TV ban

I would just like to reiterate how much I love the warmer weather. I can't remember the last time we turned the TV on, and all the lunches and dinners at the picnic table are heavenly.

Thank Goodness for Starbucks

Alright, I'll explain myself. Officially, being a native Seattlite, I can find a better cup elsewhere, and I'm not too keen on their take-over-the-world business practices. But because they are plentiful, sometimes located directly across the street from one another, you can count on a clean bathroom in just about any small corner of our fair city. Bless them. As E is still in the first year of mastery in the potty department, we have been in a potty emergency more times than I can count. Just such an incident happened today, which prompted me to jot this thought down.

We were exiting the I-5 heading towards home, and her little legs started kicking and the squirming started. "Mama, I hafta go potty, NOW!" My mind did a quick scan of the area, "Alright, there's a Starbucks right over here, hold it, ok?" I navigated the car into their cramped parking lot, slammed it into 'park', scooped her out of her car seat and made a beeline for the back of the store. All the staff smiled, one even opened the door for us, and we were in! Whew! Deep breath, we made it! Thank Goodness for Starbucks.

P.S. Yes, I purchased an iced tea on the way out...

Miss Potter

If you haven't seen this movie, you should (For you Washingtonians, it's now at the Crest, $3). It is sweet, sad, and magical. And for heaven's sake, Ewan McGregor, c'mon!

I felt especially endeared to this film, having owned and been told these tales from a very young age. My mom held a certain reverence for these works. Each tiny hardback was couriered from London to our home in Seattle by my Aunt Sue, a stewardess at the time. Although the covers were mismatched, we soon owned a complete set. And it wasn't even a question as to what we should christen our childhood pet rabbit; Beatrix Potter, of course. And you can bet that these stories now grace Ellanor's shelves.

You can imagine my delight while I was in London a few years back, I was lucky enough to stumble onto a 100 year anniversary display in the Royal Library featuring her works and illustrations. Here is a meager photo, as I owned a used, first generation, digital camera back then.

Wisteria

Wisteria growing along the front side of my house was too beautiful, had to share it with you. Of course these photo's don't do it justice.

(looking up)

hinting

I dropped a lot of hints about wanting a birdbath for my garden for Mother's Day. But because Dave and I were apart for the holiday we decided to celebrate at a later time. Today, as E crawled up on her stool to wash her hands after using the potty and before nap, she exclaims "A birdbath is a secret, Mama." "Oh, well, not anymore it isn't," I reply. "Yes, when we get it, it's a secret." she retorted. "Alright," I say beaming. Don't you just love it when your husband actually hears all those hints we drop?

A,B,C

Daddy is finally home for a while. However we've spent most of his time home though, mopping and sterilizing our downstairs bathroom as our plumbing is sketchy and it decides to back-up every 3 months or so.

Nice.

I did bring E to his show at the Showbox this evening to watch Daddy sing. It's nice to remind her of what he does every night when he's gone on those long tours. Lately she's been asking me "Where does Daddy live?" Knocks the wind out of me. Anyhow, she got to sound check with him and a couple renditions of The A,B,C's were spouted as random tough-guy club workers in tattoo's and multiple piercings melted right along with me.

cheese

E and I went to the Seattle Cheese Festival.

Phoenix

As I opened the suitcase that contained our clothes and various paraphernalia from our trip to Phoenix, the very distinct smell of chlorine hit my face. E and I splashed in Grandma Hilda and Grandpa Benny's backyard pool one last time before I packed our bags to head home. I miss it already. We were ready to come home though, we had spent a week in the heat, ate at all our favorite spots, I stayed up late watching David Letterman, and guiltlessly finished a girly fiction book and 4 magazines. Not to mention reconnecting with family.

D's grandparents have welcomed me into their lively clan with open arms, and of course they adore E, their first great-grandchild. I count it a blessing to have grandparents again, when D and I were married, only my mom's father remained then, and his health was fleeting. Benny and Hilda were married before they turned 20, and started a family right away. They are both hard workers and have a colorful past and I so enjoy listening to them tell their stories. Benny built their home back in the 60's, and a good chunk of their land is dusty ranch, as he was a roper back then. So the air is fragranced with the smell of horses and the earth baking in the scorching sun. Most of Hilda's siblings live right there in Phoenix, and 2 of her 3 children also have rooted there, making these visits somewhat of a family reunion. Our visit was dotted with coffee dates with aunts and uncles, and we even attended church on Mother's Day at the church D's uncle started 12 years ago. Because the weather was so hot, we mostly stayed indoors, venturing out only (armored in 50SPF) to play in their backyard pool, nestled among the palms and a few orange trees,

for a quick trip to the zoo,

bubble blowing,

picking oranges,

and a few mall excursions.

*We surprised E with a visit from her dad.

He just happened to be passing through Arizona on his way to LA while we were there. We met up for hugs and kisses, a tour of the very slick tour bus, and some dinner. It wasn't much but it meant so much to all of us.

We really had a nice relaxing time, and Hilda just spoiled us rotten with new clothes, toys, meals out, and just plain old hospitality. It was great to get away, to be with family while D was on tour, and soon we'll all be together again.