Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Checking in.
Last weekend I had grand plans to knit, sew, relax, and slough off my obligations on the DH for a while. Alas, MIL passed away Monday afternoon after several long years of infirmity, and we sped off to be with FIL and help with the arrangements.
Interestingly, it was the best visit to Montana since I've known DH. Everyone was off work, and the shock had worn off by the time we got there, so we all spent days talking about MIL, laughing about dumb stuff they did as kids, or stuff she did before they were born. FIL doesn't talk much, but during the last week we all heard stories of how they met, where they lived before the kids came along, stories from earlier days. In the 8 years I've known him, I think he talked more this week than in the rest of the time combined. We took the kids to the park, we drove around and looked at the house she grew up in, and took FIL out to breakfast (his favorite) every day, and we had loads of good family time with no obligations. We laughed about the fact that well-wishers all brought chicken. (I think at one point, FIL had three family-size buckets, abut 60 pieces, of KFC at the house. Sympathy chicken, it was.) I knit on my socks while they talked about the crafts MIL did before her injury. The Bug played with Cousin D and the neighbor's puppy and always managed to know when someone, especially Grampa, needed a hug. MIL somehow arranged that the only two sunny times all week long were the afternoon she passed, and the hour of the cemetery gathering.
Interestingly, it was the best visit to Montana since I've known DH. Everyone was off work, and the shock had worn off by the time we got there, so we all spent days talking about MIL, laughing about dumb stuff they did as kids, or stuff she did before they were born. FIL doesn't talk much, but during the last week we all heard stories of how they met, where they lived before the kids came along, stories from earlier days. In the 8 years I've known him, I think he talked more this week than in the rest of the time combined. We took the kids to the park, we drove around and looked at the house she grew up in, and took FIL out to breakfast (his favorite) every day, and we had loads of good family time with no obligations. We laughed about the fact that well-wishers all brought chicken. (I think at one point, FIL had three family-size buckets, abut 60 pieces, of KFC at the house. Sympathy chicken, it was.) I knit on my socks while they talked about the crafts MIL did before her injury. The Bug played with Cousin D and the neighbor's puppy and always managed to know when someone, especially Grampa, needed a hug. MIL somehow arranged that the only two sunny times all week long were the afternoon she passed, and the hour of the cemetery gathering.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Punting
I was going to do this big snazzy green post for Joan, but alas, a family emergency has cropped up and we are off to the great snowy north. I will leave you with a couple of pictures of the weekend, and that thing that I stole from Joan today.
Bug and his friend Stick on the deco peacock in front of the zoo.
The only picture in a series of 10 when Bug wasn't running full tilt.
Playing in the water fountain after all the running.
Incredibly inaccurate thing I got from Joan. (After you read each sentence, say, "sha!" with the Wayne's World intonation and you will have my basic reaction.)
Bug and his friend Stick on the deco peacock in front of the zoo.
The only picture in a series of 10 when Bug wasn't running full tilt.
Playing in the water fountain after all the running.
Incredibly inaccurate thing I got from Joan. (After you read each sentence, say, "sha!" with the Wayne's World intonation and you will have my basic reaction.)
You Are Grass Green |
 Down to earth and a bit of a hippie, you are very into nature and the outdoors. You accept the world and people as they are. You don't try to change things. You are also very comfortable with yourself, flaws and all. Optimistic about the future, you feel like life is always getting better. |
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
A day at the lake
We spent last weekend at the lake, and it was just what the doctor ordered. The Bug played in the dirt/mud/weeds to his little heart's content, and I sat in the shade and knitted a bit. We even got out on the lake for a couple short rides, but the combination of wind and lots and lots of rain for our area made the lake choppy, and full of debris. It's the highest I've ever seen it, just a foot or two shy of the high water mark, and has been low for so long that there are whole acres of trees underwater. Sunday we went up to the north end of the lake, drove to the marina to get gas, and made our way back to the launch.
The wind came up and kicked the waves up while we were in the marina, so what was a short little cruise there took three times as long to get back, fighting 4-6 foot swells the whole way! (For perspective, our little boat is 14 ft long.) I sat in the back, snuggling the Bug in his ginormous life jacket, and when I wrapped my sweater around his legs to keep him warmer, he decided all was well with the world and took a little nap. I don't know if it was because I was snuggling him or because he thought it was boring, but the level of this kid's fearlessness has me worried for his teenage years.
Here is a little panorama I made on Sunday. (It's a bit more than 180 degree view - the bridge was to the southeast of where I was standing, and the other end of the photo was due west. Click to embiggen, if you like.)
We had such a grand time while we were gone, and we all played so much, we were completely worn out when it was time to go.
And for Joan, who wants pictures of green, I present my lunch. Ahhh, avocado.
Pictures of actual knitting later, when I take the time to photograph some. (A bad blogger, I am.)
The wind came up and kicked the waves up while we were in the marina, so what was a short little cruise there took three times as long to get back, fighting 4-6 foot swells the whole way! (For perspective, our little boat is 14 ft long.) I sat in the back, snuggling the Bug in his ginormous life jacket, and when I wrapped my sweater around his legs to keep him warmer, he decided all was well with the world and took a little nap. I don't know if it was because I was snuggling him or because he thought it was boring, but the level of this kid's fearlessness has me worried for his teenage years.
Here is a little panorama I made on Sunday. (It's a bit more than 180 degree view - the bridge was to the southeast of where I was standing, and the other end of the photo was due west. Click to embiggen, if you like.)
We had such a grand time while we were gone, and we all played so much, we were completely worn out when it was time to go.
And for Joan, who wants pictures of green, I present my lunch. Ahhh, avocado.
Pictures of actual knitting later, when I take the time to photograph some. (A bad blogger, I am.)
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