The Phoenix: Epicuriousmothering Rising

When I started this crazy idea of writing for 60 days, I had this idea that if I could make myself think every day for 60 days about what I wanted to do with my spare time, the empty spaces inside of me would be fixed.  I would somehow uncover a hidden talent or desire or dream that would make me a million dollars, validate all my efforts these past 43 years, and calm the loud and crazy voices inside me. And it so many ways it has, but on day 56, looking back over the past 55 (ok, that alone makes me feel sort of amazed--maybe they're not all keepers, but I sat my not so little butt down and wrote . . . and followed through) posts, I see a theme going on here and I see how much farther this posting has gone than I thought. I feel like I'm waking up a little bit more each day. I see that under this idea of discovery what I should do in the next step of my life, that I was really trying to figure out why I felt so fractured and confused and lost.  I think in a lot of ways,...

I had this post planned all day yesterday and was snapping photos for it . . . and then when I sat down in the evening to post it . . . I got utterly and completely distracted by baby Henry. And so I forgot . . . for the first time to post. But have fear . . . here it is . . . and more is coming later tonight. Where the cousins slept . . . all in one room (and when I asked them to clean everything up and put it away . . they did, instantly . . . best kids ever!) Pretty much what the did all day every .  . . drawing . . . and discussing what they are drawing . . . And periodically . . .some legos were played with . . . And then we had a weenie roast . . . outisde . . . And this morning. . . they made up chants and dances . . . Whilce Sweet little Hen watched . . . Overall, best kids, best time, best Fall Break in years (ok, I have to say that or I'd cry not being in Canada . . . that's killing me).

(And this is another day late . . . our internet is totally messed up and just didn't work at all last night!) So, I think this is the third year in a row, John and I were asked to help out in our church's youth activities "Where's Waldo" at the mall.  We hide in open site dressed up .  . I looked the same (and everyone found me right away (ug) . . . but John . . .  He looked super creepy (especially when he hid in the children's little automated toys . . . ) Creepy John . . .  And this is us together (see the toys in the back . . .).  We both had our earbuds in and chatted back and forth strategy.  But mostly . . . I just burst out laughing whenever the kids found me and talked about if I was someone they knew or not.  I am THE WORST at games like this! We fell asleep Tuesday night to loud rain, but woke up at 5:40am to gentle misty sprinkles, so we decided to brave the cold and run.  It was beautiful . . . until the ...