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Dirt & Noise

A blog by a left leaning mom of 2 boys

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Dirt and Noise

Immigrant Christmas Spirit

Ilinap · December 24, 2022 ·

I remember the mauve-ish pink knee socks for me and the white tube socks for my brother. We didn’t have stockings so my mother went to our dresser drawers and pulled out those socks. I recall feeling a bit off that we now had socks with no match. Even as a child, I was a … [Read more...] about Immigrant Christmas Spirit

Tags: America, Christmas, family, holidays, immigrant, parenting

Reliably Unconditional Love or Unconditionally Reliable Love

Ilinap · December 15, 2022 ·

How do I show I love to my sons?  There are so many ways. Showing up and being someone my teens can rely on is chief among them.  Take a few minutes to watch this snippet about one way I showed up when my son needed me. And yes, it was a proud mom moment to support kids who … [Read more...] about Reliably Unconditional Love or Unconditionally Reliable Love

Tags: #showteenslove, motherhood, parentandteen, parenting, sons, spon

My Thanksgiving Wish. Again.

Ilinap · November 22, 2022 ·

The more things change, the more they stay the same. I wrote an essay about this  concept as a writing prompt in high school, and the sentiment pops into my head every so often. Today is one of those days.  This is becoming a tradition, I guess. I originally wrote this in … [Read more...] about My Thanksgiving Wish. Again.

Tags: children, family, holiday, holidays, hope, joy, motherhood, sons, thankful, Thanksgiving, values

What’s in a name?

Ilinap · October 25, 2022 ·

My name is my identity. It’s always been uniquely mine, and oddly enough, I’ve never been ashamed of it. Mind you, I was ashamed of an awful lot, but I always carried my name with pride. I was always surprised when people didn’t like their given names. I fancy mine. Mostly, I … [Read more...] about What’s in a name?

Tags: desi, identity, Indian, name

When I’m 54

Ilinap · September 17, 2022 ·

I woke up to greet 54 this morning. Do I grit my teeth and aggressively grab this birthday by its neck to establish who’s the boss of me, mindset or chronology, or do I gently slide into this new year with the graceful nonchalance of a well heeled, red-lipsticked French woman … [Read more...] about When I’m 54

Tags: aging, birthday, over 50, women, youth

Happy 19th Birthday, Bird!

Ilinap · August 29, 2022 ·

Happy Birthday, Bird!  I carried you literally, and I'll carry you always. I made the mistake of listening to the playlist I made you for your high school graduation. Loves Me Like a Rock came on, and I got teary. I’ve always been a weepy person, but motherhood has really … [Read more...] about Happy 19th Birthday, Bird!

Tags: Bird, birthday, celebrate, motherhood, parentandteen, parenting

It’s a Small World After All

Ilinap · August 9, 2022 ·

tappity-tap-tap There was an ever so faint knock at the door. With a fussy baby nestled in my arms, I peeked out the window and saw a little blond kid, our neighbor Adam. “Can I bring baby Bird to my school for Show and Tell?” he asked. I literally LOLed. Of course I said … [Read more...] about It’s a Small World After All

Tags: Bird, children, education, learning, school, teachers

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Progressive, mom, writer, reader, traveler. Believe in good manners, home cooking, spending $ on experiences, not things, Oxford comma. ENFJ.

There are certain shades of limelight that can wreck a girl's complexion. - Holly Golightly
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