the sun is in the sky oh why oh why

It felt like I kept running into beautiful people today. First, there was the trip to work with my kids:

Precious Cargo
Nels is all smiles about ten minutes before he and I had a huge throwdown involving taffy. Photo by Sophie.

Cat Wants In
Did I mention the cat rode on the trunk of my car a city block yesterday when I left? Here he has just been rebuffed in his efforts to join us. Packed in the bike: swimgear for three, embroidery project of Sophie’s, spices for today’s soup, my purse, various warm hats.

After I took this picture I pulled into the neighbor’s back driveway to get out of the way of the alley. The neighbor soon emerged and eyed me askance as I packed. I explained I’d be on my way in a minute but she looked unfriendly and unconvinced. Sometimes I think people are really boggled by the amount of kid-age on the bike; I get a lot of stares. 90% of them are friendly, but not always. I look forward to the day when many, many more people carry many more things on bikes on many more of our roads.

Kelly + Coffee + X = Heaven!
Ralph bought me a new coat; I’ve had the same outdoor coat since my marriage, given as a gift. I like this one much more. It certainly makes me visible! Photo by Sophie.

Riverside, HQX
We’ve had a series of lovely sunny days for much of winter. And here I’d been bracing for rain. Sophie again operating the camera.

Docs + Fishnets + Bike
Our footgear. We borrow a digital camera; I look forward to one day owning one, especially in light of what great fun the kids seem to have in clicking away.

Today's Destination!
About to embark on a very busy shift at work. This is another rare smile of Nels’ this morning as we had yet another fight inside. After work I took my boss’ boy K. to the YMCA; lugging even more weight on the bike. Ralph brought Nels over from school and the three kids swam and swam and swam. We got home well after five.

a muffled morning

When I find the time, I need to remind myself to feel guilty about how much rest I get. This morning I slept in until about 10:15; and it wasn’t one of those “hop out of bed” refreshed wake-ups. This was more like the slow-motion crawl, swimming to the surface, gee-I’ve-been-sleeping-for-a-long-time slow, sloooooow wake-ups.

My dreams just prior: intense. My family somehow withholding a letter from my father. My nicest aunt writing a mean email about me! My grandfather, my brother, both being, well, kind of dicks (they aren’t IRL, I swear). And always, permeating the nocturnal dreamscape: missing my father a lot.

Last night found me at a Ladies’ Night at the Deli. Good times. Amazing food, more bottles of wine than I’ve ever seen in one spot (I did not partake; I get high on life), those games where you make a fool out of yourself, and a silly movie. Cost: $10. Ridiculous(ly cheap)!

Thursday nights my mother has been taking the kids for an overnight, and Fridays I work at the Deli for a few hours. This for me is a nice little adventure; serving grownups instead of my own wee ones, great food, a paycheck now and then coupled with tip money I use for groceries, gifts, or occasionally saving up for something practical (Keen rain boots, check!). I don’t kid myself that this little reprieve is due entirely to the gift of my mother: quality, guilt free, wonderful care for our little ones. HQX has given us some decided advantages.