I had to get my semi-annual jewelry inspection, so took the girls to the mall and then to their first-ever experience at Dave & Buster’s. It was a pretty good day. Christina finally has some pants, and not a moment too soon since it’s supposed to dip below freezing tonight. They had Guitar Hero at the arcade, so I was happy. I think everyone had fun, especially Billy, who didn’t have to go to the mall.
Tag: christina
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October 10
Robin asked to go out for ice cream after dinner, so I told her to eat her broccoli and we’ll see. We ended up at the ice cream shop in the dark, but it was closed. I feel like the days of the ice cream shop may be numbered, which is disappointing, but we’ll see. We ended up at Publix and brought ice cream home instead. Unlike the ice cream shop, Publix has chocolate moose tracks, so I was happy. Plus, we spent the same amount of money and got three tubs of ice cream and toppings. Still, there’s something about sitting in the ice cream shop that makes ice cream taste better. But I’m glad I said yes to Robin when my impulse was to say no. A lot of times (not always) doing something is better than doing nothing.
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September 28
Today was a pretty good day. Christina and I made it out for a paddle and I got to try out my new air compressor. It was sweet! Not to leave Robin out, who hates paddling, we later went to the mall. As a joke, I tried on an absolutely absurd-looking dress. But to my surprise, it looked good on me. I ended up leaving it on the rack because I have absolutely nowhere to wear a slinky shimmery gold dress in Jacksonville, but I keep thinking about it. Robin also tried on a mildly inappropriate dress that she ended up buying, even though SHE has nowhere to wear it, and she hasn’t taken it off since. Maybe wearing the dress isn’t about whether other people see it, or even how i look in it, but about how I feel when I wear it. Maybe I’ll go back for it. Maybe…
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September 14
Robin asked to go to the playground, so… why not? It was a gorgeous day. We ate dinner on the patio, then went out for ice cream and to the Game Haus, where we tried out a few new games. We had a lot of fun, but now I have a headache. It has been a stressful weekend for me. Hoping a good night’s sleep does some good.
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September 1
I’m a little sad after our trip. I wish I felt closer to Rob and his family. I felt comfortable with them all weekend, more than I expected, but since coming home, all I can think of is them talking about me and how fucked up my kids and I are. I can’t help comparing myself to him and feeling like I don’t measure up. He has money and a beautiful wife and happy children and the passion to follow an impossible dream with unending confidence. I don’t know what it is that I think I have to prove to him or anyone, or why I should feel ashamed of my Jimi Hendrix muscle shirt or the fucking fact that I wear glasses. (Seriously, this is something I felt was a defect he’d judge.) It comes from an old hurt I’ve felt for many, many years. I never felt I compared to Rob. He always had friends and made funnier movies than me and told better stories. People always just liked him better. But I love this picture, and I love him whether he appreciates it or not. I backed away from Mom out of fear and I live with that regret every day. I do not want the same regrets with Rob. I guess he’s stuck with me and my Hendrix shirt and my kids who won’t talk to him and my couch with three legs and the Maltese who shits in the house. He could do worse.
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August 7
We had a great time these last few days with Sonal, Esha, and Arjun. The resort was fantastic. I never wanted to leave the water. I’m completely exhausted now. It was a long, long, long drive home with so much traffic. If we had pulled over to the side of the road and parked for an hour and 15 minutes with no other traffic, we would have gotten home at the same time we did tonight. I’m thankful for Billy, who very graciously picked up my favorite pizza for me (I mean us) so it’d be ready for us when we got home. And it was delicious. Now back to reality.
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August 6
The beach on the island was beautiful. The water was perfect. We sat in the water watching a storm roll in for hours and almost made it back to the mainland before the skies opened up on us. We ended up spending the afternoon in our room, but we did manage to have some s’mores by the fire pit before it started raining again. I am so glad Billy talked me into saying yes to this trip. I only wish he was here with us too. He’s been having kind of a shitty week… every football practice this week has been ruined by lightning and they have yet to get on the field. Pretty soon we’ll be back to commiserate. But until then, pool and turquoise water it will have to be.
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August 3
Snagged this sweet shot of Christina swimming in the ocean with some dolphins playing behind her. The birds flew into the shot just to show off. We had a good time at the beach. Weather was great, water was refreshing. Need to do more of this.
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August 2
Today we spent the afternoon helping inspect and sort food donations with Feeding Northeast Florida. After all of the amazing things we have been privileged to do lately, it felt like something we had to pay forward. It was a fulfilling experience, and I can’t wait to sign up again.
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July 23
Christina and I broke in the new paddleboards this morning, and I’m so glad I made that impulsive purchase a week or so ago. I had so much fun hanging out with her, and I’m finally starting to feel a little more confident with the boards. I can’t wait to go out again.
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June 22
It’s embarrassing how infrequently we go to the beach when it is as close to us as it is. But we made it today for a record-setting hour and a half. Too much longer than that and the sand would have been scalding to walk back to the car on. Next time we go, I will have to suck it up and go earlier before the sun tries to murder my feet. It was so refreshing in the ocean. I kinda can’t wait to go back.
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June 14
We scratched off another adventure card and found ourselves on a private flight tour over Jacksonville. It’s something I didn’t even know you could do, and it was awesome! The pilot took us over our house, but I had a hard time getting oriented from the sky, so I couldn’t find it. Billy saw it, though! It was cool seeing landmarks from above, but it was also cool to hear the conversations the pilot had with flight control. At one point they were telling the pilots to steer clear of the “humans falling from the sky.” Apparently there were skydivers in the area. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime things that I feel so lucky and privileged to have had the opportunity to do with my family. And that we are. I have to remember to pay some of that back into the universe.
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June 4
I’ve been trying to get past my frustrations with my lack of progress in running, and I started a new training plan. Turns out the new app isn’t compatible with my current watch (which I purchased more than six years ago). That has thrown the whole plan off from day one. Even though my watch does work well otherwise, I decided to splurge and get myself a new one. I’m excited to get it tomorrow and have full use of the app. I’m also excited about running again. The parts of the plan I’ve been able to do have really lifted my spirits. Totally worth it.
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May 28
Christina had her dress rehearsal for Sunday’s recital this afternoon. It’s so cool watching Christina grow into her dancing, especially knowing how much she loves it. It was a five-hour long rehearsal, which probably irritated many parents, but this is one of those mom things that I’m thrilled to get to do with Christina. Just look at her!
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May 26
Christina did a little something with her hair today. I think it looks so pretty. I’m not sure how it will hold up in the pool, but I guess we’ll see. And now I guess it’s back to business.
