Connections

We all know people who have great connections-- you know, they can score the best concert tickets through a cousin or are able to sell their house without a commission because their aunt is a realtor. Unless you count occasional access to my father-in-law's amazing season tickets on the 45 yard line at LaVell Edwards Stadium (which doesn't count for much when you live in Texas), we're not such a connected family. 

But I am probably the most connected person I know for all things artistic. I don't claim any artistic talent myself, but at least a couple of the paintings in smartmama's online gallery hang on my walls, my aunt Kate is an amazing quilter, and I'm privileged to have a couple of her quilts, and my mom can do almost anything with a paintbrush and some craft paints.

Maren's room, which I thought looked pretty cute to begin with, is a case in point. She spent the last week holed up in there, doing this:

I might not be getting any smoking deals on slightly used cars any time soon, but for the price of a few late-night gelato runs, I'm lucky enough to know someone who will make my baby's room beautiful for free! And what talent can I share in return? I'm not too sure about that one. I'd much rather adorn my walls with my mom's or my aunt's art than with my own book reviews!

--originally published 10/19/06