NO TURNING BACK NOW

The Steady and I did some cleaning and reorganizing late this summer. We found some repeat CDs and books on our shelves. Last week I took them to the used bookstore/music shop to sell. There was a feeling of finality about the errand. I was almost a little reluctant to part with these things and collect my $9.50. Going to the courthouse, standing before a representative of the state and our dear friends to pledge a life-long oath was a big deal, don't get me wrong. But somehow selling my first Belle & Sebastian CD, my first Yo La Tengo CD, my freaking copy of Infinite Jest for Christsakes, well, let's just say there's no turning back now.

SOMETIMES

Some parents condition their kids to get to sleep on their own, and that's great. Me, I guess I'm a bit selfish. I read my son stories and then snuggle with him until he falls asleep. Maybe it's because I'm a working mom. I feel like this is some of the precious quality time I get to share with my kid. Before I know it he will be a stinky, surly teen and he won't want anything to do with me. So I might as well get it in while I can.

Of course, some nights he's a real pain to get down. Sometimes my bed looks more like a WWF ring. Sometimes I feel like I'm putting a thirty-three pound Asian carp to bed. Sometimes...like tonight.

CREATING DEMAND

If it weren't for my mother-in-law, $7.95 bars of hand soap would not exist because nobody would buy them.