Little Kids

Geese

On our way to Pat's on Saturday Audrie and I saw this humongous gaggle of geese flying. Hundreds of geese and they were making a circle. We pulled over and watched them. They completed their circle and then landed in a field. I have often seen a gaggle in a field, but have never seen the landing process of the whole flock. It was pretty amazing. Audrie liked it.

Portland Run

Yeehaw. I got an email from Kink that I had won John Le Carre's "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy". Unbelievable. Anyway it required a trip to their station in order to pick it up. That coincided nicely with Mini's brake job. So Connor and I got up early Friday morning and headed to Rasmussen. Dropped off the Mini for its service and we strolled on down to the Pacwest building. About 15 blocks. It was a brisk chilly morning, but Connor was bundled up pretty good. The Pacwest building is a beautiful building. The elevators were a trip. You enter which floor you are going to and it tells you which elevator to take and it takes you there. I signed my paperwork and got my book. Many people asked about Connor and one woman told me I did not look old enough to be a grandparent. I didn't tell her that my oldest grandchild turns 13 this month. I just said thanks.
From there we headed to Powell's to check out some more books. I think that is about another 10 blocks. I sold a few books and bought a few books. Connor got his very first book. "Boy of Mine" by Jabari Asim. Audrie is going to have it so read before he even gets to have it read just to him. For some reason she really likes it. She got two new books also. Just before we got there Jared from Rasmussen had called to say the Mini was done. Wow. One hour.
Finished with Powell's we started the trek back to Rasmussen. I know it is at least 2o blocks. No problem. It is uphill most of the way with the block between 19th and 20th being the steepest. Kind of getting used to it as I always seem to go to Powell's when I go to Rasmussen's. Once back to Rasmussen I got the pleasant news that my brake job did not cost me $5oo as I expected. I didn't need roters, so the whole bill was $245. Yay for me.
Paid the bill and headed back to Vancouver for lunch. Met Mona, Barbara, Fred and Marilyn at Red Lobster and had a lovely visit. Barbara brought each little kid another outfit. I think she is enjoying shopping for them. :)

Elizabeth

I am so proud of Elizabeth. She is making such good choices. I can only hope that she continues to make them. It always amazes me to have a conversation with her about important things and she understands so much. I like how she uses her own brain and has her own morals. Actually I find that pretty amazing. But then she is an amazing girl.

Today

I am thankful for the support of the Clays, the Wills, and the Kadows.
I am appreciative of Mom coming and rocking Connor.
I am trying to be supportive of Dave in his recovery.
I am loving baby snuggles.
I am soaking up Audrie hugs and kisses.
I am lacking in sleep, and think a nap is in order.
I am looking forward to Elizabeth day.
I am breathing.
I am practicing ahimsa.

New Year

So we have started our new year. Myk got out of jail. I have no idea what he is doing. I know that he and Cassie had a visit scheduled with Connor, but they were late enough that it didn't happen. Why they didn't call...I have no idea. But it really isn't my problem. I was at work, so wasn't a part of it.
Connor is all healed from his little boy procedure. Only the first day was bad.
Dave is having a tougher time settling into our routine. He is discovering that parenting a newborn is a lot of work. And neverending. Kind of like laundry. Audrie loves her brother and wants to play with him. I think she looks for opportunities to try and pick him up when no one is looking.
Mom is still doing a lot of holding time for us. She likes it, he likes it and we like it.

Ending

We ended 2011 with a big pot of spicy black bean soup, "Larry Crowne" and Connor sleeping on Grammy. The neighbors were lighting off fireworks as soon as it got dark. Other than that it was pretty quiet at our house. We like it that way. Hopefully 2011 was the end of people in my life jumping off the deep end. :P Makes a nice fantasy anyway.
I talked to Myk. We'll see if he is just blowing smoke or whether he will decide it is time to get it together. I keep telling him...it's just words...time for some action.