Ahh

What a brilliant day. Despite the cold and dreary day outside, I'm happy to report that inside it is finally shining again. The Anchor and I went out with some friends last night and I had a great time. So good, that we took a cab home, and I barely recall the cab ride, except for just a brief moment when my heart skipped a beat, just for a second, it was barely perceptible but I caught it. I know what was there and I'll hold onto that for a while. Of course, as ever the Anchor comments, "I'm just not that into going out and just drinking. I look at how much I spent and it wasn't worth it." Can we ever be on the same page? For me it was such a release, an escape.

But today was great. I made a lovely simple breakfast for My Wind and I. And knowing I had a whole other day off, I wasn't in much of a hurry at all. So when he asked to play a game, I didn't even hesitate or stall at all. We sat down and played a wonderful game of Monopoly Junior, even though he really wanted to play Monopoly. He beat me fair and square, as I rarely let him win. Then I worked on laundry and just a variety of other little chores. When he went off to a birthday party I got a few projects done and then we headed to the Cities for some errands and dinner.

I'd like to think I'm pretty adventurous and willing to do a lot on my own, so I thought, My Wind and I would go have dinner at a restaurant I've never been too. But when I looked up the menu it looked like maybe you could only order family style, and with just the two of us, I thought that wasn't practical and was very expensive. Besides on the way past the Asian market we went to I saw what I thought was a Pho restaurant. I thought that sounded good and though I've never tried Pho I thought I knew a little about it, plus it looked like a small local eatery, and a friend recently said, "You can't really go wrong with Pho." So with all that we headed in. Turns out I wish I had been with someone who could have schooled me a little in Pho. I kept my eye on one guy across the room and from the distance tried to learn what I could from him in enjoying the meal. It was really good, but by looking around I'm afraid I was missing out on a more authentic experience. Oh, well, as I said, it was good and My Wind enjoyed his meal, though I don't think I ordered him what he had asked for, so I'm not sure what he had. But as I said it was good, he's a good sport, and he liked it.

We ran a few more metro errands and headed back for home. A snack and some snuggles, and then lots of cleaning and paper work, and I feel refreshed. I can't wait to see what comes of tomorrow!

Filling in the Hole

Saturday: in the quiet of the a.m.: work on ordering photos online

make giant family breakfast

participate in 3hours of literature drop for local candidate (lots of walking!)

off to the local orchard (Spruce Maze was great)

to River Falls, thrift stores (nothing looked amazing enough to buy)

lunch in RF (wasn't very good)

commence wine drinking

home to clean two storage rooms in basement, organize winter clothes, pack summer clothes, organize entrance area...

make learning clock for child while,...

watching football game, didn't make it through halftime

Sunday: in the quiet of the a.m. coffee and finish picture order

make giant breakfast for family

make banana bread

arrange for playdate

bathe dog

clean child's room

cook turkey

make lunch

deliver banana bread with child to neighbor's

supervise playdate while doing any of these other things

put outside garden to bed

clean up yard

commence wine drinking

finish turkey

make cheddar broccoli soup for supper (with squash)

clean kitchen

walk with a friend and the dog

feed the family and my mom(one of my favorite things I get to do)

visit with mom and discuss housing

clean up kitchen

finish folding laundry

and now bed...

I've been aware at several points in my life that sometimes I neglect my own soul. It becomes a little hole that I often can manage patching over and moving on. But as I never really treat it on a regular basis it never quite heals perfectly. Recently, the patch covering said-hole was removed, and I underwent a little therapy (is this all cryptic enough for you?) What does that mean? Well, for example writing has been good therapy for this hole, as has stimulating conversation. But I'm not sure that this therapy is sustainable. In fact, it doesn't seem sustainable. With a few harsh days of unsuccessful therapy, this weekend I am beginning to patch the hole. Oh, I'll continue to treat the parts that are mostly healed; I'll try to keep writing and find other soul fulfilling activities but one of my pleasures of late seems to be fading quickly, and I'm trying desperately not to notice. So I've busied myself with other things all weekend. The ordering of the photos was very good for my soul. Maybe, I wish I had gone into some art field. Maybe I just need to keep writing.

Growing up

My Wind has a friend over. This is what I heard in consideration of friend climbing into tree where Wind is. Friend, "But will I fall?" Wind, "F-a-l-l (spelled out) impossible!" Then, "If you don't try you have no chance at doing it." hmmm where might he have gotten this advice? Truthfully, he could have gotten it in a number of places, but to hear him repeat it in encouragement to another, well, I was pretty impressed.