Homemade Drain Cleaner

I stumbled upon a safe and effective way to clean out a clogged drain, using products you have right in your kitchen. My bathroom sink was clogged this week, the day of our yucky snow/rain storm, and I didn't want to go out for Drain-o. Not to mention, I don't want to inhale those toxic fumes, pregnant or not. So, I mixed 1 part baking soda, 1 part salt, and a 1/4 part cream of tartar. Pour that mixture down the drain first, followed by a kettle-full of boiling hot water. It took about 3-5 minutes for my drain and then it completely cleared out. And it's still working great. I'll never go back to those toxic cleaners!

Working on a Dream

Bruce Springsteen is back with another new album, just out today. You can also go to NPR and listen to a free streaming of the entire album. That's what we've been doing at work this week :) So far, the tracks seem a bit reminiscent of Devils and Dust, but with the meaning and fervor of The Rising and Magic. Check it out...and keep your fingers crossed we get tickets to his April show here in Boston!

Inaugural Poem

Here is Elizabeth Alexander's Inaugural Poem that meant so much to me. The poem really makes you stop and think about life in little snippets and how, even though we're all in different places, we're all just trying to live, to love, and to survive.

Each day we go about our business,
walking past each other, catching each other’s
eyes or not, about to speak or speaking.

All about us is noise. All about us is
noise and bramble, thorn and din, each
one of our ancestors on our tongues.

Someone is stitching up a hem, darning
a hole in a uniform, patching a tire,
repairing the things in need of repair.

Someone is trying to make music somewhere,
with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum,
with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.

A woman and her son wait for the bus.
A farmer considers the changing sky.
A teacher says, Take out your pencils. Begin.

We encounter each other in words, words
spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed,
words to consider, reconsider.

We cross dirt roads and highways that mark
the will of some one and then others, who said
I need to see what’s on the other side.

I know there’s something better down the road.
We need to find a place where we are safe.
We walk into that which we cannot yet see.

Say it plain: that many have died for this day.
Sing the names of the dead who brought us here,
who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges,

picked the cotton and the lettuce, built
brick by brick the glittering edifices
they would then keep clean and work inside of.

Praise song for struggle, praise song for the day.
Praise song for every hand-lettered sign,
the figuring-it-out at kitchen tables.

Some live by love thy neighbor as thyself,
others by first do no harm or take no more
than you need. What if the mightiest word is love?

Love beyond marital, filial, national,
love that casts a widening pool of light,
love with no need to pre-empt grievance.

In today’s sharp sparkle, this winter air,
any thing can be made, any sentence begun.
On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp,

praise song for walking forward in that light.

Pictures

For those of you Southern folks, hungry to see snow, these are for you:

in true Boston fashion, our "saved" parking space

Newbury Street on New Years Eve

A visit with the Barton clan - Michelle, Belinda, John and Anne

Tuck and Mary

The Charlie Brown tree

Our stockings were hung by the chimney with care

Nanny & Price

Bev and Cynthia

And we're back!

We apologize for such a long delay in our blog. We've been riding high ever since Obama's election and can hardly believe we are well into January already. So, let's get down to business and get caught up, shall we?

First things first, Price and I are expecting our first baby! We're so thrilled to be able to share the news with everyone and to enjoy this special time together. I'm a couple weeks into my second trimester and feeling great now. The first trimester was challenging, but fun at the same time. I've completely given myself over to this little one growing inside of me and have been amazed at all the changes. My once love of coffee is now nonexistent - the mere smell sends me running to the bathroom. I have a love/hate relationship with food. I seem to graze on small snacks throughout the day, but really do get tired of eating all the time. My hair and nails are stronger than ever and growing fast. I'm growing elsewhere, too, and have learned how to inconspicuously unbutton my pants for comfort :) Price has been a wonderful partner throughout this time. He is so dependable and has learned to adopt new chores for his pregnant wife. He'll be glad when I can resume litter box duty! We'll be sure to post some pictures as we go along to keep you all updated. Thanks to those of you offering us so much love, support and friendship! You make this time even more special!

Price has recently begun moonlighting at Fisher College. He is now an adjunct faculty member and is teaching Intro. to Human Anatomy and Physiology in Fisher's continuing education program. This week is his first and he's off to a great start. He only has 6 students, but is grateful for the teaching experience. Nice work, Professor!

We celebrated Christmas in Boston this year and had a great time with Mary and Raine. Tuck and Cynthia came over on Christmas Day and we enjoyed a lovely evening together. Overall, the holidays were quiet and relaxing. I didn't have the energy or the stomach to travel, so Price and I hung around frigid Boston for New Years. We are constantly grateful for time with just the 2 of us!

Keep an eye out for some pictures. I'll try to include a smattering of the last few months!