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Dirt & Noise

A blog by a left leaning mom of 2 boys

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family

He’s 18 today.

Ilinap · August 29, 2021 ·

Dear Bird, You are 18 today. EIGHTEEN.  It is a strange phenomenon that you grow and age while I retain my youthful glow, eternally stuck in decades far younger than my chronological years. I see in you glimpses of the boy you were, and when you were little I tucked away … [Read more...] about He’s 18 today.

Tags: Bird, birthday, family, growing up, milestones, motherhood

Looks Like We Made It

Ilinap · December 31, 2020 ·

I've seen Barry Manilow in concert three times and I'm not ashamed to admit it. His songs are the tunes of my youth that take me back to when my parents had parties in our wood paneled basement with the pleather recliner and vinyl topped bar. The kids played outside, having been … [Read more...] about Looks Like We Made It

Tags: 2020, childhood, family, family dinner, new year's eve, pandemic, parenting

Giving Simple Thanks

Ilinap · November 26, 2020 ·

These are hands down my favorite holiday decorations. Who knew toilet paper rolls, paper plates, construction paper, and glitter would bring me such joy? Bird said he was thankful for a ball, our cat, Mom, TV, and toys. Deal was thankful for orange pumpkins, friends, toys, Beary … [Read more...] about Giving Simple Thanks

Tags: 2020, family, friendship, holidays, thankful, Thanksgiving, values

Rest for the Weary

Ilinap · September 15, 2020 ·

Last night, I dreamed of police brutality. It is a thing of nightmares, really. For the better part of 15 years I have been a restless sleeper. A good night amounts to five or six hours of sleep, which might explain a lot now that you know this. I used to awaken just to ensure … [Read more...] about Rest for the Weary

Tags: America, family, rest, sleep, values, worry

Who’s looking after the mothers?

Ilinap · April 28, 2020 ·

Motherhood takes the form of many hats, not all of them flattering or comfortable, but each uniquely necessary. Who's looking after the mothers? We talk about "self care" because there's no one but us to do it. And yes, sometimes the language of motherhood is martyrdom. In the … [Read more...] about Who’s looking after the mothers?

Tags: children, family, friendship, home, motherhood, pandemic, smash the patriarchy, work

I Don’t Want to Go Back to Normal

Ilinap · March 26, 2020 ·

I don’t want to go back to normal. Let's be candid, the normal we yearn to find our way back to was not all that great, for most. These were not our halcyon days. I hope we use this time to look inward as we reach a hand out. Let’s reflect on what we were and what we want to … [Read more...] about I Don’t Want to Go Back to Normal

Tags: family, joy, neighborhood, pandemic, time, writing

Corona Stream of Consciousness

Ilinap · March 22, 2020 ·

I've been stress baking. Today I made an apple pie and croissant bread pudding. Even Mac Daddy is getting in on the kitchen action. He's making Jennie Perillo's homemade pasta for dinner. The house is unkempt. I cannot function when my surroundings are untidy. I am a nag. … [Read more...] about Corona Stream of Consciousness

Tags: cooking, covid-19, family, kids, Mac Daddy, pandemic, writing

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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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