Passing Afternoon

At last - a small window to sit and record those events that will soon be memories. With a running dialogue in my mind, I've been looking to carve out this time for days. Now that it's here, I realize that I have little to say. Rather, it's all been about moving forward in deed more than word. I get the feeling that things are going to start developing quickly now. As a creature of habit, I wilt at the idea of change but I think that the things to come are going to be good.

In kind, our moments here have been very plain. I'll record them regardless because as Sam Beam says, "There are things that drift away, like our endless numbered days." The only sin greater than not recognizing the beauty in these seemingly plain moments is to not remember them later.

Take, for example, the simple act of learning how to eat cold cereal in milk. She tried with her hands and then became quite determined to use the spoon. All things considered, she did pretty well.




I love this girl always but when she wakes up from her nap? Those cheeks are pink, that hair is crazy, her body is soft and warm and she is just damn happy and serene.





Last weekend was still dominated by rain and bitingly cold winds so we spent more time inside than usual. Much as I love her, finding new ways to keep her entertained and pushing myself to stay engaged with her gets to be challenging, as a matter of fact. This is good to remember when I have a crappy day at work and daydream of being a stay at home mom. I love the idea of it, but the reality would not be for me really. How lovely to have the option.




At one point in the later afternoon I had that strike of panic that comes when you snap back to full consciousness only to realize that you got caught up in whatever you were doing and now there is only silence coming from the place where your kid is supposed to be. I came scurrying around the corner into her room to find her carrying on a full narrative with her favorite story books. I snuck out, grabbed the camera, and went back in.





Saturday was a rare day. Well, these days it's rare. Tim is preparing for his oral board exams so most all of his spare time goes to that task. We haven't had a family day in what feels like forever even though I know that in reality it hasn't been that long. We finished our organization project from January and then spent the rest of the day playing.





My family. It's hard to even want to imagine how lost I would be without these two...





My little girl in our big city. The juxtaposition of a tiny young Ada with the giant old cypress and eucalyptus of the panhandle - something about it makes me crazy with preemptive nostalgia. I can imagine in 20 years still being able to vividly imagine her toddle through this narrow strip of old-growth land that slides so naturally between busy city streets.




Our local library branch opened up after a year of closure for refurbishment. Worth the wait, I tell you. That children's section is fleshed out with new books and comfy seats for reading together. I can't wait to go again. The grand re-opening was anything but subtle. I hadn't expected a neighborhood full of retired hippies to get so excited about such a thing but the turnout was nothing short of astonishing. My girl clung to me with a wide intent stare.





Because the entertainment just blew her away. Me too. These guys were hysterical. I've seen the guy on the left at the panhandle playground (pictured above) with his son. Nice guy. One of Tim's friends from college used to be in a Smiths cover band. Now he does a gig like this. Unexpected to say the least.





We stopped off at Cole Hardware (love our local businesses) for 20% off your whole bag day. I'm working on a little project for our newly emptied hall closet. Let's put it this way, there are very few people in these united states who would go this far to create a tiny, and I do mean tiny, bit of space for themselves.

Nevertheless, Ada scored a balloon and we looked like a travelling circus on the way home what with our giant 39 x 24" board, library books, balloons, and whatnot.





Last Sunday came all too quickly. I savored my last moments of weekend before being whisked off to work. It was a busy work week. Good, but busy. I just came up for air today.




The deflated balloon is less fun, but easier to grab!








My current weekend has only just begun. Today was so fantastic that I feel dreamy as a result of it. In fact, I can hardly wait for tomorrow.