Living in Munchkinland

There is a reason I quit drinking. Every time I had more than a glass of wine and got my buzz on, I would have a great time, but when I woke up at 3AM (EVERY TIME) I would lie there for hours in a foggy dry mouthed agony trying to remember each time I stuck my foot in my mouth, was insensitive, over shared, told a whopper, looked foolish, didn't listen. Does anyone else wake up with 3AM remorse? I hate it. I hate it so much that I refrain. But I like wine. And I like getting tipsy and being social and sometimes just letting go and having fun. So. I've been thinking on this a lot the last couple of days. (I did attend lots of parties this weekend and perhaps indulged a wee bit.) Here is what I think. The thing I lie there in agony over at 3AM- the thing that makes me worry and angst and hate myself about? I lost my act, and dropped the facade. Drinking makes me lose the veneer. I'm always trying so hard to please people and to make them like me. I adjust my...

We had an incredibly busy weekend. We helped my dad celebrate his birthday on both Friday and Sunday. His actual birthday was on Friday and so after quick parent conferences for the kids, we picked up my parents and we all drove out to Dutchman Winery for a tasting and then a lovely dinner next door at Trattoria Lisina. I had such a good time! Saturday morning, Davis wiped out on his bicycle and we rushed to the doctor after he really gashed up his knee. The skin wasn't viable for the stitches he really needed, so he'll be bandaged and limping for at least a week. After that drama, we drove up to Austin and spent some time with my sister and Kade at their wonderful house before getting all gussied up and driving out to Michael's cousin Mason's wedding. It was an absolutely beautiful wedding. The location was gorgeous, the bride was gorgeous, the dance floor was gorgeous. I enjoyed getting to spend some time with the Walter family. I really am lucky to be marr...

We had a lovely October weekend camping at Palmetto. The kids had the day off from school on Friday so we were able to head out there early. The weather was sunny and bright, but cool in the night. Martha and Clark came and spent the afternoon with us and Clark fished with the boys and then our friends Cheris and Rob, Stacey and Chris and Odille and Tom and their respective children all arrived and we all had so much fun. The park is beautiful and so kid friendly. We went on trail hikes and the kids rode the paddle boats and their bikes and they waded in the river and we played hedbanz, and soccer and baseball and frisbee and I got to sing and dance with the kids and we made banana boats and I got to talk to my friends and sit by the campfire and practice my spanish and I enjoyed it all thoroughly. I think I might *like* camping. Gasp. The kids are old enough to run free and we've sort of got the camping thing figured out and we went out there with some really good friends...

We took the kids to see the touring Broadway show of Beauty and the Beast. We had front row balcony seats which were great. The kids had never seen the disney movie, but loved the play. I thought it was good, but not wonderful. Watching musicals is hard for me. It embodies the word "bitter sweet". I love musicals. I love theater. I love it so much that it was all I did in school, what I have my degree in and what I chose for my profession. And then I happily gave it up and chose to be a mom and wife and live a life of leisure. But I miss it. I'm so jealous of those people on stage singing and dancing and pouring it out there. I miss the camaraderie of the cast and I get lost in the what ifs. I am inspired by each show I see and tormented. The last two nights I've dreamed about being back in that life. Let's see, I spent the the years between my 8th birthday and my 28th doing theater pretty much full time and then I've spent the last ten years (...

Saturday night, we busted out the outdoor movie screen and hosted another family movie night. We screened the Princess Bride and encouraged people to dress in costume and quote along. The night seemed to fly by, but I had so much fun and got to see so many of our good friends. We pulled out the hedges in our back yard and this really opened up the yard which was a good thing as we had about fifty guests on the lawn. Costume pictures are courtesy of Cheris Lifford. Check out the picture of Sam as the six fingered man.

Saturday morning was the San Marcos Sacred Springs Powwow. This is an amazing event offered annually at Aquarena Springs. The whole family attended. Dad was one of the original founders of the event and this powwow is near and dear to all of our hearts. The powwow is really fun and so good for the children. We ate Navajo tacos on fry bread and then the kids stopped at the arts and craft booths to make dream catchers and drums. My nephew stopped at the row of vendors and bought a tomahawk. We eventually made our way to the main tent to watch the dancers and the drum circle. We were sat and watched the dancers for about an hour and even got to participate in a dance. The emcee made sure to explain each dance and tradition so we really learned a lot, especially the boys. I am so glad that the boys are able to learn and enjoy the indigenous culture here in our hometown.

We had such a busy weekend. On Friday, I went with Davis on a field trip to Pioneer town in Wimberley and the Remington and the cowboy museum. The fourth graders were so good and well behaved and we all had a lovely morning. It was fun to see Davis in his school environment. This is a fun little place and I highly recommend a stop there. Friday night, Michael and I got a sitter and joined my parents, sister and brother-in-law at the Rattler all class reunion. This was really my mom's 50th reunion, but all classes are included. I was definitely the youngest one there and though I had a great time with my family, and my sister had my crying with laughter, the event itself was no fun. We came home early and Michael stayed up watching ACL live on the big screen.

This is the stack of books I found on Davis's bedside table this morning.

We went camping with the cub scouts at Enchanted Rock this weekend. We had beautiful weather- no humidity and low eighties as the highs and crisp and cold at night. I had snuggle deep under my sleeping bag to stay warm! This has been my favorite campground thus far. We had beautiful spot and plenty of room to spread out. Friday evening Michael and Samuel went with the Webelos and Davis for a hike to the summit. They came back after dark and we all made banana boats and sat by the fire and went to bed late. Saturday morning I went with a bunch of kids on another hike to the summit. I had never been to Enchanted Rock before and even though my stitches were still very sore, I really wanted to climb the rock. It was worth it! The view is incredible. We got back from our hike in time for a quick lunch (I had packed an amazing farro, kale and delicata squash salad with lemon-tahini dressing) and then we met for our official cub scout campout meeting. Michael and I and our other ...

Our wonderful church, San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, volunteers to serve a meal at the Southside Community Center and this month our family was finally able to participate. I've been complaining lately that I've been feeling really selfish and that I'm afraid I'm raising the kids in a bubble of privilege. This was a great kickstart to volunteering with the kids. We ran into some school friends there who say they come almost every week to help serve. I love this idea and will try to do it far more often.