Gift from the Sea, or, God Bless AML

Here's the thing about traveling. I like it, but it's a lot of work now. I have to clear my calendar, which means finding someone to do all the legwork with the kids, manage the house, etc. I have wanted to go to Baltimore to see my BFF Lynn in her Louise Jefferson de-luxe apartment in the sky, but absolutely could not go with my family. The kids would fill up that space like wild dogs on a skiff. So after reading Anne Morrow Lindbergh's Gift from the Sea, I was inspired. I would go on vacation alone, and everyone else would make it work. Of course, there was quid pro quo...Bill could have his own vacation too, to a place of his own choosing. It just so happened that both vacations occurred in June, but that actually worked out too. By half year mark, I think we were both tired and needed a regroup.

I will post more about Baltimore another day, when I have pictures to narrate. But here's what I will say on the general topic of vacationing alone: do it. Do it at least once a year. Do it for a weekend, or three or four days. Do it to a place where someone you know and love lives, so that you're not lonely. Make your own schedule. Eat what you want. Don't call home too much. Read a crappy book while you're there. Breathe a little. I did, and wow, I feel like a million bucks.

Around the House, or, Now Look What You've Started

This is my new corner project. See that nice Home Organizing book on the counter? That's no accident. I love this counter and specifically asked for it when we redid the kitchen. I envisioned it as my own little workstation. Well, look what's happened. There's a maraca, a dolly gurney, a PECS card for the potty, some random catalogs, the girls' hair do dads, Viewmaster thingys, my phone charger...this space is officially Not Working. I need to get stuff off the counter, get a file folder thingy on the wall, get something cuter to handle my supplies (bags of pens, staplers, tape, etc. is not getting the job done).....the wall that surrounds the fridge is tall and narrow and perfect for quick-view stuff, like a cute bulletin board, or something. I don't know. All I know this, this spot makes me a sad panda. And that's not what we're going for.

Grobles gave us some plants at our chinese-cambodian-italian dinner last night so I spent all morning putting them in, watering them, and the re-organizing everything else in the yard so that it looks weeded and clean. It's hard to admit that I can't have the backyard I really want (no grass, just plants and a path) because the kids need the space to play, but my day is coming. In the meantime, these new hosta and legolaria are going to have to whet my appetite for better yard days ahead.