil pouch which I still have and use and love. When I finished my first term teaching, I bought a Kate Spade purse. Huge milestone! When I got pregnant with Coco, the first thing I bought once the first trimester was over was a Kate Spade diaper bag.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI'm starting to realize that I have an embarrassing amount of Kate Spade stuff! Sunglasses, agenda, calendar, thank-you notes, phone cases. I have it all. And I love it all.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nBut it's not just the stuff that was so great about Kate Spade. Her style was iconic, yes, but she was also an inspiring person. Kate Spade's was probably the best episode ever of the podcast \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/one.npr.org\/?sharedMediaId=513311127:513326948\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow I Built This\u003C\/a\u003E. Her voice is\u003Ci\u003E so fun\u003C\/i\u003E to listen to! She seems to be one of those people who just sailed along in life - without a care! The wind and waves just took her where she belonged and while she worked for it, it was also just her destiny. Her humble bravado (if that can be a thing) is so intoxicating!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHow obviously untrue that assumption was. How horribly sad and unfair that she felt so alone in this world that she hanged herself today. What a sad, sad thing for her, for her family, for her young daughter. It ruined my day to hear it. Kate Spade has always and forever been one of my icons. I have no more words.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n(Photo from Kate Spade h\/t \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ohhappyday.com\/2006\/05\/kate-spade-hires-the-best-stylists\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOh Happy Day\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 211px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 18px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003ESave\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 211px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 18px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;\"\u003ESave\u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/6588458634246233989\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/06\/news-i-wish-i-hadnt-heard-today-kate.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6588458634246233989"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6588458634246233989"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/06\/news-i-wish-i-hadnt-heard-today-kate.html","title":"News I wish I hadn't heard today: Kate Spade is dead"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhyX276em-FXyloTJIwmAK2gNffOxZT9h-Agw7DjMdQ9bTlESg-p7MQOa1RfcOJ1AsTS_GyZPh4HnAU_iL8LVzS1l1UHRffkJwJNQRyIsmGWm1v69U_lHAzWclxBdgodzSoFntwpX4mWQ\/s72-c\/KATESPADECH.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-6428406910442525692"},"published":{"$t":"2018-06-04T17:36:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-06-04T17:43:10.827-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"motherhood"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"How to Prepare a Toddler for Surgery"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiul7J1DYxQTGUd9lKHzZes8Bp1Os-Wf0y1xa0NQFietzS42YrlG9kfQyOt6Q7D8RUmaLFrSUvezMlkCLTXbA0VeSEMWfLlk9uSBgsGfeJIlhwM4RFB7mj_gtT_XJPPkKRsOvkL_irZrQ\/s1600\/IMG_0664.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"900\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiul7J1DYxQTGUd9lKHzZes8Bp1Os-Wf0y1xa0NQFietzS42YrlG9kfQyOt6Q7D8RUmaLFrSUvezMlkCLTXbA0VeSEMWfLlk9uSBgsGfeJIlhwM4RFB7mj_gtT_XJPPkKRsOvkL_irZrQ\/s640\/IMG_0664.JPG\" width=\"360\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EI hope you never have to send your toddler into surgery. On the one hand, Theo's surgery a few weeks ago was really hard (for me), and on the other hand, it was just like nothing really (more for him;) but nonetheless, I do think that some of the ways we prepared did make it easier on everyone.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nIf you find yourself with a child needing surgery, here are some tips for both toddler and parent to help prepare and have as good a surgery experience as possible.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEi1Ravx8jFrR-ur6XT0wwk7_EnBqr95BnOxKzf7OSxIQ-2k2ml0cTLFfLOmqsHUn2MAnWq226HUjPqMzz3pqex1Akgaix2qZfAqM_NXV-CfaocWmTgJbL_Wv2Sjd9TmqSt3KFckQ3Tx_w\/s1600\/5CC3055E-D9F3-4462-8E86-2DA1A6EEFC21.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEi1Ravx8jFrR-ur6XT0wwk7_EnBqr95BnOxKzf7OSxIQ-2k2ml0cTLFfLOmqsHUn2MAnWq226HUjPqMzz3pqex1Akgaix2qZfAqM_NXV-CfaocWmTgJbL_Wv2Sjd9TmqSt3KFckQ3Tx_w\/s640\/5CC3055E-D9F3-4462-8E86-2DA1A6EEFC21.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003EDon't talk too much about it\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nOf course you know your child best, but in general, toddlers don't have a real grasp on time or abstract concepts like surgery. Because of this, it's not really possible for them to understand that one week from now, a doctor is going to take them away from their mama, give them shots (!) and cut them open for a good reason. I didn't talk with Theo about his surgery until two days before.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003EKeep it simple\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nWhen I did talk about Theo's surgery with him, I just said casually that Friday morning we were getting up early to go to see Dr. Chan to fix his owie.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003ETalk positively about the doctor\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nWhen we went for our pre-op consultation, I was so impressed at how well the pediatric surgeon, Dr. Chan, spoke to Theo. These people know what they are doing and our only job is to help our child trust them. Dr. Chan gave Theo a little toy as we left, so it was easy to bring up how nice Dr. Chan is, and how he is a daddy, and how we just like him so much over the ten days between consultation and procedure. I do think it made Theo happy to see him on the day of the surgery.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEga9w5b9GPNZrBWK78ZGuPdlWRYFAMHhGmjewfUWuY99J6put_R1ajn8XDyM0TTK1ye6rgJ8O8LK7dc_3v-MLbLVrX_ZODD0SmYpYTE0MYt5pl9sd1sJLPOTO1IMCGgbFqcWHHAZvDHhQ\/s1600\/IMG_0667.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1080\" data-original-width=\"1080\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEga9w5b9GPNZrBWK78ZGuPdlWRYFAMHhGmjewfUWuY99J6put_R1ajn8XDyM0TTK1ye6rgJ8O8LK7dc_3v-MLbLVrX_ZODD0SmYpYTE0MYt5pl9sd1sJLPOTO1IMCGgbFqcWHHAZvDHhQ\/s640\/IMG_0667.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003EBring your child's lovey or stuffy\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nTheo's favorite stuffed animal is \"Blue\" who Coco gave to him when we were still in the hospital after Theo was born. Blue is in all of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2016\/08\/theos-monthly-photos.html\"\u003ETheo's first year photos\u003C\/a\u003E and he chose to bring Blue along for the surgery. Blue was allowed to go into the operating room and stayed with Theo the whole time. It was oddly comforting for me to send a piece of home along and Theo loved having Blue there before and after. It really was a symbol of security and home.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003ERespect your partner's coping mechanisms\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nThis was a really hard one for me. I was coming undone and couldn't stop imagining the lovely Dr. Chan coming out and telling me Theo didn't make it. Honestly! J on the other hand, was really calm and preferred not to talk about it. He looked me in the eye and said that hernia surgery is a completely routine procedure and there was nothing to worry about. True. But I still couldn't help thinking that he didn't care because he wasn't freaking out. Not true. Finally, a friend, who's been through hernia \u003Ci\u003Eand\u003C\/i\u003E appendectomy surgery with her son, said to me, \"Look! It's not going to make your life any better if he is losing it. Not a bit! He's calm, and he's right, and it will be over soon.\" Point taken.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg754AZ5NERWkTbSz4l5goYK1IHNlOLvoikISIQ33I6gR1xFGAeRzPhgL3tXrdfcjZo2LqWkPrFD6L5H4xZ9B_9A_8ivTgbnFfHeroPXlYGvJmR5GFwN-dNCJQCj8I92zxUL81mKa2nhg\/s1600\/DD10492F-3C08-4E65-BB20-0E55FE2D924F.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEg754AZ5NERWkTbSz4l5goYK1IHNlOLvoikISIQ33I6gR1xFGAeRzPhgL3tXrdfcjZo2LqWkPrFD6L5H4xZ9B_9A_8ivTgbnFfHeroPXlYGvJmR5GFwN-dNCJQCj8I92zxUL81mKa2nhg\/s640\/DD10492F-3C08-4E65-BB20-0E55FE2D924F.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003EGet there a few minutes early\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nIt's not fun to feel rushed. Nor is it fun to have the nurses taking vitals saying things like, \"We need to get them into room 4 quick. They were late.\" Ugh. Speaking from experience, because even though we were on time, the elevators were slow, the check-in line was long and then for whatever reason, we were told to just sit in the waiting room for 10 minutes and then they checked us in. Maybe it was unavoidable? But if I do this again, I'll plan to arrive early instead of on time.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003EBring cash\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nWhat is it with hospital parking lots only taking cash? And if you decide to get coffee, it's just easier than fumbling with a card when you're on edge.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003ETake along more than a few distractions\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nObviously your smart phone will be a good friend during this process. I had a few friends who knew what was going on and they all texted me, a very welcome distraction. But I also brought a book, my laptop and my journal. I was so grateful for Instagram during the surgery. All of the comments and messages buoyed my spirits. You just want to keep your mind from imagining the worst!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjqgV_ymvQ1dnNNADJyfCRGbQU9cMzHjjHXQUTNiHGQDCzaZGN7pELRl7yPAYyvHoFuhgrC0SvmSiVehtnAwomgQb1lDVEozD9x59g0JuL3iqPUnE4E_kVmeHJ6ZcWk7Abg1eqeDhHUuA\/s1600\/IMG_0651.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1280\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjqgV_ymvQ1dnNNADJyfCRGbQU9cMzHjjHXQUTNiHGQDCzaZGN7pELRl7yPAYyvHoFuhgrC0SvmSiVehtnAwomgQb1lDVEozD9x59g0JuL3iqPUnE4E_kVmeHJ6ZcWk7Abg1eqeDhHUuA\/s640\/IMG_0651.JPG\" width=\"512\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003EWait somewhere else\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nThe waiting room is not a fun place. It is filled with frantic, worried families and the announcements over the loudspeaker like, \"Code three pediatrics. We have a code three anesthesia in pediatrics\" put me in a panic. They'll want you there toward the time your child will be finishing up, but until that last ten minutes, I went down to the atrium area near emergency. It was peaceful and empty and beautiful.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjUNYnX9W20spcIohyyOkm0uAaTBQRtE3zhaH7xBW8R6e_MDBd9nZsJ0q-CPfN1fOAyVa2QL3zmTPi1Vr_XS-53rR3taLM09b95myB3pJEhdXjRz3V93HYzkLFbXEQzrlImJ0LmMLpbHw\/s1600\/C419337E-0739-4CAE-8AD3-A988E001497E.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjUNYnX9W20spcIohyyOkm0uAaTBQRtE3zhaH7xBW8R6e_MDBd9nZsJ0q-CPfN1fOAyVa2QL3zmTPi1Vr_XS-53rR3taLM09b95myB3pJEhdXjRz3V93HYzkLFbXEQzrlImJ0LmMLpbHw\/s640\/C419337E-0739-4CAE-8AD3-A988E001497E.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003ELet yourself cry - after your child has gone in\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nRegardless of how serious or potentially perilous (or just routine) your child's surgery is, it is bound to bring up a lot of emotions. Life is precious. Moments like a surgery remind us of that with striking force. But it's also really hard to see families checking in who are obviously not there for a routine, or even first surgery. Seeing that can bring up a lot of emotions too. So, stay positive and fill your child with confidence and send them in strong. Then go let it all out and have a good cry. You'll be glad you did.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjLZcThRN-__h5rm0mm0XTFnt_gZKXXhbTZDAZRfq7gq1cWf8BV2JxPOnQdPDLOkdJnED3bnl5ueWlj5gWSmf8tl_iU1aqoLKGj3eug_wCQfzF7XlRgHW7U0wrLfIF6ktB7IO-9a9ye_g\/s1600\/C3044E82-EAA1-4B88-ABFD-7BEA18F9C6A7.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjLZcThRN-__h5rm0mm0XTFnt_gZKXXhbTZDAZRfq7gq1cWf8BV2JxPOnQdPDLOkdJnED3bnl5ueWlj5gWSmf8tl_iU1aqoLKGj3eug_wCQfzF7XlRgHW7U0wrLfIF6ktB7IO-9a9ye_g\/s640\/C3044E82-EAA1-4B88-ABFD-7BEA18F9C6A7.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003EBe prepared for a grumpy kid\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nThe nurse who prepped Theo told me that waking up from anesthesia is like having a really bad hangover. He was appropriately grumpy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nAnd of course follow all of your doctor and hospital's instructions. Have you been through surgery with your child? What are your best tips?\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/6428406910442525692\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/06\/how-to-prepare-toddler-for-surgery.html#comment-form","title":"14 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6428406910442525692"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6428406910442525692"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/06\/how-to-prepare-toddler-for-surgery.html","title":"How to Prepare a Toddler for Surgery"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiul7J1DYxQTGUd9lKHzZes8Bp1Os-Wf0y1xa0NQFietzS42YrlG9kfQyOt6Q7D8RUmaLFrSUvezMlkCLTXbA0VeSEMWfLlk9uSBgsGfeJIlhwM4RFB7mj_gtT_XJPPkKRsOvkL_irZrQ\/s72-c\/IMG_0664.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"14"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-6025037591500509921"},"published":{"$t":"2018-05-19T15:49:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-05-19T15:49:38.981-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"life"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"weekend"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Have a beautiful weekend"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjpRUGhQwnqm2Lul1Ef-RqXy2Lh-7jpDiU9n-fYZbAw6j9i6GcO8gnorG4yvsP-Y88gz6F5ortGzfsFMowfwCEZLRshBI6qnlDBcu444jbbF8moIgZ7aU0Cto73QNh24G2OfSZNiKbuqw\/s1600\/A956A33F-A257-4B4C-A501-12DA61283EF2.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjpRUGhQwnqm2Lul1Ef-RqXy2Lh-7jpDiU9n-fYZbAw6j9i6GcO8gnorG4yvsP-Y88gz6F5ortGzfsFMowfwCEZLRshBI6qnlDBcu444jbbF8moIgZ7aU0Cto73QNh24G2OfSZNiKbuqw\/s640\/A956A33F-A257-4B4C-A501-12DA61283EF2.jpg\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHow is your weekend going? This morning, we went to the park to meet some (hopefully;) new friends of ours. A woman I work with - but only over email and the phone - and I decided we should meet up. We're in similar boats in life. Her kids are 1, 3 and 5. She and her husband moved their family back to Spokane from Brooklyn a year ago. She misses her mommy group and lots of things about being in the city. Clearly we need to be friends! Then, as Coco, Theo and I arrived at the park, I realized I didn't even know what she looked like. But we managed to pick each other out instantly. I could really use a friend right now. I'm so thankful to have met her. And this definitely is a perk to being a working mom in America - people are so busy and work-focused, it really is the best place to make friends!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI meant to get links up last night, but J and I ended up watching this week's episode of the Americans and chatting on the couch after the kids went to bed and it was just really, really nice.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSo, enjoy the rest of your weekend, and here are some links for you:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI cannot stomach the fact that we saw another horrific school shooting yesterday. And yet I was \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/05\/18\/us\/school-shooting-santa-fe-texas.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Enot the least bit surprised\u003C\/a\u003E. This madness needs to stop. :( Also, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/news\/politics\/wp\/2018\/05\/18\/2018-has-been-deadlier-for-schoolchildren-than-service-members\/?noredirect=on\u0026amp;utm_term=.46e78c4f48e8\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eunthinkable\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/video\/magazine\/100000005893670\/four-phrases-justin-peck-ballet-improvisations.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EExquisite\u003C\/a\u003E. (Even more so with the sound on.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHave you seen this season of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2GxImNu\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Americans\u003C\/a\u003E? It is soooooo good. I have to cover my eyes and remind myself to breathe sometimes!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/J9qL\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETopping\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;my wish list.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nOne of my favorite bloggers \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.heynataliejean.com\/2018\/05\/in-which-i-live-behind-target.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eis back\u003C\/a\u003E, and she's so real and vulnerable. I was \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2016\/05\/have-amazing-holiday-weekend.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eso sad\u003C\/a\u003E when she threw in the towel. This is a very good day for the internet.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThe power of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/family\/archive\/2018\/05\/dear-therapist-daughter-bad-parent\/560432\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecompassion\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWe're planning a big makeover for the kids room and I love these \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/J9ri\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Estorage baskets\u003C\/a\u003E. And \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/J9r3\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethese\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BiuYnNpAIpz\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFeels like you're really there\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/JungleVT\/videos\/2654580671350425\/?hc_ref=ARQrel963AsSkUqptntMmgckDLYrb6ki8xIffgCeYA7I623kCc5GSbv9Vgzfmx8Ib1M\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELOL\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAnd finally, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/time.com\/5278817\/yanny-or-laurel-audio-clip-debate\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewhat do you hear\u003C\/a\u003E? #yanny\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI hope your weekend is absolutely beautiful and see you back here Monday!"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/6025037591500509921\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/05\/have-beautiful-weekend.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6025037591500509921"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/6025037591500509921"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/05\/have-beautiful-weekend.html","title":"Have a beautiful weekend"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjpRUGhQwnqm2Lul1Ef-RqXy2Lh-7jpDiU9n-fYZbAw6j9i6GcO8gnorG4yvsP-Y88gz6F5ortGzfsFMowfwCEZLRshBI6qnlDBcu444jbbF8moIgZ7aU0Cto73QNh24G2OfSZNiKbuqw\/s72-c\/A956A33F-A257-4B4C-A501-12DA61283EF2.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-1652834770883454498"},"published":{"$t":"2018-05-17T12:00:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-05-17T13:00:29.305-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"culture"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"expat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"motherhood"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"repat"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"repat problems"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Eating with a Fork and Knife"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/zsazsabellagio.tumblr.com\/post\/67464930361\/clear-glass-mats-gustafson\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"604\" data-original-width=\"500\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgLb0oSEUpNkVU93SvH9wJb6mz4osIicpAPQXMznlYk6RBpd1tySO-8wNJqoh_K7YP41ydYNiM_C9TD2AcEQDP_IMr6FYrovvpaUJ-6-4PK0DW55YAMOfHHG12IYwrz71WoxErX1sed6A\/s320\/silverware+illustration+swiss+lark.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" width=\"264\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nOn the European continent, everyone eats with a fork \u003Ci\u003Eand \u003C\/i\u003Eknife - always. The fork is held in the left hand, tines down, and the knife in the right hand with the pointer finger on top of the blade. It's \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.etiquettescholar.com\/dining_etiquette\/table_manners.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Econtinental style\u003C\/a\u003E and everyone does it. I mean everyone - even little kids by the time they're four or five!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIt's remarkable how quickly you adopt things like the way you hold your knife and fork. In 2006 I moved to Neuchâtel, and after going back to the US for Christmas break, I happened to eat my lunch without a knife one day. My Swiss co-workers were visibly bothered to see me eat with just a fork. And when I turned my fork sideways and rocked it through my food to cut it, they let out audible gasps. I'm not kidding! \"Would you like a knife?\" one of them finally asked, strained and slightly disgusted, and of course I accepted, never to eat with only a fork again.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nBy the time we had been in Zurich for four years, my strictly continental eating drove my mom crazy. In her view, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/lisa-mirza-grotts\/table-etiquette-two-diffe_b_594518.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAmerican style\u003C\/a\u003E was actually better because it was pre-Mayflower and therefore more polite. The original proper. But the fact is, proper American table manners are so lacking in smoothness and fluidity, that they're easier to skip all together and that is where the fork rocking comes in. Ugh.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSo I decided that my children were going to have proper continental table manners like myself and J. To that end I made sure that they had \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/JVv2\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eproper \u003C\/a\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/JVvw\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Echildren's\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/shopstyle.it\/l\/JVwg\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eflatware \u003C\/a\u003Eand that we ate dinner at the table together every night. But, lately it occurred to me that Coco is already 6, and she still hasn't mastered continental eating. Or even really gotten to it at all! I've been working with her on simple things, like eggs and pancakes, but to her it's very, what's the word? Foreign.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhen it comes to eating and food, I've been disappointed to find that American culture does not line up with anything I set out to accomplish or establish as a mother. As a young mama in Zurich, I read \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2rPrsFy\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBringing Up Bebe\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2Lbb6Py\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFrench Kids Eat Everything\u003C\/a\u003E. I developed a stance wholly against snacking in favor of having hungry children at mealtimes. And I envisioned my children eating continental style, with a knife in their right hand and a fork in their left. But in the States, children are given snacks constantly, almost more as a form of entertainment than a source of nourishment. And Coco actually came home raving about the sporks they have at hot lunch at school! \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI saw a remark online recently that\u003Ci\u003E it's easier to \nchange (move) countries than it is to change the culture you're living in\u003C\/i\u003E and it made me pause. It seemed really dramatic and I didn't want to believe it. But after some experience and giving it some more\nthought, I have come to believe it's completely true. You can decide to do things your own way, but if the wider culture doesn't support it, it's hard to make it stick. So, along with \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2016\/07\/shoes-off-inside.html\"\u003Eshoes off inside\u003C\/a\u003E, I think I may have to take a more relaxed stance on the eating with a fork \u003Ci\u003Eand \u003C\/i\u003Eknife during our American sojourn.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHave you lived abroad or in a different cultural region and brought back different customs? How has that played out back home?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E(Photo via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/zsazsabellagio.tumblr.com\/post\/67464930361\/clear-glass-mats-gustafson\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETumblr\u003C\/a\u003E\/Mats Gustafson) \u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/1652834770883454498\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/05\/eating-with-fork-and-knife.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/1652834770883454498"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/1652834770883454498"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/05\/eating-with-fork-and-knife.html","title":"Eating with a Fork and Knife"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgLb0oSEUpNkVU93SvH9wJb6mz4osIicpAPQXMznlYk6RBpd1tySO-8wNJqoh_K7YP41ydYNiM_C9TD2AcEQDP_IMr6FYrovvpaUJ-6-4PK0DW55YAMOfHHG12IYwrz71WoxErX1sed6A\/s72-c\/silverware+illustration+swiss+lark.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2556494314801577420.post-7997425868556113065"},"published":{"$t":"2018-05-15T14:30:00.002-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-05-15T14:30:56.934-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"life"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Self Care"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgAk5swNpJ7zJYZrwYLS-1UriT98h_eeRv76PqTnB8Kzv_nOHGCuCSmmaeYJHPKSi6DlwpIIz-3vBql2DfqqhFmZIb58tKN9lHYX4FqXgUCxjnUt1YzPD2-zB_oo7Brzk4vx3v-DFz3Sw\/s1600\/sea+and+tea.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"855\" data-original-width=\"474\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgAk5swNpJ7zJYZrwYLS-1UriT98h_eeRv76PqTnB8Kzv_nOHGCuCSmmaeYJHPKSi6DlwpIIz-3vBql2DfqqhFmZIb58tKN9lHYX4FqXgUCxjnUt1YzPD2-zB_oo7Brzk4vx3v-DFz3Sw\/s1600\/sea+and+tea.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\nWhat are your favorite self care rituals? I tend to forget about self care until I get into a fight with J, or have a terrible episode of insomnia, or yell at my children. And then I am reminded! Self care is so so so important. Not practicing self care really truly is not an option, and yet with all the demands of everyday life, it's hard to fit in and easy to neglect. So I have been brainstorming good options that kill more than one bird with each stone...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nHere is my current list of favorites, and I would love to hear yours: \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003E10 minutes of meditation.\u003C\/i\u003E I love the Headspace App for this, and I'm currently reading \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2KruPJs\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe book\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EA brisk walk.\u003C\/i\u003E My office mates and I love to do two laps around our block. Twice around equals one mile and takes 15 minutes or less. Perfect!\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EPainting my nails.\u003C\/i\u003E Having painted nails makes me happy and life just better. That qualifies as self-care to me! Usually \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2012\/02\/frugal-fancy-painted-nails.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EI paint them at home\u003C\/a\u003E, but bonus for treating yourself and going to a spa where you can take advantage of the facilities and sit in a robe and drink water with fruit in it every now and then.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EDrinking fresh, clean water.\u003C\/i\u003E It's hard to stay properly hydrated! Drinking fresh, clean water is hugely important and can impact everything from regularity to mood. Drink up!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003ERunning\u003C\/i\u003E. I'm not the biggest fan of running, but it packs more punch into a short amount of time than just about any other form of exercise. (Bonus: weight loss!) As a busy mom, it's easier to do a 30-minute running workout straight out of my back door with no travel time than it is to drive to the yoga studio and do a 90-minute class that necessitates a shower afterward. \u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EHot yoga.\u003C\/i\u003E That said, nothing quite wrings my body out like a wet washcloth the way a Bikram class does. I got \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2016\/07\/how-do-you-stay-fit.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehooked on Bikram\u003C\/a\u003E yoga when I was childless and very fit in my late 20's. It's harder now than it was then, but that's all the more reason to do it, right? And, breathe...\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003ECooking at home.\u003C\/i\u003E Living in Zurich meant never eating out and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2013\/03\/how-to-save-money-on-groceries-in.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emaking just about everything\u003C\/a\u003E from scratch. I happen to love cooking and I find it really relaxing and enjoyable, so for me cooking at home qualifies at self care not only because it means healthier meals, but also the sense of fulfillment from engaging in a hobby.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EGoing for a massage\u003C\/i\u003E. Obviously.\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EDancing\u003C\/i\u003E. Aside from the exercise benefits, there is something so fundamentally human about dancing. I love the feeling of expression and the emotional release it provides. I desperately miss \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/balletforeveryone.ch\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emy ballet class in Zurich\u003C\/a\u003E! \u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EGoing to bed early\u003C\/i\u003E. \"Sleep is everything,\" said every mother, ever. \u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EJournaling\u003C\/i\u003E. When I was in a Montessori middle-school program for eighth grade, we were required to journal on a school trip. The practice was so gratifying and calming for me, I've been doing it ever since.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nMy goal going into summer is to establish a good self-care weekly routine so that when school starts up again in the fall, it will already be in place and hopefully easier to maintain. Please share your self care tips with me! It's always good to mix it up from week to week, or depending on the weather and seasons, too.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAnd wouldn't an English seaside holiday with a proper cup of tea and a stack of good books and zero WiFi be good self care? Maybe we need to set up a Swiss Lark self care retreat and make it happen.Who's in? ;)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E(Photo via \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/43487952634627357\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPinterest\u003C\/a\u003E, however the link doesn't work. Photo cred, anyone?)\u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/feeds\/7997425868556113065\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/05\/self-care.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/7997425868556113065"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/2556494314801577420\/posts\/default\/7997425868556113065"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.swisslark.com\/2018\/05\/self-care.html","title":"Self Care"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Lindsey"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04836394671525240199"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgAk5swNpJ7zJYZrwYLS-1UriT98h_eeRv76PqTnB8Kzv_nOHGCuCSmmaeYJHPKSi6DlwpIIz-3vBql2DfqqhFmZIb58tKN9lHYX4FqXgUCxjnUt1YzPD2-zB_oo7Brzk4vx3v-DFz3Sw\/s72-c\/sea+and+tea.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}}]}});