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?