Living in Munchkinland

We flew to Denver last weekend with the kids. They had a day off of school for parent conferences, so we decided to take advantage of the three day weekend. We left Thursday night after work and school and flew into Denver, arriving at our Hyatt House late in the evening. The next morning I loaded the boys up early into the rental car and took off so that Michael could have the hotel room in which to work. As the boys and I drove west, with the sun behind us, we were treated the most amazing view of snow capped mountains ahead of us and bright gold, yellow, orange and red trees all around us. We had arrived in the peak fall foliage season and we were very impressed. We were in town to let the boys get to know Littleton and Denver and to do some house hunting. We started our morning by driving around the neighborhood. There are lots of parks tucked in everywhere in Littleton and mature trees. It is a very pretty town. We had an appointment at the local STEM school and had a v...

When things are hard in my life, I always tell myself, firmly and furiously, "I'm not going to think about that right now." Because if I do think about that right now, I just spiral around and around and around the same thoughts. I can't sleep with that going on in my head. I lose my appetite. I cry. I realize that thinking things through is important, but I do it TOO MUCH. And so I say, "I'm not going to think about that right now." I know my problem is self cherishing. I am way too self cherishing. I am thinking too much about how I'm feeling and how I'm causing the people around me to feel. I want too much. I must stay in the moment. (I must not think about that right now). I mostly just want to spend all day every day with my head in my mother's lap. I'm sick this week with the rotten head cold plus the anemia. I'm sure that doesn't help. We're leaving today on a jet plane. I'm working on finding exc...

We spent a whirlwind three and a half days in New Orleans last weekend for our annual couples weekend getaway with my mom and dad. We flew out there on Thursday with Bruce (dad's caregiver). We got to the house and ran some quick errands for provisions and then mom and Michael and I went out to dinner at the Three Muses. It was so good with my favorite french fries and a wonderful band. Mom went home after supper and Michael and I cruised the outdoor market on Frenchman and then went in to hear a set and a half of Miss Sophie Lee at the Spotted Cat. She was wonderful, as usual, and we had a nice time chatting with her and the band during the breaks. Friday Michael and I took a long walk up and down Magazine Street shopping in various little stores and having a grand time. We got back to the condo mid afternoon and had a glass of wine and a rest before we all went out for an early supper at Pesche with Gary. We ordered the whole fish two ways and had my favorite fried bruss...

Hello, blog. I haven't written much because the things I'm feeling and thinking about seem too personal to put up here for public consumption. But we've been going on living our lives. I'm still feeling poorly and still doing tests. I suspect the same sinus infection, but we'll see. Last weekend the boys spent the night with Martha and Clark and Michael and I went to Duchman winery and then to a party at my friend Debbie's house. It was such an amazing party with a private concert by Carolyn Wonderland and Shellie King. Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling well and had to leave early. Sigh. Stupid immune system. On Sunday, we rallied and went to see the Little Mermaid at Bass Concert Hall with Sharon and her girls and Odille and Tommy and her grandmother. I was not very impressed with the show, but the kids really enjoyed it and the lunch we had with friends afterward. Michael was in town this week which I needed. My dad continues his decline and...

I'm producing the fifth grade musical at Davis's elementary school. I was in the fifth grade musical back in my elementary school and it changed my life. I was cast as Mary Poppins and it set me on a path that led to my university choice, professional choice and life choice. I wanted to be able to create that opportunity for another child. It's a labor of love. And I do love it. I love it so much. We had auditions and call backs last week and yesterday we all sat around and did our first read through of the script. I couldn't keep the grin off of my face. It felt so good to be back in rehearsal. I had forgotten how much I love theater. I love the process. I love music and energy. I also really like fifth graders. They don't drive me all that crazy. I think they are smart and interesting. I'm surprised by how much I have to give. I really know so much. I'm an expert at this, ya'll. There was this big hole in my life that has been fill...

It finally feels just a tiny bit like fall. It's still mid to upper nineties during the day, but the mornings feel cooler. The pool is too cold to swim laps. Hunters are shooting things and my friends are abandoning me to sports so it must be fall. The kids are busy in the fall routine. I am busy working and travel planning (I'm going to visit Cheris!!!!) and solo parenting while Michael travels. We are not doing too much extra curricular fun as we are broke from booking a ton of travel for the next few months. Last weekend we worked around the house and on Saturday evening we went over to my parents to swim, grill and play bocce ball. Our friends Tom and Odille joined us and we all had a merry time. Sunday we went out to the Duchman winery. I love that place. We met up with some of our Tyler Place friends and had a wonderful afternoon. This week Davis ran for student government and lost. It was good for him. He should try and fail and learn from that too. Progre...