Sunday Diversions

I thought I woke up early today. Lovey dog woke me to take her out before sunrise, which means I automatically go back to be when we come in...usually. On my way to grab a cold glass of water, I saw that it was already half past six in the morning, which did give me pause ever so slightly. I still love to crawl back into bed and relish the comfiness though, so I did. But my mind didn't cooperate, so I decided to get up and get a head start on cleaning the house before I needed to be somewhere. I was kind of smug with myself too, feeling so good about my overachieving...until I was listening to the radio and realized it was only 5:30 when I got up---EEEK! I just don't do that unless required. I think it is trauma from the wee ones waking me and knowing the feeling of sleep deprivation. I made a pact with myself in those days to relish the ability to lie in bed, awake, comfy, and wait for the world to unfold around me. I almost hopped right back in, but resisted. It was like getting hurt and having no bruise to show for it, it is lost on everyone else but you. So, I patted myself on the back and went on with my cleaning and sorting project.

After a lunch date, and the beginning of my diversion, I came home with some paint samples to check out. My plan was to test the colors in different rooms, and see what I liked in each space. But one brush stroke led to the next and after painting a few square feet of the tan living room purple, I remembered that I am hosting Arlo's Birthday party here in less than two weeks. I finished off the gallon I brought home today to 'test' with and will head back tomorrow to finish up. The color is called Regal Purple and I'm really enjoying it so far, but it's hard to know for sure until all the trim work is done. My one worry is that this room tends to feel sort of shadowy in the winter and I went for one of the darker colors that I liked. I can't wait to see it in the sunshine tomorrow and discover different aspects of it. My laundry is still in baskets today, but painting proved meditative. Is there such a thing as meditation through diversion?

Testing, testing. Earth to mother.

The biggest boy, how he tests me. It seems when he does, I always know it is coming, but it is fierce. Intense. Practice makes me so aware of his body's way of processing life. He is so in touch, so aware, so scarily sensitive and stubborn, so precious. I cried at his first kindergarden conference, he is so delicate and strong and amazing. Really, it's all about nurturing his perfect being into the future- intact, aware, astounding, and loved (most importantly by himself). Whew. When he needs me to pull him- he pushes me- and I am totally game for it.

Nap time

What do you do when your house is quiet. I contemplate grand plans constantly, when it is not nap time, of what I will get done during said time. I dream big, imagine myself as some sort of inspiration driven superpower who can get anything done with the right tune in my head and hop in my step. Sometimes I do get it done (especially if all I was dreaming of was the dishes!!) and other times I get sidetracked- like today. Today I decided to take the opportunity to burn all the board games that were missing way too many pieces- such a load off. The closets are cleaner and the kids are none the wiser. Plus, having a solo bonfire was sort of divine. After that, I watered and fed The Ladies (a.k.a. chickens) and let them out to roam around a bit. I have to say I love the company of chickens, which just might qualify me as a certifiably crazy chicken lady- I figure I'm in good company. I also busted up an old deer feeder in the woods and burned it along with some cute wooden chairs from the deck that didn't withstand the elements this summer like I'd hoped they would. Somehow, cleaning things out of my life right now is really cathartic- and it's great because it motivates me to get done what I've wanted to do for a while now. After I stocked the fire with all the burnables, I turned to my old, dilapidated, rusted, wobbly, splinter machine of a wheelbarrow and decided it could use a little upgrade. Who wants to haul wood in a tiny, rusty, sad contraption? Not I! I found some cans of spray paint in the garage and went to it. It was a huge diversion, but it was fun and fun and fun and even though my wheelbarrow isn't all that much prettier than it started, I kinda love it!

November

I can't really promise that I'll blog every day of Nablopomo (or whatever it is...) but I did feel a hint of inspiration when I realized that it was here again. I'm not going to try to be cool and have some sort of theme or goal, but I am going to try to capture our month in snippets. I have to be honest though, inspiration can be crushed in a hurry when life gets a bit crazy around here- but lately things have been grooving along smoothly. I also think we are used to managing way too much stress over here- so much that I don't realize when things have become near insane- I have great skills in dissociation- or maybe delusion.

I've still not found my camera, so still devoid of current pictures, but I'm thinking it really has to turn up soon. Right?

I could post a couple old pictures just so you're eyes are happy. Let's see what I can find...

Aw, that's better. These are all over a year old, but still just as cute.

Maybe I'll do this "month" as a walk through our days sort of like a who's who of the L'Allier daily wanderings....

Who's got Pertussis? We do!

All bragging aside, this sucks. People either embrace you (and befriend you) because they feel bad for you or avoid you (even looking you in the eye!!) because they fear you- either way it's not as glamorous as it sounds. Especially when you get to talk with the county for 1.5 hours about it tonight and she promises to call you back tomorrow to ask "more questions". Apparently, we could not cover it all in that amount of time. We are not contagious and we've all been taking antibiotics to protect those around us, but still- it is a bit of a trip.

Bottom line, aside from frustration on my part, is that if you've seen us since mid-September and you have a cough- GO GET A WHOOPING COUGH test. When I told the nurse that our list of contacts from the last month would be about 50 people long, she said, "WHAT REALLY? OH MY!!" And I was thinking to myself, that was conservative- it's been a month after all.

Beyond all this though, which is just one of those random things you don't anticipate and deal with regardless, life is good. Promising pictures soon :)

Here. We are.

Arlo is a kindergartener. Crazy to imagine he is so big and so little all at once. He has such an old soul, full of insight and torment, it's crazy that he's only 5!!

He likes school so far. Except for the part where Aesa gets to stay home (with Tirfe- gasp) and play all day. Aesa will be going to afternoon preschool three days a week starting soon. His teacher is nice, but a bit conventional. I was just ready to cash in all the santa stories and that buisiness once and for all. I'm sick of the neverending upping of the story to satisfy the curious mind of the child. I want them to believe magic and wonderment are real, and not have that all crash down one day when I have to fess up. BUT, Santa comes to Arlo's class this year- really- I was so surprised!! I can't believe that is even acceptable... He also learned this rhyme today to remember how to draw a "7" ... across the sky and down from heaven, that is how you make a seven... I know, super innocuous, but still- really confusing for some kids (like mine) who's family's have a less than conventional attitude toward religion. Oh well. It's not really a BIG deal to me, but it is a tiny deal to throw on the pile of other tiny deals. Makes me yearn for bigger city life where more diversity might mean more understanding of the varied values of the people who make up the community.

Anyhoo. Everything else is grooving along, we are well, the chickens are still adorable, I want a puppy, the kids are full of energy and beauty- the normal I guess.

Bedtime

This was bedtime a few nights ago. Arlo likes to read T a story in her crib before he hops out and she goes to sleep. It's becoming a bit of a thing around here. Of course, Aesa wants in on it too. What follows is some major cuteness, major bedtime routine derailing, and major photo opps. Who am I to stifle free love and creativity?