It's true, I spend my days following Pal around. Pal whom we call Squirmy because, well, he has a history. If I've spent a few minutes doing something else, it inevitably is followed by a look around to discover which drawer, bin, or closet he has been tearing apart. Seriously. In the amount of time it has taken me to type these past few sentences he has pulled out the broom and dustpan, gotten a computer cord from the desk and ransacked the drawer of wooden spoons. Add in a kitchen stool he has easily mastered and I am in heaps of trouble!
This morning after getting two kids onto two different buses at two different bus stops I stood in the front yard for a few minutes and breathed the lovely oxygen given to us by our trees. Sound silly? We had some lovely trees in our old neighborhood, but as I looked skyward I wondered if I could ever, will ever, tire of these majestic trees that surround our new house and new neighborhood. Granted, we haven't gone through the fall leaf raking season yet...
I am lamenting a broken camera lens. My beloved Nikon VR 18-200. I am squarely blaming the lens on the mostly blurry, less than inspiring photos of late. It has suffered a couple bumps on the ground. Squirmy again. I couldn't get to him fast enough when his grabby hands were in motion. Silly me for not storing it in a locked safe on the roof.
We've had some birthday celebrating around here. It has been sweet and touching and incredible. Family and dear friends have been filling this space to the brim with love. There have been cakes and singing and some can't-beat-it-coolest-real-gumball-machine-presents. Nevermind that I am finding chewed gum in interesting places. This kid will remember growing up with a real gumball machine. I enjoyed a night out with Honey. A walk in town, sushi, an uninterrupted adult conversation.
I have been thinking about parenting a bit. Thinking in a struggling sort of way. I realize that I need to repair some of the difficulty of the summer and allow compassion to rise again to the forefront of my relationships with my children. Hard stuff to look at my friends. But I am looking. And buoyed by the beautiful artwork my sisters gave me for my birthday. Glad to have read this post too.
Also in the coolest birthday present department, Honey bought me a Peace Pole for my birthday. A Peace Pole! It will arrive later this fall, and plans are underway for a peace gathering. So it seems the birthday goodness will continue. Munchkin in providing gumballs for all.
Speaking of goodness and plans and fall. gladsome planning is well underway. Oh the great things that are coming together for this year! Some wonderful women are sharing their talents: Gina and Amy and Annie. There is still time to register at the early-bird price!
Squirmy has just walked into the room carrying pliers and scissors. True.
I've been enjoying Twitter. I resisted it for a long time, but have come to quite enjoy it. After all, the pace of things right now make it easier to read and write in 140 character increments. If you want, you can follow me @bcomingclaudine. It will be like hanging around in my head all day. Wait, maybe you don't want to be there. Anyway, I will welcome the company if you do.
Squirmy has just walked into the room carrying a different pair of scissors. Really?
I've given myself permission to not feel settled on paint colors or decorating or where to hang pictures for the next 12 months. Instead I've been flipping through the best library books: Young House Love and Happy Home. There, I feel better with the stacks of boxes that are in our future family room.
I hear Squirmy talking to Siri on my phone. He contacts her a couple times a day. She often responds. I think they might be in a relationship. The vacuum cleaner doesn't know.
So, as my oldest has taken to saying, I better Peace Out.
