B: "Rob? Um, I mean, Dad? (running over to Grammie Joyce and whispering) Can I call him 'Dad?'"
J: (with what I'm sure was a HUGE smile on her face) "I think that would probably be okay."
B: (right in Rob's not-quite-sleeping face) "DAD! DAD! Wake up and play with me!"
Whoa. I know I've been kind of waiting for this (see almost all my posts to date), and that I hoped this particular transition would be an easy one, and that I prayed ESPECIALLY that God would bring us a man ready and willing to be a husband to me and a father to Blake... but WHOA. It is humbling and jarring and cool and scary and all of that rolled into one three-letter word. I've never heard Blake address someone as "Dad." Ever. All you folks out there who hear it every day, hear it shouted and whined, whispered and exclaimed, said lovingly and accusingly - think about that.
This is the first time I've ever heard my child call a man "Dad" (and typing that right now has me crying).
How cool is that?!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
that's what he said
B: "Mom, is this a shirt?"
A: "Yes. It's not jammies - that's a shirt. You can wear it today."
B: "Because I'm bigger?"
A: "Sure."
B: "But you can't wear it until you're smaller or you'll get all haired up."
*****
Blake LOVES Rob. He's ready for Rob to live in Bozeman with us and play with him all the time. I'm glad that he's such a fan now, because it will make him less likely to hold a grudge after Rob starts actual parenting and discipline. Blake's so enamored with Rob that he keeps trying to overcome my apparent disdain for R. in certain regards, such as the last three times he's said a variant of the following:
B: "Rob, where are you going to sleep?"
R: "Either on the couch or at A & L's. Is that okay with you?"
B: "Well, I think you should sleep in my mom's bed because it's safer."
Rob stayed at A & L's, but it's nice to know that him sharing my bed won't freak Blake out. Blake's tried this tactic (telling Rob to sleep in my bed) in Bozeman, Billings, and Spokane.
*****
At Thanksgiving during garage church at the Schuylers (garage church: smoking cigars and drinking wine around the wood stove in the garage):
R: "Matt, Scott, I need you guys to keep a secret."
M & S: "You can't tell it to anyone safer. As soon as we leave the garage, we won't even remember what you said."
When they found out the secret (Rob was going to ask my dad for permission to marry me), both agreed they might actually remember that one.
*****
B: (to Rob after bedtime) "You need to stop talking and laughing so loud, because if you have to come back in here again, I won't be very happy. I'm going to go to sleep now."
*****
AB: "You know who that is shoveling snow out there? That's my daddy. That's Rob's daddy too! Grampa Cec is our daddy!"
(long pause)
B: "Who's your daddy?"
A: "Yes. It's not jammies - that's a shirt. You can wear it today."
B: "Because I'm bigger?"
A: "Sure."
B: "But you can't wear it until you're smaller or you'll get all haired up."
*****
Blake LOVES Rob. He's ready for Rob to live in Bozeman with us and play with him all the time. I'm glad that he's such a fan now, because it will make him less likely to hold a grudge after Rob starts actual parenting and discipline. Blake's so enamored with Rob that he keeps trying to overcome my apparent disdain for R. in certain regards, such as the last three times he's said a variant of the following:
B: "Rob, where are you going to sleep?"
R: "Either on the couch or at A & L's. Is that okay with you?"
B: "Well, I think you should sleep in my mom's bed because it's safer."
Rob stayed at A & L's, but it's nice to know that him sharing my bed won't freak Blake out. Blake's tried this tactic (telling Rob to sleep in my bed) in Bozeman, Billings, and Spokane.
*****
At Thanksgiving during garage church at the Schuylers (garage church: smoking cigars and drinking wine around the wood stove in the garage):
R: "Matt, Scott, I need you guys to keep a secret."
M & S: "You can't tell it to anyone safer. As soon as we leave the garage, we won't even remember what you said."
When they found out the secret (Rob was going to ask my dad for permission to marry me), both agreed they might actually remember that one.
*****
B: (to Rob after bedtime) "You need to stop talking and laughing so loud, because if you have to come back in here again, I won't be very happy. I'm going to go to sleep now."
*****
AB: "You know who that is shoveling snow out there? That's my daddy. That's Rob's daddy too! Grampa Cec is our daddy!"
(long pause)
B: "Who's your daddy?"
Friday, December 26, 2008
as ready as we'll ever be
December has been fraught with emotion for me. The first three years after big Blake died, I experienced a great deal of anxiety about the anniversaries (wedding and avalanche). I'd worry so much about how those days would affect me that by the time the day dawned, I'd have used up all my fretting. I would wake up, realize it was just another day, and feel almost silly for all the unnecessary fear and worry I'd undergone. It was a consistent reminder that worry is like paying interest on a debt you might not even owe.
This year, no worry for me. Not really. I had something new and interesting to look forward to, I knew that anniversaries were non-starters for my heart, and I was more curious than anything about how everything would shake out for me. Also, I had started taking a hormonal supplement that seemed to be freeing up some of the emotions that I'd hidden behind a carefully built wall. Rather than be anxious in the lead up to the anniversaries, I found myself simply experiencing grief and sadness and missing big Blake at the most random times. And crying about it.
I haven't cried much in a while, so the tears are almost a novelty (which is strange - historically, tears come easily to me). Blake's response has changed dramatically from the last time I really broke down in front of him. He's such a little man that this time he saw my tears as a problem to be fixed. Something he did at dinner just smacked me with reminiscences of Daddy Blake, and I promptly started leaking.
B: "Mom, what's wrong? Why are you crying? Do you miss my dad?"
A: "Yes, sweetheart. I miss your dad, and you remind me so much of him sometimes. I wish he were here to know you."
B: "Well, maybe we can get a new daddy. (brief pause) Maybe Rob can be my daddy."
A: "Wow. Would you like it if Rob was your new daddy?"
B: "YEAH YEAH! Rob can be my new daddy! Mom, can we call Rob right now?"
I dialed and handed the phone to Blake, thinking he'd prattle on like he usually does to Rob while I got my emotions back under control.
R: "Hi sweetheart!" (it's my name on the caller ID, not Blake's)
B: "Rob, will you be my daddy?"
I burst out laughing despite myself. Blake had an agenda, and he wasn't wasting any time, no sir. I could hear Rob hemming and hawing about needing to ask me first and how we were going to see if maybe that would work... and Blake just kept repeating the question: "Rob, will you be my daddy?"
He knew it was a yes or no question, and he hadn't yet gotten an answer that satisfied.
Since being in Spokane, Blake has been telling new folks he meets that Rob is his daddy. I gave both Rob and Blake NERF shotguns for Christmas, and Rob labeled his "Dad." When asked, Blake tells you that Rob's sisters are Auntie Rachel and Auntie Bethany. We're still moving from "Mister Cec" and "Missus Joyce" to Grampa Cec and Grammie Joyce, but everything about being adopted into a new family has been easy. We belong here.*
*Bethany has an iPhone, too, so she's an instant hit. I believe, when asked, the iPhone was listed as the #1 reason why I (Rob) was "ok."
This year, no worry for me. Not really. I had something new and interesting to look forward to, I knew that anniversaries were non-starters for my heart, and I was more curious than anything about how everything would shake out for me. Also, I had started taking a hormonal supplement that seemed to be freeing up some of the emotions that I'd hidden behind a carefully built wall. Rather than be anxious in the lead up to the anniversaries, I found myself simply experiencing grief and sadness and missing big Blake at the most random times. And crying about it.
I haven't cried much in a while, so the tears are almost a novelty (which is strange - historically, tears come easily to me). Blake's response has changed dramatically from the last time I really broke down in front of him. He's such a little man that this time he saw my tears as a problem to be fixed. Something he did at dinner just smacked me with reminiscences of Daddy Blake, and I promptly started leaking.
B: "Mom, what's wrong? Why are you crying? Do you miss my dad?"
A: "Yes, sweetheart. I miss your dad, and you remind me so much of him sometimes. I wish he were here to know you."
B: "Well, maybe we can get a new daddy. (brief pause) Maybe Rob can be my daddy."
A: "Wow. Would you like it if Rob was your new daddy?"
B: "YEAH YEAH! Rob can be my new daddy! Mom, can we call Rob right now?"
I dialed and handed the phone to Blake, thinking he'd prattle on like he usually does to Rob while I got my emotions back under control.
R: "Hi sweetheart!" (it's my name on the caller ID, not Blake's)
B: "Rob, will you be my daddy?"
I burst out laughing despite myself. Blake had an agenda, and he wasn't wasting any time, no sir. I could hear Rob hemming and hawing about needing to ask me first and how we were going to see if maybe that would work... and Blake just kept repeating the question: "Rob, will you be my daddy?"
He knew it was a yes or no question, and he hadn't yet gotten an answer that satisfied.
Since being in Spokane, Blake has been telling new folks he meets that Rob is his daddy. I gave both Rob and Blake NERF shotguns for Christmas, and Rob labeled his "Dad." When asked, Blake tells you that Rob's sisters are Auntie Rachel and Auntie Bethany. We're still moving from "Mister Cec" and "Missus Joyce" to Grampa Cec and Grammie Joyce, but everything about being adopted into a new family has been easy. We belong here.*
*Bethany has an iPhone, too, so she's an instant hit. I believe, when asked, the iPhone was listed as the #1 reason why I (Rob) was "ok."
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
come on, ring those bells
For those clamoring for it (um, everyone), here it is in all its glory. It's white gold with a Yogo sapphire in the center flanked by two petal-shaped sapphires. Rob designed it with the help of a Spokane jeweler:
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
we made it
For those who knew we were on our way to Spokane today, we made it safe and sound. After twelve hours of travel from start to finish (with a stop-over in Bozeman), we have numb butts and brains, but Blake did great, Rob is seriously the best driver ever, and I read aloud to keep from looking at the road.
Two and a half feet of snow in Spokane. It's not as cold as MT, but they have nowhere to put ALL THAT SNOW, so the danger isn't icy streets as much as it is crowded streets. Oh, and since the sidewalks are largely unshoveled, there were people walking along in the street. All I can say is that they are lucky I was not driving, because the sheer stupidity of what they were doing meant I would have been compelled to remove them from the gene pool.
Merry frickin' Christmas!
Two and a half feet of snow in Spokane. It's not as cold as MT, but they have nowhere to put ALL THAT SNOW, so the danger isn't icy streets as much as it is crowded streets. Oh, and since the sidewalks are largely unshoveled, there were people walking along in the street. All I can say is that they are lucky I was not driving, because the sheer stupidity of what they were doing meant I would have been compelled to remove them from the gene pool.
Merry frickin' Christmas!
Monday, December 22, 2008
stupid gmail, stupid ambivalence
So, I sent out an email to a large number of people on Saturday announcing Rob's and my engagement. It was short and to the point, but I thought I'd sent it to most of the folks that I'd prefer learn about it from me directly (as opposed to on facebook or my blog)
Turns out Gmail has changed their rules for a contact list, and if I haven't formally added a person to said list, they do not appear in my "main contacts" page. They appear as "suggested contacts." Some of my close friends are merely "suggested contacts." I did not see their email addresses in the list I was perusing and out of sight = out of mind.
I'm SO SORRY if I left you out. It was accidental and an oversight on my part and bears no weight on how deeply I care for you. And now I feel like an ass. Stupid Gmail.
*****
For those of you who do not know, today would have been big Blake's and my sixth anniversary. I'm a wretched ball of conflicting emotions right now. Sometimes the joy leaks out, sometimes the tears. I'm threading the jagged rocks of processing and dealing with my thoughts and feelings while being sensitive to the thoughts and feelings of others.
Rob handles it pretty well - he holds me when I cry, listens when I talk, and prays over it all when I'm done. The hard part for him is the realization that his presence alone doesn't make everything easy on me, and that proposing on a different day or in a different time of year may not have changed any of what I'm feeling - and would have just annoyed me at how long he might have waited!
Rather than write a tear-jerker of a letter to big B or opening my heart too fully when it's not quite ready to go there, I'll just be almost done.
I got an email today from the MSU Foundation. They (thoughtfully) drafted this letter for me, should I want to mail it out in my Christmas cards. Clearly, they've never received one of my perpetually late Christmas cards:
Even though I think it's totally cheesy that they wrote this for me, I have "given" my in-laws the gift of a donation in Blake's name... because it still matters so deeply to me. And today, of all days, I thought you might feel the same.
Turns out Gmail has changed their rules for a contact list, and if I haven't formally added a person to said list, they do not appear in my "main contacts" page. They appear as "suggested contacts." Some of my close friends are merely "suggested contacts." I did not see their email addresses in the list I was perusing and out of sight = out of mind.
I'm SO SORRY if I left you out. It was accidental and an oversight on my part and bears no weight on how deeply I care for you. And now I feel like an ass. Stupid Gmail.
*****
For those of you who do not know, today would have been big Blake's and my sixth anniversary. I'm a wretched ball of conflicting emotions right now. Sometimes the joy leaks out, sometimes the tears. I'm threading the jagged rocks of processing and dealing with my thoughts and feelings while being sensitive to the thoughts and feelings of others.
Rob handles it pretty well - he holds me when I cry, listens when I talk, and prays over it all when I'm done. The hard part for him is the realization that his presence alone doesn't make everything easy on me, and that proposing on a different day or in a different time of year may not have changed any of what I'm feeling - and would have just annoyed me at how long he might have waited!
Rather than write a tear-jerker of a letter to big B or opening my heart too fully when it's not quite ready to go there, I'll just be almost done.
I got an email today from the MSU Foundation. They (thoughtfully) drafted this letter for me, should I want to mail it out in my Christmas cards. Clearly, they've never received one of my perpetually late Christmas cards:
I wanted to take a bit of time this year to let you know a bit more about the scholarship which was set up in Blake’s memory at the College of Engineering at Montana State. Family, friends, and others (many of whom didn’t know Blake, but were moved by his passions and his story) provided memorial gifts totaling $3,013 thus far. We have also had some fundraising opportunities associated with the movie about Blake’s expedition.
I hope that we can build a scholarship fund that will provide a full tuition benefit for special students who are interested in avalanche studies at MSU -- to do that, we will need to be working toward a $50,000 endowment goal for the next several years. I know that this year times are particularly tough, but I know that many of you will want to be involved in Blake’s memorial anyway. And we have some time to build this. Through the university, these contributions will be tax deductible and those of you involved with corporations may be eligible for a corporation match for your gift to higher education. Memorial gifts can be sent to the MSU Foundation, P.O. Box 173820, Bozeman, MT 59717-3820. Please designate your gift to the Blake Morstad Memorial Scholarship Fund.
*****Even though I think it's totally cheesy that they wrote this for me, I have "given" my in-laws the gift of a donation in Blake's name... because it still matters so deeply to me. And today, of all days, I thought you might feel the same.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
that's what some of the others said
"Hell yeah!" - Lindsay & Chad
*****
"YAY! SO HAPPY FOR YOU! BURSTING WITH HAPPINESS! YAY!!!!!"- Naomi
*****
"This is the shortest email/comment I've seen from you and is maybe the most exciting. You have learned thrift of word at the most inopportune time I see. Congratulations..." - Chris
*****
a: "Addie's engaged!" to Julian
j: "I heard that."
a: "You have been here 3 minutes and you didn't tell me? You disgust me. You are dead to me." - Aubyn
*****
"AAAAHHHH!!!!!
YEEEEAAAHHHH!
I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU AS A BRIDE!!!!
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!
YOU DIDN'T WAIT TIL AFTER CHRISTMAS!! (BUT I DON'T BLAME YOU!!)" - Joy
*****
"i am so amazed by the way this has all fallen into place for you. it's incredible. and beautiful. and what an amazing way for blake to be there and know that rob gets to be his new daddy! i am so happy - seriously - i can't stop crying." - Heather
*****
"Addie, Addie, Addie!!!!!!!!!!! I am soooooooooo excited! I will be going over this and over this in my head for days and days, "He said, she said, He said, she said" ! ... I'll be poised with pen in hand for the date of the celebration!" - Lil
*****
Yes, Sarah, this is the same man you met at AleWorks.
McBride family, you make my heart full, and I've always loved the special place we've held for one another in our souls.
No, we don't have a date yet. We're working on that, because it's going to be soon. Long engagements are a tool of Satan, don't you agree?
*****
"Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" - Julie
*****"YAY! SO HAPPY FOR YOU! BURSTING WITH HAPPINESS! YAY!!!!!"- Naomi
*****
"This is the shortest email/comment I've seen from you and is maybe the most exciting. You have learned thrift of word at the most inopportune time I see. Congratulations..." - Chris
*****
a: "Addie's engaged!" to Julian
j: "I heard that."
a: "You have been here 3 minutes and you didn't tell me? You disgust me. You are dead to me." - Aubyn
*****
"AAAAHHHH!!!!!
YEEEEAAAHHHH!
I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU AS A BRIDE!!!!
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!
YOU DIDN'T WAIT TIL AFTER CHRISTMAS!! (BUT I DON'T BLAME YOU!!)" - Joy
*****
"i am so amazed by the way this has all fallen into place for you. it's incredible. and beautiful. and what an amazing way for blake to be there and know that rob gets to be his new daddy! i am so happy - seriously - i can't stop crying." - Heather
*****
"Addie, Addie, Addie!!!!!!!!!!! I am soooooooooo excited! I will be going over this and over this in my head for days and days, "He said, she said, He said, she said" ! ... I'll be poised with pen in hand for the date of the celebration!" - Lil
*****
Yes, Sarah, this is the same man you met at AleWorks.
McBride family, you make my heart full, and I've always loved the special place we've held for one another in our souls.
No, we don't have a date yet. We're working on that, because it's going to be soon. Long engagements are a tool of Satan, don't you agree?
Saturday, December 20, 2008
that's what they said (well, pretty much)
R: "Will you marry me?"
A: "YES!"
*****
A few weeks ago, Rob mentioned that he wanted to visit the rock where we'd first kissed while we were in Billings before Christmas. After a long silence, I said, "You know that's pretty obvious, right? What about 'no big decisions until after Christmas?' You're not going to, you know, blow our timetable?"
"Huh," said Rob, "You think you're so smart. What if my plan was to get you up there, kiss you again, then get back in the car and leave?"
"So you're saying that you are now toying with me?"
"Maybe. Quit thinking about it, and it won't drive you crazy. And I'm not obvious."
"Fine," I said, with a heavy sigh. "I will stop thinking about it. What's the weather like there?"
Cut to today. We're on our way past the house where lies the rock upon which we enjoyed our first kiss, headed to Molt for breakfast with Molly and JR. There's a great little place that way that has live bluegrass music on Saturday mornings, and we'd been planning this for at least a month. I knew that Rob was still intending to visit the rock, that he'd cleared it with the owners of the home (thanks Pollard family!), and that Molly and JR knew we'd be pausing briefly there.
We climbed the snowy hill, slipping a little, with me painfully aware of the fact that Blake, Molly, and JR were all waiting in the car, watching us. Rob helped me up the rock (slick with snow and sub-zero temperatures), we kissed and looked around a bit, and I bent down to tie his boot, which had come unlaced. When I stood up, he went down on one (cold) knee and held up a ring, then asked me if I'd agree to marry him.
I burst out laughing, then said, "Yes, yes... a thousand times: yes!"
Or not. But I did laugh and agree, then threatened to knock him off the rock for being such a sneaky sneakerton. He was tickled that his boot had come unlaced accidentally, because me tying it gave him the unexpected chance to get the ring out of his pocket. We slid our way back down the hill to find everyone (the Pollard family, JR, Molly, and Blake) inside, with JR having captured much of what was visible on his camera.
What was visible: us from the waist down.
We entered into the warmth of congratulations and hugs, and I eventually got the chance to bend down and talk to Blake. "Rob asked me if he could be your new daddy. I said yes. What do you think of that?"
Blake looked down shyly, then turned and threw his arms around Rob's knees, nodding happily.
*****
In some regards, I've been expecting this (Rob and I have been talking marriage and are reading a great 'marriage prep' book), so it's anticlimactic. In other regards, Rob really did surprise me, and my heart's been playing catch-up to the shock.
Rob is an amazing man. I haven't scared him off, despite my best efforts to do so simply by revealing myself honestly. He knows me, deeply and truly... and he loves me anyway. The more you know me, the more you should respect him. I love him more than words can say, and I can finally see what a friend's father told me a few years ago, very soon after Blake had died:
"You might not be ready to hear this (I wasn't): It won't be the same. Things will never be the same. But they can be better."
And I've discovered that this is true in ways that do not reflect poorly on the character of the dear man whose name my son shares. God is so weird. And God is so good.
A: "YES!"
*****
A few weeks ago, Rob mentioned that he wanted to visit the rock where we'd first kissed while we were in Billings before Christmas. After a long silence, I said, "You know that's pretty obvious, right? What about 'no big decisions until after Christmas?' You're not going to, you know, blow our timetable?"
"Huh," said Rob, "You think you're so smart. What if my plan was to get you up there, kiss you again, then get back in the car and leave?"
"So you're saying that you are now toying with me?"
"Maybe. Quit thinking about it, and it won't drive you crazy. And I'm not obvious."
"Fine," I said, with a heavy sigh. "I will stop thinking about it. What's the weather like there?"
Cut to today. We're on our way past the house where lies the rock upon which we enjoyed our first kiss, headed to Molt for breakfast with Molly and JR. There's a great little place that way that has live bluegrass music on Saturday mornings, and we'd been planning this for at least a month. I knew that Rob was still intending to visit the rock, that he'd cleared it with the owners of the home (thanks Pollard family!), and that Molly and JR knew we'd be pausing briefly there.
We climbed the snowy hill, slipping a little, with me painfully aware of the fact that Blake, Molly, and JR were all waiting in the car, watching us. Rob helped me up the rock (slick with snow and sub-zero temperatures), we kissed and looked around a bit, and I bent down to tie his boot, which had come unlaced. When I stood up, he went down on one (cold) knee and held up a ring, then asked me if I'd agree to marry him.
I burst out laughing, then said, "Yes, yes... a thousand times: yes!"
Or not. But I did laugh and agree, then threatened to knock him off the rock for being such a sneaky sneakerton. He was tickled that his boot had come unlaced accidentally, because me tying it gave him the unexpected chance to get the ring out of his pocket. We slid our way back down the hill to find everyone (the Pollard family, JR, Molly, and Blake) inside, with JR having captured much of what was visible on his camera.
What was visible: us from the waist down.
We entered into the warmth of congratulations and hugs, and I eventually got the chance to bend down and talk to Blake. "Rob asked me if he could be your new daddy. I said yes. What do you think of that?"
Blake looked down shyly, then turned and threw his arms around Rob's knees, nodding happily.
*****
In some regards, I've been expecting this (Rob and I have been talking marriage and are reading a great 'marriage prep' book), so it's anticlimactic. In other regards, Rob really did surprise me, and my heart's been playing catch-up to the shock.
Rob is an amazing man. I haven't scared him off, despite my best efforts to do so simply by revealing myself honestly. He knows me, deeply and truly... and he loves me anyway. The more you know me, the more you should respect him. I love him more than words can say, and I can finally see what a friend's father told me a few years ago, very soon after Blake had died:
"You might not be ready to hear this (I wasn't): It won't be the same. Things will never be the same. But they can be better."
And I've discovered that this is true in ways that do not reflect poorly on the character of the dear man whose name my son shares. God is so weird. And God is so good.
Friday, December 19, 2008
that's what they said
M: (to Blake) "You've lost your mind. Go find it."
*****
R: "That's you! Beautiful and crazy, arm-in-arm."
A: "Thank you?"
*****
B: "Rob, you need to get me! Save me from Sam!"
M: "Your son is showing off for Rob over there."
A: "Aren't they lucky to have each other? Aren't we lucky we're over here? Where did you get this wine?"
*****
R: "That's you! Beautiful and crazy, arm-in-arm."
A: "Thank you?"
*****
B: "Rob, you need to get me! Save me from Sam!"
M: "Your son is showing off for Rob over there."
A: "Aren't they lucky to have each other? Aren't we lucky we're over here? Where did you get this wine?"
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
i don't even have a shotgun
From Traveling Mercies, by Anne Lamott, given to me by T:
"I'm unclear about the fine line between good parenting and being overly protective. I get stumped by the easy test questions - like whether I should let Sam ride his two-wheeler for several blocks without me when I secretly want to run alongside him like a golden retriever. He wants to walk to a friend's house; I want him to stay inside and draw while I sit on the front porch with a shotgun across my lap like Granny Clampett.
Unfortunately, we have no front porch."
"I'm unclear about the fine line between good parenting and being overly protective. I get stumped by the easy test questions - like whether I should let Sam ride his two-wheeler for several blocks without me when I secretly want to run alongside him like a golden retriever. He wants to walk to a friend's house; I want him to stay inside and draw while I sit on the front porch with a shotgun across my lap like Granny Clampett.
Unfortunately, we have no front porch."
it smells like blood and wet hair
Maia, the BPL black Lab mascot, was trying to entice me to play with her last night. She was breathing heavily in my direction and refusing to give up the ball. After getting in really close to try to wrestle it away from her, I stopped abruptly and shooed her off, telling Ryan (my boss/friend/brother) that she smelled just like a dead mule deer. His response was less apologetic than surprised and impressed that I knew and could identify such a smell. I got a text from him last night after I left work:
"OMG you're right. She totally smells like a mule deer. Blech."
I like validation as much as the next girl, but this was more icky than victorious.
"OMG you're right. She totally smells like a mule deer. Blech."
I like validation as much as the next girl, but this was more icky than victorious.
Monday, December 15, 2008
that's what he said
(thrown in at random when on the phone with two separate grandparents this week) "chatter... chatter... chatter... My mom's going to the bathroom. chatter... chatter... chatter..."
*****
Now can I open my Christmas present since I cleaned up/ate dinner/came inside?
*****
I really hurt myself with the crepe spreader.
*****
A: "How was your day at preschool?"
B: "The fire alarm went off and freaked me out."
A: "Oh? Did you have a fire drill?"
B: "Yeah. It freaked me out and we went outside and plugged our ears and sang a song because it freaked me out."
A: "Did you learn a new phrase today?"
B: "When something freaks you out and you have to go outside because it freaks you out and a fire drill would freak you out because it would be loud and it freaked me out."
He then got on the phone with my mother and proceeded to use "freaked me out" or variants about twenty more times.
*****
"I'm going to kiss you like Spiderman." (he proceeds to attempt an open-mouth kiss on me, then demonstrates how Spiderman kisses Mary Jane, wherein I realize that all movies must be G-RATED from here on out, then insist that only mommies and daddies kiss like that... okay, only grownups... okay, you're not dating until you're thirty-five!)
*****
Now can I open my Christmas present since I cleaned up/ate dinner/came inside?
*****
I really hurt myself with the crepe spreader.
*****
A: "How was your day at preschool?"
B: "The fire alarm went off and freaked me out."
A: "Oh? Did you have a fire drill?"
B: "Yeah. It freaked me out and we went outside and plugged our ears and sang a song because it freaked me out."
A: "Did you learn a new phrase today?"
B: "When something freaks you out and you have to go outside because it freaks you out and a fire drill would freak you out because it would be loud and it freaked me out."
He then got on the phone with my mother and proceeded to use "freaked me out" or variants about twenty more times.
*****
"I'm going to kiss you like Spiderman." (he proceeds to attempt an open-mouth kiss on me, then demonstrates how Spiderman kisses Mary Jane, wherein I realize that all movies must be G-RATED from here on out, then insist that only mommies and daddies kiss like that... okay, only grownups... okay, you're not dating until you're thirty-five!)
Sunday, December 14, 2008
just today
I wore my big Sorel boots to lead worship at church. They are enormous snow boots, perfectly practical, and I've had them since fifth or sixth grade (because my feet were almost this big back then). Because I was not nearly as practical then as I am now (please stop laughing - this is actually IMPROVEMENT), my mother graciously gussied them up with fuschia shoelaces, which I sport to this day. Singing Christmas carols at the front of church.
*****
I went to a great cookie exchange and got a ton of fun varieties to nibble on. During my time there, I'm pretty sure I offended a handful of people with the one naughty swear word I used. I'm just grateful I limited it to one... but I wish I could not be so ornery and choose better words.
Rob and I were talking late last night as I baked up the cookies (of course, my contribution required hours of chilling, which meant I was almost done baking at 1:30, when I gave up and went to bed), and, as it was his turn to pray (we alternate), his prayer included something along the lines of "Dear God, please help Addie make wise choices tomorrow and come back with the best cookies there. And please help her to not eat them all before I get to Bozeman."
*****
It is ridiculously cold here. Sixteen below, and I'm not sure it ever got above negative numbers at all today. Booger freeze weather, for lack of a better term. I'm not sure if the temp was the cause of this, but I got behind an older SUV today that was emitting tons of steam/exhaust, and the most unusual part was the smoke rings it was throwing off every few seconds.
Honest-to-goodness smoke rings from the exhaust pipe. I wonder if it can French inhale.
*****
This isn't from today, but has been knocking around in my head since I read it in a book from Molly & JR:
"Too many think lightly of sin, and therefore think lightly of the Savior. He who has stood before his God, convicted and condemned, with the rope about his neck, is the man to weep for joy when he is pardoned, to hate the evil which has been forgiven him, and to live to the honour of the Redeemer by whose blood he has been cleansed." -Charles Spurgeon
This has been convicting me lately. I think all too lightly of my own sin, though, peculiarly, not too lightly of the sins of others.
ARGH.
I hate being a hypocrite.
*****
I went to a great cookie exchange and got a ton of fun varieties to nibble on. During my time there, I'm pretty sure I offended a handful of people with the one naughty swear word I used. I'm just grateful I limited it to one... but I wish I could not be so ornery and choose better words.
Rob and I were talking late last night as I baked up the cookies (of course, my contribution required hours of chilling, which meant I was almost done baking at 1:30, when I gave up and went to bed), and, as it was his turn to pray (we alternate), his prayer included something along the lines of "Dear God, please help Addie make wise choices tomorrow and come back with the best cookies there. And please help her to not eat them all before I get to Bozeman."
*****
It is ridiculously cold here. Sixteen below, and I'm not sure it ever got above negative numbers at all today. Booger freeze weather, for lack of a better term. I'm not sure if the temp was the cause of this, but I got behind an older SUV today that was emitting tons of steam/exhaust, and the most unusual part was the smoke rings it was throwing off every few seconds.
Honest-to-goodness smoke rings from the exhaust pipe. I wonder if it can French inhale.
*****
This isn't from today, but has been knocking around in my head since I read it in a book from Molly & JR:
"Too many think lightly of sin, and therefore think lightly of the Savior. He who has stood before his God, convicted and condemned, with the rope about his neck, is the man to weep for joy when he is pardoned, to hate the evil which has been forgiven him, and to live to the honour of the Redeemer by whose blood he has been cleansed." -Charles Spurgeon
This has been convicting me lately. I think all too lightly of my own sin, though, peculiarly, not too lightly of the sins of others.
ARGH.
I hate being a hypocrite.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
because i'm a huge nerd
K: "Your closet is color-coordinated!"
A: "Yours isn't?"
*****
I love being able to write a little html code. It means I can make ugly things pretty (or something like that) on this blog, on BPL, and on craigslist.
Oh, and I'm selling this (link removed because the diaper bag sold!) and this.
I no longer need the first due to potty-training, and the second was recently replaced by Rob, Rob, my heartthrob.
A: "Yours isn't?"
*****
I love being able to write a little html code. It means I can make ugly things pretty (or something like that) on this blog, on BPL, and on craigslist.
Oh, and I'm selling this (link removed because the diaper bag sold!) and this.
I no longer need the first due to potty-training, and the second was recently replaced by Rob, Rob, my heartthrob.
catching up
- Blake's response to Rob going back to Spokane on Wednesday.
YES! I finally had to shoo him on, since his lingering was making Blake worse ("Maybe if I cry harder, Rob stays!"). After thirty minutes, when Blake finally calmed down and went to sleep, I called Rob to let him know we were both okay, and that if Blake was going to cry that violently about him, I would rather he did when Rob left, rather than when Rob arrived.
When Blake woke up, I explained that Rob had to go back to Spokane for work, but that he'd be back in a few weeks for Christmas. Well, he refused to go to bed that night because Rob wasn't back yet, and he needed to talk to him. We've spoken to Rob on the phone a few times, and Blake regularly asks if Rob is done working and can come over now.
- A brief essay (paragraph?) on two of the websites I'm crazy about these days.
For books, I post the ones that I'm done with or that Blake's outgrown. All I have to do is ship them when someone requests them, and I can use the credits to order any book I want from anyone else. I've rounded out my collection of hardcover Brian Jacques, some C.S. Lewis, and amassed a big stack of a variety of books that Molly or Newsweek has recommended.
- How I got Rob's Christmas gift for $60 bucks off when it wasn't on sale. It may involve partial nudity; it may not, but it's a good story!
- A list of all my sizes that are fit to print. Molly and I came up with this, and it sounded both funny and helpful for all you out there pondering what to get me for Christmas. You might get something ugly, but at least it will fit.
- How Blake and I do the Nativity scene (hint: it involves hide and seek).
- How my food sensitivities are doing, and what I can still have, despite those lists.
Plus, I found out that the sensitivities can vary based on what I eat (eat too much milk and you become sensitive to it), and that the Western medical community doesn't put much stock into this particular test. I'm on the fence. Still, if Rob is taking this seriously and can help, I suppose I can try harder.
- What my friends are saying about Rob.
"It was really fun to see you together-- you looked so beautiful and happy. We knew we'd like Rob, so we were glad to have a chance to confirm that opinion. Very impressive that he seemed at ease in a group of strangers that was there to see him." -AS
"We can't wait to meet him, and we are so excited for you!" -a variety of folks who missed out for one reason or another
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
that's what he said
"I just don't want you to leave, Rob. I want you to stay with us for a long time." (said through tears)
*****
"Rob, no toots at the table."
*****
(gasp) "Bad word!" if I say 'never,' 'stupid,' or 'hate'
*****
T: "Who's your best friend?"
B: "Ummm, I think I like my mom."
T: "Awwww!"
B: "Yeah. And I think I like EVERYONE."
*****
"Cows always eat grass. Horses too. Horses always eat grass.
But penguins don't. And cows always poop."
*****
(pushing play on the portable DVD player while on the drive from Billings to Bozeman) "I going to watch Toot & Puddle many times." (as he watched it for the third time)
*****
(after blowing in his face) "Ew. Your breaf is kind of sick."
*****
A: (tired of hearing him sniff) "Would you like a Kleenex?"
B: "No, thank you. I just like to sniff to make the inside of my nose cold."
*****
"Rob, no toots at the table."
*****
(gasp) "Bad word!" if I say 'never,' 'stupid,' or 'hate'
*****
T: "Who's your best friend?"
B: "Ummm, I think I like my mom."
T: "Awwww!"
B: "Yeah. And I think I like EVERYONE."
*****
"Cows always eat grass. Horses too. Horses always eat grass.
But penguins don't. And cows always poop."
*****
(pushing play on the portable DVD player while on the drive from Billings to Bozeman) "I going to watch Toot & Puddle many times." (as he watched it for the third time)
*****
(after blowing in his face) "Ew. Your breaf is kind of sick."
*****
A: (tired of hearing him sniff) "Would you like a Kleenex?"
B: "No, thank you. I just like to sniff to make the inside of my nose cold."
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
thinking and driving (pictures too)
I remembered what I was going to post last night, far too late (though I appreciate that everyone agrees with me about the terrible name of that gas station).
I attended Lane & Bing's reception on Sunday night, in Billings, at the Yellowstone Country Club. Ten o'clock rolled around, and I headed to the car to pick up Blake from my friends' place (That's right J & K! You are my friends!). With my phone in one hand and a clove cigarette in another (Thanks sweet T, on both counts!), I found the divided entry/exit and headed down the small drive. After about fifty yards, I thought, "This is looking less and less like a street. I bet I'm driving on the golf cart lane. I bet I'm on the golf course."
Sure enough.
I threw the car in reverse, set down the phone (duh), and carefully backed back onto the parking lot, avoiding trees and utility boxes. I laughed hard and called Rob, needing to tell someone of my silliness and knowing he wouldn't judge me.
He totally judged me, but I think mostly because I had full hands while driving. Again. At least this time, I actually found the street.
*****
Rob and I exchanged Christmas gifts. He got me a new, smaller camera. I love it. I'm still learning how to use it and all, but it takes great photos.
Blake loves taking pictures. This one even turned out okay (old camera, though).
Showing off his "skateboarding shoes" from Uncle Bing. They finally fit. He really likes them. Too bad his street cred can't withstand the sippy cup in his hand.
If I remember correctly, this is Spiderman all tied up? Something like that. I don't want to be like one of those mothers, but doesn't this seem advanced for a three-year-old?
Helping (doing) the Spiderman puzzle. It's a bit beyond him yet.
New camera! Thanks Rob!
One of three decent pics Blake took. He took about forty.
"Mom! I'm gonna get you!"
"Not if I get you first! RAAAR!"
The M - we were shooting the sunset on Pete's Hill.
Me staying warm next to the camera.
We went up Bridger Canyon for some shots, and while Rob got some time lapse stuff, Blake and I had a snowball fight.
I got to babysit Maddox! Once he was fed, he was cheerful, but before that, LOOK OUT. The kid has some lungs on him!
Chad and Lindsey K. They made fun of me for keeping them from leaning together. I stand by my assertion that it makes people look funny... and here they look normal. Ish.
Yes, they are praying. Yes, I'm still taking a picture.
SUE ME.
The street toughs that accosted me with delightful dancing technique.
Morgan, Ruth, Riley
Emme, Grace
(Aubyn, please correct me if I'm wrong!)
My delightful and handsome parents.
Yes, we are doing the Macarena. No, I'm not checking out my mom's bum.
Ok, I probably was. You know me!
Me and Laubster. She's the best.
You know who else has mad dancing skills? Bing. He was in fine form and damn funny.
I smell T-R-O-U-B-L-E. Bing, Lane, and Julian (Bing's brother).
I attended Lane & Bing's reception on Sunday night, in Billings, at the Yellowstone Country Club. Ten o'clock rolled around, and I headed to the car to pick up Blake from my friends' place (That's right J & K! You are my friends!). With my phone in one hand and a clove cigarette in another (Thanks sweet T, on both counts!), I found the divided entry/exit and headed down the small drive. After about fifty yards, I thought, "This is looking less and less like a street. I bet I'm driving on the golf cart lane. I bet I'm on the golf course."
Sure enough.
I threw the car in reverse, set down the phone (duh), and carefully backed back onto the parking lot, avoiding trees and utility boxes. I laughed hard and called Rob, needing to tell someone of my silliness and knowing he wouldn't judge me.
He totally judged me, but I think mostly because I had full hands while driving. Again. At least this time, I actually found the street.
*****
Rob and I exchanged Christmas gifts. He got me a new, smaller camera. I love it. I'm still learning how to use it and all, but it takes great photos.
Blake loves taking pictures. This one even turned out okay (old camera, though).
Showing off his "skateboarding shoes" from Uncle Bing. They finally fit. He really likes them. Too bad his street cred can't withstand the sippy cup in his hand.
If I remember correctly, this is Spiderman all tied up? Something like that. I don't want to be like one of those mothers, but doesn't this seem advanced for a three-year-old?
Helping (doing) the Spiderman puzzle. It's a bit beyond him yet.
New camera! Thanks Rob!
One of three decent pics Blake took. He took about forty.
"Mom! I'm gonna get you!""Not if I get you first! RAAAR!"
The M - we were shooting the sunset on Pete's Hill.
Me staying warm next to the camera.
We went up Bridger Canyon for some shots, and while Rob got some time lapse stuff, Blake and I had a snowball fight.
I got to babysit Maddox! Once he was fed, he was cheerful, but before that, LOOK OUT. The kid has some lungs on him!
Chad and Lindsey K. They made fun of me for keeping them from leaning together. I stand by my assertion that it makes people look funny... and here they look normal. Ish.
Yes, they are praying. Yes, I'm still taking a picture.SUE ME.
The street toughs that accosted me with delightful dancing technique.Morgan, Ruth, Riley
Emme, Grace
(Aubyn, please correct me if I'm wrong!)
My delightful and handsome parents.
Yes, we are doing the Macarena. No, I'm not checking out my mom's bum.Ok, I probably was. You know me!
Me and Laubster. She's the best.
You know who else has mad dancing skills? Bing. He was in fine form and damn funny.
I smell T-R-O-U-B-L-E. Bing, Lane, and Julian (Bing's brother).Congrats you guys!
Monday, December 8, 2008
posting after 11:00 pm should be verboten, like buying hair color after 9:00 pm
I don't care if that's the name of the store. I refuse to write "Kum and Go" on anything ever, including my personal finance software. I call it "Conoco" or something like that. Gasoline is gasoline, and that name is just icky.
*****
I don't think it's weird to ask someone not to celebrate their toots.
*****
I had more, but I got distracted by cheese.
*****
I don't think it's weird to ask someone not to celebrate their toots.
*****
I had more, but I got distracted by cheese.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
how do i love thee? let me count the ways (and the days)
So he leaves again
Parting as such sweet sorrow?
No way! It just sucks.
I'll bet you can imagine what she was referring to. He comes back in less than two weeks to pick us up, swing us all through Billings for time with Molly and JR and my family (hi, Grammie! can't wait for you to meet him!), then drive ALL THE WAY back to Spokane to have Christmas with his family.
Side note that I forgot to include in my post below: my old cat, Calvin, still lives. I got a call from the dear woman who had adopted him, letting me know that he turned 16 in November, and that I was welcome to visit him any time. She had no idea that I had a son who loves cats, nor that my reason for giving Calvin up (big Blake) had died, and went so far as to offer Calvin back to me if I wanted him. Bless her heart. I said, no, thank you, our space is too small, but we will be heading out to Manhattan to see if he still remembers me.
Good old Calvin. I gave him up before I got married because big B had a dog that killed cats (we had documented evidence of this), and I figured that was one MAJOR fight we could avoid. Big Blake also gave up Zouri (his dog), in a gesture of good faith and fairness. Calvin and I journeyed from Billings to Bozeman to Seattle and back. Super affectionate, he learned to climb a ladder when I slept in a loft, let me flip him on his back for tummy rubs, and had a purr that was loud and persistent, though otherwise unremarkable. He was not popular with many of my roomies, which was perfectly understandable, as he was alternately wildly anorexic and willfully incontinent, puking everywhere and/or peeing in my closets.
Gosh, I've missed him. And yet, I'm still perfectly happy being cat-less. Hmmm.
Side note that I forgot to include in my post below: my old cat, Calvin, still lives. I got a call from the dear woman who had adopted him, letting me know that he turned 16 in November, and that I was welcome to visit him any time. She had no idea that I had a son who loves cats, nor that my reason for giving Calvin up (big Blake) had died, and went so far as to offer Calvin back to me if I wanted him. Bless her heart. I said, no, thank you, our space is too small, but we will be heading out to Manhattan to see if he still remembers me.
Good old Calvin. I gave him up before I got married because big B had a dog that killed cats (we had documented evidence of this), and I figured that was one MAJOR fight we could avoid. Big Blake also gave up Zouri (his dog), in a gesture of good faith and fairness. Calvin and I journeyed from Billings to Bozeman to Seattle and back. Super affectionate, he learned to climb a ladder when I slept in a loft, let me flip him on his back for tummy rubs, and had a purr that was loud and persistent, though otherwise unremarkable. He was not popular with many of my roomies, which was perfectly understandable, as he was alternately wildly anorexic and willfully incontinent, puking everywhere and/or peeing in my closets.
Gosh, I've missed him. And yet, I'm still perfectly happy being cat-less. Hmmm.
Friday, December 5, 2008
is this someone's idea of a joke?
I got a Tiffany & Co. catalog in the mail today.
Naturally, I want everything. Especially these. And this. And these. And do you know where I had to go to get those links? You KNOW I had to look around a little more.
I need a drink. And about $30,000 to blow on fancy jewelry to wear exactly no where.
Naturally, I want everything. Especially these. And this. And these. And do you know where I had to go to get those links? You KNOW I had to look around a little more.
I need a drink. And about $30,000 to blow on fancy jewelry to wear exactly no where.
gotta keep you coming back for more
Whee! I get to have a slumber party tonight with sweet T! Also, I'm hanging out with another friend today (in fact, must go soon for that), I've heard from Rob how much he can't wait to come back, and I'm headed to Billings tomorrow for Lane & Bing's reception party.
Oops, Blake just melted down. Cable's not working, so there's no Go, Diego, Go! to numb his brain.
I've got a bunch of posts floating around, but many other things to do first, so here's a list to whet your appetite or to weigh in on, if something seems wildly inappropriate. Of course, you know that if you tell me it's inappropriate, I'M TOTALLY POSTING IT.
Oops, Blake just melted down. Cable's not working, so there's no Go, Diego, Go! to numb his brain.
I've got a bunch of posts floating around, but many other things to do first, so here's a list to whet your appetite or to weigh in on, if something seems wildly inappropriate. Of course, you know that if you tell me it's inappropriate, I'M TOTALLY POSTING IT.
- Blake's response to Rob going back to Spokane on Wednesday.
- A brief essay (paragraph?) on two of the websites I'm crazy about these days.
- How I got Rob's Christmas gift for $60 bucks off when it wasn't on sale. It may involve partial nudity; it may not, but it's a good story!
- A list of all my sizes that are fit to print. Molly and I came up with this, and it sounded both funny and helpful for all you out there pondering what to get me for Christmas. You might get something ugly, but at least it will fit.
- How Blake and I do the Nativity scene (hint: it involves hide and seek).
- The haiku written just for me. I'm not sure why, but I seem to inspire odes and haiku.
- How my food sensitivities are doing, and what I can still have, despite those lists.
- What my friends are saying about Rob.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
seriously, lower your standards with me!
TO: All those people getting Christmas cards out now
FROM: Addie
Sick. Just sick.
What are you, over-achievers? It's not even April.
But thank you for including me while you make me look bad. My only consolation is that my Christmas card, arriving sometime after Easter, makes a splash too.
FROM: Addie
Sick. Just sick.
What are you, over-achievers? It's not even April.
But thank you for including me while you make me look bad. My only consolation is that my Christmas card, arriving sometime after Easter, makes a splash too.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
that's what he said
One of the few songs I can identify from preschool, with Blake's pronunciation:
I have a little turtle
His name is Tiny Tim
I put him in the bathtub
To see if he could swim
He drank up all the water
And ate a bar of soap
And now he's in his bed
With a bubble in his froat
Bubble bubble bubble
BUBBLE BUBBLE BUBBLE!
And now he's in his bed
With a bubble in his froat
*****
A: "You're a dancing man."
B: "No, I not."
A: "Yes, you are."
B: "No, I not. I surely am a fancy mover, but I'm not a dancing man."
I have a little turtle
His name is Tiny Tim
I put him in the bathtub
To see if he could swim
He drank up all the water
And ate a bar of soap
And now he's in his bed
With a bubble in his froat
Bubble bubble bubble
BUBBLE BUBBLE BUBBLE!
And now he's in his bed
With a bubble in his froat
*****
A: "You're a dancing man."
B: "No, I not."
A: "Yes, you are."
B: "No, I not. I surely am a fancy mover, but I'm not a dancing man."
Monday, December 1, 2008
keeping company with those who make me better
Sent to Aubyn by one of her friends:
"Yo Aubyn - I've got a beef to settle with you.
It all started when I stumbled across your Facebook page when you got that cool new profile picture. I saw the link to Hannah's blog, and I followed it like a fool. I didn't even know who Hannah was. After looking at her blog and seeing all the pictures of her adorable baby, I went to the other blogs listed on her blog. Three hours and some ten blogs later, after making the discovery that you are all somehow related, I found myself extremely jealous. You seem to have awesome friends/relatives, which I covet."
Yes, we do have awesome friends/relatives. We're so lucky.
"Yo Aubyn - I've got a beef to settle with you.
It all started when I stumbled across your Facebook page when you got that cool new profile picture. I saw the link to Hannah's blog, and I followed it like a fool. I didn't even know who Hannah was. After looking at her blog and seeing all the pictures of her adorable baby, I went to the other blogs listed on her blog. Three hours and some ten blogs later, after making the discovery that you are all somehow related, I found myself extremely jealous. You seem to have awesome friends/relatives, which I covet."
Yes, we do have awesome friends/relatives. We're so lucky.
because i can only handle so much nickelodeon
We pulled Thanksgiving off! Rob brined the turkey, Reese and I tried new and tasty recipes, Mom brought the pies, and a few of my in-laws came down from Calgary!
It was awesome. Blake stayed with Margie and Kent pretty much all weekend (they dropped him off for naps, then picked him up again!), and they all did a great job of spoiling one another. It's particularly sweet to me to see how Blake has grown attached to Grampa Kent and how that's essentially got Grampa Kent wrapped around his finger. Everyone's a sucker for the adoration of a cute kid, right?
I ate things I shouldn't have and paid for it with some discomfort and a tender mouth (hard to describe - it just hurts, but there aren't any specific sore spots or wounds), but it was totally worth it. I'm now trying to figure out how to give away all the leftover turkey. Also, I'm coming up with plans for clearing my pantry of all the things I shouldn't be eating. Rob's been helpful, and I think we're going to come up with a menu of things that I CAN have so that I can at least move towards something (positive) instead of merely avoiding things (negative). And I'm taking great comfort in the fact that I can still have dairy, grains, chocolate, and beer.
We're now getting all wrapped up to take a drive up to Bridger for the late morning/early afternoon, and we're getting coffee on the way. Rob will probably be heading out on Wednesday, and the good news is that we've put up with each other for almost two weeks now.
I think that's a good sign... also good: he had as much fun stringing Christmas lights and decorating our tree as I did. Blake: not so much. He'll come around, and if he doesn't, we're headed for the snow right now, so I'll throw snowballs at him until he's having fun.
Because that's how it works in this house. I will MAKE you enjoy yourself, dammit.
It was awesome. Blake stayed with Margie and Kent pretty much all weekend (they dropped him off for naps, then picked him up again!), and they all did a great job of spoiling one another. It's particularly sweet to me to see how Blake has grown attached to Grampa Kent and how that's essentially got Grampa Kent wrapped around his finger. Everyone's a sucker for the adoration of a cute kid, right?
I ate things I shouldn't have and paid for it with some discomfort and a tender mouth (hard to describe - it just hurts, but there aren't any specific sore spots or wounds), but it was totally worth it. I'm now trying to figure out how to give away all the leftover turkey. Also, I'm coming up with plans for clearing my pantry of all the things I shouldn't be eating. Rob's been helpful, and I think we're going to come up with a menu of things that I CAN have so that I can at least move towards something (positive) instead of merely avoiding things (negative). And I'm taking great comfort in the fact that I can still have dairy, grains, chocolate, and beer.
We're now getting all wrapped up to take a drive up to Bridger for the late morning/early afternoon, and we're getting coffee on the way. Rob will probably be heading out on Wednesday, and the good news is that we've put up with each other for almost two weeks now.
I think that's a good sign... also good: he had as much fun stringing Christmas lights and decorating our tree as I did. Blake: not so much. He'll come around, and if he doesn't, we're headed for the snow right now, so I'll throw snowballs at him until he's having fun.
Because that's how it works in this house. I will MAKE you enjoy yourself, dammit.
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