• May 28

    There were so many pictures I could have taken today. Like Robin’s sprained ankle that landed her on crutches for a few days, or making s’mores in the living room, or even the blooming hydrangea outside my office window. This is all I could manage amid all the chaos, and now five minutes after creating this work of art, the power is out. Perfect end to a great day.

    May 28
  • May 27

    It was a pretty boring day, but the kids had fun with my DSLR and even took some nice shots. I finished most of the machine sewing on my advent calendar. Next comes the ornaments and then the finishing. I may just get it done in time for this Christmas. I started it two Christmases ago, so this is a big deal.

    May 27
  • May 26

    We ate sooo much food today. Eight people ate ten sausages, eight cheeseburgers, four hot dogs, 85% of a cake, six brownies, coleslaw, macaroni salad, and half a bag of potato chips, not to mention six cans of beer and four liters of soda. What the hell? No one should eat anything else for at least three days. We ended the day with Kids Against Maturity, where Robin learned what hemorrhoids are, hooray. Could not ask for more. Maybe less, really. Grateful nonetheless.

    May 26
  • May 25

    Today was an emotional day of birthday pool parties. The first one had an abrupt end accompanied by tears – both mine and Robin’s – and the second involved actual swimming, delicious cheeseburgers, and chocolate cake. Happy birthday Sydney and Rosina!

    May 25
  • May 24

    I laid in the grass listening to the latest Hozier album after work. There was a breeze and sun and shadows and it was kind of perfect.

    May 24
  • May 23

    Molly and I went to visit Susan this morning, which is an event that has stuck with me all day. Susan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a couple years ago and it seemed clear to me that she didn’t entirely know who we were when we arrived (without an invitation). It felt strange. I’m not sure Molly left with the same impression I had. Maybe I’m wrong. At least Susan seems happy. Christina got in trouble at school today for stealing gum out of someone’s backpack. She came home in tears, sure she was a terrible person. I tried to separate the person from the action and I think it kind of worked. She bought new gum out of her own money to bring in tomorrow, so hopefully that will help make it right. I worked for two hours after the girls went to bed to make up for the two hours I spent trying to find Susan this morning instead of working. Today was just weird all around. I’m ready for bed. And so we have this shitty picture of Pinot to remember the day by.

    May 23
  • May 22

    I didn’t realize there was a full moon until a cameraperson showed it at Yankees Stadium during the game. It was so bright, almost like daylight. Perfect night for werewolves.

    May 22
  • May 21

    I sang (spoke) the opening words to “The Soft Parade” to the kids today and then played it in the car for Christina on the way to dance. She agrees Jim Morrison is both insane and an absolute genius. But she wants to know why the heck they called their band the Doors. I guess they did it for the same reason that you cannot petition the Lord with prayer. Because Jim said so.

    May 21
  • May 20

    Some days I get beautiful pictures of the ocean. Other days I get pictures of a pile of shoes. Obviously today was the latter.

    May 20
  • May 19

    I led my last worship service for a while this morning and it went pretty well. I skipped the annual meeting (bad member) and took the kids to the beach instead. We saw a ton more dolphins and the water was Caribbean turquoise. Christina swam waaay out into the ocean to try to touch a dolphin and Robin had to bring her back. It was an absolutely beautiful day. I need more outdoor time like this.

    May 19
  • May 18

    It was a busy day! Robin and I went to the beach and saw some dolphins out in the ocean (Robin spotted them, thinking they were sharks), and then we picked up Christina from a birthday party at Adventure Landing, and then we went to Robin’s end of year cheer banquet. It was nice! Robin even got a special leadership award, which was so cool. So proud of her.

    May 18
  • May 17

    Christina and I played hooky today. We had plans to go paddling, but it rained, so we went to see the movie, If, instead. It was a good movie, but I cried from the opening credits all the way to the very end. So emotional! I also figured out the twist way early, but it didn’t ruin it like it does in other movies. Then Christina got her hair cut and we went out for Colombian food. Such a good day, start to finish.

    May 17
  • May 16

    I might have quit therapy today. We also made delicious chicken tikka masala for dinner and I took a shower. I bowed out of the worship committee at church and I feel so relieved. Feeling generally out of it. I haven’t even been able to put my heart into complaining this week. Maybe I need more sleep.

    May 16
  • May 15

    Highlights: Christina lost a tooth, pizza night with the fam, baseball on TV (the Yankees won), and interesting work statistics to be shared at staff meetings.

    May 15
  • May 14

    Christina’s been working on creating a board game in math and she went the extra mile to make these custom game pieces for it. All their little eyeballs fell off in her lunchbox, so Mommy got a chance to use her glue gun tonight. And now I can say I had my part in her success.

    May 14