November 29, 2010
Gym. Yoga. Pool time with Jacob. Grocery store. Nap. Bank. Home to make soup (he's all about cutting up veggies). Daddy home. Books, books, books. Bedtime.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Day 64
November 28, 2010
Sunday. Hmm.. I skipped out on the Black Friday mayhem but headed into the last of the fray today. Definitely some "deals" out there; of course, I figure they mark things up so high to begin with that you're still paying way more than it took to make these things in Asia.
Mostly a relaxing Sunday, though. Some football, more Thanksgiving dinner. Yum. Those cheesy potatoes taste better and better.
Sunday. Hmm.. I skipped out on the Black Friday mayhem but headed into the last of the fray today. Definitely some "deals" out there; of course, I figure they mark things up so high to begin with that you're still paying way more than it took to make these things in Asia.
Mostly a relaxing Sunday, though. Some football, more Thanksgiving dinner. Yum. Those cheesy potatoes taste better and better.
Day 63
November 27, 2010
Silence. I have the house to myself for a brief while. There is almost no greater pleasure that to sit in an empty, quiet house and do nothing. It's such a seldom occurrence that it feels sacred. No one needs me for a few minutes, no one is asking me for anything. And unlike when I leave the house on my own, I don't feel the guilty for leaving someone else to watch Jacob or that I have to hurry back to help take care of him. Most of that is in my head, my own voices telling me things that aren't true, but they stress me out nonetheless. I could just sit here and stare at the walls the entire time they're gone and that would be fine with me, pleasurable actually.
Hmm... this sounds like a late 19th century writing from a half mad housewife. That can't be good. It really is in the times of quiet when we can hear the voices that are trying to tell us something. It is rarely quiet here.
Silence. I have the house to myself for a brief while. There is almost no greater pleasure that to sit in an empty, quiet house and do nothing. It's such a seldom occurrence that it feels sacred. No one needs me for a few minutes, no one is asking me for anything. And unlike when I leave the house on my own, I don't feel the guilty for leaving someone else to watch Jacob or that I have to hurry back to help take care of him. Most of that is in my head, my own voices telling me things that aren't true, but they stress me out nonetheless. I could just sit here and stare at the walls the entire time they're gone and that would be fine with me, pleasurable actually.
Hmm... this sounds like a late 19th century writing from a half mad housewife. That can't be good. It really is in the times of quiet when we can hear the voices that are trying to tell us something. It is rarely quiet here.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Day 62: Black Friday!!!!!!!
November 26, 2010
Oh, Black Friday. My favourite day to NOT go to any stores!! I cannot handle all the craziness. I do love a good sale but that's about it. To think, I could get to several stores and shop before Jacob even woke up is absolute craziness! Usually it's me waiting on them to open. Bizarre. Maybe if I had a cup full of margaritas and a DD, then I could enjoy the shopping craze.
Jacob and I did head downtown this morning but not to shop. We went to meet up with some Kriste/in friends. My friend Kristin from Boulder was in town visiting her husband's family (yea, for friends' families living in Portland) so we had planned to meet up. And then my old high school/college friend Kristen who lives in Seattle was down here too! Whoa.
Met up with Kristen at Powell's. Powell's is an experience as everyone says it is. I visited years ago when I was passing through but hadn't been yet since we've moved. Every time I talk to my dad he asks if we've been there and is appalled that we haven't. Here's my bit, though: the pleasure of books upon books upon books is almost orgasmic. And just like a good orgasm, it needs time to be dragged out, experienced and, if lucky, experienced again. One cannot experience this in the same way when one has a child with you: too distracting. So, I think we haven't been because I want to enjoy my time there. I have to go with Fraser and Jacob, by myself or fully knowing that my pleasure will be compromised (although the children's section is quite good also). All that being said, it was great to see Kristen and great to have just a little taste of Powell's. It makes me want to read more again. I've been in a lull with reading, trying to catch up on National Geographic (I'm on February 2010) and getting through an interesting but slightly slower book, Mayflower, that one of my neighbours gave me before leaving Boulder. Very interesting, and somewhat sad, story.
Next, we met up with KristIn up at NW 23rd and Glisan, a nice little area with cute shops and cafes, pubs. It was so nice to see her and her family. These little bursts of familiarity in a sea of newness really remind me that I do miss Boulder and my friends there. Of course I know this but try not to dwell on it because life here is good too and something that I need to embrace because it is my life now. However, it's awesome to be able and sit with someone and just talk about stuff that we both know, feeling familiar and regular and not like I have to (somewhat) think about how I'm acting or what I'm saying. I don't oftentimes censor myself but it's good to know that this person already knows that and still likes me. We had some lunch together. Short, short, short... but very nice. She asked Jacob what songs he liked these days. "Itsy bitsy spider," she asked. "Yes," he whispered. After singing, he asked her for more. So cute.
Headed downtown after nap to hang out with a new mom friend and her husband and almost two year old. We went to Laurelwood Brewpub. A nice place with good beer and a little play area for the kids. Niiice. It was a fun time. Everyone got along well and it was fun. Downtown is a very fun place to hang out and walk around - too bad things get expensive and far from Fraser's work.
Oh, Black Friday. My favourite day to NOT go to any stores!! I cannot handle all the craziness. I do love a good sale but that's about it. To think, I could get to several stores and shop before Jacob even woke up is absolute craziness! Usually it's me waiting on them to open. Bizarre. Maybe if I had a cup full of margaritas and a DD, then I could enjoy the shopping craze.
Jacob and I did head downtown this morning but not to shop. We went to meet up with some Kriste/in friends. My friend Kristin from Boulder was in town visiting her husband's family (yea, for friends' families living in Portland) so we had planned to meet up. And then my old high school/college friend Kristen who lives in Seattle was down here too! Whoa.
Met up with Kristen at Powell's. Powell's is an experience as everyone says it is. I visited years ago when I was passing through but hadn't been yet since we've moved. Every time I talk to my dad he asks if we've been there and is appalled that we haven't. Here's my bit, though: the pleasure of books upon books upon books is almost orgasmic. And just like a good orgasm, it needs time to be dragged out, experienced and, if lucky, experienced again. One cannot experience this in the same way when one has a child with you: too distracting. So, I think we haven't been because I want to enjoy my time there. I have to go with Fraser and Jacob, by myself or fully knowing that my pleasure will be compromised (although the children's section is quite good also). All that being said, it was great to see Kristen and great to have just a little taste of Powell's. It makes me want to read more again. I've been in a lull with reading, trying to catch up on National Geographic (I'm on February 2010) and getting through an interesting but slightly slower book, Mayflower, that one of my neighbours gave me before leaving Boulder. Very interesting, and somewhat sad, story.
Next, we met up with KristIn up at NW 23rd and Glisan, a nice little area with cute shops and cafes, pubs. It was so nice to see her and her family. These little bursts of familiarity in a sea of newness really remind me that I do miss Boulder and my friends there. Of course I know this but try not to dwell on it because life here is good too and something that I need to embrace because it is my life now. However, it's awesome to be able and sit with someone and just talk about stuff that we both know, feeling familiar and regular and not like I have to (somewhat) think about how I'm acting or what I'm saying. I don't oftentimes censor myself but it's good to know that this person already knows that and still likes me. We had some lunch together. Short, short, short... but very nice. She asked Jacob what songs he liked these days. "Itsy bitsy spider," she asked. "Yes," he whispered. After singing, he asked her for more. So cute.
Headed downtown after nap to hang out with a new mom friend and her husband and almost two year old. We went to Laurelwood Brewpub. A nice place with good beer and a little play area for the kids. Niiice. It was a fun time. Everyone got along well and it was fun. Downtown is a very fun place to hang out and walk around - too bad things get expensive and far from Fraser's work.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Day 61: Thanksgiving!!
November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving! My favourite holiday. I have such great memories of going to my grandma's house: we'd play outside, climb the pine tree in back, and come in to the warm house and the amazing smells. This side of the family is Polish so there was always tons of food. All so delicious! Turkey, cheesy potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, pickles, olives, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, rolls... Mmmm.... I love that Thanksgiving is about family and friends and food and fun. No gifts, not as much hype as Halloween or Christmas. Just right. Watching the parade (the Detroit parade, that is) is always a tradition. Sadly, the only parade we get out here is the Macy's Day which is okay, but there's too much... fluff in that parade. Too much talking to actors, too many performances. I want to hear the marching bands and see the floats. That's the parade. Alas. It'll have to do.
Jacob enjoyed seeing the balloons on the parade today. He helped me get some dough ready for our dinner rolls. He was pounding it with his elbow! The turkey's in the oven, starting to smell quite yummy. We have a fire going. I'm drinking a mimosa, and there's even a dusting of snow out on the deck. Lovely. A perfectly relaxing day.
Relaxing until the last minute rush of getting all the dishes together. Fraser and I were just hanging out thinking, we're fine, everything we're making won't take long. Riiight. None do on their own but when you have two people in a small kitchen, one oven and a small child wanting to be a part of it all. We ate later than we had planned but it was all so good that it didn't matter: turkey, cheesy potatoes, green bean casserole, home made cranberry sauce, stuffing, our dinner rolls. Followed by a wonderful pear, cranberry pie with oatmeal struesel. Whoa. When the meal was ready Jacob was doing some jumping about and shouting, "Yea!"
And for a special dessert for the boy: sprinkles.
Thanksgiving! My favourite holiday. I have such great memories of going to my grandma's house: we'd play outside, climb the pine tree in back, and come in to the warm house and the amazing smells. This side of the family is Polish so there was always tons of food. All so delicious! Turkey, cheesy potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, pickles, olives, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, rolls... Mmmm.... I love that Thanksgiving is about family and friends and food and fun. No gifts, not as much hype as Halloween or Christmas. Just right. Watching the parade (the Detroit parade, that is) is always a tradition. Sadly, the only parade we get out here is the Macy's Day which is okay, but there's too much... fluff in that parade. Too much talking to actors, too many performances. I want to hear the marching bands and see the floats. That's the parade. Alas. It'll have to do.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Day 60
November 24, 2010
Two months and Thanksgiving Eve - how exciting! Jacob and I did some crazy errands this morning: bank, Old Navy, Target, Whole Foods, AND Gap. The kid had some stamina this morning. But we successfully got the rest of our stuff for Thanksgiving, a new jacket and boots for Jacob and a new bra for me. Great.
Alright... who cares what we got at the store? Seriously. I'm hitting a point in this blog where I feel that all I write about are mundane things. I know life is full of mundane things but to sit here and just write about them seems a little....boring! Maybe I'm getting a little bored with it. I think my writing self needs a little something more. What that is, I'm not sure at this point but hopefully we'll both find out soon. I'm going to keep writing daily, push through this phase, so bear with me.
Meanwhile, I'm wearing a clay mask to get out the impurities in my skin (that just sounds gross) and it feels like I buried my face alive. Very odd feeling, for sure. I suggest everyone try it.
Two months and Thanksgiving Eve - how exciting! Jacob and I did some crazy errands this morning: bank, Old Navy, Target, Whole Foods, AND Gap. The kid had some stamina this morning. But we successfully got the rest of our stuff for Thanksgiving, a new jacket and boots for Jacob and a new bra for me. Great.
Alright... who cares what we got at the store? Seriously. I'm hitting a point in this blog where I feel that all I write about are mundane things. I know life is full of mundane things but to sit here and just write about them seems a little....boring! Maybe I'm getting a little bored with it. I think my writing self needs a little something more. What that is, I'm not sure at this point but hopefully we'll both find out soon. I'm going to keep writing daily, push through this phase, so bear with me.
Meanwhile, I'm wearing a clay mask to get out the impurities in my skin (that just sounds gross) and it feels like I buried my face alive. Very odd feeling, for sure. I suggest everyone try it.
Day 59
November 23, 2010
The bit of snow we got caused the schools to close for the day, so my friend Karen called to say she was taking her kids to an indoor play place, Out of this World, and asked us to come along if we wanted. The place was pretty cool. Big, with lots of things for the kids to climb on: tunnels, slides, bumpy castles, plasma cars, a play kitchen for littler guys. Jacob had a good time hanging with the big kids and climbing on stuff.
We tried to get all our stuff for Thanksgiving but couldn't make all the stops before naptime. Hopefully tomorrow morning won't be too busy.
Jacob helped me make some tasty corn chowder and corn bread for dinner. This place definitely makes me feel like I should be mastering my culinary skills, what with it getting dark at 4pm and not having much else to do in the evenings sometimes. It takes awhile for Jacob to wake up from his naps so I don't think I could just put him in the car and go to the gym in the pm, so we have to do something interesting at home. Sometimes, I run out of ideas. But we have to eat so it seems like something interesting to get more into. We'll see... I'm sure before I know it I'll be too busy to think about things like this. But while I'm not, it could be fun. And now I'm rambling.
The bit of snow we got caused the schools to close for the day, so my friend Karen called to say she was taking her kids to an indoor play place, Out of this World, and asked us to come along if we wanted. The place was pretty cool. Big, with lots of things for the kids to climb on: tunnels, slides, bumpy castles, plasma cars, a play kitchen for littler guys. Jacob had a good time hanging with the big kids and climbing on stuff.
We tried to get all our stuff for Thanksgiving but couldn't make all the stops before naptime. Hopefully tomorrow morning won't be too busy.
Jacob helped me make some tasty corn chowder and corn bread for dinner. This place definitely makes me feel like I should be mastering my culinary skills, what with it getting dark at 4pm and not having much else to do in the evenings sometimes. It takes awhile for Jacob to wake up from his naps so I don't think I could just put him in the car and go to the gym in the pm, so we have to do something interesting at home. Sometimes, I run out of ideas. But we have to eat so it seems like something interesting to get more into. We'll see... I'm sure before I know it I'll be too busy to think about things like this. But while I'm not, it could be fun. And now I'm rambling.
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