New Growth

We are in a season of new growth here in our family. I am obviously growing physically and the growth that is happening inside of me seems to be manifesting or at least it is reflected throughout our environment.



Cordelia has been maturing as nature intended, but she also seems to sense that she will have a new role as the big sister. We have not given her any reason to think that she will have much for new responsibilities, but she seems to be picking up on the fact that she will need to grow to meet the changes to come. She tells us, "I'm growing up, but I'm still little." We love watching her grow, but are also relishing the present moment with our amazing firstborn.



No doubt that the natural world is really growing as well. Last week I completed all of my major gardening goals. Now it is just about maintenance and enjoyment.

Eric and I are always growing or at least trying to grow. We are fast approaching our 11 year anniversary and I will detail that a bit more next week.

One area of new growth has taken a bit more as far as adjustments... You may recall this post where I discuss our choice to be a one car family. Well, yesterday we made the choice to become a two car family. I am a bit sad that this means giving up some of our family time. However, our current situation has made it fairly clear that we should, as least for now, become a two car family.



So Eric and I went car shopping yesterday and picked up something that will carry our entire brood: ourselves, kids, animals. We went in with different goals. We knew we needed 4wd as we need to be able to drive to our house in the hills during the winter (that was not always something that we could do last winter in our car). Eric wanted something masculine. I didn't really care as long as it met our needs. After a relatively painless process we ended up with a Kia Sorento and before we knew it we had a new beige (no choice on the color) vehicle sitting in the driveway. We decided that the new vehicle must be male for Eric's sake (2 girls, wife, girl dog, girl cats....I even deemed our first car and home to be female). Eric named it The Kraken.

One of Those Days...Or Was it?

The day started off normally enough. I usually have an inkling when it's going to be one of those kind of days. You know what I'm talking about.

Usually the first clue is when my clothes don't fit properly, just sets me off on the wrong foot. This has been a serious omen from childhood when I would obsess over the seams in my socks. In case you are wondering the seam had to go over the top of my toes, not under the toenail line (never there!) and the seam couldn't be too thick. I was very serious about this and there are several childhood meltdown stories centered around this. Anyway, yesterday my clothes fit just fine, cute even, so I couldn't have possibly seen it coming.

Then things started to go wrong...

First I forgot to put sunblock on my left arm and it was sunburned.

The day quickly became sticky hot.

Cordelia discovered the dog water bowl...I think you can guess where that ended (or continues).

Cordelia was pretty much on a mission to hurt herself and I was just pleased to avoid serious injury.

There was other stuff too.

Then Eric was side swiped in our car. He was just fine, but it doesn't look good for Empress Shasta, our car.

Now before you think I am complaining just hold yer horses (FYI: I live in Wyoming, I can say that).

You see it was one of those kind of days, but it just didn't really matter...at all. Maybe our car is totaled. Maybe I will get skin cancer from my sunburn (hopefully not), but there were so many good things about yesterday.

My right arm was not sunburned.

We have fans so the heat was easily controlled, plus it was just another excuse to have pink lemonade.

Cordelia was so happy to play in the pond of dog water on the floor. I was a little grossed out by the water to Bumblebee drool ratio, but she just loved it.

Cordelia wasn't hurt and I am quickly honing my protective mother skills.

The other stuff doesn't matter.

Eric was not hurt at all in the car accident and that is the most important part of all!

So you see it's all about perspective and it was a great day to have some perspective, thank goodness.

Super Hobby

About a week ago Eric picked me up from work and mentioned that he had seen something bizarre and mysterious. He had spotted a white station wagon that was made to look like the Ghostbusters car. I am talking about the 1980s movie Ghostbusters. I was sad to have missed seeing it.

Then, a few nights ago we were driving near our house and there it was! Can you believe it? The owners of the Ghostbusters car actually live about a quarter of a mile from our home! We live in a pretty big city, so this is something akin to divine intervention, or at least divine humor. I was driving when Eric had the second sighting of the car. He shouted out for me to stop and turn around; I must admit that I was a bit scared by the sudden outburst. Anyway, I turned around and we went for a look at the legendary vehicle, but wait it gets even better.


We were so carefully scrutinizing the Ghostbusters car (it is not an exact copy: click on the photo and you can see a closer view) that we nearly missed their other vehicle! They have a Jurassic Park jeep! Yep, these people have taken movie cars from a passing phase to a full-fledged hobby!


Now, as we were doing a drive by we also noticed that they were spray painting knee-high boots a brilliant white. I am not sure what these people are all about, but I am certainly intrigued.

The Glory and the Pain: Grandpa Whiscut

A few years ago Eric and I were given a great gift. We were bestowed with the wonder and beauty, the pleasure and pain, of Grandpa Whiscut, a 1985 Ford Econoline van in powder blue.

Grandpa Whiscut is no ordinary van. He has been reborn, like a Phoenix from the ashes he has risen to soar above all other vans. Let me explain. Eric's Grandfather gutted the van and put in a couch that folds into a queen size bed, a sink, a toilet, a table and a closet. Also I should mention that Grandpa Whiscut has two batteries, one to drive with and one to power the electricity when you stop. Yep, we can lay around in our van watch TV, blast music, and run some appliances.

Now, you are probably thinking that this van is overflowing with coolness and you would be correct. Eric and I have painted the interior a lovely shade of fluorescent pink. We have started collaging the ceiling with images ranging from Punky Brewster to David Bowie.

Unfortunately there is a downside to driving a van that comes from the '80s. He is called Grandpa for a reason. A few years ago we were driving with all of our belongings stuffed into Grandpa Whiscut when he pooped out on us while we were somewhere in Montana. Don't even get me started on the cost of gas.

It doesn't matter though. Grandpa Whiscut is worth every penny we dump into him because he makes us cooler people.