4 Books I Couldn't Put Down

It used to just be about lawns. How perfectly manicured can we keep our front lawn so no one notices the cracks in the sidewalk? Social media is the new lawn. And it needs mowed daily or in some cases multiple times a day even when it’s snowing. We never get a break, a season off.  

That’s a lot of pressure. 

That’s a lot of clutter.

That’s a lot of false connection. 

This year I’m taking less pictures, tuning into more genuine moments to connect. I’m sleeping more, eating less junk (delete yesterday), doing the things that make me happy and full like playing too many rounds of Uno while listening to records and explaining to my son why I like this music and how I’m building this collection for him. It feels good. It's like putting on a new pair of glasses with the correct prescription. 

Every time I’m away from my phone, I remember who I am. I see what’s in front of me in that exact moment. 

Speaking of lawns and having more time, here's a book I could not put down...it's about a man who wants everything including his lawn perfect to navigate the deep waters of grief. It reminds me of someone I know...it's a beautiful story for everyone.

And if you love music, try this one:

 Haven't started this one yet, but high hopes here:

Oh, and that second book: The Great Alone. It'll be out this Spring. If you like Alaska and fiction, you'll love this one.

 Happy January. Hope you're appreciating the break and beauty the snow brings.

9 Indie Indy Coffee Shops

This year I'm focused on one thing...

The right here and now.

As study on the psychology of the human mind, I'm taking a 30-day breather from social media. First couple of days of detox were hard, but I made it across the bridge and I feel like I have something I've been missing: time to do the things I love like write, read, watch inspirational documentaries, listen to music. I'm also making an effort to pry myself from the office 2-3 times a week and work from a space where I'm inspired like coffee shops. The sound of milk being frothed and conversations flowing freely has always inspired me.

If you live in Indy and like good coffee, this is for you:

9 Downtown(ish) Coffee Shops Ya Gotta Check Out

Coat Check

WINNER. There’s something special here. Located in the Rathskeller constructed in 1922, this place is AWESOME. It’s like a daytime adventure as you walk up the old stairs and are greeted by warm faces completely passionate about their trade. Vibe is that of a college union. Indiana University to be exact. The butterscotch latte drinks like a milkshake so be prepared for that. The Ginger cappuccino will surprise you. Trying to be open minded, but when it comes to atmosphere it’s going to be hard to top this one. 

Bee Coffee Roasters

The first time I walked into this spot and tasted the Shagedelic, I knew there was something special about this coffee. The shagedelic syrup is made from a tree bark sourced from a man in the middle of the woods. How can you not appreciate sipping on that? The Americano is the best I’ve had, any cappuccino is amazing. Without a doubt, this place is in it for the coffee. They aren’t trying to do anything else but coffee. Atmosphere is just ok, but the taste of their blends makes up for it.

Kaffeine 

Perhaps it’s the ceiling height, maybe the warehouse vibe, but there is a WOW factor when you enter this space. Located off Mass Ave on Fulton Avenue, there’s plenty of parking and plenty of seats. The Spanish Latte is their most popular drink and I see why. A little cinnamon on top goes a long way with the flavor on this. I’m still thinking about it. This place is cool. The baristas are cool. GO.

Calvin Fletchers

The first time we stumbled into this spot in Fletcher Place, it felt like a scene from Fight Club. Based on the window décor, we were expecting an antique shop. But then, coffee. My friend put it best when she said you can have a suit at one table, a person in slippers at the next and a skateboard commuter nearby. The melting pot of people watching is great.  

Thirsty Scholar

The atmosphere here makes up for the lack of parking. It’s so cool on the inside. Think: antiques, cozy benches with cushions. Located at the corner of 10th and Penn, there isn’t a bad view and this place is full of light. I love driving down Penn in the morning and seeing the faces working in the windows. I truly love the atmosphere here. And one time the barista told me he liked my whole outfit. I still carry that compliment with me. See why that matters? Get the chai tea latte. Here's a picture of my brilliant Seattle friend Stacey on her visit to Indy.

Moe Joe’s

I’ve spent a lot of time here working on projects. There are always good conversations free flowing through this space located off Michigan Avenue. Sometimes I catch bits of awesome connected conversations like a group developing a new business which I definitely would invest in if I was Warren Buffet. Half college bookstore, this place will always have space to sit. People are great, atmosphere is great. This will ALWAYS be a favorite for so many reasons.  

Hubbard & Cravens

Drop by the 49th and Penn location at 4 pm on a week night and it’s bustling. Seems to be a nice mix of Butler students, high school students, professionals. They do live music, but I can’t seem to find a schedule for that. If you like people, want good energy, go here. There’s a table by the window. It’s my favorite.  

Moe & Johnny’s

How can you not love this place? Nights spent cozied up watching Butler blaze through the Sweet 16 to final two TWICE. Most people know Moe & Johnny’s for the bar, but the back half is a quaint cute little coffee shop. They recently renovated which made me a little sad, but overall this spot is a nice place to spend a couple hours working. The server seems to know everyone who walks in.  

Tinker Street

This place reminds me a bit of 20 Tap which is my favorite neighborhood restaurant. It has an old school comfortable bar feeling. One problem: the tables are almost always full due to the size of the space. When the patio is open, you may have a better shot here. I don’t remember the coffee mainly because I was thinking about how I didn’t have a place to sit. I’m sure it was good.

Quills

I know, I know. Everyone raves about this spot. It’s cool. Design is awesome, space is accommodating. Drinks are good. I like it, I don’t love it. Is it because it’s new construction? Can’t put my finger on it. Location? Too many man buns? I’m sorry. I want so badly to like it. Maybe I’ll try it again next week. Maybe I’ll like it more. I think I can…    

Baby Got Books

It was a rough life growing up the child of a children's librarian. JUST KIDDING. It was completely magical. I had 24-hour access to stacks and stacks and stacks of books, CDs and vinyls.

Until one day I grew out of books.

My mom did what any good mother does. She bribed me. If I wanted TV time, I could earn it through reading. My brother quickly threw in the towel and sacrificed his TV time. He was constantly not participating. What a punk.

I fell for it. I read standing up brushing my teeth, leaning against the counter pouring milk in my cereal, curled up behind my dresser strategically slanted against a corner. I disappeared within the story even when it wasn't good. I even had a book taped to a tree.

I grew in and out of books over the next three decades, but right now, I'm on a huge nerdy book bender. And I'm not ashamed.

Here are 5 books I couldn't put down this summer.

• Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
• Eleanor & Park
• Everything Everything
• What Alice Forgot
• The Nightingale-currently reading

The Night Before Kindergarten

Tomorrow you start school.

My brain is bouncing between feeling unprepared and feeling even more unprepared. The closest I can get to this feeling is when I was waiting to meet you. I had everything checked off the list, but there was this lingering "how am I going to do this" feeling.

I did it. We did it.

How are we going to do this?

I'm sure the morning will be calm (HA). You'll be cranky per usual morning routine. I will try to act excited and unemotional. You seem to thrive on not making it a big deal so I'll continue to say it's not a big deal. You've done all these things before. Thank God for daycare.

I'll turn in your paperwork. Inevitably, I'll forget something. I'll try to forgive myself.

I have this image of you walking into your classroom for the very first time alone. I picture your tiny tennis shoes and your confident shoulders strutting down the hallway and into that classroom with ease and a dash of shyness. You'll sit at your table. You'll do what your told. You'll respect the rules and boundaries. You'll be a good student. I know you will, but this feels like I'm letting a piece of us go. It's a good piece...a necessary piece.

You're going to own kindergarten and I'll be standing there on the curb as your biggest fan tied for first with your father.

Just An Average Tuesday Night

It's Tuesday evening.

Parents are sitting with their back against the wall half smiling and occasionally giving a thumbs up. They are still tired from the Monday hangover or 9+ hours at the office, but they are here at Ninjanastics trying to be good parents. A mom chases her toddler off the mat and out the door while the big brother stares in disbelief.

She's ruining his limelight AGAIN. A tired dad claps enthusiastically.

"You got it buddy, keep going."

Unlike soccer or basketball or baseball, Ninjanastics is for boys only which gives me a bit of a sucker punch to my gut. Why is anything still for boys only? I think of all the little girls Jack's age who would love this opportunity to climb an obstacle course, punch the air and stand on HER hands. I'm also secretly afraid Jack will break his arm and this $110 investment will multiple. 

There are all kinds of parents in this room:

The Disengaged-hard to classify because they are clearly committed to showing up to Ninjanastics on a Tuesday, but they have a mobile device glued and glance up a few times.

The Scatterbrained-aren't we all at this point in our lives?

The Overengaged- every move, every jump, every landing, the cheerleading squad awaits.

The Sensitive-Teachers should watch their step because this parent is ready to pounce.

The Perfect Child Parent-No description needed.

The Cool Parent-Trendy clothing, hipster glasses and a little too cool to have kids or be at Ninjanastics.

The Can't Relax Parent-Too much to do, never enough time.

And Me-Not sure where I fall on this random Tuesday. Probably half between Overengaged and scatterbrained.

"Final run," the teacher shouts. An extra burst of all boy energy shoots through the room.

THE FINAL RUN. The boys sweetly run to the teacher to slap a sticker on their hands. Jack runs over to us beaming and again I'm reminded the hustle home from work, the snacks shoved in his mouth, the frantic maybe dirty tshirt tossed on, it's all worth it to see his pure joy beaming from his pure face.

Another Ninjanastics in the books.
 

5 Things I Can't Live Without This Summer

1. 5 Ingredient "Ice Cream"-If I could I'd eat ice cream every day of the summer I would, but this recipe keeps me fitting in my pants.

• Half a banana
• Small handful of frozen organic strawberries
• Small handful of frozen organic mangos
• Honey
• Liquid-a small splash of milk, orange juice or water. Don't overdue it here or you'll have a smoothie.

Blend until creamy. SO GOOD.

2. Books- hold em, hug em, snuggle outside watch the fireflies and love em books.

Currently reading: Eleanor & Park. Can't. Put. It Down. It's a book about two misfits falling in love on the school bus.

Close summer second: What Alice Forgot. Painful story about a woman with Alzheimer's.

Also, When Breath Becomes Air  (a quick read about a doctor with cancer), The Secret Life of Henrietta Lacks (Another fascinating cancer read. More technical) and The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto (Same guy who wrote Tuesdays with Morrie. Enough said).

3. Yoga Mat-Sanity.

4. Burley Bee Bike Trailer- Our favorite Saturdays start at the Farmers Market and then a 7 mile ride to the coolest lazy river water park ever. Earning relaxation feels more relaxing. This trailer is $299, but I had 2 45 pound kids in it yesterday and it handled like a champ.

5. Paddle Board- I've had a lot of kayak versus board debates lately and I'm always pro board mainly because it's easy to strap it to the top of a car with two ratchet straps and I like having all options: stand, sit, lay, meditate, exercise, float, yogi. Plus, after college I dreamed of living on the ocean and surfing and then I became afraid of sharks...so I suppose I'm living the dream without the sharks and waves.    

You Are My Only

This feels significant.

All of your firsts are lasts.

All of your lasts are lasts.

All of the moments they speak of are the most rawest truest purest form of significant. There is no one else tugging at my pants, stealing my attention, begging for more of me. I am all in with you. And I like that.

It's you. Your dad. And me. Every good moment and bad. It's us. As you hopped around the backyard tonight stealing lightning bugs from the sky and teaching us facts about them, it hit me in that space below the heart but above the stomach where feelings are felt in the most spiritual sense. The space where truth lies. It hit me there.

You are my only.

You define motherhood singularly. That tilted head look from a stranger today with the..."You'd better hurry up and have another" or the "don't you want another one?" Those questions are insignificant compared to the overwhelming feeling of joy, vulnerability, happiness and laughter you have provided me.

You are my only and I promise to give you everything intangible within me. It won't always be perfect for everyone, but it sure will be perfect for us.

You are my only.

And I love it.