Sunday, September 11, 2022
one more time
Saturday, September 10, 2022
overheard, over here
Sunday, September 04, 2022
my joy
The day was bookended by their grandmothers' worried and in tears about them on the phone (Grandma S starting with texts in the morning, Ammama on a video call at night) so it felt especially nice to hang back and watch these two goof off as usual around the dinner table.
I (have to) believe every little thing's gonna be alright.
Thursday, September 01, 2022
yes and no
YES: Dropped off a handmade card for the new union. (Pic)
NO: Hallmark hasn't stepped up to this opportunity yet--when I googled "Congratulations on your Union," all I got were wedding cards. (Ha)
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YES: I've been shopping for groceries with two crates I keep in the car for a while now. It's much easier than bagging, everything stays upright, and it's easy to eyeball when I have enough food for the week. I highly recommend my crate method!
NO: I do not recommend setting the crates down on the stovetop (and accidentally turning on the stove by leaning on the knobs) because you might set your fresh groceries on fire, the smoke alarm might make your puppies go bonkers, and it could leave the house smelling like the inside of a cigar store. Could have been way worse, I suppose.
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
dogged
I'm not sure if these guys know they're dogs, and I'm guilty of treating them like eternal toddlers, but I'm always happy to celebrate everything. (I used to get At and Nu those "Every Day is a Holiday" calendars for a few years, and there were some pretty wacky celebrations for a while.)
Big A sent me a heads up this morning that there's a mysterious illness that has killed dozens of dogs in Michigan. Turns out it's a parvovirus. Usually my babies are fairly isolated from other doggies, but I'm taking them to the veterinarian tomorrow for their shots, and that's making me anxious.
(I'm also anxious about attending opening convocation tomorrow, meeting my new first-year advisees, and making it back in time to take S and H to their doc on time.)
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Day #1 Notes
Sunday, August 14, 2022
Easy like Sunday...
Some things didn't happen--Pride got rained out on Saturday, grocery shopping didn't happen today... we did get Insomnia Cookies delivered both days though 🙃.
My sense of content is overlaid by the knowledge that there's a train ticket back to Milwaukee on Big A's phone for tomorrow.
And that Nu and I start school next week. I should remember to do weekends like this when we're back.
Pic: (secular) stained glass at UU Lansing.
Saturday, August 13, 2022
rakhi talk
At came over and the four of us headed to the movies (for the first time since the pandemic?). We saw Nope (I'm still processing).
Back home, we had a nice puja for Rakhi. Traditionally, sisters tie rakhis on their brothers' wrists, but we've been bypassing gender and species rules for years now, so At, Nu, Scout, and Huck all promise to love and protect each other. I wish my sister and I had done this for each other instead of bemoaning the fact that we didn't have brothers all those years ago. We always did the love and protection--we should have gotten the bracelets too.
Pic: Nu's bracelets at breakfast this morning (I forgot to take photos yesterday).
Thursday, August 11, 2022
Wordle to the rescue
Wordle scores are really worth nothing, but somehow they turned out to be super important to me this summer.
This summer has been a time of disruption: Big A's new job in a different state (WI since June-July); Nu's health (ER in May and June, outpatient all July); stalled house and roof repairs (since May and ongoing). I want to acknowledge how these big things led to lots of secondary issues: I got no significant writing done, my garden and garden plans were obliterated, bills are mounting, ditto anxiety, and on and on.
Sunday, August 07, 2022
puppy pile
One of the grownups at the get together today was allergic to dogs, so Scout and Huckie had to stay in their room.
Three of the little ones decided to stay in there with them because "puppies shouldn't be in timeout by themselves."
(Not pictured: my big kids, At and Nu, who are around somewhere.)
Friday, August 05, 2022
unexpected sweetness
When we dropped Big A off at the train station the other day, I noticed a huge new sports complex on Service Rd., so I took L and Nu to see it on this morning's walk.
Except--by the time we marveled over how quickly the complex had gone up and commiserated over how we wouldn't be able to traipse over the fields as a shortcut as we used to--there was a very long and slow train stuck on the tracks blocking our way home.
Thankfully, Nu suggested we go to Chapelure, and thankfully, I carry a credit card on the little pocket on my phone so we did. Coffee for L, tea for me, a three-course breakfast for Nu, a chance to sit on the patio and pretend we were in Paris (Nu had a croissant), and it was an unexpected treat on an ordinary Friday morning.
Pic: When LB and TB came over for dinner, they brought this arrangement of flowers from their garden. It's arranged in a sundae glass and has two straws it it. So cute!
Thursday, August 04, 2022
sweet set
EM brought the most delectable set of sweets from Make it Sweet.
JG brought me a Turkish porcelain plate to complete my "set." (Nu and I won the first one at a U.N. quiz a couple of years ago; then I picked up the second one when KB was moving offices and discarded stuff; now thanks to JG, I have a third one.)
Pic: sweets and my "set."
Saturday, July 30, 2022
perfection
My peace. My priorities. My pleasure.
At the end of the day, perhaps I shouldn't have eaten a whole BAR of hazelnut Chocolove, but at the time it seemed both imperative and enjoyable.
Pic: My view from the hammock.
Friday, July 29, 2022
two puppies, some bunny, and a people's history
And I'm mostly awed by the bunny ear attachments to Nu's sweatshirt. Nu worked on them all this week, and in true punk fashion sourced everything from what we already had.
Earlier in the day we headed to my office and, on the commute, we listened to Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States. Nu's first time. I think it's time.
Friday, July 22, 2022
an indoor herd
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
they say you're only as happy as your unhappiest child
These two synchronized sleepers are mostly ok, (though a bit lonely with At away and Big A gone so much).
At is a bit stressed about NLRB elections especially since the only other Chipotle to apply for a union is being shut down as this article details.
Nu is having a very tough time although we've surrounded him with love and support. All I can do is try harder.
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
my boy anchors me
A lot happening in life and (pattern-wise) in this picture.
But all I can see is Scout's paw on my foot as I'm working.
This child anchors me day and night.
Saturday, July 16, 2022
hope as the thing that perches
I was on one of my marathon phone calls with my sister (early morning here, evening there) when this brilliant rainbow patch appeared on my leg (from a crystal mobile in the window).
Between its appearance and my Chelli's confidence in me, I'm hopeful for the upcoming week.
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
wellness and goodness
Luckily for me (and everyone who needs to be in contact with me), R made a house call, set up their magic massage table, and I spent the rest of the day transfused with flexibility, thankfulness, and calm.
I'm thankful I had the time, some extra cash, and a kind and accommodating professional to help me feel well enough to be a good person today.
Monday, July 11, 2022
very Monday
Otherwise, tons of work for me, six hours of outpatient care for Nu; both of us came home feeling depleted. Nu had a good cry, I held it together...but couldn't wait for the parenting day to be over. Then I got lost in a book. And so to bed, hoping for a kinder tomorrow.
Pic: Scout and Huck could hear Dada's voice but they don't "see" things on screens, so Nu tried to show them up close. 💗
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