Westward Ho

We had another superb vacation with our traveling toddler. We loved Colorado Springs and the Broadmoor - wow. I truly could live with the Royal Family and feel quite adequate. I love Sterling tea sets and sugar cubes. ; )

We hiked and toured all over the place; I especially liked Manitou Springs, a little artsy village at the foot of Pikes Peak. Boulder was gorgeous and Denver too - it'd had been a while since I visited those parts. Still not sure how or why the University of Colorado is CU, but I'm sure they have class outside there a lot.

Last night, Matt and I drank wine and talked in our hotel bathroom while Sam slept in his wee crib. We were laughing at how much life changes once you have a little one, but we really enjoy including him and taking him everywhere. He's already had so many life experiences, and he's not even 2!

Girls Weekend

Were my friends surprised that I drank nearly 2 bottles of wine by myself at Girls' Weekend at the lake? Not really. It's always fun cruising on a zip-line with a couple of drinks in me, too. Marta's place is amazing. What a nice getaway, and a lot of talking about hair products. ; )

We're off to Colorado this week for some serious hiking and viewing. I love my new Keen kicks - I could sleep in them. I love being a tomboy.

Just watched my friend Melissa's 9-yr-old daughter in the Ironkids triathlon. I'm jealous. I'm going for a run now...

We joined the Monon Center today, too! Looking forward to watching Sam glide down the "slow river."

Sports, sports and more sports.

Article about my brother, Jason

http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090710/SPORTS/907100321

New Book Assignment

I finally got it today! Argh, not allowed to talk about it yet. I can say this: it will take a year to do, and I'm the sole author - right on!

Dad was right: the money will follow...

Writing and Rain

I feel disciplined. I'm trying to write at least 400 words a day, and the story is developing. It's still inchoate, but the characters are coming together, because I already know them.

Wonderful is writing. Wonderful is Matt, who lets me write. He and Sam are at the saddle barn right now; Sam's on Rooster, his favorite pony.

One hell of a rainy spring.

California!

We're off for a week, and Matt and I get some time alone. Hooray! We're going to take Sam to San Diego one day, and I think Matt and I are heading up to the Hearst Castle. I'm thrilled. I'm tired, need wine. G'night.

Art Museum

I had the best Mother's Day! Matt always makes sure that Sam is included, that it's mostly "Sam's idea" for every little thing. I'm still smiling, and it's Tuesday!

This and That

I have a new secret blog somewhere else, but I'll keep this one alive too, for my peeps.

Matt's friend is getting married at the Fort Lauderdale Yacht Club in a coupla weeks. We're trying to think of a funny way to send him a fake "message" from this yucky girl he once hooked up with in college, just to freak him out before he takes his vows. Matt tells me the stories and I shudder.

Love

My God, Matt and I did laugh at "Appalachian Emergency Room" on Saturday Night Live. It was just ... so real.

Sam is beginning to sound out a lot of words, and he studies things with true intent and concentration. He's a smart little guy, and so sweet. When we put him to bed, we hug him and hum a little sing-song: Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm. Now he does it too. We do group hugs a lot too.

I went running tonight and I was thinking about Sam the entire time, thinking about something funny he did today. I giggled and said aloud, "My sweetie!" then looked around to make sure no one had heard me.

It's almost our wedding anniversary, and Matt and I just celebrated our fourth year together. How wonderful is love.

Cracker

Written Any Good Books Lately?

I unofficially have my second book deal. They're drawing up the paperwork now. I love the company, love the people already. I can write at the office, at home, on the moon, doesn't matter. I'm so excited, and the subject of the project is captivating, historical and moving.

I'm on a cloud right now. Matt took Sam out for the day so that I can begin research. I got in a half hour of banjo, too. : )

The Taj Mahal

So, I spend at least 20 mintues a day on the current zeitgeist Facebook! It's ridiculous. I have an interview with the publishing company on Friday, and I'm really hoping to be writing again soon ... and getting paid for it. It's looking very positive, and they are a growing company, and publish lots of books.

I took Matt to see the band Cracker last night in the intimate setting of a couple's home in Meridian Kessler. This is the 4th band they've had play at their home, and with only 60 people there, it was pretty spectacular. Matt said it was the best birthday gift he ever got. He had such a good time, and he's really been enjoying meeting so many people lately. He likes my choices in friends. We hung out with David Lowry and Johnny Hickman, and I was right back in my element!

Speaking of elements, Mary, Monique and I are going to see the Hip in Chicago in May. : )

I took Sam to the library today, where there was this self-righteous, caucasian geek "library" mom with two kids, to whom she paid no attention. Every now and again she'd go looking for them, and she would literally cluck her tongue, and they would answer in cluck. This was their call. My brother does this great whippoorwill call (as a joke) to his kids when they're hiking in the woods and he knows exactly where they are. Matt and I adopted this, also as a joke. But this woman was serious as a heart attack, and terribly awkward.

I'd say that her kids were around the ages of 4 and 8, and she kept bringing her little girl books on India, saying, "Look, sweetie, this is the taj mahal -- look at it. I said, look at it!" Instead, the little tike prefered taking things out of Sam's hands, and running around with a sweet little black girl whose parent had also left her. The sweet girl was well behaved, not creepy, and she shared with Sam and asked me where his sister was. Eek.

The mom came clucking for her weirdo little taj mahal-hater, and yelled at the little black girl right in front of me, shouting, "I'm going to say this. You do NOT yell or run in a library!" and then went clucking off to find her daughter, who'd run away yelling.

I tell ya.

Super Bowl Night

We attended a Super Bowl party tonight, where Sam was the star. Mmm, my Sammy. I practiced banjo today and went for a run, but the best news of my day was that the Ebay auction for my B&W speakers ended with $900 in my pocket! Unbelievable! I bought them at cost ($800) about 8 years ago.

Matt said, "Sam's going to Harvard!" : )

I had a surprise party for Matt Friday night at the Wellington. All I can say is: I cannot believe that I drove home afterward.

More surprises to come...

The first and last time I watched the Super Bowl I was pregnant, vomiting every hour, and the Colts won. I don't even know who's in this game. My friends who had the party tonight said that they'd watch Sam anytime, because he's sooooooooo good. That made football worthwhile.

Happy Birthday to Matt!

I love you so much!!!

Snow Day

We got 11 inches of snow last night and today! Matt took the day off and we walked to CVS and bought Sam a sled for $25. We took him sledding on his "school" hill, but decided that our driveway - a huge hill - was much more fun. Sam was giddy, and kept lying down in the snow to eat it. A couple of times he fell over, looking much like the little brother in A Christmas Story, wrapped tightly and unable to get up on his own.

After Sam went to sleep tonight, Matt and I sneaked out and sled a few more rounds. : )

Traveling Mercies

I think about writing constantly, but Sam is requiring constant attention-to-detail lately. He's learned to climb up on the bed, couch, dining room chairs and dining room table, and he loves climbing aboard the office chair and typing away on my laptop. He grunts, and sometimes screams, when I say "NO!"

I just took a lovely afternoon nap, as it seems there is nothing else to do when the snow falls full force. It's beautiful outside. Everytime I sleep, I think I hear Sam crying. I think I may do this for the rest of my life. I asked Matt the other night if he thought it was weird that I'd be going away with Sam to college. I might get my Masters then, so Sam and I can study together, drink beer and eat pancakes at 3 o'clock in the morning.

Matt's b-day is Friday, but since he reads this I won't mention the tricks up my sleeve.

We've booked a room at the Conrad the night before our wedding anniversary, and dinner at St. Elmo's (all of it was part of Matt's bonus, so it'll cost us nothing!). Jason, Beth and the boys are coming down to play with Sam for an overnight. That will be a treat. It's only a few weeks away, but today it seems so ... very ... far away.

We're off to Chicago for a weekend in late March, Florida for 5 days in April, then California for Memorial Day weekend. Matt and I are going to try sneaking away, and drive up the coast again to Santa Barbara, the one place I told him I might enjoy settling. : )

Being excited to travel so much always makes me wonder why we still live here, but I've done so much traveling, and it's because I live here. Inexpensive. Easy flights. Plus, there's that Brooks family I love so dearly. But I do love getting out of Dodge. I feel such a connection with things I've never done, and there are all of those people I need to meet, photos I need to compose...

Speaking of Dodge, we picked up my new auto last night - she's a beauty (and not a Dodge). I haven't named her yet, but she's female, for sure. Pearly white. I love her. She's fast, too, and I love driving fast. Yes, even with a baby. I'm sorry, I, uh, love driving fast. Matt and I have this in common. I can take him.

This morning, Matt told me not to take Sam out in this blizzard. Ha. California boy. Glad we bought that 4-wheel drive last night!

Lastly, but importantly, I'm hoping to start editing books part-time for a publisher here in town. Grammar makes me glow; it's a strange phenomenon.

The 4 neighbor kids are outside playing and screaming in the snow. I swear to God, if they wake up Sam...

Babies on Board

I almost tossed my cookies when I heard about the plane crashing into the Hudson, mostly because we've had Sam on 12 planes already at his tender age, and crashes worry me now, where before I could deal with the mere fact that it could be "my time." My "time" and Sam's "time" are onboard different decades to the big White House in the sky.

Although I'm ecstatic for the 155 people onboard (a mom and baby; ok, make me bawl why don't you?) the NYC aircraft, who all made it out with minor injuries, I would like to apologize to the people onboard flight 566, from Portland to Minneapolis, where Sam coughed and sneezed, screamed and kicked for 3 hours. I always used to detest "those parents," but now we are one.

My favorite memory of the trip, however, may be of the row seated behind us. Sam looked over and smiled at all of them, and then let out the most gigantic sneeze. I couldn't help but laugh under my breath.

And now to digressions...

I just finished reading "Operating Instructions" by Anne Lamott (my second book of hers, and Matt just bought me my third) and, even if you don't have a child, it's hilarious. It's a journal of her son's first year on earth, and his name is Sam. The book is older, but still timely.

I plan to watch every moment of Obama taking his oath of office on Tuesday, and I'll cry along with most of the country. If it's above freezing outside, I actually may round up Sam and take him to the Indiana State Museum, where they'll be showing coverage all day. Sam loves CNN, I'm not kidding.

The emergency room visits in Idaho cost us $1,100! Sam got one breathing treatment and two prescriptions. I really hope that Obama corrects this tragic practice of highway robbery.

Oh...I think I'm buying a new car tomorrow. Horray!!!!

Electromagnetic Waves, the Golden Globes & Me

All of my electronics are breaking; I think it's me. I need to drink more water.

Slumdog Millionaire looks terrible, but I'll give it a chance.

I don't get Angelina Jolie, but I long to be Kate Winslet.... just not tonight on the Golden Globes, where she made a complete idiot of herself.

Played poker with my family last night and won a bunch of nickles. I love my family! Best, best, best family.

Sam makes Matt and me melt buckets. Oh, that boy.

Don't forget...

"dramatic" and "highly entertaining"!

Thoughts on Sun Valley

I loved it. There is an overwhelming calmness, and presence of Ernest Miller Hemingway there. Matt made sure I saw all of his haunts.

The house Matt's parents rented was set on an exquisite lot, with a creek running behind it and picturesque views everywhere. Matt took Sam for a spin on a sled, which made him swoon. Matt and Sam are best buddies, and Matt is the best parent I think I've ever seen. Really. He outshines me at every turn. He has such patience and kindness. Love that man.

We ice skated at the Sun Valley Inn, and drank hot toddies to warm our bones. The ski conditions were challenging, and for the first time I was actually nervous skiing, but I made it through just fine. The problem was that it was snowing hard, and white-on-white is blinding. I couldn't see an inch in front of me, couldn't tell where the path met the edge, so I screamed a couple of times, bit my lip, whitened my knuckles and hotdogged down. ; )

And yes, I had a moment with Tom Hanks. Imagine if you will, me running into him in a drugstore, at the end of an aisle. I stood frozen, but smiling, and he smiled and hesitated for a moment. I said hello, he said hello, and then I think I tucked up my ski jacket and ran away, like the cowardly lion did with his tail.

Tom was carrying a man-purse around his body, and I think maybe he was shoplifting. He was wearing cool glasses and a hat, but I knew him. He's a little chubbier, but aren't we all? ; )

We saw William Baldwin (oops, had to look up their photos) skiing, and Matt said, "What a disappointment - he's the worst one!" He was incredibly tall, very handsome, but yeah, I've never seen him in anything. He was talking loudly, too, almost hoping to be noticed, which isn't good for shoplifting.

Sam got croup while we were there, and we made two trips to emergency rooms (one in Ketchum, one in Boise). Can't wait to get those bills. The poor guy couldn't breathe, and what made matters much worse is that he couldn't nap, either. We were all quite sleep deprived and spent most of yesterday catching up.

Matt's parents had dropped us off at the Airport Best Western (that was all that was available in Boise), so we had to call a cab to get to the hospital. Matt walked to Denny's after we got back, and we sat on the bed and had a picnic. Sam loved this. Matt and I were a bit depressed. Matt got up to get Sam a glass of water, tripped on the bedspread, and all of our delicious Denny's tumbled to the floor. I laughed uncontrollably, like I used to in church.

We had a so much fun together. We may return this summer!