Hello.

 

Hi, I'm Annie.

Mother of 3,
spouse to G,
writer of things,
former batgirl,
sister,
daughter,
lucky friend,
and American
living in Australia.

Basic Joy = my attempt to document all of this life stuff, stubbornly looking for the joy in dailiness. 

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On my bookshelf
Annie's bookshelf:

Mama, Ph.D.: Women Write About Motherhood and Academic LifeMountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the WorldThe Sweetness at the Bottom of the PieThe Island: A NovelThe PassageSecret Spaces of Childhood

More of Annie's books »
Annie's  book recommendations, reviews, favorite quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists
On my mind
On my playlist

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Gallery

Just a collection of images that bring out the happy & hygge in me. 

More at my tumblr, Gather

and at my Pinterest pinboards

« Summer's last hurrah | Main | The notebook »
Friday
Aug312007

A day to go down in miscellany

Just some rather random and miscellaneous items that have entertained + captured me:

  • Have you seen this hilarious item description on eBay by a mom selling the cards her kids tossed in the grocery cart when she wasn't looking? Just read the product description. Priceless (or, evidently, at least worth $142.51). I've been there, haven't you?
  • I'm enchanted by Amy Butler patterns and fabrics. Enough, even, to get out my sewing machine and think about hooking it up. And that's saying something. Take a look at the skirt, the gumdrop pillows, the bags, the aprons. Now how do I get the thread through those dohickies on my machine again?
  • I finally saw Pan's Labyrinth (got to practice my Spanish!) and the latest Bourne. And Mr. Bean. All good in their own special ways. I think someone should make a movie combining the best of all three--maybe Bourne's next challenge could be foiled by pesky Mr. Bean's antics, all set in WWII Spain with magical creatures and demons and chasing him instead of the CIA? The Bean/Bourne Labyrinth? I'm just putting it out there, any of you are welcome to steal this idea as long as you acknowledge me in your Oscar speech.
  • As one of the only families in the neighborhood who are not going out of town this weekend, it looks like we're the go-to people for pet sitting. Now under our care: one guinea pig, one rabbit, and a bunch of cats. Kind of ironic, since one of the reasons we don't have a pet is G insists they are too much of a hassle when we want to travel. Apparently not when you know a family of suckers like us!
  • Here's to inhabiting our days:
    "I will not die an unlived life. I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire. I choose to inhabit my days, to allow my living to open me, to make me less afraid, more accessible, to loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise. I choose to risk my significance; to live so that which comes to me as seed goes to the next as blossom and that which comes to me as blossom, goes on as fruit" (Dawna Markova, found via ali edwards).
  • Finally--not so random or miscellaneous but very important--my brother Chris sent his first photos from Mali. These are of the village where he'll be living once the language training is over at the end of September: on the Cliffs in Dogon country.

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Reader Comments (6)

I love your miscellaneous info. I would definitely see your movie triple combo. I love the Bourne series and Mr. Bean although I'll have to take your word on the other movie. Thanks for the pics too. I would love to travel somewhere really different like that. My National Geographic and you blog really help.

08.31.2007 | Unregistered CommenterBridget

Lovely Annie. I had seen the ebay description (that mom has a blog too) and am equally enchanted with the fabrics and sewing patters.

08.31.2007 | Unregistered CommenterEmily

Ditto the other girls as well. Loved all the miscellany you put forth.

I am thinking of making Ebay my new business. My kids throw ALL kinds of crap into the cart at the store. I've never even thought about not giving it to them and selling it on EBay. That is just plain hilarious. And lucrative. One-hundred-forty-two bucks for an OPENED packed of Pokeman cards? Let's get selling, girls!

Very fun. I really should set up a sales account on ebay for all the items that ended up in my cart that I PUT IN THERE! Darn you, TJMaxx!! And now, drowning in my own selected treasures (?)i could easily post them. Santas, angels, witches galore! The only things I don't want to sell are my nativities, and anything that is a genuine treasure because of who gave it to me, and its meaning for me or you Bentley heirs.Ma

09.1.2007 | Unregistered CommenterAnonymous

Your posts are so entertaining! I loved the Pokeman link. I used to take 7 kids to the store and I'm still in post traumatic stress syndrome over it all.

09.5.2007 | Unregistered CommenterMarty:

The Amy Butler fabrics remind me of the Marimekko (sp?) fabrics of my day, Annie. I even had some of them. Bright, big patterns. She was sort of the "in" fabric designer back in the 60's and 70's. Great look. Ma

09.5.2007 | Unregistered CommenterAnonymous

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