Think different

Thank you, Steve Jobs, for giving me the life that I know and love. About two months after I started dating my husband, he gave me a used macbook because it had a built-in camera. It turned out to be the most important present I ever received. So began our furious year+ of video dating. Without the ichat feature, I doubt our relationship would have continued to thrive despite the entire span of the US between us. We even thanked Mr. Jobs in our wedding vows!

Living in San Francisco and being married to a tech geek/Apple zealot who works in the industry, it's hard to miss the amazing impact that this company has had in our lives. I was on the street when I got a text from my husband telling me about his passing and every person in sight was also looking down on his or her iphone and frowning. Today was a grave reminder to live each day as if it were your last. Your family, your friends, your health, these are the things that matter. All else is fleeting.

As I begin to think about what I can and should do with my life, these words leave an indelible mark:

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle."

– Steve Jobs, Stanford commencement speech 2005

Where would you want to wake up?

Thanks to Design Mom, I came across this awesome video of 50 New Yorkers answering the question "where would they want to wake up tomorrow?"



I found it so poignant and clever. If I could wake up anywhere in the world tomorrow, I'd wake up on my wedding day in New Orleans, LA. To be surrounded again by all our friends and family for such a celebratory, raucous, blissful and altogether wonderful event would be perfect. I think I'd enjoy it even more the second time around, if that's possible. I know my special date, Mr. Monk, would L-O-V-E the beignets!

Weddings are really the only time in your life where you get to see your mom's cousin talking to your fiance's best friend from elementary school and everyone couldn't be happier. I wish we could somehow manage to get all those people in the same room again (and not be at a funeral).

I'm so glad to have found this video as I am now awash with all these feel good memories. Are you?

Book It Real Good

When I was a kid, I used to love going to the library. I've always been a big reader and I was so excited by the existence of a whole building devoted to books. Why yes, I was a total nerd. I borrowed books all the time and would challenge myself to see how quickly I could finish them. My parents weren't that strict about television and I distinctly remember heading off to read most nights once I'd had my fill of my favorite shows, Family Ties, Facts of Life, The Cosby Show and...I watched a lot of TV, but I read even more. Judy Blume was my therapist. She taught me how to wrap my head around a best friend breakup, my parents' divorce and the idea of sex (I still blush thinking about "Forever.")

Now that I have a kindle, I hardly ever borrow books from the library-though maybe I should use the Google to see if there is a digital loaner program? There is! Best. Day. Ever.

I'm trying to cultivate a love of reading in Mr. Monk. Mostly, he just finds books to be the perfect size for throwing and chewing. One of our favorite activities is the storytime at the local library. We went this morning and the babe loves hearing the rhymes and playing with all the books. He tends to pick up the same ones that we read over and over at home, so I know something is getting through (even if it's just the color of the cover).

These storytelling playgroups are divided by age groups and FREE! It's so fun to see all the different babies with their mamas, nannies, grammas, cousins, and the occasional confused older teenage brother. Check out your local library for the kids' schedule.

Girl power!

Science
First-Place Sweep by American Girls at First Google Science Fair

AWARDS From left, Shree Bose, Naomi Shah and Lauren Hodge took first prize in their age groups out of 15 finalists at the Google Science Fair.

By KENNETH CHANG

Published: July 18, 2011
A 17-year-old from Fort Worth won the $50,000 grand prize at Google’s science fair last week.

Upping the ROI on baby clothes

I think it's pretty safe to say that spending a lot of money on baby clothes is not a sound investment. Even under the best of circumstances, when the item manages to escape in one piece from the barrage of food, dirt, teeth, prying fingers and various other indignities heaped upon it by a curious child, it is only going to last for a preset period of time. It says it right on the label! Can you imagine buying clothes for yourself if you knew that they wouldn't fit after three months? Sadly, that probably is the case with some of my purchases in recent months. Note to self--do not go shopping after completing insanity workouts and then going awol on the program. Moving on.

So, even though baby clothes aren't financially sound, I can't help wanting my kid to look super fly. The majority of the clothes that Mr. Monk wore for the first year of his life were gifts. I've only recently started doing any shopping. My primary rule is that I can't spend more on a cardigan for him than I'd spend for myself. Ok, maybe that isn't the best barometer, but I did notice quite a few baby sweaters costing close to $100. This morning I pulled out a recent purchase for the (not so) wee one and was utterly confused to find him looking like Mr. Hulk in his new green henley. We had ourselves a situation. Now, my kid is decidedly unchubby so I was totally confused as to why this shirt wouldn't fit when I only bought things in the 12-18 months size. Could it run that small? When I checked the inside label, I saw that it was only 6-12 and must have been mismarked on the price tag. Grrr. Having washed it pre-wear, I couldn't return it. And that, my friends, is what I call a waste.

The one comfort I have is knowing that all of these clothes have a definite second life with my nephew. He may be 3,000 miles away in New York and 6 months younger, but he'll be rocking some of Mr. Monk's Cali gear for as long as he'll tolerate it. Pretty sweet that my sister never has to do any shopping, eh? Straight into the box goes the new green shirt, post-breakfast trouncing of oatmeal, beet juice and yogurt.

If you're looking for a way to reincarnate your kids' clothing, check out Loved Twice. This organization specifically collects newborn-one year clothes for itty bitty babies in need. Donating your items helps new mamas feel good and their babies look good. There is nothing more important than keeping a baby safe, fed and clothed. While based in northern California, Loved Twice works with agencies all over the US to that kids in other states can enjoy your most cherished (and mistaken) purchases. The site also has its own buy one, give one program. Time to clean out that closet...

Off to the festy

This afternoon my little family and I are headed out to meet some friends at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival in Golden Gate Park. This is my fourth year attending the three-day music festival featuring bluegrass musicians and many, many others (hence the name). Years ago, I spent some time as the girlfriend of bluegrass-obsessed guitarist. When he formed an amateur band, I became the number one groupie (of two), so I'll always have a fondness for the twangy sounds of the banjo and mandolin.

2011 marks the 10th year of the festival and it only seems to be getting bigger and better. People, it's FREE!! As in, no need to pay anything at all to see amazingly talented musicians play outside in a spectacular venue all for the sake of pure fun. I can honestly think of no better way to enjoy the day. I'm most looking forward to seeing Gomez and Emylou Harris-too bad they are playing at the same time on stages across the park. Alas.

The festival was started by an investment banking billionaire as a "gift to the city." There's today's good! I wonder how I can get on the guy's Christmas list.

Getting ready for his audition with Mumford & Sons

Mrs. Schneed Finds The Good!

At Thursday night's Rosh Hashannah dinner with good friends, the hostess asked us each to reflect on how we want to better ourselves or the world in the coming year. The ages at the party ranged from Mr. Monk (almost one!) to mid forties, with a good number of four- and five-year-olds mixed in there. As the rounds of "cleaning my room" and "listening to Mommy" were heard, I started to wonder how easily I could enhance the world or myself. Shouldn't I be already be striving to do that every day in some way? How else could I teach my son to value life if I wasn't actively trying to improve it? Maybe it was the sense of community and love in that room, maybe it was the wine, but I had an epiphany that I want to share with y'all. This is it! This blog is going to be part of my betterment project. Instead of just babbling on about how cute my baby is (quite) and the latest weather in SF (gorgeous), I will do that AND write about at least one thing a day that you can do/see/make/experience that will either improve your life or the life of those around you.

From now on I am dedicating some space in every blog's stream of consciousness ramblings to finding the good.

I figured it might be best to start with the familiar. I've been doing a lot of shopping lately (must stop), so why not combine the impetus to do good with the desire to look good. Here are three retail companies that really try to make the world a better place:

TOMS--I just recently bought my first pair of TOMS (and I call myself a San Franciscan...). The company was founded on such a simple concept--for every pair of shoes purchased, a pair will be donated to a child in need. Just think of what could be accomplished if more entrepreneurs thought this way. Plus, the shoes are darn cute and comfortable. My husband looks all hipster in his grey ones. Even better, tiny Toms!



Warby Parker--So, my eyeglasses do not get a lot of time out in the sun. I wear them exclusively at night and in my house. Never liking myself in glasses, I always think I should buy a cool pair and find the right look to give my eyes a break from contacts. Thanks to Kathy at Foodebia, I learned about this cool, quirky eyeglass shop that a) offers attractive rx glasses for less than $100! and b) partners with a non profits to provide one pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair sold. Win win! I'm excited to get myself some once my shopping hiatus is over. In the meantime, I may just have to test a few out through their smooth home try-on program.



Baby Eggi--These baby/kiddo clothes are stylish, soft and sophisticated. Buying the adorable threads for your adorable ones is totally and completely justified by knowing that 20% of the net proceeds go to a partnering charity benefiting children and families. The company was started by two sister moms and an LA tattoo artist to the stars designs the artwork featured on their tees. Coolio. Best of all, some of my favorite pieces were in the sale section.