L'aventure américaine

Milo turns three tomorrow! Being so busy, we had originally not planned much, but that gradually morphed into breakfast with the Jespersens (who we nanny share with; Annie is Milo’s best friend) and then a party at the park with fifteen or so friends and their kids.  Randal laughs at my “low-key” plans.  But, it was fun and no one could tell what my meticulously decorated cookies were and Milo was happy. Now it is 5pm and I just woke up from my nap, but Milo is still sleeping. Success.  Happy birthday, Milo!

It’s our five year anniversary today and we are having a beautiful weekend. We saw Othello and ate great food and then picked up Milo and went to the coast. Much has changed in the last five years, but I can’t imagine a better partner to join me on this path.  I love you, Randal. 

Today we went to Waldo Lake with friends where it was so cold that we soon left to find warmer places. The smoke has abated for a couple days, so everyone runs outside to play while they can. On the way home, we stopped at Salt Creek Falls- beautiful. We’re tired and dirty, but it was good to get outside again. 

It’s been awhile, but this has been cooking in the meantime...  

I feel fortunate to have been introduced to Tervis tumblers at a young age from Cookie and Michael. We still have our sparkle mug (very popular among our drunk houseguests or 4 year olds). It’s a collectors item now as they don’t make the mugs with moving pieces in them anymore for liability reasons or some such nonsense.  I just returned from Florida for a quick conference and on my walk, stopped by a Tervis tumbler store. I gave Milo his souvenir tonight and he was thrilled. It’s no sparkle mug, but it will have to do.   

We went to our friend’s ranch last night and enjoyed meeting the animals, great food, and interesting conversation. After the farm tour, that the adults probably enjoyed more than the kids, Milo and Annie were pretty self-sufficient and loved screaming at each other as they ran through the house. This left the adults to discuss religion, politics, and most other taboo subjects. It was great. 

A year ago today, I was getting ready to go sledding.  The snow was falling so heavily and it was beautiful.  I took pictures of the backyard because it was so impressively gorgeous.  Randal and I had intended to go to Ashland for the night to celebrate his birthday as we had every year that we lived in Klamath.  I had ordered a surprise carrot cake for him from the co-op.  But, the snow kept falling and the drive looked increasingly more treacherous and so Randal and I decided that we were going to have to cancel.  While Milo was napping, I cancelled the hotel and the cake.  And then, I prepared for a snow day.  When Milo woke up, I began bundling us both up to go outside and enjoy the beautiful day. This year, it has felt like my life has been split into two parts.  Before the accident and after the accident.  Before the accident, I had spent an idyllic Christmas with family.  I had had two restorative conversations with friends the night before.  I was waiting to hear from gradua