When we made the decision to move to East Tennessee, I could not have possibly imagined how much we would all love it here. I feel more blessed and grateful every day that we are here. That doesn't mean that I don't get in crappy moods from time to time...like I'm in today. But I figured it might help to write about all the good stuff that's going on in my life, so thank you. For being my attitude adjustment today!
Yesterday, I had the luck to be asked to man a Birth Network of Knoxville table at a Mommy & Baby Expo at the West Town Mall in Knoxville. I got to spend some good time chatting it up with my friends Lorie Wade, and Marva Solt, in addition to all the lovely pregnant and new mommies that visited us at our table! It felt just like old times, working at Natural Resources in SF. Made me a little nostalgic for sure, and also inspired me! I love this work! And I completely support the mission of the Birth Network (letting families know about evidence-based childbirth care and the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative). I think I may work towards holding a baby wearing workshop, and I'm excited to finish my Lactation Counselor/Educator certification through UCSD. (As an aside, I went to visit some other doulas at the fair whom I'd never heard of...but they've heard of me! Lol... How does this happen?? I've only been here 6 months! Not that I'm complaining or anything!)
In that vein, I've also had several people inquiring about how I could contribute to the opening of a pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenting center. !!!! Which, as some of you know, is my MOST DREAMIEST JOB EVER. There used to be a store here called Cutie Tooties, but the mama who ran it needed to step away to spend more time with her family. Even when it was open, they only held cloth diapering classes once a month, and no other classes. But it was still a place where mamas could go to ask questions and get some support. There is such a need - and a demand! - for a place like Natural Resources here. I'm excited at the possibilities, and trust that if it's supposed to happen it will, and all in good time. Right now, it's just fun to think about it and feed the dream. :)
Other news, as some of you may know, is that I auditioned and got into a local flute choir! Yes, it is very flutey. ;-) We have a base flute, and an alto flute, and one of the members owns a second alto flute. We have about 15 members, and the choir has been around for 13 years or so, I think. We play at churches and are holding a one-day flute festival here in the Spring. It's really low pressure for me, I don't need to practice, but I'm finding it's really fun just to go and play for a couple of hours every week! Also, as a result of this, I've been reminded of my (and I'm not arrogant about this, just grateful) big fish in a smaller pond here in Knoxville, after being a small fish in a rather large pond in San Francisco. So, I've contacted my friend, Liz, who is in the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, and she is going to put me in touch with the personnal manager there, along with some of her woodwind friends who play in the symphony. I'd love to sub with them from time to time to keep my feet wet in the orchestral repertoire, and I'd also really enjoy getting some musicians together once a month or something to play chamber music. Just for fun. Yay! Music!
Other news, Zoe got into Wesley Day School, the preschool that I've wanted her to go to since we moved to Maryville. She's in for next school year, which makes me very happy. Also, we may have had a sweet doggie girl dropped in our lap from a mommy friend who may not be able to dedicate the time and attention to her that she feels she needs. Sounds like it might be a great fit for us all, but she's thinking it over. I know it must be such a painstaking decision, and I don't want to sway her either way. If not this sweet one, then we will remain open to the possibility of another doggie friend to become a part of our family. We'll see how it goes. Of course, we still miss Jessie. Getting another dog so soon wasn't originally part of the plan, but the more I think about it, the more I believe that the timing would be best to welcome the new dog into our home now, while we're all here so much, before things change. Because, as we know, things do change - it is the only constant.
Last, and perhaps best - I have friends! Yay! Wahoo! Yippee! Things were tough around here on that front through the Fall and Holidays. We were just trying to get settled, and then families tend to stay close to home and their existing social circles over the Holidays - it's all anyone can do just to get through and visit with the people they already know and love during those crazy days! But it seems like the last month has been rife with new relationships and wonderful people. Our neighbors ROCK and we've made several new friends just on our block. I've also made some friends, with great potential to become good friends, with other mamas in the mom's group that I belong to. It's fun! To make new friends! Who knew? Friends over for super bowl and a bonfire, birthday parties, mommy meetups, playdates for Zoe, impromptu bonfires with neighbors...it doesn't get any better.
Here are some pics of what's been going on lately...
Neighborhood life is: placing an order for a 'Valentine's Cake' from the young girl up the street when she knocked on your door a few weeks ago raising money for her summer camp, and not realizing the awesomeness of said cake until it was delivered today!
Congratulations to you and your family. Looks like you made the right move. Continued happiness!
Posted by: jill austin | February 13, 2011 at 10:23 AM