Fair and balanced

04 Mar 2013 Leave a Comment

by Cocktails With Hemingway in Ambition, Blessings, California, Courage, Family, Hobbies, Humor, Love, Motherhood, Sloane, Support, Uncategorized, Winning

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I refuse to let ‘California’ define our family. Rising above this unfair and inaccurate portrayal is central to the recovery mission. Does it consume me? Absolutely. Are my children feeling the effects if it? You betcha. Is it a safe assumption to say I’m enraged? Don’t even get me started.

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Cambria, CA • March 2012

To make Cocktails With Hemingway a permanent, highly visible documentation of our family’s Dark Ages is not only counterproductive to my mission– but a disservice to my kids, myself, and the numerous supporters we have during this trying time. By the same token it is my blog; thus, it is an extension of who I am and my need to express myself through writing. Authenticity is imperative. Yet maintaining a sense of balances proves equally important.

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Look at me surrounded by bluebirds! [Atascadero • February 2013]

Anyone who knows me can attest to the fact I laugh often and never fail to see the humor in any situation. I count my blessings daily and try to stay positive. Miraculously, I still believe in the inherent good of people.
Learning occupies most of my time here, particularly language and geology. I know enough Spanish to have basic conversations and ask questions. Fulfilling a lifelong dream, I have commenced my study of Russian and the Cyrillic alphabet. Not only is my rock collection impressive, I’m about to launch my foray into rock tumbling– and even make my own tumbler! Hours of research and meticulous preparation earned me a PhD in geology. Never mind the fact that my ‘university’ involves a Google/iPhone app curriculum hybrid. ;)

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A sampling of my geological finds

CWS does not dominate my conversations. Despite the severity of my depression, that smile you see on my face isn’t fake. I’m not sulking about as I quote Nietzsche or channeling my rage into a radical plot to overthrow the government. The very fact that I’ve managed to make productive use of my time [while retaining my sanity nonetheless] serves as a testament to the power of love, family, courage, strength, and resiliency.

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I sure as hell haven’t lost my fire. Pain may have snuffed out the flame– temporarily– but there are countless ways to ignite the spark.

With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane

Jessica Beagley and my Little Ninja

30 Aug 2011 Leave a Comment

by Cocktails With Hemingway in Child Abuse, Education, Hobbies, Schools, Unconventional Parenting

Speaking of hot sauce, this is my favorite brand. ;)

Currently I am writing an Associated Content article about ‘hot sauce mom’ Jessica Beagley.  What are your thoughts on this story?  Suffice it to say I do not believe this is child abuse– though I thoroughly disagree with the fact that she taped the incident hoping to be on national television– and I think it’s incredible the sort of parental discipline techniques that make the news while others [such as forceful spanking] happen routinely.  And that’s all I’ll say until I debut the article.

I was pleasantly surprised by the affordable price of martial arts lessons in the area:  $50 a month.  Here in Atascadero at the Pacific Martial Arts Academy, there is a Little Ninja program for kids ages 3-5.  How cute is that?!  I think it’s really important that Adam immerses himself in a regular, structured activity….especially with the baby coming within the next few months.  Will and I think he’d love any type of martial arts training [bonus points for his obsession with ninjas] so this is right up his alley.  Once Mommy gets started with her Krav Maga lessons we can spar in the backyard.  ;)

Our chances of getting into Head Start look grim.  Although it is a public education preschool, spaces are limited, and we did not begin the registration process early enough.  I didn’t even realize such a program existed here.  Thinking it would be a similar setup to Memphis, I thought our only options were church and/or private schools or wait until he was eligible for kindergarten in the public school of our district.  We simply cannot afford private tuition right now and it breaks my heart that Adam doesn’t have school in his life.  He absolutely adored Germantown Presbyterian– he talks about it all the time– and I know that having a productive way to spend his days would ease the transition of such a drastic move.  Although he has adapted wonderfully, I can tell he misses his former world and has been affected on many levels by our decision to relocate.

Overall today has been insanely stressful.  The combination of high levels of stress coupled with a feeling of helplessness [not to mention pregnancy hormones] has me feeling less than stellar.  I can’t eat or sleep and feel like I’m starting to shut down as a coping mechanism.  In these situations I try to stay calm, focus on the positive, and not get fixated on my anger.  Rage tends to accompany negativity in my life and I despise it.  There is nothing worse than feeling angry, it’s the worst emotion ever.  I would vent here but I feel as though I’d just be rehashing things and right now that is neither productive nor in my best interests.

With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,

Sloane