Note to Self

 

Mike is traveling this week. The kittens miss him. I miss him too, but I think it's healthy to have some time apart to miss each other. It's also good for him to get out of the house and be around people. I am of the opinion that the isolation that comes from working from home is not healthy long-term. Sure there are conveniences, but collaboration and connection are sacrificed. I'm grateful to go to the office everyday. I may not feel that way if I didn't love my job and the people I work with, or have a ton of flexibility and a 7 minute commute. It's surreal to me that after 25 years working for a company I no longer respected or trusted, I ended up in this place with these people. Note to self: never doubt new beginnings.

After a good day at work yesterday, I bundled up for a walk. Yea, it's back in the 30s...40s if we're lucky. I don't mind though because I had the trails mostly to myself. I took the river path. It's cold enough to not be muddy so there's that. I started a new podcast, Up and Vanished season 3. I like Payne Lindsey. Note to self: sign Lily up for that self defense class.

Two boxes of new walking shoes were delivered yesterday. I'll chose one, but I wore my old shoes anticipating mucky trails. I finally bit the bullet and ordered top of the line shoes. I will do whatever I have to to maximize my mileage by minimizing my aches and pains. Hello mid 50s. It's my intention to be better at stretching too. I know what I need to do. Note to self: do it. 

I made myself turn in last night before I really wanted to. Who is this night owl I've become? I decided to finally finish The Lincoln Highway. I had 30 pages. I made it through 20 before my lids were unbudgingly heavy. I was asleep soon after lights out. No monkey mind. Reading is better than any drug. Sometimes I stubbornly resist that which I know to be good for my mind, body and spirit. Note to self: stop doing that. Please.

This weekend presents itself as a blank slate. I'm not itching to make any plans. Last weekend was rather full. Saturday we were guests. Sunday we were hosts. It'll be a come what may stretch of days and that suits my current state of mind. Note to self: be.here.now.

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

Finding Gus. He snuck out through the garage recently and then disappeared. On the verge of a heart attack, I walked around the neighborhood clanging on his bowl and calling his name. I was making my way home when I saw him standing in the driveway proud as a peacock looking at me. As I approached him, he darted in the bushes and Mike and I worked together to finally coax him out. Mike scolded him. Finn scolded him. But that didn't stop him from trying to escape again later that day. Our resident Houdini is going to be a problem this summer.

 A haircut. I was embarrassingly overdue. 

Our energy bill was $70 under budget last month. Inflation is no joke. I cannot believe how much a trip to the grocery costs right now especially when Ted comes home and we stock him up.

Window open weather. The parade of dogs. The birds spring songs.

It's a rainy day. I can literally see the grass greening.

Getting up early yesterday for a walk before work. Morning miles feel so good. I need to get back into the habit of starting my day with a sweat.

American Idol. I haven't watched in ages, but I tuned in this season and I cannot believe the level of talent these contestants have. I'm rooting for so many of them.

Finding 50 cat toys behind the living room couch. It was like Christmas morning.

Catching up with my cousin recently. We kept missing each other.

Good Friday family dinner. We took Ted to one of our favorite pizza places. He was impressed.

Last week's full moon. 

 

Hints of spring.

 

Finny in a favorite spot.

 

 

Our Black Beauty.

 

Gus in a signature pose.

A good week at work.

A quiet night ahead. And just a few plans for the weekend.

Weekending

It is said April is a month of extremes. I think that's why I'm not a lover of our fourth month. She's so unpredictable that I just cannot trust her. Yesterday I woke up to snow. It will be 70 before the end of the week.

The weekend was cold and windy, but that didn't stop Ted from golfing both Friday and Saturday, or running in shorts on the beach with his uncle. The rest of the fam went for a walk on Marine Drive Easter morning and were surprisingly warmed by the sun despite the chilly temps. We saw a couple eagles and lots of deer. It was our church.

I'm usually at mass on Easter Sunday, but this year we decided to spend time at Windmill Beach. I missed it, but it was nice to get out of dodge and decompress too. I was up to watch the sunrise through the clouds Sunday morning and that in itself is a good dose of holy. Then I went back to bed.

I'm looking forward to beach days, but there is also something special about WB in other seasons. Something cozy, safe and snug. We cook together, play games and are grateful for the time away as a family. Wizard always makes an appearance or two and we are still on a Sequence kick. The guys play lots of cribbage and there were a few games of ping pong too. When we finally got home Sunday night, the kittens were very happy to see us and are not really letting us out of sight ever since. 

Ted's back in Madison for his final stretch of projects and exams before finishing his junior year. Lily is a few AP exams away from graduation. I'm focusing on honoring all these milestones and preparing for what comes next. 

Weekending

Lil's prom was two Saturdays ago. I was anxious all day because I remember my own high expectations when I was her age. I just wanted her to have a fabulous time with her friends. She looked stunning in her simple, elegant dress.The young men and women all looked so grown up and glam. I had the same conversation several times with other mothers about years are minutes and how are we already here: our baby girls poised and beautiful ladies deep in a season of lasts. It's one of those times our language fails me...there is no adequate word to convey this feeling. It's the textbook definition of happysad and obviously two words.

This weekend was another good one. Quality time spent with family and friends. We celebrated my bil, Mark's, bday with a Spanish feast Saturday night. I love when I'm inspired by a theme and excited to try new recipes. I made empanadas for the first time. They were easy and delicious so they'll be back. Dinner was our favorite Spanish Chicken. Think paprika...sweet, smoky and hot. And garlic. I roast it with big fat Manzanilla olives, baby potatoes, onions, jalapenos and cauliflower, and then serve it with a silky aioli. I made a Basque Cheesecake for dessert. How have I never done this before. We lingered around the table enjoying a Malbec and then a Tempranillo while sharing dreams and memories. It was so nice that Lils had dinner with us before going out with friends. It was a good night at the end of which I did an Irish goodbye. Thankfully, because Sunday was a full day.

I had a maskless theatre date with Candace. We saw and loved Ain't Too Proud to Beg...the music, the story and the level of performance was insane. The crowd was energized and it was palpable. Also enduring. I was still smiling today. After the show, we walked back to Candace's. She opened a bottle of champs and made some popcorn and we talked until the bottle was empty, but my heart was full.

Life feels a little bit of a whirlwind lately because there are a lot of moving pieces. I resist feeling overwhelmed by carving out the moments of connection I need to be.here.now becuase really what's the alternative?

A Mouse Tale

The Tres Amigos were camped out in the basement much of the last 24 hours. That is unusual. They are usually near in proximity to their humans acting more like dogs than cats. I knew something was up...or in. Hazel and Finn barely made appearances last night. When I tucked in to read, Sister stopped by, meowed once and disappeared.

Now I know she was apologizing for skipping our bedtime snuggles because she was on post. My sweet girl didn't want me to feel forsaken.

Finn visited in the night. I was on the verge of sleep when he caterwauled a whole story in my ear. I nearly jumped out of bed so startled was I by his volume and his cadence. 

Now I know he was telling me all about the adventures of the day and not to worry because he wasn't going to let that mouse have free rein of the house. My big boy didn't want me to worry about critters in the night.

This morning Mike went to investigate and found an exhausted little mouse cowering in the corner behind a table. He shooed him out. Finn pounced. Mike scooped the poor guy up in a cup and let him loose in the yard. He limped away.

The kittens are all fast asleep today sweet dreaming about that little mouse.

 

Weekending

 

So my brother celebrated his 50th birthday Friday and we were honored to be included in the celebration amongst his closest friends. My sister-in-law planned a lovely 5 course dinner at Bacchus where we had the atrium too ourselves. We went around the table and shared memories of the birthday boy and I could tell that he was soaking it all up and in as he should. After a round of after dinner drinks, we walked up the street to the U Club to continue the party. When the bar closed at the club, we ended up 8 piled into a Uber and headed for a gentleman's club. I blame the multiple glasses of wine (one per course), the martinis and the mules. We stayed long enough for a an awkward lap dance and a silly picture before calling it. We finished the night singing and dancing like fools back home.

I think the night was mostly perfect. My brother had big ideas back when to have a blowout weekend in Vegas that I was not very much a fan of. Instead he opted for various small gatherings of celebration. That's the way I roll.

Mike threw me a surprise party for my 30th birthday and it was a success. I feel that everyone should have that experience at least once. That moment of entering a room and that mounting feeling of wait I know all these people. There is something to be said about everyone you love all together in one room just for you, but it's also overwhelming. It's the best kind of intersection of everything good.

But small, intimate gatherings have their own special magic. I really felt it on Friday. Mike and I are the old folks in the group, but my brother's friends don't make us feel that way. I'm glad he's got such a good group.

Saturday I woke up at a time I shall not reveal and I immediately knew I would do nothing all day except catch up on Oscar nominees. Mike was copacetic with my plan and even made popcorn. First up was King Richard. It was a little slow at times, but the story had me in tears at the end. The next day I found myself Googling Richard only to find out he left a whole family high and dry before bringing Venus and Serena into the world. His laser focus on these two was uncomfortable, questionable and as much if not more about his own success as their careers. 

Next we cued up Nightmare Alley not really sure what to expect. I liked the dark tale a little more than Mike did. I did not see the ending coming one bit. Licorice Pizza was at times sweet, others absurd and often funny. Truth is, I didn't want it to end. I just loved Gary. We ended the night with Belfast. It put me to sleep. Full disclosure..it was getting late, but it was also just eking by ever so slowly. 

We paid for our Saturday sloth Sunday by tending to all that needed to be taken care of and then found ourselves back in the world of movies watching the Oscars. I get really into the awards when I've seen many of the nominees and Mike obliges me. It was a pretty boring show until Will Smith assaulted Chris Rock. After the fact, we all have feelings about and opinions on the attack. I for one, have lost even more respect for the Hollywood elite who hypocritically preach about what we should and should not do all while living by another set of rules and completely different terms. Amen! 

I have big little plans this week for self care. After two long weekends of bacchanal, I intend to get back to basics...things like veggies and water and exercise and sleep and books. Wish me luck.

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

Lil's said yes when Jimmy came bearing flowers to ask her to prom. I, for one, am a fan of the simple invitation rather than the big production.

My new Spotify playlist. I put together a collection of lady jazz greats. Of course, it includes Ella, Etta, Nina, Norah and Diana, but also Madeleine Peyroux, Blossom Dearie and Carmen McRae to name just a few. It's really sexy cooking music and it makes me want to have a hen party.

Plans in the works for a book club reunion. I'm going to host a get together in April. I think we'll have wine and aps and talk about what we have read during quarantine and then make a plan for our future.

Churros y chocolate...better than cake.

I finally got around to making Jess Chocolate Mousse. It's far too easy to be so delish.

Our kittens are one and are technically still kittens for another 6 months.

My kids are such awesome almost adults. I was looking at old photos last night and I do get pangs of nostalgia when I see them as babes, but I truly love who they are and being with them now. They are insightful, interesting, witty, warm and I love my little family.

A little photo montage for my baby brother who turns 50 today. There was also nostalgia in looking back on our shared history. Tonight we celebrate my very first friend's 50 fabulous years.

Mike made it home from Colorado by the grace of God on Thursday night.

The last 7 days have been nothing short of a whirlwind starting with our trip to Chicago last Friday. We found Ted an apartment with a view. A view of Lake Michigan. While he had lunch with his future team, Mike and I tucked in to the first restaurant we passed in order to avoid the rain. It ended up being an excellent choice. I had the most amazing rotisserie lamb sandwich that was perfect with a glass of buttery chardonnay on a gloomy Friday afternoon in the windy city.

 

 

My cousin and his wife came in from Colorado Saturday and we had a Covid bday party/St Paddy's day feast smashup. Covid's 2nd bday was dino themed, which is appropriate for a toddler. They came with all the decorations, a cake, activities, and a case of wine. We were up until the wee hours catching up.

 

 

Then we were up and out the door for a Diva brunch at Hamburger Mary's where Ted was the surprise star of the show. Who knew that a drag queen brunch will likely be something we will talk about forever?! I laughed so hard that my stomach hurt the next day. The queens LOVED Ted. He ended up on stage and was such a sport about it. We have blackmail video for some day.

 

 

Caterina's Pork Involtini and Trudy the best waitress ever. My cousin always stops for a meal at his mother's favorite Milwaukee restaurant and it's become a favorite of ours too.

Car talk. I had such great conversation with Ted on our ride back to Madison. I didn't even mind the ride. Then on the way home I sang my heart out.

I think he had a pretty great spring break despite the fact he didn't travel to the mountains or a beach. He golfed a few times, played lots of hoops, went out for March Madness and we even had a date one night. We went to see The Batman. We shared a small pizza and a large popcorn and it was such a great way to spend a weekday night.

Lil's spring break this week has been mostly about working and working out. I'm going to have to come up with something fun for her this weekend.