New House Smell

After a rear-numbing ride home from Portland yesterday, we walked in to that new-house smell. After ten days or so in really old homes in a damp city, this smell was of new wood, new carpet, paint. Nice smells.

Until Lucy - who had helped herself to jerky, hidden under numerous coats, sweaters, books, etc., during our only stop where both of us got out of the car. She was able to climb into the front seat from behind, and not leave a trace of her sleuthing. (If I hadn't found some suspicious-looking scraps of plastic wrap back there, she would have gotten away with the caper.) Being the glutton she is, and time constraints, she ate the jerky - plastic and all. Then proceeded to up-chuck her newly eaten kibble all over the new carpet - many, many times once we got home. My husband spent the night sitting up in a chair in the living room. We are worried she has some plastic that is not moving through and will take her to the vet this morning, if the tiny little breakfast we gave her doesn't stay down. He will also follow her around during her "business" to see what is happening there, as well. (Thank Gob for husbands who will do this - no, really, Thank Gob!)

As for the new house smell? Well, lets just say, I won't wonder when it will go away anymore.

20/20 Last Night

Did anyone catch 20/20 last night? My husband was begging me to turn it off because it was anxiety producing for him, but for me, and the amateur psychologist in me, it was fascinating. (Mostly because of the ingenuity and creativity of the human being to conquer adversity.) The first segment was about a family where the husband had an MBA, had worked as a broker in a lucrative business, now his house was in foreclosure and he was forced to take a job as a pizza delivery man. It was a very sad situation, no doubt, and I can see how my husband felt anxiety - him being one year into a six month sabbatical from working. Lucky for us, we sold the big money-sucking house in Minneapolis and were able to move to what once was a (small) vacation home (debt free). But for this couple, their savings were sucked up trying to stay in the home that they had raised their children. The man talked about losing his pride along the way, as he took jobs he would never have thought possible. The wife talked about her complete lifestyle change, from country-club dinners to shopping with food stamps.

I am seeing this scenario play out all around me. My brother took a big salary cut last week, his business owner had been the the victim of yet another Ponzi scheme in California. My friend called and said she was just laid off from a job she thought was safe because they were so busy. Other friends are losing homes, businesses going under. 

So what is my point? 

I think we are going through a massive re-ordering of priorities on a global scale. I think what will come out of all this will be better human beings. I think this pain is needed, and our world will never be the same. We are going from a consumer-based, selfish, self-centered human race to one that will be more compassionate, humble, and empathetic. Will there still be greed? Yes. But greed will no longer be as acceptable. 

And I am taking back that cute jacket and shell I found yesterday, that was really too expensive, and not needed. It has changed my world, too. 

Circadian Rythyms

Are you an early morning person or a night owl? Some people hit the ground running in the morning, and some, like me, do better at night. I find my most productive time to be between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. That's when my brain is firing at it's best and my body feels like getting stuff done. My husband is best in the morning. He jumps up and wants to exercise, followed by several hours of work and play. By 7:00 p.m., however, he is starting to think about bedtime. By 8:00 he is in bed and by 9:00 he's asleep. Me, on the other hand, can't even contemplate getting into bed at 8:00 - that would leave four hours in there before I could finally drift off. I must watch John Stewart and Nightline before shutting down for the night. I know you can train yourself to get up and get going in the morning, or to be productive at night, but for the most part we all have a certain circadian rhythm unique to us.

Which brings me to Portland and my babysitting dilemma. My son-in-law's mother gets here bright and early to babysit her four hours. She's here by 9:00 a.m. and gone by 1:00 p.m. when my daughter gets home from her first four hours of work, which is in the office. The second four hours is at home. Usually with a small child hanging on her while she tries to work at the computer. Getting here by 9:00 a.m. is really not difficult, if I plan to have my coffee and breakfast here. But then I started thinking - maybe my daughter could use a little time to get her work done without help from her small child. So I started coming at 10:00 - 10:30 and keeping my grandson throughout the afternoon. Works for me - works for my daughter - but son-in-law was a bit frazzled this morning by the time I got here. In fact, he mentioned that usually his mother is here early so he doesn't have to deal with his son who was being a "Klingon". (Teething issues.) Since he works from home, I can sympathize, but if you are the child's parent, there are going to be some days when you are going to be the only one they want - especially if they can see you. It is part of parenting a small child. You just have to deal with it. In the meantime, maybe I'll try to get here a little earlier tomorrow (my last day), and keep him all afternoon as well. Give them both a break!

Hurry Gamie!

I have been remiss in my blog reading over the last week. It is not from a lack of interest, only time. I am busy chasing my fifteen-month old grandson for most of every day. I try to make the most of every moment. He is growing before my very eyes. After experiencing the fleeting childhoods of my own children - I cherish every second with him. He is charming, sweet, smart, happy, loving and sometimes a bit naughty. Like when he head-butted Gamie for saying no to his manipulation of my computer during a downloaded episode of The Backyardigans. One minute he is laughing and dancing, the next we are tussling over the keys on the computer. His other grandmother asked me yesterday how I can stand living so far away from him. The answer is I can't. But we have loads of fun when together. We're off to the Portland Zoo tomorrow - hoping to find some sssssssssnakesssssss.

Please World, Keep An Eye On My Little Girl

She heads out tomorrow with two of her best friends for an adventure away from me. Another country. With backpacks and an itinerary that is whimsical. Out of cell-phone reach. 

I am praying for an eventful and safe trip. I ask the world to watch out for my little girl. She's yours now, even though I remember holding her hand to cross the street like it was yesterday. She couldn't fall asleep without touching me. Every morning started with a long cuddle in my lap, as I read the paper and drank my first cup of coffee. It was how she started her day. 

She still likes some "close time" when I visit. Laying on my bed, sometimes slipping beneath the covers for a short time. Then she is off - to her own room, her own life, her own world. 

Letting go is so hard, sometimes.

It's Spring Break

(pictures courtesy of http://portlandground.com)

My daughter's house if full. I am in one bedroom, she and her roommate each have one, and the living room is full. It's SPRING BREAK! You remember, when it was time to kill some brain cells that you just might have made over the last term, and hit the road, Jack. The three girls staying here are already on break (from UNR) and my daughter will be leaving, after finals on Tuesday, for Costa Rica. Not a bad life, eh?

I, on the other hand, have heard maybe a wee too much bluegrass, at ear-splitting levels, and sharing one bathroom has been a bit of a trick. But enjoying them, I am. How can you not? They're young, happy, excited about the possibilities of something as wonderful and fleeting as Spring Break.

Keep Portland Weird

(pictures courtesy of: http://www.portlandground.com)

This is the place to live if you are a young person. The nightlife is almost constant with music and art everywhere. I can see why both of my daughters are so happy here. The "vibe" is one of inclusion and tolerance. It's okay to be who you are. One of the blogs I recently read talked about "personas" and how she had changed over time. Somehow the 60's "persona" stuck in Portland. A little hippy, a little weird.

Nice.