I called this blog "rantings" for a reason.

While most people have been writting blogs about the beauty and joy of christmas, perhaps writting reflective thoughts after the holidays and looking forward to the new years resolutions...I have decided to spend my writing efforts trying to get my favorite chocolate back.   Below is an email I sent to Godiva today... I hope it works... it'd probably work better if each of you would also email them and let them know you'd wish the same:

I'm sending this email in hopes that if Godiva is made aware of how incredibly terrible of a mistake they have made that they may fix it.  The chocolate raspberry stars have by FAR been my favorite chocolates ever made.  I found out awhile ago that they stopped making them, which in my opinion is the WORST mistake that has ever been made in the history of chocolate making!  I tried a white chocolate raspberry star... disgusting.  I'm sure if I had never experienced the greatness of the chocolate raspberry stars that the white chocolate one would seem delicious enough, but I am not fooled by this unsatisfactory available option.  My husband for years had gotten me this special treat for our anniversary, and the  poor man is set up for failure every year when he knows I will only be disappointed no matter how great his efforts of spoiling me for our special day are.  Diamonds?  psh.  Flowers?  whatever.  white chocolate raspberry stars?  our marriage may very well be on the rocks!  Maybe the chocolate stars were not your highest selling item, and I understand marketing and making money in most businesses.  However, I had hoped Godiva was more passionate about the art of chocolate than the business.  Please, bring back your mastering the arts of chocolate with the chocolate raspberry stars.  For me, for my marriage, for the art of chocolate.
Sincerly,
   Sasha Logan

If you have not had the said chocolates, you should still email them, so you can try them.   Ridiculous?  Absolutely.  But hey, if it works, then it was well worth it!   Hope eveyrone had and wonderful Christmas.  We had a great Christmas, but I've wasted all this space about chocolates and don't much feel like typing anymore.

Hip, but not hipster!

As I sit here listening to Fleet Foxes, in my hoody, next to my daughter (who is pounding her bottle faster than I'll probably be able to post this blog)... I'm realizing how much I secretly wish I were a hippie.  The thing is, if I were a hippie at least I'd BE a label.  Everyone says they don't want to be labeled anything, individualism and all that crap... but truth be told, it's easier to have a label, people like them more than they know, because it gives people an idea of the kind of person you are without them having to really know you.   I have this new book called "The Creative Family", it is AWESOME.  It pretty much sums up my theories on toys that I try to describe to my family members on the types of toys I want for Vi and why. (See paragraph at bottom) It'd be easier if I were just a hippie and could get away with "she's just a hippie, and won't let her kids have anything but natural toys, what a weirdo".  But instead I have to explain myself. (I know i don't HAVE to explain myself, iI just feel that way more.)  I also like how hippies do the whole "all natural" lifestyle...or at least try to.  It's honestly just a great thing, health wise and stuff.  I do this for my daugther and wish I did it more for me. Also if I were a hippie, I'd have a lot more friends who share my AMAZING taste in music (I'm not biased, I just know the best music to listen to is all.)  It seems when I go to any show of the bands that I love, there's a bunch of hippies.   Also, if I were a hippie, I could dance with a hula hoop at shows.  I mean, who doesn't want to do that?!  I do. 

But I don't have the hippie look that goes with the hoola  hoop... I think you need the look.   If I were a hippie I also could smoke pot.  JUST KIDDING.  geez, don't freak out.  I don't want to smoke pot (nor have I ever even considered it for a moment, I don't want to be stupid.) 

There are just as many reasons I am glad I do not fit with the hippie stereotype.  One, I hate pot.  I mean, not just cause it's illegal and I think following the law is typically is a good idea.  Or not even because it's a drug and well, drugs are bad (I learned that in 6th grade, thanks DARE!).  But mostly because it smells bad... really, really bad.   Which brings me to point number two:  Hippies smell bad.   I'm actually all about natural stuff (like I said in my last paragraph on what I like about hippies) however, not in regards to your body.  I don't care if deodarant may have terrible chemicals, it's better than smelling a person from across the room.  Since we're on the topic of bodies, I could never be a hippie because not shaving is GROSS.  It just is, shave your legs (you know who I'm talking about here)
I need some kind of label for a half hippie... I guess I'll just be hip.   yeeeaaahhh... I'm hip!  Very original I know.  Not ridiculous at all that I just went there.   Don't even get me started on hipsters.  Vi is done with her bottle anyway, no hipster rant today.


From "The Creative Family" by Amanda Blake Soule
"Do the tools and toys around you evoke a feeling of beauty?  By choosing carefully what toys you bring into your home, you can encourage a love and appreciation for good design and craftsmanship. "
"Many modern toys are sophisticated and technologically complicated, which certainly have their place and importance in our lives.  But the downside is that they often eliminate a need for imagination when playing.   If there's a toy that does it all for you, there's little room left for creativity."
"When it comes to playthings for our children, I can't emphasize enough that for creative play, less really is more in regard to toys.  A sad product of our modern world is that our children are taught early on to over-consume and to want more, more and more.  When there are too many things around, there's little room for imagination."

i can touch my toes and so much more!

Here's some advice I've learned as a new mom for you future moms out there.   Stretch.   I mean, really stretch out your limbs with some yoga or pilates or something... it's amazing the weird positions you find yourself in with a child.  Carrying a carseat and bending over to get something, or crawling across the floor on your feet and hands just to make your kids laugh.. your body  is going to need to be a little more flexible and strong that you realize for motherhood.
I find myself in the most awkward positions at naptime.  Every once in awhile if it's a rough day or we are at someone's house without a pack and play or maybe just because I want a nap, Genevieve and I will lay down to nap in a bed.  To leave the bed without waking up the kid is a paranoid filled journey.  First I listen for her sleepy breathing and I start by opening ONE eye to see if her eyes are closed.  If not I quickly close mine, and lay still.  Once I see she has both eyes closed I slowly lift my head.  Then wait.  Then one foot slides off the bed.  Then wait.   Then I slowly shift my weight.  And wait.  Sometimes she will sense I am leaving and open her eyes and I quickly close my eyes and put my head down regardless of the position I am in (one foot on the ground and my body at some weird angle).   Then when all is clear I start slithering like a snake, sliding off the bed an inch at a time.  One wrong move and she wakes up crying so it's very important to shift, slide, and move body parts accordingly.    The last time I was in this position I realized how ridiculous I would look had anyone been watching, but it didn't matter, I had made it off the bed and she was sleeping soundly!   The most annoying part is, once I'm out the door I can talk, play music and walk around normally and she sleeps soundly... but if I so much as move my finger wrong while sneaking out of bed, she wakes up crying. 
Anyway,  all that to say to you future moms, do some stretches, it'll really help you out.