Dead Leaves in the Dirty Ground

I guess having too much to write about it not a valid excuse for foregoing the blog.

3 of the 4 humans in my house being terribly ill for a week and a half might be....

The laundry list of worse things happening might be (don't ask...if you've checked in with me you already know).....

However, we like persevere in the face of adversity.

It all sounds so harsh and critical, doesn't it.

I've started 5 blog posts in the last week, and they all sound so depressed and forlorn. I can't hit "publish post" in good conscience with that shit, because, the truth is, life is grand. Bipolar? Maybe...Slightly schizo...always..........

Anywho, it'd be wildly unfair of me to post something mopey when I don't feel mopey...my writing has just been off.

So, since were are firing on about 3 cylinders (if we pretend I have 8) I'll just give you some randomness........

We had a fabulous time with my cousin JC and his wife and kids and parents (my aunt and uncle - obviously) last week. They came through town on their way to the beach...so we spent a day at the Space and Rocket Center and the evening at my Dad's. Being with them reminded me so much of the joys we shared as kids on vacations together up north. Seeing our 5 kids (all ages 4-7) have a BLAST together just brought a flood of great memories, and, as he has always done, he made me laugh until it hurt to laugh any more.

Despite yucky germies, some of our good friends celebrated the 4th with us. We made real s'mores and let the kids play with sparklers and glow sticks. We got to enjoy the nearby Dublin fireworks from our front yard. We were pretty lazy, and we barely held the kids out to the end, but we rallied.

We got to attend the first annual GFAFF (George's First Annual Fish Fry) this past weekend and hang with the family and friends. In fact, we've really been appreciating the spoils of children who are almost 5 and are becoming more social and less dependent on us. We've had a plethora of activities lately with friends where I can sit and eat and drink (I'm at a one drink maximum these days unless we are in the neighborhood.....well, okay....or unless Adam agrees to be the DD :) ) Selfishly, I find those sad feelings about having more babies have dimished greatly. We are having so much fun as a unit of 4, and, like I pointed out, I can go places and hang out with the adults and have adult discussions and the kids are thrilled to make up outdoor games and activities with the other kids...and it is fabulous. As I type that I recall that I did try to steal as much baby time as I could Sunday afternoon :) Let's just say I am appreciating seeing the babies when they are near and being able to come home, put the kids to be, and be adults.

There is something to be said for feeling adult....and somewhat free...in a marriage...not knocking you birds out there with babies....just reminding you of the light at the end of the tunnel.

Adam and I are gearing up for the 2011 Richoflex Road Trip (Allens, if you are reading this, I am channeling Michael :) ) The kids are going to Grandma and Grandpas and Adam and I are going to drive....no interstates allowed...and stop wherever we want and photograph whatever strikes our fancy. Don't be fooled...the Nikon is coming along too, but the Richoflex is loaded and ready to go. ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!! Sounds fun, doesn't it? I like the part where we are just going to spend the night wherever we end up and eat whatever looks good. I've been told thrift stores are in my future too.

I'll miss the kids for 48 hours. I doubt the feeling will be reciprocated. It is okay....I am used to unrequited adoration. If they were anyone else, I'd just shrug them off too.

Speaking of unrequited adoration....oh well, I'll save that story for anyother day. It is it's own topic, I think.

I have much more I'd hoped to share....but it is time to go see one of my super besties, and then off to bed.

More later. Peace.