visiting old friends

Nothing like catching up with old friends who we haven't seen in ages, and finding things just the same between us, and the kids older and more able to interact.

The interaction between these two was pretty funny, he decided to corner her and she wasn't too sure about it. Mostly they ignored each other as typical two-year-olds will. They're only 4 days apart in age.

These two did well together also, and both are very much in the "HAM" category, having picked it up from their fathers. So funny to watch.

The father of Ham #2, JC, just made partner at his consulting firm, and had saved a special bottle of wine to celebrate it with us. His enjoyment of the moment added much to mine :). And the wine? Very very tasty :).

The carafe, purchased just for the occasion.

Good friends, great times, and utterly enjoyable.

Camping

I love my sister :).

This one has a good dose of spunk, and an imagination to rival Douglas', which makes their playdates rather entertaining as the alternate between play and rivalry.

The stone thing we built became the Clam Fortress of the younger crowd, and we were all asked to choose what type of clams we were (Booger and Iron were the main choices).

Two of a kind.

Dad has infinite patience with the younger ones, and they get pretty attached to him too. This one cried for him often, and would fuss if he walked past and didn't pick him up. He turned 1 while we were there :).

Tom rented a pontoon boat for the last day, and it was enjoyed to the hilt. Ferrying people back and forth to the beach, out to the middle of the lake to go swimming in deep water, and just plain out for joyrides. As you can see, none of the life preservers were small enough to be of any use :). It came off pretty rapidly after the first trip.

The chauffeur

In her element :).

The miracle glasses and their relieved owner! The second day they were left in the sand at the beach, atop a shirt, while out swimming. They were lost in the repacking, and possibly shaken in to the lake while cleaning off sand. We hunted for 2 days, on the beach, in the water, and everywhere inbetween. The last day, as we were choosing a spot to put our gear, mom suggested the lifeguard tower. As I walked over to it and went to drop our stuff, I came almost nose-to-nose with something hanging from a hook on the crossbar of the tower, and lo and behold it was the missing glasses. A huge relief as they were only 2 months old and not the cheapest pair by a long shot. Not even a scratch on them either! Answered prayers for sure :).

did i mention we're back?

Back in MA, that is, and I hit the ground running, tho the internet was down initially.
Running literally, as well as figuratively. I've got a big coaching opportunity coming up, which means many things have to be done/finished/reprinted before Oct 11th.

Vacation was wonderful, and truly relaxing, except for the self-imposed stress of fitting in runs, which I did and am not sorry for. Fifteen miles last weekend :). The pic above is from camping, and shows the part I enjoyed almost the most, except for being with family. M and I built the deliberate-looking portion of the rock jumble you see above, on the shore next to our campsite. I was heavenly to fit/piece/haul rocks to build something useful and enjoyable, and I didn't spend nearly as much time on it as I wanted to.

Visiting friends was good, despite the heart-attack news received while at one house, and the hospital location of Danimal, who could use a ton of prayers and is still there. His skydiving accident was pretty brutal, and he'll be in rehab for years and lots of questions as to the possible outcomes of it all.

I hope to post more, but will do so when I can find the time. Lots more pics to share, and stories :).

Girls Weekend

Given the fact that I've been home for 4 days, I'm a bit behind in posting about the weekend but so be it. It was a very welcome getaway, to Philly with 3 of my favorite people W, BB, and KHF. We got a hotel near U of Penn, which I accidentally toured on foot at midnight, hauling a cooler and a backpack and sweatshirt, thinking I could cut thru campus to get back to the hotel I'd driven past, but no such luck. One very sweaty tank top and 15 minutes and a crampy arm later I was the first to arrive. A delight to sink into posh bedding, mounds of pillows, and good conversation almost immediately. Kudos to BB for getting the hotel (a Hilton) for 70-something a night on Priceline as it's a 200+ a night hotel. I went easy on the wine/cheese/olives/chocolate tradition as I planned to run a long one before the other 2 were up the next morning.

I dragged myself out of bed at a respectable 7:30, and took myself off to the waterfront park based on a map I'd looked up the night before on mapmyrun.com, a great site for finding routes in strange cities! I did my 9 and a bit miles, and wished I could go further ... shady, beautiful, along a river full of sculling crews and old trees and cool stone. I came back to a dark room and 2 sleeping girls, and knew I'd be dying for a nap while they'd be raring to go later in the afternoon. I was right ... though the flea market we'd found WAS hard to tear ourselves away from. I came home with a beaded belt which I love.

Then off to dinner at a local cafe W'd read about which was great food, and we were joined by KHF who had to tear herself away from a panicking husband and 2 small girls. We took off for the MANN center, and our seats for the Raising Sand tour featuring Robert Plant, Allison Krauss, and T-bone Burnett. A most delightful show, despite the yahoos in front of us who must have been in and out 42 times, and a lot of amusing drama as to who came with/left with who, seat hopping, etc.

They did a lot of their album, which I loved, and many things more specific to each of them also. Having a crowd of bluegrass (Alison) fans mixed with a crowd of Led Zeppelin (Plant) fans was very weird and quite amusing. Some obviously only cared for one or the other, while we and many others enjoyed both to the hilt. Fascinating to see Plant sing backup to Krauss' powerful "Down to the River to Pray" and then hear her belt out a solid Zeppelin tune and keep Plant on his toes. They both did an amazing job of truly getting into the other's music style, and contributing something meaningful. I'd go again in a heartbeat.

Sunday we had trouble getting moving as sleeping in is such a luxury at this point for all of us, and then BB missed her bus (thanks in part to our foot-dragging) so we got mexican food downtown, and the most amazing gelato I've had outside of Rome, and possibly topping even that. Thai coconut milk and Mojito were my two choices, both unbelievably intense flavors.

I had a long drive home and didn't leave till 4, as I had to 'swing by' Brooklyn to pick up my computer, which Dell refused to ship to MA (long story) and I did so to find that our block was having the Afro Punk party that afternoon, with the stage set up RIGHT outside our front door, and it was also the subletters birthday and she had friends over. I had to elbow my way thru crowds to get in/out, kick people off my stoop each time I came in/out, and try to get the things I needed as quickly as possible (camping gear which didn't fit the first time, a few tapes, etc). while answering questions about windows and locks and keys.

I escaped and got home before midnight, and couldn't believe how badly I wanted to get back out of Brooklyn and to the relative peace of MA. I'm sure the party chaos helped, but it's incredibly nice to be among the hills and trees and have a much slower pace of things. The desire to continue to pare down things and obligations and responsibilities continues to be a big one.

We made it!

Thanks to the superhuman efforts of R and lots of packing/sorting/last minute selling of computers and buying of mattresses ... we're here! Setup of all things electronic was flawless, now to keep small hands out of the overly accessible 'puter.

He turns 2 tomorrow! Picnic in the park is on the agenda after work, and perhaps some painting there too.

So glad to be out of the city. So glad!

thank God for Gladys, K, and S!

Gladys would be the 19-year-old Buick Regal that we're renting from a friend of a friend for the summer, yay for a car!! Affordable, just, and a bit of a gas guzzler but we won't be driving all that much.

K and S would be the subletters that have agreed to take our place for two months, at a price almost covering expenses! That means we're rent free for 2 months, and I couldn't be happier. I'm waiting a bit tho as I don't have the deposit in hand yet, and have a feeling they'll be slowish in paying the rent, but I'm not too worried about it as we should be able to keep afloat till they do.

so very very relieved :)

and you thought this was about gladys knight? sorry :)

The Berkshires

At last, I'm back in the saddle and buckled down at my computer. M left this morning, and while I'd blog surfed a bit I was more focused on spending time with him. It was harder to say goodbye this time than last, as I know know what it will be like more or less, and it's a week longer this time. We'll survive, I know that too, but I still don't look forward to it much. Thankfully, they got the phone put in while he was away!!! So I can call him, tho he doesn't have long distance. Makes a big difference knowing I can reach him.

So, the week up there ... as someone predicted, it was good and hard both. It was a reasonably easy trip up, though following back roads directions in the pitch dark with finally-sleeping-boys (we got away at 6pm on Saturday) was a trip until I realized I could use my cell phone to illuminate the directions. The car had no front-seat light and trying to drive, read, and shield the backseat light from the boys' faces wasn't the safest route. I couldn't figure out which was his building when we got there, gave up and parked in frustration after circling several apts with a crying/whining back seat, but he walked out just as I started to get out of the car and we'd managed to park in the right spot anyhow.

Walking in to his apartment was a bit of a jolt, just in it being so 'his' and not ours. Not the same as a hotel room, it felt more like his home, which it is for now, and that hurt. Of course my penchant for fully 'moving in' no matter where I'm staying meant I went to town moving a couple things around so I had a place for clothes, etc, and M watched with amusement. I felt a bit like a cat marking territory to be honest, but didn't much care. The building is well over 100 years old but totally nondescript inside except for a few scary closets (and there are LOTS of closets and cubbies everywhere). Drop-ceiling, doors that don't fit, bare bulbs (tho i think M removed the covers as he likes the brightest light possible) and beds, a couple chairs, a formica kitchen table, and linoleum. Lots of space and the feeling you could do anything in it, which was nice. There was a little front porch overlooking the street, river (which is concrete-channeled thru town) and MASS MoCA. He can leave 10 min before he has to be at work and be on time.

The area is really depressed economically, since the factory shut down in 98. One in three businesses is operating again thanks to the museum, but it's still pretty depressing, and overall the view of most seems to be "small town is small town, and I have no thoughts that go beyond the edge of town unless they come from my TV". Harsh maybe, overgeneralized for sure, but the feel of the kids in the playground was that they weren't ever taught to dream.

More to come, I'm crashing hard after an emotional week, and a long call with other parents who are considering sending their kids to NEST next year, a "Gifted and Talented" only school in Manhattan. There are 3 citywide, and all in Manhattan of course. I'm surprised I'm even considering it, but the fact that D is eligible is entirely an accident, and so I'm going with the option for now and will see what happens. I didn't know I didn't have to reapply to his current G&T class this year, and so he ended up getting tested, they've changed all the rules this year on how that works, and he's eligible if there's a spot free for him. If he gets in then I'll worry about getting him there by 8:20 every morning!

we're home ...

I'll come back to add captions later, and tell you about the week. it was good, hard, enjoyable, and thought-provoking. I'm ambivalent about being home, and off to a client ...

My run the day after we got there ... a personal best so far! It included 4 miles of hills, 2 pit-stops to beg water at a hotel bar and a dunkin donuts, and lots of new sights.

Fynn at breakfast, I love this one.

The living room and 'studio' part of his apartment, with us already moved in.

Fynn watching for Dad, a favorite past-time. In order to get any privacy at all, he had to tack fabric and pillow cases up over the windows.

almost off and running ...

still have to pack, change cat litter, pack food, shower, feed kids, and a few other things in the next 2.5 hours. b arrived in great time, took care of fynn while D and I went to his last karate class, and will be taking stellar care of house and feline while we're gone. yay for housesitters!

one note from karate today ... D us usually paired with a little boy named Stone who's not the most aggressive kid in the bunch, and usually has even more trouble concentrating than D. His brain seems permanently on 'wander'. So they were fighting each other today, using the kicks and punches they've learned. They're supposed to assume fighting stance with hands up to protect their faces. D punched enthusiastically and rapidly, danced from one foot to the other while forgetting to kick, and Stone stood there looking dazed. The sensei repeatedly reminded Stone to "get your hands up!" which always resulted in him assuming the position of hands straight up in the air, rather than fisted and protecting his face. It was amusing and eerie at the same time. Fortunately D didn't see the humorous aspect of it and I hid my snicker. He's an incredibly gentle kid, and I don't know if he's in class in an attempt to find discipline and focus or not. It does seem to be helping D with that, and I'm going to sign him up for another session I think.

Off to pack, and will be unreachable for the next 8 days unless M's phone gets turned on, so happy spring break!!

nibbles

o'hare airport, united terminal, gate 6b. over the seatbacks.

overheard and corner-of-my-eye-watched

she: "I'll be the princess!" (waving a plastic figurine with no arms)

he: "Ok, I'll be the knight and come rescue you." (holding a lego exoforce saw-blade arm, dancing alongside the armless princess)

she: "NO. That's just a little boy who's fighting crime!" (decisively)

he: "I'M NOT CRIME!?!" (in a slightly offended tone)

he: 6 and tired and mine
she: 4, taller than he, and well versed in all forms of battles.

--------------------------------------------------
on the plane. crammed into 2 seats w/both boys, M on the other side of the aisle. in the bumpy/stomach queasy almost last-rows.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. mine!

nooooooooooooooooo!

shrill screeching.

tired flailing.

frantic climbing.

"get him off me!"

"go to dad"

putting on of headphones and watching 30 seconds of The Office

"ok I'll take him back."

----

nooooooooooooooooo!

shrill screeching.

tired flailing.

frantic climbing.

"get him off me!"

"want me to take him?"

-----

repeat 42 times, or the time takes to fly from ORD to LGA, whichever comes first.

----------------------------------------------------------------------


arrive at said airport, count the minutes till you'll be home in your own bed and your kids in theirs. start to feel a measure of relief.

shoulder way into crowded baggage claim to collect bags, wearing now-silent toddler in the backpack. husband and son waiting near the edge.

see steward from our flight come by, waving 2 passports.

"Are these yours?"

"um, yes! where did you find them?!"

"on the seat, I hope that was all?"

frantic searching in zipped backpack. birth cert there but no 3rd passport.

questions, run into lost/found office, explain ...

"the stewardess found it, they'll be right down."

wait, retrieve suitcase.

rethink how many minutes till warm bed, decide it can't be thought about.

wait more.

see captain of flight walk by.

chase him to the door, explain in 25 words or less. realize no one's found the 3rd.

insert more running around/finding offices closed/terminals closed, etc.

hear walkie-talkie conversation indicating the plane is already being towed to the hangar for the night.

thank God it's still there and not off to some other city.

fill out form. pray they'll find it in the AM when they clean.

go home.

find warm bed.

---------------------------------------------------------

the wedding? that part was great, truly perfect, and pics forthcoming.

I'm glad to be home!

and we're off ...

to the OBX that is. Tomorrow morning actually, but the fact that I'm packed and it's 1am and I'm reading blogs is a miracle in itself. The attempt to sublet our place seems to be a bust, which I'm partially glad for as it means less cleanup before we go. However it leaves lots of things in question as to finances, but not much I can do at this point other than have some more faith. Looking forward to the time away, word has it the beach is sweatshirt weather this time of year! Hoping that's really true ... douglas will be wet and cold the entire time, and in heaven. I have a few reservations about a full week with my inlaws, tho I love them to death. A week with just about anyone can be too much! 18 of us in one house ... we shall see.

We're taking Amtrak and it's an easy day trip, which the boys love. I'll be back in a week, and hope y'all have a smashing new years!

In other news

I posted about loving Once the movie awhile back. Thanks to my friend M, I found out that the musical pair from the movie are touring, and will be in NYC on November 19th. I bought 2 tickets out of the bill-paying fund, on the spur of the moment, and can't wait to see them! Magic voices, and full of passion at times.

There does seem to be a theme here :).

Road Trip 2007

The Stats :
8 days
2200 miles
one Toyota Camry
5 different beds
4 different visits
2 road-acceptant kids
1 claustrophobic mom (don't ask me how I had to feed Fynn in the backseat of a Camry between 2 car seats.)
1 cousin-intoxicated 5-year-old
1 diaper-rashed 10-month-old
fireplaces and moonlit trees and wine and conversation
fellowship of delicious sorts
family
old friendships found to be exactly as delightful as the last real conversation 4 years ago
twinges of the desire to set down real roots

..................................
The pics are in no particular order, and I was too lazy to animate










Grambie Rotten Kid Rule ... Rottener and better than ever. I can only hope to be this cool at 91.

A Great Visit

Thanks R and M for a most delightful weekend!









Somehow the Staten Island Ferry is almost always good for pictures ...

There are more, but we leave in the morning for 10 days on the grand circuit of upstate NY, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, and back to NY. It's 11pm, and I haven't packed a stitch of clothing yet. What else is new?!

May I actually relax this trip. We'll see.

Back from Early Holidays ...

We went to Chicago last weekend to see my family, and it was delightful. Relaxed enough, for once, with me not trying to pull off too many things. I did get to see all the girlfriends I hoped to see, in two small batches, and it was heaven to meet new kids, and have a gathering around the table again. Kara's table to be exact, thanks to her generosity, lovely home, and generally central location.




............................

Since coming home, things have been rather crazy. Michael's been working double shifts, both day and night, 6 days a week. Needless to day he's rather exhausted, getting sick, and I'm tired of not having kid-relief in the morning or much at night, and having to keep the kids quiet or out of the house to he can sleep. Shopping has been a nice solace/diversion, thanks to an early birthday gift from my parents :) Craft fairs abound with cool and not so "crafty" options, which I love. No crocheted toilet paper covers seen anywhere, but lots of knits, fabric, pampering sprays and to-die-for clay. Douglas, however, did manage to score a $2 'record bowl' that's he's very pleased with, and perfect for his collections, made of a slightly melted LP. It's now full of empty water balloons, acorns, sticks, wagon-wheel pasta, spiky seed pods, a glittery drum christmas ornament, and other treasures that I can't remember at the moment. I do remember the intense joy of collecting and hoarding treasures though.