Out With The Bad Air, In With The Good

Name that movie: "Out with the bad air, in with the good. Out with the bad air, in with the good."


Finally, finally, finally. We walked to our park. Our Park! That was Maria's very loud exclamation when we took our first neighborhood stroll yesterday afternoon. I sort of cringe admitting that this was our first local walk. Our neighborhood is well known as a walking area and it is favored by joggers and dog walkers alike. Maybe we need a dog. Just kidding.


It seems that we had no end of reasons to skip going out together and walking down our lovely street. Sometimes rational behavior and duty to chores is overrated. So casting aside our list of "things we should be doing," and ignoring our coughs and other ailments, we bundled ourselves for a family outing. It was wonderful. It was cold. We got to see our neighborhood in a slowed down, relaxed way that is so much more intimate and endearing than the coming and going mode we are accustomed to. We found pine cones and daisies. We met two big, black lab brothers: Tank and Moose. Tank and Moose are new to the area, just like us.

We played in the park and explored the sports field a bit. Before the sun set we started for home, inhaling brisk, fresh, good air all the way.


Looking back, we saw the lush colors of the sunset. Beautiful. I am so glad we got out of the house.


Today it is raining. Long, saturating bursts of rain. The kind of rain that pours and puddles, clears gutters and makes rivers and lakes. The kind of rain that makes us So Cal folks wish it could snow. Wouldn't that make for a wonderful neighborhood walk? Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! All that good air has made me whimsy and wishful!

A Happy-Jolly Soul

We Need A Little Christmas


All the way to the tree lot my mind and heart were in a heated debate.

Heart: What we need is to decorate for Christmas.

Mind:We are sick. Stay in bed. Shut out the light.

Heart: Fresh air and the joyful spirit of Christmas will cure whatever ails us.

Mind: Are you for real?

Heart: Think of the children, and the heartwarming sight of a lit up tree.

Mind: Think of the lines and the hassle of climbing in to the attic to search for the tree stand.

Heart: A cheerful heart has no fear.

Mind: Bah and humbug. A cheerful heart doesn't vacuum pine needles.

Heart: This is going to be wonderful. You'll see.

They went back and forth like that. I side with the heart, obviously.


Only Max and I are sick and I think the fresh air was good for us. William and Alex are strong and capable, so I put them in charge. They found a good tree, and Max, Maria and I chimed in with our happy approval.


William and Alex hoisted our evergreen on to the roof of the sleigh van, secured it and even got it standing straight and secure in our living room.

Now it is lit and pretty and cheerful and dropping pine needles...

Crackin' Up


Is it a coincidence that if someone is "cracking up" they can be either laughing heartily or losing their mind? Personally, I am going for a little of each.

The broken window actually makes me feel more giddy than grumpy. It is our very own broken window. We can fix it when we want to and we do not have to answer to anyone for it. And better still, it came from play. Spontaneous evening ball tossing between two family members led to this event... this rite of passage. What can be more classic than a shattered window pane from an errant ball?

So, what else has me cracking up?

Geoff's ankle injury. When the swelling goes down we can get a better prognosis.
Maria's mystery fever, which has finally left, but not before we had to postpone her birthday celebration.
Max's new cold.
My new cold.
Feeling old, grouchy, grinchy, overwhelmed, smelly, tired, far behind and after I post this, embarrassed.
Yes. It is that kind of morning. And I haven't been anywhere near a Martha Stewart publication, so the feeling that I will never achieve my goals and fulfill my holiday fantasies has been mustered all by my own daydreaming and self-deprecating self. Can you say "self" twice in the same sentence?


I am still holding on to my gratitude, still gleefully dizzy with new home joy, but I also kind of want a break.
No. Wait. Choose my words carefully...
I still kind of want a break.
I would appreciate it if all illnesses and ER visits would cease and desist. I would like to have consecutive days of good health, for all family members. It would help tremendously if we could be unpacked, organized and even familiar with our surroundings now.

I am going to leave decorating, shopping, house cleaning, parties, outings and hoopla for another wish list.


If nothing else, I would love to take a nap.