join the club

If housewives and stay-at-home-moms had a secret society, then I think the only way to officially "get in" would be to attend a Tupperware party AND purchase a few pieces.
Consider me "in", ladies.

The goods.

later this week...

...we'll be in Australia!!

(via)

We're so excited! Here are some things we're looking forward to:
1. Staying in a studio apt in the middle of the city, right by Hyde Park and a stone's throw to Oxford street. Oh, and just by staying at this hotel, we're helping out a good cause!
2. Various bookstores that (gasp) we will find books in ENGLISH! (leave a comment as I would love to hear any suggestions on good titles to look out for) I know I'll have at least a couple of naptimes where it would be great to curl up with a great book.
3. Surfing at Bondi or Manly beach!
4. Markets galore! Bondi, Surry Hills, Paddington, etc, etc. And fun shops, like this one!
5. Fabric stores! like this one! or this one! (ok, maybe it's just me who's looking forward to this one)
6. Perhaps even a spa visit? Free 30 massage with a facial purchase? oh vacation, you are really starting to sound like a dream come true!
7. Sparkle Cupcakery. Need I say more? Look at their flavour menu!
8. cute and cuddly koala bears and kangaroos!

ten things

For the past week or so, I've been thinking I'd like to write a post of "25 random things" or some gibberish like that. All for the sake of, I just sometimes like to make lists. But 25 is too much, too daunting, and random is too open. And then, I was inspired by Soulemama to make a list of 10 things I'm enjoying in life right now. A much more focused list. Yes, that sounds good. Hopefully some of you out there will also be inspired to write or think about a list that describes the good in your life right now. Leave a comment if you're inclined to share!

1. these cute little radishes bought in the local market down the street, that have made their way into several salads in recent meals.

2. the fact that we no longer take the stroller out for trips to the market or semi-nearby shops. there is however, much more sheparding action going on. whether it's on his end or mine is not sure...

3. Jardin d'Etat

(see the previous post)

4. What is the What

5. my biggest sewing project yet

6. quinoa croquettes

7. lavender that was smuggled here from Provence!

8. Did you know you can even bake with lavender? Here's an amazing lemon-lavender cookie recipe.

9. good surf

10.bubble baths

yesterday morning...

...we woke up and since it was a beautiful day, we headed over to Jardin d'Etat for a few hours.

A Baobob tree!

This IS my happy face.

Head first! No fear!

ketchup

I told you I'd catch you all up on stuff around here....

Been keeping myself centered doing this.

Bubbles are a huge hit.

Fabric scraps have been put to good use.

Made an outfit for monkey.

A cardboard box has been more fun than any other toy.

returning to a sense of normal-ness

Needless to say, I haven't felt the most creative or productive in recent weeks. And finding words for those days was near impossible too. It's not been all bad though. I've found that grieving also brings more love into your life. Or rather, a deeper sense of it. You remember to say I love you in more meaningful ways and to say it more often to those important people in your life. Love is such a powerful thing isn't it? Not romantic love, but love that's strengthened by going through the shit times together; the love between husband and wife, between mother and child, between father and child, siblings, friends, etc. Grieving makes me feel love even more powerfully. That's not the only thing of course, but admittedly, that old expression; "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger" is quite true. All the people who made it to Matt's funeral, wake, or sent their regards in other ways have helped not just our entire family, but EVERYONE pull together and love each other a little stronger. Thank you.

(Luc watching the birds)

(Alex watching France in the World Cup!)

That's all I've got for now. Maybe one day soon I'll play catch-up with some things that have been going on here. Until then, take care all! (comments are always welcome!)

Matthew Raymond Beiter June 20th 1990 - May 17th 2010

The phone rang around 11:30 this morning, and the number on the caller ID said something like 019999919999. I was puzzled and almost didn't pick it up, thinking it was going to be a wrong number. Only, it was my Mom calling, which before she could say anything more than "Hello", I knew something was VERY wrong, not only by the sound in her voice, but because EST is 8 hours before Réunion time. Only bad news needs to be told at 3:30 in the morning. I don't know all the details of the accident, but it doesn't change what happened as a result. Matt was sitting in the back seat of a friends' car that was hit by another around the Muncaster Mill Rd area. The friends are OK; Matt died from his injuries. I am in shock, as of course is the rest of the family and especially his parents John (my brother) and Leslie, and his younger brother Kevin.
Matt is technically my nephew, but we're closer in age (7 yr difference) than I am with my older siblings, so we grew up together a little more like sister and brother. I spent several memorable summers with him and his family. I remember block parties and Fourth of July celebrations in the Rock Creek valley neighborhood when they lived at Drake Terrace, even the new basketball hoop that went up at the court where everyone played. I remember the townhouse in Gaithersburg, having sleepovers there, us playing with new neighborhood kids, and making forts in the basement. Then the four of them moved to a house with a weeping willow tree and swingset in the backyard. Matt attended Gaithersburg High School, but I saw him and rest of "JKLM" less as I was away at Clemson. Matt loved life; he laughed and joked a plenty, and could also be a trusting friend and family member.
I hope that as people support his immediate family in their grief in the weeks, months, and years to come, that they remember to laugh and smile as we celebrate his life. Like everyone, I am deeply saddened by this sudden and huge loss of life, but it is compounded by the fact that I live so far from family and can only be present in spirit as the family progresses to having a funeral at the end of this week. But, everyone, know that our family here in La Réunion is keeping Matthew and all those close to him in our thoughts and hearts forever. Rest in Peace Matthew. We love you.
To anyone who reads this, please feel free to leave comments on this post of any memories you want to share of Matthew.

Matt and I in January 2008, when I came back from Madagascar to visit home for a few weeks. I was surprised to see him looking so grown up because in the year and a half I had been gone, he had become much bigger than me!

Matt even came to greet me at the airport when I arrived.

Matt, Kevin, John, and Alex involved in an intense ping-pong tournement during the summer of 2008. Alex had just met this part of my family for the first time and they were having a blast trying to one-up each other; Matt even jumping around on an injured foot.

All the cousins/grandkids in August 2009, the day Alex and I held our renewal of vows.

Matt and Kevin. Matt readily agreed to be our "DJ" for the event and came dressed in his best, complete with a hat that quite a number of guests tried on throughout the night.