Rock To Wind A String Around

And now I’m back from outerspace and much like I refuse to attend a parade without a 2 year old Astrid Meklit in tow, I now refuse to drive cross-country with a 3 year old Astrid Meklit in tow.  She’s like another person, and not in a pleasant way.  Believe it or not, when faced with such insufferable behavior, my behavior becomes insufferable as well.  Anyone traveling on the route between DC and Cowtown today probably heard the wrath–no MOTY award for me after today’s performance, I assure you…

But–tomorrow begins a new month (rabbit, rabbit, rabbit) and a new season.  NaBloPoMo is over, advent begins.  The turkey goes back in the box, and the snowflakes will adorn the windows.  Elliott helped me wrap the best 25 holiday books for Astrid and the basket of cheer will greet her in the morning (along with Trader Joe’s chocolate delight, because who doesn’t need a bit of sweet in the am?) and we can begin anew, with a mama who speaks softly, loves gently, and remembers the magic of three is riddled with big emotion and great passion.

Tomorrow, a little something sweet from mama as well.

Did an FB status update a few minutes ago and realized I’ve spent more than 60 nights in a Marriott this year–isn’t that crazy?  No wonder I was so able to tell the Marriott platinum prestige line that last night’s hotel stay was the worst ever.  I know people, I really do know…

Tonight is the last for a month or so–the tots and I are homeward bound tomorrow, Albert will follow on Thursday. 

So, on this day four years ago, Albert and I renewed our vows.  We knew we’d be in Florida for Thanksgiving, so we made plans to drive back via Tallahassee, and we arranged to renew our vows during the daily noon service.  The noontime congregation seemed as delighted as we were by our surprise renewal–you can see it in the pictures taken by the photographer Albert hired (as a surprise for me).  The celebrant who married us in ‘95 was retired, but filling in for the vacationing staff, so he was there for our renewal too.  It felt so right to stand before Father Harry, the congregation, and my husband  to say once more,  “I choose you.”  Three little words, but so much more implied the second time around.  After 10 years, you know exactly what you’re choosing when you stand hand-in-hand on the dais.   4 years later, I still say, “I choose you, I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth.”  And  I know now that the ends of the earth have a Marriott attached.

Here, there, and everywhere–as long as we’re together…

Settled in at Ye Olde local Marriott, which may be the noisiest place on earth–too close to the road, with skinny little (me, eat pie?) walls that are no match for the toddlers next door.  First they were shrieking with glee, now with frustration, (and I imagine exhaustion since it’s after midnight), this night may put dreams of Ethiopian nights in my head–it wasn’t very quiet there either.

2 more days on the road–whee!

Why are pictures* able to enthrall just a few short hours after they are taken?  We had another fabulous day out together with my bil and sil and their horde 4 children at the Fountain of Youth.  It was one of those gorgeous late fall days in Florida–high in the 60’s, a slight breeze and not a  cloud in the sky.  We chased the kids around the grounds with cameras and at one point had the wise foolhardy idea to plop all 6 cousins on a cannon for a group picture.  The results make excellent theatre but terrible shots for the wall–S cried because her mama wasn’t holding her, M held his ears because S was screaming, A darted admonishing looks with her twisted eyebrow at S, E wore his fakest smile, as did D, and poor J was shoved so far to the front of the cannon that he wasn’t in a good many shots.  Still, it was fun to try, and more fun to goggle over them during dessert tonight.  Maybe our kids really are that cute?

We leave all this gaiety tomorrow by lunchtime.  I hate parting each year, although 2 weeks away has been plenty–the tots and I are eager to get home.

Reporting might be scanty (even slightly invisible) tomorrow-but I’ll try.

See you on the flip side, kittens!

*these pictures, and many more will be forced upon you once the happy marriage of camera,cord, and computer is consecrated.  Think Tuesday thoughts…

T errific weather here in the Oldest City–the Turkey Day engorgement was followed by a rousing neighborhood game of Capture the Flag, tricycle riding, or trampoline gaiety.  We’ll waddle a bit less tomorrow

H appy.  This was our happiest T day yet.  The 6 cousins get along splendidly, everyone played nicely, and the day was a joy from start to finish.

A lbert ran a half-marathon this morning with his baby brother.  They both ran well.  Albert ran weller (his best half marathon time yet–bring on the pie!)

N oise–along with the happiness of 6 cousins and 7 grownups, there is noise, lots of noise…

K ids–in a relatively childless neighborhood, my bil and sil live in a row of three houses teeming with children, mostly boys Elliott’s age.  Since Elliott spends so much time in the Oldest City when he stays with Pops, he knows these kids well, and is happy to see them.

S ailing–we go tomorrow, out on the boat of Pops.  We’ll be sure to search for both the owl and the pussycat.

G ames–we all love them, so once the kids are settled for the night, we usually play a card game I learned in college.  Tonight we shared Bananagrams andQuiddler instead. The Scrabble lovers in the family adored the new diversions.

I nertia has not reared its ugly head.  Despite my fears, I’ve managed to work out most days.

V ery relaxing–happy children and delicious food =Rancho Relaxo

I nteresting trip to the Lightner Museum earlier this week.  Despite not visiting for 15 years, the stuffed lion and Regina music boxes seemed like old friends.

N ew dress code for the feast–totally casual.  With the Capture the Flag game planned for after the meal, everyone dressed for sport.  Nobody cared, and really gravy stains on tshirts, not a big deal; gravy stains on tafetta dresses?  much bigger issue

G ratitude–filled with it after such a terrific day

D essert–in charge of dessert today, I chose to make a gorgeous gluten free pumpkin cheesecake with praline topping.  Sounds good in theory, except that I forgot to add the pumpkin to the pumpkin cheesecake.  I whipped up a pumpkin custard at the last minute and served it as a topping for the pumpkinless cheesecake–a new and better dessert was born, I am crowned queen of all desserts both floury and gluten free!

A strid (who keeps the seatbelt buckled, thank you very much) has been a champ despite missing several naps and hanging out in the cousins’ house with all of their stuff and littleof hers.  Today, when Albert’s 97 year old grandmother came over for dinner, AM said, “hi grandma–I’ve always wanted to meet a grown up who is little.  nice to meet you.”  Grandma, who was 4′10″ in her youth is a good bit smaller at 97.  She thought it  funny. We thought it pretty funny too–that Astrid Meklit, she’s such a charmer!

Y ear.  We switch off on alternate years.  Next year we’re in charge, I hope we can be such fabulous hosts;  this is a Thanksgiving for the record books.

Hola, blog-friends.  I’ve decided to share the EOR fundraising letter for the three of you who haven’t received it by mail or in your inbox.  It always feels a bit awkward to  share this part, you know, the asking, so openly, but I can imagine little more important to share with you today, so…the letter:

Thanksgiving approaches,  and while I spend time hunting for gluten free pumpkin cheesecake recipes and packing for the marathon drive from Ohio to Florida via Virginia, I also think about the many, many gifts in my life. When I take the time to create a gratitude list, it’s clear that I am  indeed a lucky gal. Some items loom large, like my terrific husband, and my happy healthy children, some items are basic, like my big-enough house (with a broom closet!), and great public library, and some are tiny little things that make my life complete, like Liberte‘ yogurt and my favorite new show, Glee.

It’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day aspects of life, but when I really take time to reflect, I realize like most, I have a good deal to be thankful for.

As our second year of operation draws to a close, the board of Ethiopian Orphan Relief, inc. has a lot to be thankful for as well. 2 projects at SOS/EE, a playground at AHOPE, and a well-building project to be completed in December are just a few of our many tangible successes this year.

Before asking you to make a donation to EOR, I would ask you first to catalog the gifts that make your world a better place. After, I hope ‘ll feel compelled to share your good fortune with others—the children of Ethiopia. Whenever I feel I have too little to go around, a quick check of all that I do have reminds me that I have plenty to share. Whether your list includes a fabulous vacation, new grandchildren in the family, or your own favorite TV show, I hope that you’ll recognize the gifts in your own life, and choose to share the joy with EOR.

Those of us at Ethiopian Orphan Relief, Inc. realize our greatest gift is YOU! Without your ongoing generous support, none of the projects would be possible. You have made the world a better place for thousands of children who have access to joyful play, education, and clean water—perhaps for the first time ever.

Please  create your own list of gratitude, and consider making a gift in your name, or to honor someone else, to benefit the children of Ethiopian Orphan Relief. We all have so much to be thankful for…..

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving.

In gratitude,

Paige Chapman-Layland

Ethiopian Orphan Relief, Inc.

Annual Fund Chair

Should you choose to donate, we are happy to process your donation here

Arrived at my mil’s vacation house here in the oldest city only to find that the internet wasn’t working.  some colorful tale-telling on my bil’s part got it turned on, well, in the nick of time.

I’ve got nothing of note to report–we’re here and ready to drink deeply from the Fountain of Youth.  Realness tomorrow, I promise!

Took the opportunity for dinner and movie since my parents were coerced interested in sitting for the kids.  There wasn’t a thing we wanted to see within an hour of ManateeLand, so we took full advantage of the situation and drove up to Gainesville and back.  We saw An Education, which premiered at Sundance last year (I know, I know, it’s been 10 months…) and it was lovely in all of it’s middle-class early 60’s in London scene-setting.

Dinner followed–fun tapas and a live jazz trio.  2 nights without food prep or bib-tying.  I could get used to this.

The best part of the night though, was the hour + drive in each direction.  Plenty of time to talk about all sorts of things, from the serious to the silly.  Add in some loud singing and a little air guitar and really, it was the perfect date.

Off to the oldest city in the US tomorrow–it should be fun.

Another quiet day in ManateeLand–just the way I like it.  Lots of hanging out, playing games, leisurely breakfast with a thorough discussion of the Plimoth Colony and Mayflower Compact, and then a dinner out with GiGi and Other Paul.   Watching Astrid Meklit’s crush on my uncle, is a fun trip back to yesterday.  Paul is my mother’s younger brother.  Perpetually single, witty and quick, he oozes charisma.  My cousin Tara and I both adored him when we were little.  He was the uncle who didn’t care for children particularly, but was often entertained by and entertaining for us when we visited my grandmother.I remember once when Tara was 2, maybe three, so I was a year older,we were at my grandparents’ house and Tara ate some dog food out of the bowl.  Horrified by all that I knew to be very wrong, I turned to Uncle Paul to  tell him of Tara’s misdeed.  Instead of being properly disgusted and angry about this, Paul reached in to the bowl to eat a few pieces instead.  So yeah, he’s that kind of uncle, and we loved him all the more for it.  Astrid M has the same sort of devotion for Other Paul that Tara and I did, although in this case, the adoration seems to be a two way street.  The minute he walked in tonight, she forgot all about GiGi, was annoyed by my grooming attempts and couldn’t wait to get into the car to sit with him!

At dinner, I was sent downstream so that AM could sit between daddy and OP.  I was so sad delighted to eat my meal with the grownups for company–no prattle, no food cutting, no bib-tying–I could get used to this.  As happy as I am to live in our corner of not Florida (where 4 seasons abound and November isn’t hot), it would be awfully nice to live closer to family–I have a feeling AM would like some more Other Paul time.  I know I always did.

The rest of the trip went fairly smoothly, as long as the velcro was firmly attached.  We are now comfortably ensconced at Casa Chapman.  We were rewarded with a hearty breakfast this morning,  and then put to work cleaning out gutters and hanging Christmas lights–so much to be thankful for!

The little gal is thrilled to be here with her beloved grandparents.  My mom keeps a little blow up guitar in the toy closet, and Astrid has been eager to get to it since October–she  frolicked and sang with it for the better part of the afternoon, making her the life of the  party.  Her best song, was the one about the nice light.  A little perplexed about what she was singing about, tonight when she went to bed, she was thrilled to see our night light from home.

You know, our nice light…