L'aventure américaine

 I am sitting on the floor of the basement with Maizie beside me. She's warm and is breathing slowly. She smells like herself. (Side note: I have also thought that Maizie had a unique smell. It's not dog; it's better than that. Something like grains, but wholly her. I have always loved her smell.) Maizie has been the best girl. I vividly remember when we learned about her. I had been looking for dogs and wanted the friendliest breed: a lab/golden retriever mix. While playing Dixit in our apartment in Baltimore with friends from grad school, our friend, Meagan, said that her mom's dog was having puppies and she thought that they were lab/golden retrievers. (Another side note... we were drinking. Maybe Meagan didn't say this. Maybe this is just what I heard because it was what I wanted to hear. But, by the time that we learned that they were not lab/golden retrievers, but rather an odd mix of dachshund, catahoula hound, and lab, I was smitten with the idea and too far...

Day 2 and I nearly forgot. Fortunately, when clearing my inbox on this Friday afternoon, I saw another gentle message from a faithful reader asking about a new post. So… here we are.  This picture is a little old, but I evidently haven’t gotten one of the doggoes recently. I am grateful for having the best dogs. They’re so sweet with the kids, with guests, and with our new kitten who moved in last month. They are low maintenance and affectionate and just the best.  So, thanks dogs. Even though I don’t tell you every day and sometimes I yell at you for being underfoot, I love you so much. 

 It is a busy, beautiful fall.  We have been trying to enjoy the outdoors before a dreary winter sets in, working steadily, and celebrating birthdays. The kids are still in school, but we wait with bated breath for the first email that says that we have to quarantine for two weeks because someone tested positive.  (Someone in Marian's school tested positive last week, but not in her class, which is separated.). They love their schools and I love their schools and everyone is happy that they're there: learning, playing, and getting some time away from their parents. Midterms are over and they went pretty well.  Whew!  I would have liked a week off, but the classes keep on coming. My birthday was quite fun and Mom's birthday is today.  Happy Birthday, Mom!  We were reminiscing about our trip to Wales last year for her birthday.  I am SO glad we took advantage while we had the chance. And we are following the election.  Time is ticking!  Ra...

We started using that word a year ago, but mainly because I thought it was funny when dad said, “it’s FRI-YAY!!!” Now, of course, it has stuck.  Rainy day, but it’s nice to be quiet and drink wine tonight. It means I might stay up until 10pm too. These are crrrrrazy days.  The kids have fun while randal and I are away.  125 birds in there. They are cute for two weeks and then are kind of gross thereafter.  But, oh, they are soooo cute.  It’s green and beautiful like Ireland. Milo named the bridge today too. Henceforth, it will be known as “Creek Bridge.” Clever, eh?

I’m so glad I don’t have to distance myself from this walking, talking little bundle of love. She loves giving kisses and I can’t get enough of it. Damn- that kid is cute.  This is an example of the 0.2 seconds that the kids entertained themselves. You can tell how much work we got done when both randal and I feel like we watched the kids more. (He got more in work hours; it was about equal when you consider waking hours.) But, they were pretty cute for those couple seconds.  This picture is adorable, but if you could listen to the dialogue, it’s really just Milo counting down to Marian and then telling her that she’s in timeout.  Ahhhh... coronavirus. Your effects are big and small, but certainly very present. 

Friday again! I got this sweet picture from Dad today. Milo wanted to go fishing and was successful. I am impressed that Dad has the patience to teach him. (And the fish were biting, so Dad kept fishing. With the “frozen” fishing pole that you see in the background. Priceless.) It was beautiful and I enjoyed coming home and exploring the backyard with Marian. As long as she can take her shoes and socks on off, in perpetuity, she is happy.  The dogs have enjoyed the quarantine at home and the frequent walks. They are lucky.  A beautiful start to the weekend!

It was a beautiful day and that makes everything more cheerful. Mom and Dad kept the kids out for most of the day and Randal and I worked quietly at our house. It feels very decadent to have the quiet house and long, uninterrupted conversations.  Marian is addicted to chickens and watches them, saying: “bawwww” repeatedly to indicate that she wants to see more of them. Milo has been improving his coloring skills and practicing getting dirty without fussing.  The dogs are loving their time outside, but do miss their warm inside beds at night. I don’t miss the dog hair. 

Well, we are one week into our self-distancing quarantine right now. Last Sunday, I dropped some baby clothes off, went to an empty brunch spot, and enjoyed my last day seeing whomever I pleased (even if I didn’t hug or touch them).  Randal and I are largely working from home and the kids are out of school for the foreseeable future. Mom and Dad are helping after they promised us that they would not go out anymore. (I had to use the kids as leverage, as in, you will not get to see your grandchildren if you continue to do that.  It worked.) We are lucky to have all six of us together.  In the past, I have done a thirty day blogpost challenge and it seems that that might be useful again. This pandemic has made people feel far away, even though I have probably touched base with more people lately than usual. It is, as we all have said, an interesting time. May it bring out our better selves.  So, day 7 of quarantine- here we are. Bracing ourselves for the weeks to come ...

Randal and I were reminiscing about what we were doing ten years ago and how we marked the end of the first decade of the 2000s.  I thought back to where I was in December of 2009 and then remembered that I had done a blogpost to close the decade.  It was fun to look back on it and the one constant of my life...  I have no idea where life will take me in the next ten years.  So.  Ten years ago, I had recently moved to Phoenix.  I was lonely, but working at my first job that really paid well and I was really a grown up.  I filled my days with reading, educational activities, and actively seeking and securing solid friendships.  I embarked on self-improvement projects and worried that I would never meet the right person and would never get married.  And today?  One, it will be a miracle if I get through this blogpost in one sitting without a kid calling me.*  But, as for the rest..  We have relatively recently moved.  I...