instant gramming

November 30, 2010

Thanksgiving #1

We just wrapped up our first Thanksgiving with Ms. Ellise and while being out-of-town can be a drag, it was great to share stories with other new parents (and veteran parents alike) and play with new bambinos, centered around copious amounts of food. Ellie is getting wilder every day and it seems like we brought home a toddler.  Apparently with age so has come Ellie's increased tolerance of loads of family members catching up on their baby-time, wanting to hold her and use loud, exaggerated baby talk in her face. I like to think that my constant obnoxiousness and invasion of her personal space is to be thanked for that.

A lot of my conversations involved me justifying why I'm quitting my job. In every instance, the information was called out with the same statement said as a question: "So, I hear you are quitting your job---?" After ending my rehearsed explanation by saying how excited I am to be at home with Ellie, trying to leave it at that, both of my grandparents described how I need to go about getting my next job. Grandpa says I need to shave my beard and get a suit; "Look the part," he says, for a career with the County or the State. Grandma directed me to take some night classes.

Past those brief examinations, I realized my other conversations were with family members with whom I've never genuinely talked. Our discussions were about our children and daycare and daddy-penises. It was a great feeling, gathering up these little stories and thoughts, talking about babies.

Ellie is becoming more expressive and communicative every day and it's amazing to watch her grow. While it seems a little sad or scary that she's growing "too fast," it is awesome to see her flourish and learn in this safe, protected world we are providing for her.

November 19, 2010

On the move

finally figured out that rugs have too much friction to let this baby glide across the floor...

it's like lookin down in a fish tank

November 17, 2010

Found

I've got a motto: nothing good will come if you take something you found. I think I've said it before, if you find one thing, you'll lose another. Well, I wasn't about to bike past the five dollar bill I found in the road on my way home today... Cha-chaaang!

I almost pooped myself when as I reached down I realized it could be fifty...

So what am I about to lose?

November 16, 2010

-------

My head is about to explode. It probably has a lot to do with drinking coffee whilst churning out (creating) endless maps of an extensive tree survey. I've been making an effort to ride my bike to work these few days but know that the time I have for that is numbered. Winds of big changes may exist and they promise to be gusty at the least. I have only hope that the few plans I have made are good ones, and that I'll figure out which way to turn when I get there.

I could use some more coffee now

November 10, 2010

Winter, Fabric, and Money

The author of a popular cycling blog recently wrote this: "For some reason, fall makes me start to look at touring and randonneuring bikes."

Well, in my life, plummeting temperatures makes me want to bundle up in lots of heavy duty layers and I don't care if that clothing is large, baggy, and so ill-fitting like every pair of Carhartts that are available in the USA. I just want to wear boot socks, long-johns, canvas work pants, and as many tops as will fit under my winter coat. Instead of visiting bike websites, I prowl for workwear. I dream of wool and windproof softshell.

It's outrageously dorky. I know.

I hope that, in anticipation of quitting my job and forfeiting our second income, I can get crafty and start making some cool stuff, like shirts and pants and hats and socks... maybe more baby clothes than anything. I've been sourcing crazy, technical fabrics. I bet C should be getting a headache from having to roll her eyes so much when confronted with some of the ideas I've been coming up with lately.

Anyway, we had a really short conversation about money last night. It didn't really get anywhere since neither of us had enough attention to pay each other; but we agreed that maybe we should give up an unessential expense each month, even if only for that month, to better understand our budget. This month, for me? How about, no buying clothes?