this morning

This morning spent as it should be.  Outdoors.  No need to go further than our back yard.

And the beauty of it catches in my throat.  Every time.

Last night's snowfall made a perfect playscape, with warmish temperatures making it a nice long morning of fresh air and icicles, eating snow and snow angels, sliding and swinging, tromping and playing.

Warm enough I could go mitten-less and take pictures. 

So there's this...

I finally got a good shot of this guy.  We've been watching him for a couple of weeks. His name is Fatty McSquirrel.  He is literally bigger today than he was two days ago.  He is, after all, feasting on (and sharing with his friends) the bird seed we are putting out for the birds.  Sure his ingenuity and dexterity is impressive.  But come on (said in voice of GOB Bluth) save some for the birds.

around here

For as much as is going on around here these days, it is slow making it to this space.  Its been a full week.  To-Dos being done.  Making way for more To-Dos.  I am trying not to get ahead of myself.

Packing.  Not started.

Plans for our "in-between houses" time.  Not worrying.

Wrapping up one school year.  Day by day.

Planning for next school year.  Little by little.

Instead I've been leisurely enjoying soccer games, spending hours wrapping up PTA commitments, discovering Sherlock, thanks to Honey.

I haven't been trading my todays for my tomorrows.  I've been sinking into what is right before me.  Walks around the neighborhood, stopping to chat with neighbors (and help mow their lawn.)  Play dates at the playground.  Making cookies and baking bread.  Noticing Pal's confidence in every move he makes.

And of course more Bluthing.  In anticipation of May 26th.

My mantra is bird by bird.  From the incomparable and amazing Anne Lamott:
"Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report written on birds that he'd had three months to write, which was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books about birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him put his arm around my brother's shoulder, and said, "Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.” (Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life)


Not that I'm denying the hard work ahead these next several weeks.  Followed by the loooong time of transition and the challenges and discomfort that will come alongside so much change.  Oh no, I know it is all on its way.  I'm simply setting it aside for now, keeping comfortable in my present known.  Happily around here.

while we wait

Baking.
Soccering.
Iced coffeeing.
Doctor Whoing.
Bluthing.
Dandelioning.
Sparkley shoeing.
Playgrounding.
(These are all real words, trust me, I looked them up.)

Seems busy hands, and busy bodies, help best to pass the time while we wait.  Wait, day after day after day, for word.  Word about the house we will be living in come summertime.  And likely for decades to come.

This is not your run-of-the-mill waiting.  Not quite like the anticipation of a birth when you have a pretty good idea of the outcome.  A baby, by a no later than date.

Nope, buying a house is a different kind of waiting.  Less predictable, less pleasurable, more wrenching.  I am sorry, dear reader, for the ad nasueum.

Nausea indeed I say.

So we are keeping busy hands and busy bodies to counter the anticipation (and frankly mama-grumpiness) of waiting for that good-news phone call from the realtor.

happenings

It is around this busy time of year that I regret not making my birthday-candle-blowing-out wish one that gives me an extra hour each day.

I would use that extra hour to blog.

Seriously, I would choose to blog over sleeping.  I already do most evenings.

But even I, queen of the night owls, have found that my posts are being eclipsed by the happenings of the warming weather and longer sun.  (And, I must be honest, watching some episodes of Arrested Development on Netflix.)

Though I quite enjoy those happenings.  So let me share.

Sinking: into this spring of mud and dirt 

Organizing: the garage, a sure commitment to spring's arrival 

Appreciating: the diligence of a boy who didn't want to get wet, but who took seriously the job of shelf-washing 

Greeting: passers-by 

Napping: but not every day, though I always remember to let sleeping dogs lie 

Marveling: at the practical wisdom of nature, open on warm sunny days, closed on cold cloudy ones 

Marveling More: at the intricate beauty unfolding just outside my doorstep 

Chasing: each other and the dog and the sun as it sets 

Celebrating: the chance to begin wearing my favorite short-sleeved t-shirt again and
Enjoying:  this great post by another breastfeeding Mama 

Daydreaming: what this scrubby patch of back yard might look like in several weeks after much much work 

Loving: every bit of dirt under the fingernails, a sure sign of a good summer to come.

Hoping:  all that is happening with you is wonderful!

Please, do tell!