For a kid who spent the first 18 years of her life in the mid-Willamette valley, I sure have moved a lot in the subsequent 18(+) years. Here's a brief synopsis of where my moves have taken me: OR-WA-DC-WA-TN-soon to be CA. And there was also 1 college semester abroad in Costa Rica, if you want to count it :)
I've moved for school, for love, and for work (or more accurately, husband's job). Thanks to social media, I've been able to keep in touch with family and friends across the miles. And sometimes I've been fortunate enough to return for visits to places I've left behind. When I departed DC for Seattle, for instance, I had no idea that I'd be flying back to our nation's capital a mere 6 months later to attend a conference for my new job!
When we moved from Seattle to Memphis four years ago, I kept my same job; I just transitioned to working from home. Before we even loaded up our moving truck, I already had plane tickets purchased to fly back to SeaTac for two different exchange student events in the summer (and I managed to squeeze in some friend-visiting time, too!)
But what about our imminent departure from Memphis? Since we're moving for DF's job and I'm not currently working outside the home, we have no work ties to the Bluff City. We don't own any property here. We have made some wonderful friends, but we have no family in the area. All these different circumstances make me wonder, when will we be back to visit Memphis? The twisting paths of life can't always be predicted. We may pass through the mid-South again soon, or our road might go a different way. But hey, given my track record, maybe I'll get a job in Los Angeles that requires travel to Memphis or surrounding areas!
Monday, July 17, 2017
Friday, July 14, 2017
Thank You, Memphis!
As our time in Memphis comes to a close, I've been reflecting on all the kindnesses, big and small, we've been shown here.
I remember a few months back when our pastor said (in a sermon) that Southern Christians have to work even harder to show God's love to their neighbors because being nice is just the Southern way. I chuckled b/c I thought he was kidding. But based on comments I heard later on that day, I think my fellow parishioners agreed with his line of reasoning; they were pondering ways to go "above and beyond" expected neighborliness!
Here's a list of what I can recall that people in Memphis have done for us, just to be nice:
I remember a few months back when our pastor said (in a sermon) that Southern Christians have to work even harder to show God's love to their neighbors because being nice is just the Southern way. I chuckled b/c I thought he was kidding. But based on comments I heard later on that day, I think my fellow parishioners agreed with his line of reasoning; they were pondering ways to go "above and beyond" expected neighborliness!
Here's a list of what I can recall that people in Memphis have done for us, just to be nice:
- Unloaded our moving truck and took us out for lunch
- Invited us to dinner and a movie after meeting us once
- Became friends with us even though we're total Yankees :)
- Picked me up from a medical procedure involving anesthesia when DF couldn't miss work
- Gave us rides when we only had one car, or carpooled just to be friendly
- Offered us free tickets to local events
- Invited us to numerous holiday celebrations in homes when we weren't able to be with family
- Packed our apartment when I was 6 months pregnant
- Offered a "parents of twins" discount on rent
- Helped us move in the sticky summer heat
- Threw an elaborate baby shower that unexpectedly moved to a meeting room at the hospital b/c I was on bedrest at the time
- Visited me in the hospital
- Brought us meals for months after the babies were born
- Gave the boys hand-me-down clothes
- Surprised us with black eyed peas for New Years
- Ran an extension cord to our freezer to keep the contents from melting when a branch fell on our power line
- Provided airport transportation
- Hid Easter eggs in the yard for our kids to find
- Babysat the kids for free
- Warmly welcomed my mother when she came for an extended visit - took her to lunch, connected her with a Sunday School class at church
- And many more!!!
Well, South, you've definitely got a good thing going here, and I hope y'all keep being as sweet as sweet tea to newcomers :) It's going to be hard to say goodbye! I wonder if people in LA will be as friendly? Kind of doubt it...but I'll do what I can to keep spreading the love!
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Beep beep
Public Service Announcement: children are little sponges who mimic their parents/care takers. "That's pretty common knowledge," you say. Yes, I'd heard it plenty myself. But we have a new development here that is really driving the point home.
I taught my kids to say "beep." It was fine at first. You know, like when you're playing with cars and trucks, and they drive around, they say "beep beep!" Well, without consciously thinking about it, I also say "beep beep" to the kids when I want them to them to move out of my way - when they're sitting in front of a cupboard I need to open, standing in the middle of a doorway I'm trying to walk through, etc.
So a few weeks ago, they started saying "beep beep beep beep beep!" to each other, me, Dad, and anyone else who is in their space. Gus lays down on a puzzle; Gibson pushes him while whining "beep beep!" I'm sitting on the couch and a kid wants my spot...a shrill series of "beep beep beep!" compels me to relocate. They "beeped" their grandparents and other relatives when we were visiting recently.
At first, it was cute and I cracked up about it. Then I realized that I've basically taught my children to say "beep" instead of any number of polite phrases we could have learned. Oh dear!
Now we're trying to backtrack. DF was playing trucks with them and had the truck say, "Excuse me! I'd like to drive through." I wonder if they can make the switch to "cooz" or something similar. Beep is so easy to say...
I taught my kids to say "beep." It was fine at first. You know, like when you're playing with cars and trucks, and they drive around, they say "beep beep!" Well, without consciously thinking about it, I also say "beep beep" to the kids when I want them to them to move out of my way - when they're sitting in front of a cupboard I need to open, standing in the middle of a doorway I'm trying to walk through, etc.
So a few weeks ago, they started saying "beep beep beep beep beep!" to each other, me, Dad, and anyone else who is in their space. Gus lays down on a puzzle; Gibson pushes him while whining "beep beep!" I'm sitting on the couch and a kid wants my spot...a shrill series of "beep beep beep!" compels me to relocate. They "beeped" their grandparents and other relatives when we were visiting recently.
At first, it was cute and I cracked up about it. Then I realized that I've basically taught my children to say "beep" instead of any number of polite phrases we could have learned. Oh dear!
Now we're trying to backtrack. DF was playing trucks with them and had the truck say, "Excuse me! I'd like to drive through." I wonder if they can make the switch to "cooz" or something similar. Beep is so easy to say...
Sunday, July 9, 2017
2 Years!
I'm a bit late in posting this two year milestone update, since we were traveling on the boys' actual birthday. So they get a little extra credit, I guess :)
Also, I've totally accepted the reality that this blog is my children's baby book. If I haven't started a physical book after two years, it's not gonna happen. If you, my adoring public, enjoy reading along, so much the better!
Here are some of Gus and Gibson's latest developments.
Physical/Motor Skills
Climbing is still a favorite pastime. I took the boys to a new park a couple weeks ago. Gibson made a beeline for a plastic rock climbing structure and was on the top of it before I knew what was happening. Meanwhile, Gus was slipping off a faux rock and I was trying to catch him while keeping an eye on Gibson as he went for a huge slide. We all survived! Man, they are adventurous.
They are getting taller and can open some doors. This is not my favorite development. Commence next-level babyproofing!
They can sort of play catch now. They've always enjoyed throwing. Now, they can even manage to catch a ball, sometimes.
They can't really dress themselves, but at times they do take off their sandals or socks. (To clarify: I mean on different days. We do not wears socks + sandals because we are not dorky northwesterners ;) ) If they work together, they can take off their pants, but luckily they don't do it very often. They can't get their own shirts over their huge noggins yet.
Eating/Drinking
We let them drink from regular cups once in awhile, when we're outside and it's just water. They can sort of handle it, but splashing in the open water is also very tempting.
Their favorite foods lately (and how they pronounce them) are chicken (bok-bok), blueberries (boo-bey), frozen banana slices (na-na), cookies (coo-ey), yogurt (go-guh), popsicles (pah-ih), applesauce (ah), potatoes (tay-oh), and orange juice (joos).
Talking
As you can tell from the previous paragraph, they've learned lots of new words lately! They have a tendency to add an extra consonant sound before words that start with a vowel, like "bapple" for apple and "Melmo" for Elmo. It's cute :)
Sleeping
We're in a solid one-nap routine here. They sleep 11-12 hours at night and 2-3 hours for their afternoon nap, usually. Nap time has been closer to 2 hours lately. If you must know, I am in denial about the fact that they'll ever reach a no-nap stage. Naps forever!
Favorite Things
Animals! They love all things animal-related. On our recent trip, we got a little book with animal pictures that the love "reading" by loudly making all the animal sounds. It's a chorus of, "meow!" "ooh-ahh!" "hop!" "squawk!" "neigh!" etc, etc, etc.
They're big fans of toys with wheels that they can drive, or pull around, or ride on.
Not Favorite Things
Gus is going through a "I hate baths" phase of life. It's unpleasant.
They're both getting picky about eating vegetables. For example, if a pea tries to sneak into their other food, they point at it, look grossed out, and say, "pea! pea!" until I extract the offensive legume... Sometimes they do eat peas, but not very often anymore.
Also, I've totally accepted the reality that this blog is my children's baby book. If I haven't started a physical book after two years, it's not gonna happen. If you, my adoring public, enjoy reading along, so much the better!
Here are some of Gus and Gibson's latest developments.
Physical/Motor Skills
Climbing is still a favorite pastime. I took the boys to a new park a couple weeks ago. Gibson made a beeline for a plastic rock climbing structure and was on the top of it before I knew what was happening. Meanwhile, Gus was slipping off a faux rock and I was trying to catch him while keeping an eye on Gibson as he went for a huge slide. We all survived! Man, they are adventurous.
They are getting taller and can open some doors. This is not my favorite development. Commence next-level babyproofing!
They can sort of play catch now. They've always enjoyed throwing. Now, they can even manage to catch a ball, sometimes.
They can't really dress themselves, but at times they do take off their sandals or socks. (To clarify: I mean on different days. We do not wears socks + sandals because we are not dorky northwesterners ;) ) If they work together, they can take off their pants, but luckily they don't do it very often. They can't get their own shirts over their huge noggins yet.
Eating/Drinking
We let them drink from regular cups once in awhile, when we're outside and it's just water. They can sort of handle it, but splashing in the open water is also very tempting.
Their favorite foods lately (and how they pronounce them) are chicken (bok-bok), blueberries (boo-bey), frozen banana slices (na-na), cookies (coo-ey), yogurt (go-guh), popsicles (pah-ih), applesauce (ah), potatoes (tay-oh), and orange juice (joos).
Talking
As you can tell from the previous paragraph, they've learned lots of new words lately! They have a tendency to add an extra consonant sound before words that start with a vowel, like "bapple" for apple and "Melmo" for Elmo. It's cute :)
Sleeping
We're in a solid one-nap routine here. They sleep 11-12 hours at night and 2-3 hours for their afternoon nap, usually. Nap time has been closer to 2 hours lately. If you must know, I am in denial about the fact that they'll ever reach a no-nap stage. Naps forever!
Favorite Things
Animals! They love all things animal-related. On our recent trip, we got a little book with animal pictures that the love "reading" by loudly making all the animal sounds. It's a chorus of, "meow!" "ooh-ahh!" "hop!" "squawk!" "neigh!" etc, etc, etc.
They're big fans of toys with wheels that they can drive, or pull around, or ride on.
Not Favorite Things
Gus is going through a "I hate baths" phase of life. It's unpleasant.
They're both getting picky about eating vegetables. For example, if a pea tries to sneak into their other food, they point at it, look grossed out, and say, "pea! pea!" until I extract the offensive legume... Sometimes they do eat peas, but not very often anymore.
Friday, July 7, 2017
Traveling with Twins: Airborne Again
The four of us took to the skies and headed west for a 2.5 week trip, visiting family and friends in Oregon. Compared to last year, this trip went much more smoothly! I wonder if it's because it's easier to travel with two year olds than babies, if we parents are more skilled at traveling with our kids, or if we really did just have an easier trip?
Flying
We flew to Oregon two days before the kids turned 2, so we didn't have to buy them seats. Score! They slept on the first (short) flight to Dallas, then stayed awake from DFW to Portland. We entertained them by feeding them snacks, playing with toys, sticking stickers on everything, walking up and down the aisle, and watching videos on our Kindles. Gus flung some applesauce on our nicely-dressed seat neighbor and Gibson got a big goose egg by conking his head on a seat. Those were the only incidents to report! No lost luggage, no creepy old ladies trying to get the kids to eat Cheerios out of her mouth, not too much screaming.
On the flights back home to Memphis, the boys got their own seats, since they'd had a birthday. We hauled their gigantic car seats with us through the airport. My luggage cart + bungee cord transport system didn't work quite as well as I'd hoped, but I think it was still better than trying to just free-hand carry them. And with their car seats on the plane, they boys did great! We flew through Denver, which meant we had two medium-length flights. Both kids napped for a bit on the first flight. Gus even slept through the really turbulent descent into Denver! (I, meanwhile, was awake and really not enjoying the bouncing...)
We had a THREE HOUR layover before our next flight. Sheesh! Not what I had originally booked - the flight schedule changed after I bought the tickets. The boys bounded up and down the moving walkways, and I attempted to hold onto their frog backpack leashes while they lunged in opposite directions. They pretended to talk on all of the pay phones/courtesy phones they could find. And, they found a display with about 300 flyers advertising United's credit card, which they threw on the floor and "swam" on top of. All of these antics seemed to amuse our fellow passengers during their layovers :)
DF found a yogurt parfait with blueberries, so that's what the boys ate for dinner. (Their lunch had been french fries...) Then we boarded the flight to Memphis and found out the seats had these handy little pockets we could rest the Kindles in so the boys could watch videos more easily. Score! And we saw some fireworks from the sky as we were making our landing.
Meeting New People
I don't think Gus or Gibson remember taking a trip last summer, so for them, it was pretty much like meeting a bunch of new people again. They did really well! They did seem to recognize their grandparents, aunt, and uncle from a family photo that we have at our house. But they were fairly flexible and friendly with lots of other people, too. Auntie Hipster threw a birthday party for them, and they had fun playing with the other kids who came. They even stayed in the nursery at my parents' church without too much of a fuss. They wouldn't sit on Great Grandma's lap for a photo, however...you can't win 'em all.
New Foods
They boys ate their first ice cream cones at Dairy Queen! They've had ice cream before, but not in a cone. They thought the cone was gross and spit out any little pieces they accidentally bit off, haha.
I think this was also their first time trying Jello. They like it! But it wasn't a good idea to feed Gibson red Jello when he was wearing a white shirt. Good thing Grandma has stain remover!
Beach Time
We stayed at the coast for a few days and it was so much better than last year, when the babies had hand-foot-mouth disease and spent most nights wailing. Plus they were not fans of sand. Oh dear, it wasn't very relaxing. This time, though, they were healthy (yay!) and excited to play on the beach (double yay!) Gus especially loved splashing in the ocean. They both liked digging in the sand, and no one tried to eat more than a mouthful.
Overall Pros (kid-related)
Overall Cons (kid-related)
Flying
We flew to Oregon two days before the kids turned 2, so we didn't have to buy them seats. Score! They slept on the first (short) flight to Dallas, then stayed awake from DFW to Portland. We entertained them by feeding them snacks, playing with toys, sticking stickers on everything, walking up and down the aisle, and watching videos on our Kindles. Gus flung some applesauce on our nicely-dressed seat neighbor and Gibson got a big goose egg by conking his head on a seat. Those were the only incidents to report! No lost luggage, no creepy old ladies trying to get the kids to eat Cheerios out of her mouth, not too much screaming.
On the flights back home to Memphis, the boys got their own seats, since they'd had a birthday. We hauled their gigantic car seats with us through the airport. My luggage cart + bungee cord transport system didn't work quite as well as I'd hoped, but I think it was still better than trying to just free-hand carry them. And with their car seats on the plane, they boys did great! We flew through Denver, which meant we had two medium-length flights. Both kids napped for a bit on the first flight. Gus even slept through the really turbulent descent into Denver! (I, meanwhile, was awake and really not enjoying the bouncing...)
We had a THREE HOUR layover before our next flight. Sheesh! Not what I had originally booked - the flight schedule changed after I bought the tickets. The boys bounded up and down the moving walkways, and I attempted to hold onto their frog backpack leashes while they lunged in opposite directions. They pretended to talk on all of the pay phones/courtesy phones they could find. And, they found a display with about 300 flyers advertising United's credit card, which they threw on the floor and "swam" on top of. All of these antics seemed to amuse our fellow passengers during their layovers :)
DF found a yogurt parfait with blueberries, so that's what the boys ate for dinner. (Their lunch had been french fries...) Then we boarded the flight to Memphis and found out the seats had these handy little pockets we could rest the Kindles in so the boys could watch videos more easily. Score! And we saw some fireworks from the sky as we were making our landing.
Meeting New People
I don't think Gus or Gibson remember taking a trip last summer, so for them, it was pretty much like meeting a bunch of new people again. They did really well! They did seem to recognize their grandparents, aunt, and uncle from a family photo that we have at our house. But they were fairly flexible and friendly with lots of other people, too. Auntie Hipster threw a birthday party for them, and they had fun playing with the other kids who came. They even stayed in the nursery at my parents' church without too much of a fuss. They wouldn't sit on Great Grandma's lap for a photo, however...you can't win 'em all.
New Foods
They boys ate their first ice cream cones at Dairy Queen! They've had ice cream before, but not in a cone. They thought the cone was gross and spit out any little pieces they accidentally bit off, haha.
I think this was also their first time trying Jello. They like it! But it wasn't a good idea to feed Gibson red Jello when he was wearing a white shirt. Good thing Grandma has stain remover!
Beach Time
We stayed at the coast for a few days and it was so much better than last year, when the babies had hand-foot-mouth disease and spent most nights wailing. Plus they were not fans of sand. Oh dear, it wasn't very relaxing. This time, though, they were healthy (yay!) and excited to play on the beach (double yay!) Gus especially loved splashing in the ocean. They both liked digging in the sand, and no one tried to eat more than a mouthful.
Overall Pros (kid-related)
- Slept well
- Ate sufficiently
- Everyone stayed healthy
- Played on fun playgrounds
- Learned new words (chair, pumpernickel...)
- Good memories with family and friends
Overall Cons (kid-related)
- Gibson shattered a glass ball and startled everyone, including himself
- Tried to eat semi-toxic foxgloves
- Gus still hates bath time
I'd say the Pros outweigh the Cons! Guess this means we can take another trip someday :)
Friday, June 9, 2017
Friendly Neighbors
Southerners really are sweet. Even after four years living here, I'm still surprised by how kind people can be! Here's a conversation I had the other day.
Setting: taking the boys for their inaugural leash walk, going around the block. We've stopped to examine some fascinating sticks on the sidewalk.
60s-ish Neighbor Lady: <waving as she walks down the driveway> Hi there! Oh, how sweet! You have twins?
Me: Yes, they're twins
Neighbor: How old are they?
Me: Almost two
Neighbor: So you must live around the corner?
Me: Yes, we live over on Heron Way (that's a pseudonym street name for blogging purposes)
Neighbor: <starts pointing out all the nearby houses where families have young kids/grandkids, and suggests we can become friends with them>
Me: Good to know!
Neighbor: Well, I just live right across the street here. If y'all are ever out for a walk and get caught in a downpour, please come knock on my door!
Me: Oh, ok thank you
Neighbor: And if I'm not home, see that door through the carport? It opens up to the back patio that's all covered, and we've got a table and chairs there where you could wait.
Me: <looking surprised> Wow, well that's nice of you! We will certainly keep it in mind if it starts to rain on us.
END SCENE
I mean, come on Northwesterners, have you ever had a conversation like this with a neighbor who you literally just met? (I mean, set aside for a moment the fact that people in the PNW just keep walking when it rains...) Wasn't that nice of her? We're totally in thunderstorm season in Memphis, and sometimes the skies just open up on you. It's nice to know we've got a place to take shelter, even if we never use it. But I bet if we did stop by, Neighbor Lady would just be tickled pink :)
Setting: taking the boys for their inaugural leash walk, going around the block. We've stopped to examine some fascinating sticks on the sidewalk.
60s-ish Neighbor Lady: <waving as she walks down the driveway> Hi there! Oh, how sweet! You have twins?
Me: Yes, they're twins
Neighbor: How old are they?
Me: Almost two
Neighbor: So you must live around the corner?
Me: Yes, we live over on Heron Way (that's a pseudonym street name for blogging purposes)
Neighbor: <starts pointing out all the nearby houses where families have young kids/grandkids, and suggests we can become friends with them>
Me: Good to know!
Neighbor: Well, I just live right across the street here. If y'all are ever out for a walk and get caught in a downpour, please come knock on my door!
Me: Oh, ok thank you
Neighbor: And if I'm not home, see that door through the carport? It opens up to the back patio that's all covered, and we've got a table and chairs there where you could wait.
Me: <looking surprised> Wow, well that's nice of you! We will certainly keep it in mind if it starts to rain on us.
END SCENE
I mean, come on Northwesterners, have you ever had a conversation like this with a neighbor who you literally just met? (I mean, set aside for a moment the fact that people in the PNW just keep walking when it rains...) Wasn't that nice of her? We're totally in thunderstorm season in Memphis, and sometimes the skies just open up on you. It's nice to know we've got a place to take shelter, even if we never use it. But I bet if we did stop by, Neighbor Lady would just be tickled pink :)
Friday, May 26, 2017
Grab Bag: Skillet, At Least, Lawns, Crumbs
I have a bunch of thoughts swirling through my head today that I decided the world should know about :)
Cast Iron Skillet
Enhancing my Southern cred, I bought myself a skillet last year. Y'all, it rocks! I mean, seriously, how did I cook without one? We had some friends over for dinner recently and I made a pork loin that was first seared then roasted in the skillet. I usually don't even like pork loin very much, and it came out delicious. I just fried up some leftover potatoes from dinner last night to accompany my lunch today - so tasty! It's really easy to take care of, too. I thought it would be high maintenance b/c I remember my mom always drying hers by heating it in the oven (or something...memory is a bit foggy). All I have to do with mine after washing is dry it out then wipe with a little cooking oil. Presto!
"At Least"
Salmonista's conversation recommendation: if you'd like to be polite, do your best to avoid using the phrase "at least." I can't think of any uses that bring you closer to another person. Ok, maybe sarcastic examples, but sarcasm is a tricky tool to wield. At best, "at least" makes you seem slightly uninterested or superior. At worst, it leaves your conversational partner silently (or visibly) seething.
Innocuous example
Person A: Oh, it started raining! Sad, I was hoping we could eat dinner on the patio tonight.
Person B: Well, at least it was sunny this morning.
Person A's internal monologue: <Yeah, but I was stuck in the office all day in a cube farm and didn't even get to glance at a sunbeam, so I've been looking forward to an al fresco dining experience to bring a small crumb of joy to my soul!>
Really unfeeling example
Person A: I'm so upset. I just found out my child has a serious illness.
Person B: Oh, at least he doesn't have this other serious illness I heard about that sounds even worse!
Person A's internal monologue: <AHHHHHH! Stop forming a hierarchy of badness and acknowledge my pain!>
Lawn Mower Rage
Last spring/summer, my neighbor always mowed his lawn right around 9:30AM, which was when the boys were going down for a morning nap. He'd buzz his noisy gas-powered mower over the strip of grass right outside their nursery window, and I'd stew as I was sure he was going to wake them up. (Sidebar: they only woke up a couple times.) Today, I realized that although his grass is neatly trimmed, I haven't even noticed him mowing the lawn this year. I assume he's still a morning mower, but these days we're usually out of the house around 9:30. Last summer, hearing a noisy mower seemed like the worst thing ever. But now I barely even think about it.
Floor Cleaning
About this time last year, I was obsessed with sweeping our hard wood floors. The boys were crawling/creeping/rolling all over the place, and I probably swept once a day to keep the kids from becoming total dust and dirt balls. Now, well, they walk/run/climb just fine. And they also make a much bigger mess around the house. I wasn't feeling too well earlier this week, so I spent the day laying on the couch playing Daniel Tiger episodes from Amazon while feeding the children ten different types of crackers, chips, and cookies. DF kindly swept up the main crumb piles they had produced. Then this morning I found a bunch of crushed crackers in the playroom under some toys. I gathered the larger pieces the best I could. The mess really doesn't stress me out as much any more. And don't even ask about my mopping regimen. We seriously need a dog. Except then I'd have even more messes to deal with :)
Cast Iron Skillet
Enhancing my Southern cred, I bought myself a skillet last year. Y'all, it rocks! I mean, seriously, how did I cook without one? We had some friends over for dinner recently and I made a pork loin that was first seared then roasted in the skillet. I usually don't even like pork loin very much, and it came out delicious. I just fried up some leftover potatoes from dinner last night to accompany my lunch today - so tasty! It's really easy to take care of, too. I thought it would be high maintenance b/c I remember my mom always drying hers by heating it in the oven (or something...memory is a bit foggy). All I have to do with mine after washing is dry it out then wipe with a little cooking oil. Presto!
"At Least"
Salmonista's conversation recommendation: if you'd like to be polite, do your best to avoid using the phrase "at least." I can't think of any uses that bring you closer to another person. Ok, maybe sarcastic examples, but sarcasm is a tricky tool to wield. At best, "at least" makes you seem slightly uninterested or superior. At worst, it leaves your conversational partner silently (or visibly) seething.
Innocuous example
Person A: Oh, it started raining! Sad, I was hoping we could eat dinner on the patio tonight.
Person B: Well, at least it was sunny this morning.
Person A's internal monologue: <Yeah, but I was stuck in the office all day in a cube farm and didn't even get to glance at a sunbeam, so I've been looking forward to an al fresco dining experience to bring a small crumb of joy to my soul!>
Really unfeeling example
Person A: I'm so upset. I just found out my child has a serious illness.
Person B: Oh, at least he doesn't have this other serious illness I heard about that sounds even worse!
Person A's internal monologue: <AHHHHHH! Stop forming a hierarchy of badness and acknowledge my pain!>
Lawn Mower Rage
Last spring/summer, my neighbor always mowed his lawn right around 9:30AM, which was when the boys were going down for a morning nap. He'd buzz his noisy gas-powered mower over the strip of grass right outside their nursery window, and I'd stew as I was sure he was going to wake them up. (Sidebar: they only woke up a couple times.) Today, I realized that although his grass is neatly trimmed, I haven't even noticed him mowing the lawn this year. I assume he's still a morning mower, but these days we're usually out of the house around 9:30. Last summer, hearing a noisy mower seemed like the worst thing ever. But now I barely even think about it.
Floor Cleaning
About this time last year, I was obsessed with sweeping our hard wood floors. The boys were crawling/creeping/rolling all over the place, and I probably swept once a day to keep the kids from becoming total dust and dirt balls. Now, well, they walk/run/climb just fine. And they also make a much bigger mess around the house. I wasn't feeling too well earlier this week, so I spent the day laying on the couch playing Daniel Tiger episodes from Amazon while feeding the children ten different types of crackers, chips, and cookies. DF kindly swept up the main crumb piles they had produced. Then this morning I found a bunch of crushed crackers in the playroom under some toys. I gathered the larger pieces the best I could. The mess really doesn't stress me out as much any more. And don't even ask about my mopping regimen. We seriously need a dog. Except then I'd have even more messes to deal with :)
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