Friday, April 27, 2007

Just a Day

Not much to report...Still sitting back and watching as our lives shift, creak, and possibly move. Bill's company has been sold and they are asking him, and of course, Annie and I (and three laying hen's, two dogs, one cat, two canaries, one snake, two guinea pigs, one turtle, and two bullfrogs) to relocate to San Francisco by July. We are exploring all of our options, and trying to imagine our life different than it is right now. We've lived in this house for ten wonderful years, with Bill working ten minutes away, and I can easily imagine ten more. Wasn't it just a few weeks ago that I was expressing my pure pleasure about how much I was grateful for and enjoying my life? So I'm taking each day slowly, and trying not to panic. Of course I've gotten a slight cold, a puffy, crusty eye, cramps, and am obsessing on a Bottocelli 1000 piece puzzle while I'm not on the computer or phone, checking out possible angles, sources, and options for the future.

Meanwhile, today was very warm and beautiful. In an effort to remain grounded and serene, I hung all of our clothes out on the line to dry. We had a long breakfast, and by the time we cleaned up it was noon. Annie wanted many "tenticle" braids like an octopus, which I gave her, then she let the hens out, collected eggs, trimmed the ivy off of the hen house, and was so overheated and overworked that she had to strip down and take a rest under her cord tree. Maybe in some way I knew that our time in this enchanted house was limited...We purposfully buried Annie's umbilical cord in this large pot (above), then planted a small Japanese maple in it, instead of "planting" it in the ground . (I'm thinking of "planting" her baby teeth in this pot as well. What else are you supposed to do with the little souveniers?)
We're doing a job search here so we don't have to move, and we are looking closely at the offer on the table. One thing that makes me feel better about possibly moving, is picturing us living in S.F. in a great place that can fit all of us, with Bill close by, not making a long commute. Golden Gate Park, Chinatown, the DeYoung, the Zoo, etc. Can you see it too?


Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Just Today

There's a lot going on around here...mostly internal at this point. I'm reflecting on many things and feeling in-between worlds. What feels important to me is just today, not galloping too far ahead of me or behind.

Just today.


Thursday, April 12, 2007

Our lucky day


Lucky us! We have a baby visiting for the day. Little Nina is here while her mama has some important business to attend to. What a treat to care for such a sweet young baby. Nina is just ten weeks. Annie has been looking forward to this day since last week. I am surprised and delighted at how well and how much Annie has dotted over her today. She wants to play, feed, walk, burp, sing to and talk to her, and (attempt to) dress her. It's adorable! And Nina seems to love having Annie close by. I've been wearing her in a sling most of the day and she feels wonderful! I can't help but fantasize about adopting a second child, especially watching these two lovebirds, even though Papa and I are so satisfied with our lives and the balance we enjoy with one child. O.K. Nina is waking up again...Gotta go!

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Halloway House


My dear friend Lea is a contractor. She's building a small two bedroom colonial style house with a traditional style...all by herself. From framing to roofing, cabinetry to custom finish work! I'm amazed! To top it all off she has three small children under the age of five! She's on a really tight budget too and is counting her pennies just to buy adequate lighting. My hat is off to her. Oh! Did I mention it's a miniature house? Yes, she's a dollhouse contractor, and she's building a 1"= 1" scale miniature house that she has built from the Real Good Toys kit called The Simplicity. I love to watching her process, and I love having a companion in the world of miniatures. Our plan is to have a "Open House" at some point and show our houses to the world. It may be a while. We both have plenty to do. Lea is finishing up this house, and has her next one lined up.

Don't worry, I'll let you know when we're ready.

Sunday, April 8, 2007

Tweet Tweet


From the first light day, to the sun setting just now, our day was all about birds. To start, as an Easter surprise, we gave Annie a beautiful pair of yellow canaries. Canaries that she has been talking about and asking for for months. She named the female Daffodil (she's yellow with orange wings, as shown in the above rendering) and the all-yellow male is Dandelion. They are beautiful and she is delighted! Then we walked down by the river and caught a glimpse of the magical Blue Heron, searching through the reeds looking for a meal! Wow! A White Heron was mid-river doing the same. After we walked to the wharf and back, (where we saw a large flock of pelicans flying above our heads) Annie sat down to draw her new birds, and snacked on some deviled eggs (more birds!) that Bill whipped up. Can I mention how happy and satisfied I'm feeling in general these days, and specifically how lovely and sweet our day was? Well, I am feeling happy and peaceful, and for that I am grateful!









Friday, April 6, 2007

Afternoon Easter Party!










Sunny Day + Pizza & Salad + Green Grass + Face Painting + Egg Dying + Giggling + Friends! + Juice Spritzers + A Lot of Chocolate =
Afternoon Easter Party!

Photos from top to bottom- 1.)Papa surprises us with a beautiful cake! 2.) The table is set with party favors. 3.) Chloe and Annie waiting to dig in. 4.) Rinny metamorphising before our eyes! 5.)Alex with roses and cherries in her cheeks. 6.)Anna blossoming! 7.) Annie "Sagwa" the Cherokee-Indian-Chinese Siamese Cat.
Thanks for everything Edie!




Six-Year-Old Molars


Annie has just cut her first big molar. She's been sniffling, her cheeks have been rosy and she seems slightly weepy. I'm reminded of when she started teething when she was about five months old. My sweet baby!


Sunday, April 1, 2007

The San Francisco Treat!

I just got back from a four-star, foot-loose and fancy-free, feast of the senses (as well as the palette), birthday weekend in San Francisco with LaLa Pat. Wow! I'm still floating!

Some highlights:




Seeing LaLa coming down the walk at the airport!



Al Fresco breakfast at the farmers market, on the pier at the ferry building .



Catching a gong, fireworks and dancing lion ceremony down a side street in Chinatown.



Delightful service and personal indulgences at the Tuscan Inn at Fisherman's Wharf.


Two good laugh attacks. One to tears.



Outstanding wine, asparagus, and desserts at The Slanted Door.



Eating chocolates in bed, resting and chatting.



The weather! Warm, crisp, sunny in the city. Foggy and windy at North Point.



Driving through the Presido with it's amazing views and well kept historic buildings.




Stumbling upon the amazing Masterpieces of French Jewelry show at the Legion of Honor that was so amazing it left me pretty much speechless.




Am I forgetting anything Pat?





Oh yea. It was an unforgettable time...thank you doesn't quite cover it.