Durango Mom Interview with Me, Ivey Patton

The other day Matt said, 'you never write about yourself.' Whaaa? I feel like that's all I do. But a fresh perspective is good, and it occurred to me that I should take my own interview. So here I am. Read it and weep. Or not.

Name and age: Ivey Patton....43

Location: Durango,Colorado

Kids and spouse: Max 11, Lew 8, Della 5 and Matt(husband and mythical creature)

Occupation: teacher, blogger

Preoccupation: kids and spouse  

coffee or tea: coffee!!! and then tea 

type A, B or C: C

clean freak?: no, not one little bit

herbivore or omnivore: omni

favorite book: It's ever changing, but have always loved A Prayer for Owen Meany

favorite movie: Love Actually

In a nutshell, what does a typical day in your life look like?

It is not easy for me to get out of bed. But I do. At the last possible moment. Coffee is king, kids off to school (oh, if it were only as easy as writing those words), and then I take a few minutes to check on emails and posts. I throw on whatever is clean and run to work. I teach literacy to 1st and 2nd graders, then kindergardeners, then art and wilderness on alternating days, and shared school on Thursdays. I pick up my kids and do the after school business. It's crazy, so I'll spare you. Then we come home, I run, we cook dinner, eat by candle light and relax, read, get ready for bed  and lather, rinse, repeat.  Matt is a huge part of all of that, thankfully! 

What is your 'go to' meal. The one that everyone in the family loves and is relatively easy for you to pull together. (and we may need that recipe!)

hhhmmm. It changes. We all love a persian lamb and herb stew that my friend, Kate, brought us a few nights after Della was born. It has a very nice association in my mind. It is hearty and healthy with tons of herbs, beans and potatoes, and lamb. It also has several dried limes bobbing around in it for a special zing. I will post the recipe soon! 

Is there any product (or products), of any kind, that you swear by. 

I'm a pretty lousy consumer, I'm afraid. I rarely shop. I like the way seven jeans fit, my Patagonia cashmere sweater is gross with age and holes but I can't seem to let it go (it was Matt's and he left it in the dryer too long), pop chips are sort of addicting, I like the big tub of greasy Eucerin and use it as face lotion, Toyota has never let me down nor has Mac, I've been drinking lots of herbal tea lately and am liking Good Earth, and eggs are dominating my diet…fresh bright orange ones from my friend Rita. Oh, and I like Neutrogena soap. And one more thing...that all pales in comparison to a good 'thrift score.'

If you had to wear one outfit for the rest of your life what would it be?

Easy. Blue jeans, a Mexican tunic of some sort and flip flops.

Do you exercise? What? How much?

Lately, running has captivated me. I used to hate it and now I love it. I try to get out at least four days a week and would like to do 5-6 miles. I'm also excited about mountain biking. We have great trails just out the door.

What keeps you sane and centered? How do you renew, recharge, and restore yourself?

A hot bath after the kids are in bed does wonders for erasing the stress of the day, as does a good book. Exercise energizes me and makes everything else more enjoyable. I have also figured out that in the midst of kids and work and obligations, that sometimes it's best to say 'no'. This doesn't come easy, but I'm getting better. When I'm feeling frayed, a cup of tea is reminder to slow down and take a breath. I also want to get into Yoga.  

What is your most important family ritual?

Dinner together, as a family, most every night is something that we have always done. I can't imagine it any other way. We cook and connect and laugh. Also, Matt reads aloud every night. Through the pages of great literature we have  travelled the world, participated in history, and shared the triumphs and sorrows of fascinating characters that are now friends. We laugh and cry and learn. It's amazing. 

What is your greatest wish for your children?

That they be fulfilled in their life choices and happy. Oh yeah, and that they take with utmost seriousness and care, the task of choosing a mate. 

What is your greatest wish for yourself?  

One day I want to be able to afford to jump ship and show my children, up close and personal, this amazing world we live in. Perhaps I'll write about it. 

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So there, a bit about myself.

It's easy. I would love to send YOU an interview. Drop me a line and I will send it right out. My address is in the sidebar.

Have a good week all!