Hugging the Midline

Lowercase "f" fun

This morning we baked chocolate chip cookies (from a tube!) and watched the Wizard of Oz with the kids. We had been hatching this plan with Jack for a few days, and he announced it to everyone he came across: "My sister Jo coming! We make chowcate chip cookies! We watch fow Wizawd fow Oz!"

It turned out to be as nice for all of us as Jack had predicted. Snuggling up on the couch with a pile of blankets. Spoiling our lunch with too many cookies. Laughing over Jack's assessments of the various characters and plot-twists. Appreciating a nice lazy Saturday morning together.

It made me think of all the times we've gone places like amusement parks or zoos that were supposed to be capital "F" FUN or tried to cram too many activities into one day, and everyone ended up too hot or cold, arguments or meltdowns or general crabbiness (as often from Mom as anyone else) ensued, we spent a ton of money, ate a ton of corndogs and other crap, and really didn't enjoy ourselves much. 

Not that I'm advocating a couch potato/junk food lifestyle, of course. I'm the type of mom who generally puts strict limits on the amount of TV and cookies allowed, which is probably why this morning's decadance was such a treat.

I'm sure we'll still cook up capital "F" fun from time to time, but I'm reminded that, for us, the simple, low-key, low-stress together-times are often the best. 

Protect Me From the Things I Want

Busy, sleepy, grateful lady:

121. Books, Wine, and Conversation — The first meeting of my book club Thursday night brought lovely conversation that easily flowed from the book to...everything else...and back again. A much-needed addition to my life.



122. Power Walks — A new walking partner to encourage me to drag my lazy self out of bed for early-morning power walks (a nice complement to the more leisurely evening strolls with my guys).



123. Power Naps — Jack plays so hard Monday through Thursday at daycare that by Friday he is pooped, and ready for an extra-long afternoon nap. Since I'm home with him on Fridays, I usually try to cram lots of blogging and checkbook balancing and house chores into that three-hour stretch of alone-time. But yesterday I was extra tired and decided to take a long nap myself. I'm so lucky to have the luxury of a three-day weekend every week; I wish such a sane schedule for everyone!



124. Kites — We took Jack to a kite festival in Grinnell today, where he jumped up and down squealing with excitement to see so many kites in the sky, flew his first kite like a pro, and ran...and ran...and ran.



125. Rain — If rain hadn't been part of the mix this weekend, Glen and I would have spent much of our third weekend in a row PAINTING. Sometimes it's a blessing when mother nature foils my well-laid plans for productivity, and laziness is prescribed instead. Which leads me to the next item...



126. Unexpected Lessons — A few days ago I said I was grateful for "rising oil prices." Of course, I'm not especially grateful for the resulting damage to our bank account, but for the changes in habit those rising prices have thrust upon us. That last post has caused me to reflect upon other uncomfortable life circumstances that have nudged me into changing for the better, sometimes in almost imperceptible ways, sometimes significantly. Times that life hasn't handed me quite what I wanted or expected or quite on the time-table I had hoped for. When I just had to learn some damn lesson the hard way, but the results of that lesson carried me safely to the other side. I've followed a winding, sometimes-difficult, often-surprising trajectory to end up with this life I adore, and I'm reminded not to force things too hard in my preferred direction.

Little Darling, It's Been a Long Cold Lonely Winter

After this long, snowy winter, I think it will be at least mid-June before an afternoon outside feels even slightly mundane or fails to fill me with gratitude (#73): strolling around the square, running in the grass, snow has almost melted, what a treat!

   

Quiet Little Day

Why I'm grateful today:

63. Naptime — There's something perfect about that mid-afternoon feeling when I have the day off and everyone else in my house is asleep. Jack taking his after-lunch nap, Glen home with a cold and upstairs in bed, me feeling quiet and peaceful and contentedly lazy with one sleeping cat on my lap and a couple more in sunny windowsills. I was going to write a longer list, but the thought just occurred to me that I could head up to bed to join my sleepy family; think I'll go do that. (I may have written a similar post last weekend, but when something is this delicious, I reserve the right to repeat myself.)

Sunday, Lovely Sunday

On a day like today — 67 degrees, sunny, light breeze, windows open, snow melting, nothing in particular on the agenda (gratitude #62) — it should be illegal to be in a bad mood.

How we spent our Sunday:

• The three of us went for a little walk to the square and Glen taught Jack how to splash in puddles.
• I went for a longer walk with my iPod and no coat. I forgive the good people of Fairfield for having given up on shoveling their sidewalks after the 592nd snowfall of the year, as we've pretty much done the same.
• Jack got into some dry clothes and took a three-hour nap, Glen went to the gym, the cats lounged on windowsills, I baked bread, goofed around on the computer, read, and napped a bit myself.

 

For the many of you sitting on the edges of your seats thinking, "Hey, GreenMo and MoGreenMo are over; what's the next Mo going to be?" Well, yeah...nah, I'm not going to do any more "Mo"s for a while. I'm having more fun with these "slice of life" posts; I hope you enjoy.