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Dirt & Noise

A blog by a left leaning mom of 2 boys

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family

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

Happy 17th Birthday to Deal

Ilinap · June 22, 2022 ·

He stands more than a head taller than I, his locks buzzed close to his head and bleached blond, ears pierced with silver studs, and an old Indian Rupee hanging around his neck. Fun fact: I too dabbled in blond when I was his age. Let’s just say he is far cooler than I ever … [Read more...] about Happy 17th Birthday to Deal

Tags: birthday, Deal, family, love, motherhood, parenting

Dimmed Spirits

Ilinap · December 22, 2021 ·

This year, my Christmas spirit has a flavor peppered with longing, fatigue, and melancholy. Gone is the typical sweetness of the season. Rather than anticipation, I feel dread. A cloud of worry casts its shadow overhead. Actually, it’s more of an all-consuming fog. Time is fluid. … [Read more...] about Dimmed Spirits

Tags: Christmas, covid, covid-19, family, health, holidays, motherhood, pandemic, time

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

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Writer. Marketer. Energizer.



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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