I can’t believe it’s already Friday! This week has been quite a difficult one for me and my family health wise. I finally caught the ugly cold that my husband and son were already suffering from since we returned from Italy three weeks ago. As someone with allergy-induced asthma, even a minor viral cold makes my lungs hurt. My husband had to take the rare day off last Wednesday to stay home and help man the fort as I laid in bed crying intermittently, “I’m dying, I’m dying!”. No wonder I’m one of the “lucky” few in the Netherlands automatically offered the annual flu vaccine.
This weekend we’re celebrating my son’s “2.5 birthday”. In trying not to be the insufferable parental types, we’re keeping this celebration strictly between our small family of three (details to come in a future blog post). Saturday is also a day of celebration as we join in rejoicing and celebrating a friend’s 50 years of priesthood, followed by a long overdue reunion with other friends of faith. On Sunday, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I also get to reunite with two girlfriends of mine whom I dearly love and admire but don’t get to see often (read = almost never). Notice the ongoing theme of our life?
And I’m not-so-secretly hoping that by next week it won’t hurt to breathe anymore. God knows how all four physicians at the local general practice office are already well acquainted with their newish hypochondriac American patient.
Here are some recent articles for your reading pleasure this weekend:
Want to unleash your inner Martha Stewart? Dominque Ansel reveals his cronut recipe.
A bittersweet farewell from a creative family that people around the world have come to love. Till next time, Young House Love.
The earliest art paintings ever discovered in human history happened to be discovered in Indonesia.
Speaking of art – here are some powerful illustrations showing women how to fight gender prejudices.
Get some tissues ready for this one – My doomed mission to make her happy.
When should laboring women given an epidural? A new Cochrane review offers a clear answer: When she asks for it.
If you haven’t already heard about Brain Pickings, you need to head over there and make it part of your regular reading digest. You can start by reading “Some Thoughts on Privilege” or with “The Mystery of Personal Identity: What Makes You and Your Childhood Self the Same Person Despite a Lifetime of Change.”
Why it’s important to consider journaling the ordinary moments of your day. Which reminds me of one of my all time favorite posts “The Gift of the Ordinary Day” by Katrina Kenison.
In need of inspiration?
And here is some help (Task Manager) in guiding you to be more productive.
You are not a fruit fly: why you should side-eye science headlines.
For some of us who don’t come from picture perfect happy families and childhoods, take a look at “What the ‘Father of 34’ Story is Really About.”
A gentle reminder that it’s really silly being frightened of death (something I need!).
It’s Like They Know US – a brilliant newish website that shares the “joys” of parenthood.
Wishing everyone a wonderful, healthy weekend! Tot Maandag (‘Till Monday!)
