Onward

In truth I gave notice at my job two days ago, BUT this is because I was accepted into the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Houston AND I was accepted into the volunteer program at a meditation retreat in Vermont for the month of July. Big changes on the horizon and an unbelievable month all to myself (it has been 16 years since I've had one of those!).

There has been some tense dramarama at my job post giving notice. My boss was actually very nice about me leaving, but there are other issues with other people and I will be glad to walk away from there in three more weeks.

In exchange for working 30 hours a week Monday-Friday here I will have the privilege of spending, room and board free, the month of July far from the wilting Houston heat. Much to my delight I was informed that the majority of work will be outside. This will hopefully detoxify me from the desk bound life I've been leading. I've already got the books I plan to read while there lined up, some fresh notebooks on hold as well as visits planned with two women I love and haven't seen in a while, one in Quebec and the other in Burlington.

The kids are spending two months with their grandmother on her farm in Argentina this summer and Juan will be watching all the crazy violent movies I can't take here at home.

Come August I will be in school once again. I'm excited about the program in large part because we are required to work at a community agency for 16 hours a week every semester. I'm a hands on kind of girl and think/hope that classes will be more interesting due to the fact that all the students will actually have real life experiences to bring to the theory and study of social issues.

One other thing I am looking forward to in July is no access to a computer. It's been at least 12 years since that has happened for more than a short bit of time. I plan to write letters something I did a lot more of before email entered my life!

Here

This weekend there are no fixed plans a relief and a luxury after over a month of weekends on the go. Fridays are traditionally family nights so we had dinner and then Madelines and tea outside with the local wildlife.


Sofía is my nature chick. She reminds me of myself at that age. I spent hours staring into a creek bed, catching frogs and even more hours turning over rotting logs to see if I could capture newts. I wanted so much to be a herpetologist and to write for National Geographic. My own father saw his dreams of being an "ologist" in me. The last time I visited him he pulled out a record he found that was made in a booth when he was 10 where he talked about wanting to become a scientist "geologist, zoologist or some kind of ologist." He used to hang out around the staff entrance of the Museum of Natural History in Washington DC hoping to learn more about the things he found, and he learned how to do taxidermy from one of the scientists who must have seen some potential in him. The sound of his young hopeful voice made me very sad. College was so far out of the reality of anyone in his family and he never managed to make it there. He had a family to support instead. I grew up with snakes and lizards and preserved these pets when they died in the formaldehyde my dad kept in his closet. I regret never having been challenged in science and I do think a lot of it had to do with being a girl. Sofia announced this evening that she wants to be "a natural scientist that studies frogs and toads" that would be a herpetologist! No pressure, but it would be cool!

The only fixed plan I have this weekend is to go see Marjane Satrapi with Micaela. My very good friend Adam gave Micaela her first book a few years ago. We have yet to see the movie, but Micaela is looking forward to getting her book signed for her collection of books signed by women authors including Isabel Allende and Gloria Steinem(a picture of her getting the book signed and she wasn't 9 she was 4!). The only man in the group is Ira Glass who we saw earlier this year.

I'm feeling rather insular these days...I'm trying to be here in my life even when it sucks, which the 8-4 part definitely does. This too shall pass.

This is what 40 looks like

A day like any other, but with bigger expectations I suppose. A beautiful brunch out with my family, a new book of poetry bought (a yearly tradition) and the gift I most wanted received. Things aren't quite as I'd hope they'd be at this milestone in my life, but when are things ever quite as we hope? I'm trying to appreciate the moments I'm given.

Somewhere under the rainbow....

This past weekend I went to visit my friend in D.C. We walked out of Second Story Books on Dupont Circle to the most amazing rainbow either of us had ever seen. It was huge and luminous and the picture doesn't do it justice, but it was worth documenting.

Last night we celebrated Solstice which is, of course, technically today, but today Micaela has a friend over and Sofia is at a sleepover. This is the first year we have decided to do the whole gift thing on Solstice. I look forward to sleeping in on the day most dedicate to presents. The kids were beyond happy with their gifts and extremely grateful. I'm grateful that today brought a Solstice mix (and other goodies!) from the musical Wordy Diva and a gift certificate to a local spa from my boss.

Tomorrow we will be invaded by teenage girls for a birthday party. Micaela will officially be 14 on Sunday. There is an element of deja vu in the whole thing; some of these kids are dressing in the "latest" 80s fashions and the movie line up is retro too....The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Stand By Me and Heathers. The last two I recommended as they asked me help them find 80s films. Nice to be of some use.


There is absolutely no one who makes me laugh like Micaela makes me laugh. I could not have imagined, 14 years ago, as I cursed the heat and my enormous belly how much I would enjoy being the mother of a teenage girl. She speaks her mind, has great style, stands up for what she believes in and isn't afraid to show us affection in public or act like a total goof ball. Who else would skip down the bayou walking path with me while singing made up lyrics to hypothetical heavy metal songs? I know, no one. Truly she's a kindred spirit and I'm glad we met up this time around.

Late night loopy

It's late and I'm luxuriating in the thought of not having to get up at six in the morning and walk the dog in the dark before heading off to eight hours in an office. Of course the long list of things I have to do tomorrow will hit me like a speeding truck in the haze of my impending sleep deprivation, but for now I'm goofing off. Happy Friday (ok, technically Saturday now)!

Let the madness begin!

Today was my second day back at work full time. So far so good, except reading policy and bioethics papers for 4 hours in a row starts to make your eyes go blurry. The biggest bonus was finding out that the center closes for two weeks over the holidays. Enforced vacation time and no more worries about juggling the kids being out of school, priceless. Crazy evenings trying to catch up with kids, make dinner or walk the dog (Juan and I switch off), supervise homework, then violin practice , make the next days lunches etc. etc. not so much. A balance will be found!

I can finally post a picture of my latest finished object, the last swap in an almost year long swap with the members of my former knit and spin group in Illinois. This hat has Sarah written all over it!

Sofia looks pretty cute in it too, although the light could be better. I spun the yarn and then knit the hat and felted it. The red flower is from a sweater Sarah gave me long ago and the black velvet button was taken from a 1940's coat dress I no longer wear.

I've been sewing quite a bit and have everything to make this (I was the happy recipient of the one pictured, my last swap gift from Dorie. Ironically I bought Lotta Jansdotter's book the day before I got the bag, I now plan to make one for my mom.) and this. Both of them holiday gifts. Sofia made a place mat for herself from the Lotta Jansdotter book and I made this backpack.


My plan was to show it on my back, but it makes me look like a linebacker. Note to self: much longer straps next time. This backpack will go to some lucky kid.

Just a few pictures from today...

Getting Gracie riled up!

Battle of the Bands, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

Juan exchanging breath with a statue outside the Museum of Fine Arts Houston where I also saw an amazing exhibition of Avant-Garde jewelery, but somehow missed the Kara Walker exhibition. Next time.