Archive for the ‘Daily’ Category
March 08 2010 ·
6 CommentsPosted in:
Daily · Tags:
birthday,
family Today is my dad’s birthday.
He’s 77 years old.
Most likely, my dad is older than your dad. My dad could even be older than your grandfather. I’ve dealt with this my entire life. During my school years, I would even flaunt his age like show and tell. I was very shy as a child and this was something safe to set me apart from the rest. Though he never appeared to me to be as old as he was. Even still, I can tell he’s getting older, just not that old.
My dad and I were never the closest growing up. Given his age, he has always been set in his ways and hard to talk to. He has a rough exterior, and I was afraid of making him mad at me. Thus, if I ever wanted to go out or do something, I would always ask my mom. If it was something that required my dad’s approval, she would ask him for me.
Growing up and moving out and having kids of my own, now, I can take a step back and see him for what he is. Yes, he is set in his ways. Yes, he is rough around the edges. But I also know that he loves me very much. And I love him.
I didn’t know what to get him for his birthday this year. What do you get a man that has 77 years worth of everything? So we made him dinner, with chocolate cake topped with two 7 candles. Because 77 individual candles might have burnt down the house.
He knows nothing about this space, but I still want to say happy birthday, dad. I hope there are many, many more.
March 01 2010 ·
10 CommentsPosted in:
Daily · Tags:
good,
life Saturday was date night. Or rather, dinner. Just the two of us. On a quest for food.
And what a quest it was. We drove to numerous places only to be discouraged at the lack of parking spaces available or long wait times. Finally, we gave up on the sit-down idea and tried our luck at a buffet instead. The line was still stretched past the door, into the frigid 30 degree weather, but it seemed to be moving at a decent enough pace. However, I wasn’t dressed for the cold. I had on a turtleneck, but a chunky knit wraparound sweater (which J refers to as my Obi-Wan sweater) in place of a heavy winter coat.
“If I knew we’d be standing outside, I would have worn a coat”, I said shivering. “Silly me, I thought we’d be sitting in someplace warm by now.”
Next date night, especially if it’s on a Saturday, I’ll be sure to make a reservation in advance.
We eventually made it through, of course, and it was nice from that point. It was quiet. It wasn’t stressful or chaotic. We didn’t have to play pickup with any of the numerous items we give Maddie during a meal to keep her occupied. I didn’t have to wrestle Ethan into his seat. We didn’t have to argue with Jayden to take a bite. We just ate and talked.
When we returned home a few hours later, I could hear Maddie laughing at Grandma from the front stoop. My heart lifted in that moment and I couldn’t wait to get inside. Very quickly, however, life returned back to normal. The kids were rambunctious and riled up, screaming and whining and loud. It was like we had never left. Next date night, along with reservations, I’ll be sure to have a few drinks, too.
February 22 2010 ·
8 CommentsPosted in:
Daily · Tags:
grrr face,
life “We’re going somewhere this weekend, right?” I said with eyebrows raised. It wasn’t so much a question as a demand.
“Where do you want to go?”
“I don’t care, just OUT OF THIS HOUSE.”
This was an exchange Saturday morning. We were all finally on the verge of well. After having spent the better part of 2 weeks stuck inside with the sick and snot and used tissues, I was ready for fresh air and a reason to wear something other than stale pajamas. I’m sure the kids were, too. I really didn’t care what or where, we just needed to go. Cabin fever would be an understatement.
Not even a few hours later, however, Maddie came down with a fever of 102.
Whoever is up there, playing the pranks, this isn’t funny. Over two weeks now, of ear infections and colds and almost pneumonia and barking coughs and a runny nose and breathing through one’s mouth and a congested, stuffed up head and administering medicine. Now, a fever. Because, you know, something was missing. Which means in lieu of going out, I watched Olympic curling and had to deal with a pitiful, unhappy toddler.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
There’s always next weekend, right?
I probably just jinxed it.
February 15 2010 ·
6 CommentsPosted in:
Daily · Tags:
good,
holiday,
photos He bought me flowers…
Which were lovely and beautiful and make my house smell like a spring garden. Even better, though…
He bought me ice cream.
February 09 2010 ·
4 CommentsPosted in:
Daily · Tags:
life,
of course I did J was headed to the grocery store and wanted me to email him a list of what to get. Who needs a pen and paper anymore when you have an iPhone? It’s a simple, menial task that should be completed in record time without incident. This is never the case, however, as kids can prolong any situation.
I open my laptop and Gmail on the kitchen counter and begin to type: milk, chocolat…
Then I notice Maddie, who’s nose is running like a full-pressure faucet. I grab some tissue and have to chase her down, as it’s become a sort of catch me if you can with her. Meanwhile, Ethan is swinging on the refrigerator door. Obviously, being sick hasn’t slowed him any. I pry him down and return to type a few more items to the list.
Coco Puffs, breakfast muffins, turkey lunch meat, che…
Ethan’s flinging a toy at my legs and I need to wipe Maddie’s nose again. Except she’s grabbed the crayons that were sitting on the table and, sensing my intentions, ran off down the hall. I give chase for a few feet until Ethan initiates an urgent whine for another milk refill.
After topping off their drinks, I begin again: trash bags, more cold med…
Jayden’s hollering from the other room, so I go in to find that the television has been scribbled yellow. After scrubbing it clean, I trudge my way back to the kitchen as Maddie follows. While I’m wiping her slime-covered snout, Ethan takes the opportunity to reach up and press every key on the laptop he can touch. Thanks to that, it’s now a lesson in how to decode hieroglyphics. Maddie begins to cry, which of course makes her nose ooze again. This is how an easy daily task turns into a 10 minute ordeal. At this point I press send, because even though I’m frazzled, I’m fairly sure I’ve at least covered the essentials. Before I remember, we’re out of bread and I completely left off anything for dinner.
