Monday, April 20, 2009

Toddler Travel

We're heading to New York City at the end of the week to celebrate some nuptials. Not just and nuptials, but family nuptials. My big brother has tricked a lovely young lady into spending the rest of her life with him. Ha! Hope she likes hockey, bacon, and tea tree chewing sticks. Ha.

So Max and I are bringing the kid--after all, what's an intimate garden wedding without a whiny toddler? Far to quiet and civilized, if you ask me. Anyway, we've never taken Samson to a BIG CITY before, and aren't quite sure what to do about taxis and subways and what not. I mean, we understand the general concept. You use them to get places. It's the specifics that have me flummoxed and slightly anxious. Like are you supposed to use a car seat when taking a taxi? If so, how do you get a taxi to pick you up if it means waiting while you install your huge car seat? We could have Max flash one of his insanely stellar calves, but that may get old. Any thoughts?

I think we've got the airplane thing down. Portable DVD player? Check. A hundred little packages of cookies, raisins and goldfish? Check. Apologetic grimaces for those sitting near is? Double check. We're still trying to decide whether we should take a taxi from the JFK to our Manhattan hotel or if we should brave the subway for a 45 minute trip with our whirling dervish and our likely-to-be-too-much luggage. Hmmm. Again, thoughts? I'm looking at you, Maggie, you travel maven.

In other news: it's HOT. Like, lower 90's hot. We're going to go look at water tables after nap time.

In other other news: I spent my very first night away from Samson over the weekend. Long story short: it was AWESOME. I only missed him a lot. More on that later.

In other other other news: the hole left by Nanna's passing is still huge and raw. It helps to fill it with cupcakes.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Short One Dog



Ugh. We finally had to say goodbye to Nanna this week. I'm too sad to write much about the experience or my family's reaction right now, but I think it will probably be an important part of the grieving process later on. For now, here are some of my favorite Nanna related posts.

If I had a Nanna, I'd hug her in the morning

Are you ready to ROCK???


A great big cheer for 8 big years!


Loopy Loo and the Lurid Lump

The spring, she has sprung, yes?

Damn, I miss that girl dog. Damn.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Black Hole

For the last week, our home has been trapped in a black hole. Well, more of a yellow and green mucus colored hole. One cold became one cold + one flu, which became three colds, which became two colds + one sinus infection. If you value your health, STAY AWAY. And buy stock in Kleenex.

Saturday, April 04, 2009

Eat Your Veggies

We just got back from a wonderful class about how to start our very own backyard organic vegetable garden. It was a housewarming gift from two dear friends, and we are all raring and ready to go! I especially like the part about dumping your kitchen garbage in a pile in the backyard. This is called "composting." I always thought it was called "trashy and lazy."

Our plans are grand and most likely unattainable, but we intend to plant:

tomatoes
carrots
sweet corn
broccoli
strawberries
lettuce
peas on a terrace
sunflowers (only because the class came with a seed)
pumpkins (ditto)
basil
parsley
rosemary
chives
onions
potatoes? I think it may be too late...
California poppies (true story: I accidentally typed "california poopies")

Our lovely yard came complete with five raised bed-box-thingies, a plastic composting bin, and nice brickwork around the bed area. We've been dreaming all winter about doing something yummy and fun up there, since we really don't get to actively enjoy it much. Boy howdy, that's about to change big time.

Awesome! Everyone's invited to our place for grilled veggie pizza and strawberry cupcakes!