For Part I go here. To ask a question go here.
Betty M asks:
How do you think you would be in letting a future significant other be a partner in W’s parenting?
Wow. This is a good question. I think, at this point in W’s life, that I am probably really closed down and not open to even thinking about co-parenting with anyone else. This is just me thinking honestly here, but I feel pretty selfish about being his Mother and I don’t want to yield any of that. That being said I am expecting that knee jerk response to your question to fade away some day.
I would love to find someone to share my life with. But I don’t think it will happen until I feel like I have a life worth sharing. (which is more about my weird self worth feelings these days. Some day I need to write a post about how having a baby on your own really fucks up your notions about need in terms of other people. And by “other people” I mean a husband.)
Kimmyann asks:
Would you consider having another baby in a few years? or is W it?
I think about it daily. And every three months the money I earn from ads on this site get wired off to the Northeast clinic to keep some embryos on ice. Just this morning I was telling Mother that I had this daydream that after the Blogher conference next year I could just hop on a train and have an FET.
I was raised as an only child (maybe some day I will explain why I worded that the way I did) and I always wanted to know what childhood would have been like if I had a sibling in my life.
So yes. I want one more. (she says hopefully to the Universe)
Jen asks:
What are your favorite things to eat?
I do love a Southern style spread: mac and cheese, green beans, biscuits, spoon bread, a nice chocolate pecan pie…
How is the cloth diapering going?
It is going great (thanks in large part to your awesome posts on it!). I did have to stop using some fancy detergent as it was giving him a rash, but other than that it has been smooth and easy. As W is getting bigger I have decided that prefolds and covers are not my favorite so we are adding in one size diapers every time I complete a new header for someone. I only wish I was able to line dry but alas the neighborhood I live in does not allow for such things.
A Person (no link) asks:
Would you ever share your real name with us?
um. Maybe? This is oddly something that I have been thinking of lately. I mean if you know me on facebook you know my real name. And recently I have not really felt connected to the internet alias of “Calliope”. I think that started when I noticed that there was actually a real Calliope (I can’t remember her blog so sorry!) in our community and I felt like dork for having it as pseudo name when it is her real one.
I have also had some time to let go and process some of the big reasons why I created an alias in the first place. And I won’t go into all of those reasons now, but things that freaked me out no longer do anymore. And I am wanting to reclaim this blog as MY story with MY name and not a fake name.
So. Um. Like I said. Maybe. And maybe sooner than I thought.
But here is a random photo clue for the clueless: (& please no guessing in the comments)
gypsygrrl asks:
is there something you do for W on a daily (regular) basis that you always imagined yourself doing for/with a child of your own? (reading a certain book, singing a special lullaby)
I tell W the story of how he came to be pretty much daily. It has many layers. But I always knew that if I ever had a child I would want him to know from the beginning just how much he was wanted and desired.
I also try to repeat silly sayings or sounds to him that I have from my childhood. Like there is a sound we make when I hug that my Mother used to make when she hugged me. She used to hug me and say in a sing-song voice, “Squeeze toy!” It then morphed into the sound, “Eeeeeee ahhhhhhh”. So when I hug W I say that.
I also make sure he knows to say, “We are off! In a gale of whale butter!” when we begin a journey and, “home again, home again jiggity jog” when we return.
and now that you have your own baby is it a surreal thing for you?
hell yes.
Sabrina (who refuses to start a blog even though I have asked her to) asks:
what is your favorite all-time movie? (comedy / drama).
Favorite drama is Breaking the Waves. It is VERY depressing and sad and weird and hard to sit through, but it continues to be the most amazing film I have ever seen.
Favorite comedy is Foul Play. Oh my lawd I could watch this movie a million times and still laugh. It is also the only movie that Chevy Chase pulls off the perfect mesh of handsome, witty and clever. Beware the albino dwarf!
BONUS ANSWER (to a question not asked): Favorite Muppet Movie: Muppets from Space. I will always have a soft spot for Gonzo.
who will play you in your biopic?
Well I think Joan Cusack would be fun:
But Sara Rue would look more authentic.
Kymberli asks:
As a fellow actress at heart, I’d like to know what role or type of role you’d like to play if you could?
I wish I could play a good ingenue. I never, ever got to. When I started getting serious about theatre I was just never seen as the Juliet, I was cast as the nurse. I was (am) tall and many directors just never got past that. I think I would love to play Beatrice in Much Ado…something with a smart, quirky gal but with a love story. I never got a love story.
Wow, now ain’t that the truth.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I already know your real name and that picture has me clueless.
Yeah, I always ask people what they like to eat because I like to eat. My favorite Muppet movie is also Muppets from Space. I like to say “build a jacuzzi and we will come, okay?”
I know you said not to guess, but I’m pretty confident your real name is not “Flower made from what appears to be old neckties”.
I love this whole thing, Cali. Great idea – one I may steal someday…and I’m trying to think of a good question.
As Jen said, I know your real name and I haven’t a clue about that picture!! Although Sarah Rue may have the look Joan Cusack would most definitely do more justice to your personality… I think. And for that matter it really needs to happen…hmmm, how does one market ones life? I have been trying for the past day or so to think of a question and I the only thing I can come up with is:
Are there any words or phrases that you would absolutely NEVER say to W? And do you think that the age that you have a child predetermines the language you would use with your child? Oh and off subject but how do you feel about okra?
That almost seems stupid as I write it, but I know people who do not hold back with the names and degredations with their children and although I know you are not like that (AT ALL), I just wonder if there is anything specific that you would never say to your child. And I too wish that you would someday visit Montana….oh how I wish it! Love you!!!!!! And big kisses to Cap’n Adorable!!
ps- If I ever get any of my purses made and sold I will so hold to my promise to get him more of those books, just so strapped right now! XOX
ok, this name guessing is driving me nuts… can you email me so that i can email you back what i think your name is??? that sounds so stalkerish but really i’m not. i started following your blog from Here We Go Again, way way before W.
oh, and my real name is Tiffany Ripple. thank gawd my father overroad the name my mother had chosen. i would have been Crystal Ripple. sounds like a stripper name doesn’t it?
i LOVE that picture ~ because that is the image in my mind when you first shared your name.
I LOVE the movie Foul Play. I can laugh and laugh at that one.
I also have to admit that until about a year ago when I was talking to Bleu and she mentioned your name I thought Calliope was your name.
Totally know your name! That is one of my favorite quilt patterns–I have made two quilts of them.
P.S. Still stalking the local Craigslist for your labyrinth rug!
um, necktie quilt isn’t making any lightbulbs go off even though i know the answer.
i recall eons ago when i first started reading your blog there was something about the only child thing and i’ve always been curious about the story there (i’m an only child fer realz as you know). i almost asked about it when you were soliciting questions but i also think it’s ok for some things to remain private. especially if you come out of your Closet of Neckties.
oh and i love Breaking the Waves too!
Very curios about your name! (and the photo clue – even if I wanted to, have completly no idea what to guess..)
And I just tagged you.