Uncommon Julia

Episode 692, In Which We Hold Our Breath

Did you know that once one falls out of the habit of openly discussing one's vagina and uterus in a public forum, it can be difficult to get back into the swing of it?  Did you know that it becomes exponentially more challenging when one realizes that one's FATHER has commented on her blog, which, by extrapolation implies he is READING at least some of her blog.  As if it weren't hard enough knowing one's mother is reading all...

But talking about my girl bits is really what this whole thing used to be about, at least in part.  So I would feel weird not mentioning recent events.  Disingenuous somehow.

Here we go... (Mom, feel free to skip this one, and Dad, dear god... step away and avert your eyes!)

Some relevant prefacing information:

I haven't been on the "mini-pill" for roughly two months.  There are two causes: 1) There was a time when the $15 copay was literally too much.  Condoms were free (because we already had them) and every dollar counted.  Then, it came 'round to time for my annual physical, and I had no money for the office visit, so I didn't schedule it.  Which meant my prescription ran out.

This was fine because we were both so emotionally and physically exhausted that sex was more of a rarity than ever.  I even got another period - my first since Easter, which was my first post-Caroline.  Once I got my new gig, I planned to set my annual physical, get on a for-reals, full-strength birth control pill, and move on down the road.

(preface over)

Everything was fine and dandy until Friday night, when we experienced a massive FAIL.  MASSIVE, MASSIVE FAIL.  I blame Todd entirely.  It was a case of user error and product malfunction.  Oh, screw it, the condom broke.  "Shredded" was the word Todd used.

Given the relative distance from my period and my "mood" that evening and proceeding days ("randy", one might say - were one British), I surmised that there was a VERY REAL RISK that I might be OVULATING.  Making this MASSIVE FAILURE an even more horrifying event.

Todd and I spent the rest of the night and all of the next day in a panic-stricken, pale-faced stupor. 

Even if it weren't for the fact that we've only just begun to be able to afford groceries, and only just narrowly avoided bankruptcy, and only just scheduled doctors and dentists visits, EVEN IF...

INDEPENDENT HEALTH INSURANCE DOESN'T COVER PREGNANCY!

We cannot - repeat, CANNOT - get pregnant now.  And none of it has a speck to do with whether or not we want another child.  As long as Todd and I are independent contractors, as long as we stick it out as entrepreneurs, we cannot have a baby.

The sort of high-risk, massively tested, watched, measured, and generally freaked-out variety of pregnancies I produce are bank-breaking even WITH health insurance (to the tune of $17K and $4K, respectively).  Without it, it's simply not feasible.

That left me with one option: Plan B.

And lemme just say, thank God for recent commercials advocating the availability of emergency contraception.  Had I not just seen an ad a week before, it might have escaped my rather-dubious thoughts through this whole event.

Because of that commercial, I went on-line, did some quick research, then hauled myself to Target and bellied up to the pharmacy counter with my two kids in the cart to purchase Plan B.  Based on previous reactions to hormones, I was expecting some pretty rough hours of vomiting and headache - which was a fun prospect given I had a party to go to and was in the early stages of a cold.

But to my great relief, I got neither, and felt just fine.  I took the pill early, and it should be about 75-80% effective.  Which is helpful, but by no means allays my fears in total.

In about two weeks I'll take a pregnancy test, and then, assuming it's negative, I'll take another a week later, just to be sure.

After years of praying and doing everything in my power to get pregnant and carry to term, it felt highly, highly unusual to do something in the complete opposite direction.  It also felt weird to stand at the pharmacy counter hollering "PLAN B? DO YOU HAVE IT?" to the tech who insisted on asking me how she could help from the back of their little room.  It felt weird to be in my 30s with two kids and feelings so very teenaged and freaked-out.

I wish this weren't the situation.  I wish Todd and I could have approached this situation from the vantage point of "What would life be like with three kids?" rather than, "This will be the end of us." - all because of health insurance.

I'm not saying the decision would have been different.  I'm just saying we'll never know.  And it's because we cannot buy health insurance that will cover pregnancy on our own - it doesn't exist*.

So for the next weeks, we'll be on pins and needles, praying that we've dodged a huge, huge bullet.  And its such a contrary prayer to the ones I've uttered in the past.  As always, I'll keep you posted.

*on the independent market, you can only find maternity "riders" which limit total coverage to a number that is equal to the cost of the monthly fee (if you do the math - which we did).

The Picture of Postponement

Things are great! Busy - and I continue to stay up to late reading - but great nonetheless.  My schedule this week is borderline ridiculous as I've started the new job and have a couple of big deadlines for existing clients.  So these are just to say... well, technically, there just not to say.

 

You're welcome.

We Are Revolutionaries

About a month ago, Ms. Magazine approached me and told me about an article they were working on about the power of women bloggers - Cyberhood is Powerful.  They offered to send a copy and asked if I'd like to talk about it here.  Sure!  Why not?  I'm a woman.  I blog.  And my readers are mostly women.  Who also mostly blog.

The article is interesting, and points out (presumably to those who didn't already know this) that we women bloggers are a force to be reckoned with.  Er, with which to be reckoned.  We give voice to the marginalized, fortify political movements, form support networks that save lives, share information both within and outside our communities, and sway public opinion.

Lately, my personal and professional lives have been converging in a strange (and wonderful) way.  People in my professional life have begun to recognize the force of social media and the sway of "influencers".  This was evident at BlogHer '09, in the articles I've been reading, in my tweet stream, and nearly every one of the conversations I've had over the past month.

And here's what I find truly amazing: even with all this burgeoning recognition, the public at large still doesn't quite get this one gleaming fact:  WE ARE MORE THAN POWERFUL.  WE ARE REVOLUTIONARY.

I mean that in every sense of the word.  We have been forging alliances, building networks, honing arguments, directing movements, and speaking out against any number of injustices - and we started doing long before anyone (ourselves included) ever recognized what was happening.  It was this natural, sensible, need-based approach that led directly to our power - giving us deep roots in our global community because we did not spring up from an agenda.  We were and are simply women doing what we do best: relating, caring, and moving ever forward.

And that is why we are revolutionaries.  Ignore us at your own peril.  Condescend to us and you'll regret it.  Marginalize, demonize, or criminalize us, and you'll wish you could turn back time.

Call me a "mommy-blogger" and I'll roll my eyes.  I don't fit into that box, and neither do most of the women you put there.  I'm no mommy-blogger.  I'm a BAD-ASS MOTHER-BLOGGER.  And so are my friends.  Take care to remember that, and we'll ride off into the sunset together, leaving the world behind us a better place.

Scenes from a Party

First of all, a note to say thank you for your incredibly kind and comforting comments on my last post.  I read every one of them, smiled, then cried.  Then I'd come back and read another.  You are amazing.

______________________________

Saturday was Caroline's old-skool, hot dogs 'n beer birthday party.  (The beer was for the grown-ups.  Mostly.)  We had a blast.

 

I did have to borrow the neighbor's cupcake tins and vacuum cleaner (those were among the many items still left at the cabin - also including my jewelry and dress shoes, which has made business meetings interesting).  But other than that, we really let it be a no-fuss day.

Todd borrowed a friend's inflatable waterslide-thingamajig.  That, and The World's Best Free Playscape made the afternoon heat tolerable.  Mostly.

That's my godson.  Isn't he handsome?!

The guest of honor had a little bout of clingy-ness for the first hour or so of the party.  She's been doing that lately, which is so strange in comparison to her all-out, come-hell-or-high-water attitude.  She warmed up when the swim suits came out.

I daresay the cupcakes were Caroline's favorite part of the party.  Given that she woke up from her nap saying, "Cuh-cakes... cuh-cakes" I wasn't entirely surprised.  She ate every last crumb of her cupcake, plus a nice helping of chocolate ice cream.  She was the first one served and the last to leave the table!

 

It was great to have our friends here, and so nice to have the party here at home where we had the space to accommodate everyone.

I hope your weekend was equally lovely.

Pigtails

My sweet Caroline is growing up, and I'm freaking out.

I imagine this is a very normal pre-second-birthday phase when you're looking at your likely-last baby and realize that she's no longer a baby at all.

Gah!

A few weeks ago I realized I could put her hair in three pigtails and turn her into the most adorable creature to walk this earth since, well, her sister.  Now you'll find her in pigtails more often than not.  Can you blame me?

This week will mark our last week of nursing.  My trip to Chicago is my line in the sand - my chance to wean completely by virtue of being several states away from her.  Since we've averaged less than one feed every 24 hours for the past six months, I don't anticipate anything really noticeable on my part.  And I'm pretty sure she won't really realize it either.

But.

But.  It makes me sad.  I can't even bear to think that Wednesday might be the last time I ever nurse a baby.  But I know that in all likelihood, it will be.

Good God, who removed the break from this car?!

Perhaps I don't talk about Caroline as much as I did Hannah at this age.  Understandable, given my overfull schedule, workload, and stress levels.  But I assure you that it isn't an accurate reflection of my inexpressible love for this little monkey.  She is amazing.  So funny, easy-going, reckless, and melt-your-heart loving that I can't bear it some days.

Lately, her grasp of language is leading to even more cuteness.  She knows she's supposed to say something when given an item, but instead of saying "thank you" she says "you're welcome" - or "irrrelcum", to be more accurate.  Then I say "thank you!" to correct her, but it inadvertently reinforces the wrong order!

This trip will be the first time I've been away from her for more than 24 hours.  Man, I'm going to miss her.  I'm going to miss my baby.

Quick, somebody say something to make me stop crying!

Girl Next Door

I was hoping to have the finishing touches on a new blog design done today.  But I'm not quite there yet.

Instead, I'll tell you the miracle of the girl next door.

One major drawback of living in the boonies (aside from baby-snatching scorpions and no dish washer) is the lack of children and their attendant families on whom you can temporarily foist your kids.  Neighborhoods generally come with a handful of similarly-aged children and, I'm told, parents can gain entire afternoons of freedom by sending their wee ones out to play.  Somewhere else.  Not here.  Get out. Go away.  Dear Lord, get OFF ME! 

Um, sorry 'bout that.  Where was I?

Ah, yes.  Neighborhood kids.  We only have one set of neighbors.  They're the caretakers for the rich folks next door.  These are the neighbors of the chickens and trailer.  The grown-ups don't speak English very well, but I'm sure they're similarly impressed with my Spanish skills.  We get along well enough, and they've invited us over for cook-outs and we've returned the favor with camp fires and marshmallows.

The other day, the mom and her daughter, who's 11, came over to inform us of some septic system woes (hey, there's a fun sentence!).  While we were talking and gesticulating, E. and Hannah began to go through toys and converse.  By the time they were ready to leave, Hannah was pulling on my shorts asking if E. could stay and play for a while.

I looked at E. trying to discern if she actually had any interest in playing with a four-year-old, or if she was just being polite.  She seemed really excited, so I said she could stay as long as her mom was okay with it.  E. stayed the whole evening, through dinner and up through Caroline's bath.  They played board games, colored, played dress-up, tag, and hide-and-go-seek.  But best of all, they played Surprise, which consists of me staying away ("Don't come in here, momma, till we tell you to! it's a surprise!") until they announced they were ready.  Guess what the surprise was.  You'll never guess.  Go ahead.  Okay, fine.

CLEANING!  They cleaned up one room after the other, which is nice when there are only three rooms in the whole house to begin with!

The following day, we went up to the local swimming pool and took E. with us.  She was a huge help, getting Hannah to put her head under water, jump in from the side, and even taking her to buy ice cream when the ice cream truck came around.  She's been over one other time since then and asked when she could come next.

I couldn't be happier that the girls have a new playmate.  And a super-polite, helpful one at that.  She took both girls over to her house for a few hours yesterday - something we've never done before.  I was a bit nervous, but so very appreciative for the time alone.

I think what amazes me most is that an eleven-year-old is still interested in playing with such small kids.  Granted, she only has two brothers, and they seem way too rough and tumble typical dirty boy types for her.  But still.  From what I recall, I was way too "over it" to hang with little kids at that age.  Which is too bad.  Because she clearly has fun.  And how great it must be to have another summer of true childhood before adolescence swoops in for the kill.

All in all, I don't think I could have planned that any better.  A kid who loves to clean!  SWEET!

Mish Mash Mush

My apologies, but my mind has dissolved into a cloud of ... hm? Wha?  I'm sorry, I've lost my train of thought.

I'm in one of those incapacitated states that comes with overload.  I've got too much going on, too many thoughts roaming free range, and not enough sleep or energy to deal with them properly.  So you're going to get yet another jumble of updates, instead of a nice, orderly, thematic post.

My bad.

Scorpions, and how I loathe them.
Seriously, seriously, seriously hate them.  The are anathema to my peace of mind.  Case in point: two nights ago, I went in to get Caroline at about 5:30 a.m. because she was fussing.  I bent over to pick her up and as I lifted her, I caught sight of a GIANT, VERY ACTIVE SCORPION on her wall ABOVE HER CRIB!  As in, ABOVE WHERE I LAY HER WEE FUZZY HEAD TO SLEEP EACH AND EVERY NIGHT!  I'm sorry, am I SCREAMING?!  GOOD, because DAMN! A SCORPION COULD HAVE EATEN MY BABY!

I dispatched Todd to kill the SOB, and kept Caroline in our bed for the rest of the morning.  Clearly, there was no other choice.

We had the house treated about a week ago, but those buggers are tenacious.  My friend, Em, who's company did the treating, said they have to actually come out and get all cozy with the poison before it can work.  And then, because of their exoskeleton, it takes a good long while to actually kill them.  We've seen four scorpions since that treatment.  It's summer, and it's freakin' surface-of-the-sun hot here, so it's not surprising.  Yet somehow, I derive no comfort from that.

Speaking of cribs
Caroline got so pissed off the other night when I insisted on putting her back in her crib to sleep, instead of the comfy crook of my arm during my extremely limited alone time (was watching Gran Tornino, by the way, which was great), that she CLIMBED OUT OF THE CRIB, OPENED THE DOOR, and OVER TO MY BED!

Am I yelling again?  Sorry.  But !!!  and also, ?!?!?!

She hasn't repeated this stunt, but I do think the clock is ticking on the cribs life expectancy.  I'm really not looking forward to a big girl bed for Caroline.  Here's why:

1. Cost
Even at the cheapest scenario I've worked out, we're looking at a new bed frame, mattress, and bedding.
2. Mobility
Clearly, Caroline has no qualms with exiting a bed - or a room, for that matter.  I have visions of her climbing into Hannah's bed to jump on her head, throw toys at her, or generally perturb her peaceful slumber.  See also, our peaceful slumber.
3. She's my baby
4. Did I mention she can't be old enough for this yet?

Designy
When I get all mushy-brained like this, I like to do visual creative stuff.  That's the technical term for photography or (unpaid) design.  Stuff that's just for fun and not under any sort of deadline.  I'm thinking of redesigning this blog.  In fact, I'm thinking of redesigning it on a semi-regular basis.  Without, you know, committing to anything.

I want to work up some invitations to Caroline's second birthday party (!!!), but she won't pause long enough for a decent photo!  I'll have to make a more concerted effort to chase her down this week.

Speaking of parties
I think we're either doing a plain-Jane birthday party at home or a party at the local pool for Caroline.  It's hot as Hades, so the pool sounds nice and comes with the added benefit of no home cleaning.  But it's also a bit of a pain to watch lots of kids at a pool, what with all the potential drowning, etc.  Good thing I've got so much time to decide!  Hey, wait... dammit!

"Surviving and Thriving"
I was interviewed by the local business journal last week for a story about strategies freelancers are using to "survive and thrive" in the recession.  At first, I had to laugh, because I wasn't sure I really had any "strategies".  But after I sat down and thought about it, there is a certain method to my madness.  The interview went well and the story should run in a couple of weeks.  It'll give me some nice exposure.

It was also good to step back and look at my career, outside the framework of our household financial situation.  My work is in full swing, and this year is really a banner year for me.  I only wish I could take that perspective more often.

Two-Income Family
Todd has his first closing of the year tomorrow, and I'm so, so, so glad.  I'll yell if that's what it takes to prove it.  He's also seeing a teeny bit of an upswing in the amount of work - putting in offers, taking clients around, hearing promises of "have to" moves.  But we'll all breathe a big sigh of relief when all that activity actually turns into MONEY.  He's still looking on all fronts, though, for those of you wondering.

Photography
Have you been looking at the flickr account from my client portfolio?  It's over there on the left.  There's some cute new pictures from recent sessions.  Just in case you're interested.

BlogHer '09 preparations
Do I need cards for my blog?  Hm.  Something else to design.

No church just yet.
I didn't make it to the Episcopal church on Sunday.  Todd was out late (won some money playing poker) and the girls slept in, and, well, so did I.  But I do have a nice little game plan in place and a list 'o churches to check off.

What's for dinner?
No, really.  What are you making?  And when will you get here?

Watch Out, Stacy and Clinton

Hannah emerged from her room fully dressed and ready for preschool today.  She was wearing an adorable shorts set in super-comfy peacock-blue cotton with a floral top - very appropriate since I'd admonished her to dress coolly because of the 106 degree heat (so not kidding - that's not even heat INDEX!).

Then I glanced at her feet, which were decked out in chocolate brown mary janes with pink flowers on them. 

"I don't think those shoes quite match, babe."

She looked down and then furrowed her brow, "Yes the do! They're a neutral color - brown - so they match everything!"

Touche, Hannah, touche.  The student has become the master.

Apropos of Nothing

... Except, perhaps, want of a cohesive theme.

Vacation Hangover (hers, but somehow still mine)
My mom used to tell me that when I came back from visiting my grandparents, there was a bit of a "recovery" time, wherein I had to relearn the rules of being a civilized child who followed rules and was generally a peaceable member of society.  The word "spoiled" may have come up.

[enter sigh] She was right.  Hannah has been mostly good since her return, but there are clear signs of vacation hangover: a general grumpiness and refusal to listen, replacing it instead with whines and pouts.

I think it has less to do with anyone [grandma] spoiling anyone [Banana], and more to do with the harsh reality of coming back to the real world.  And honestly, I think we all do this - four or forty.

Yesterday was pretty harsh.  Primarily because Caroline had a super-rough night and I was operating on very little sleep.  Little sleep + cranky kids + neglected work = mom with cartoony squiggles and swear words over her head.

But by the end of the evening it seemed that Hannah received the message: You home now, all the old rules apply.  I think we're back on track.  [clearly, knocking wood]

Wedded Bliss
Yesterday marked eight years since Todd and I were married.  In a fit of celebration, he worked all day while I (grumpily) watched the kids.  The girls and I ate spaghetti and got ready for bed, and when he came home he at microwaved leftovers.  Then he and I watched Deadliest Catch (together), and then a baseball game and reality TV (separately).  Later, we crashed with some mutual "love 'ya"s and pats on the back.

I know.  Steamy, right?

But it was perfect, for us.  I think romance is highly overrated.  Comfort and deep love is much, much better.  Plus, we're going out to a fancy restaurant on Friday night while friends watch the girls.  We'll try and do it up right then.

Severed Lifeline
My church closed.  Yep, closed.  Completely out of the blue, I received an email from the church conference saying they church was closed and that the day before was our last service.  Come get any belongings, thankyouverymuch.

I'm really upset about this.  The church had been a big source of support this year, including financial gifts and donations that were really helping keep us afloat.  Not to mention the massive help of prayers and knowing that there's a larger family out there that will hold you up when you need it.

I feel like there must be something else going on.  The church was only 1.5 years old.  I know the Methodist Church usually allots five years for new churches before the expect them to have their act together.  I thought the pastor was great, the congregation supportive, and in a tiny community like ours, they really played an important role in our lives.

Starting Sunday, I'll have to start my search anew.  Any suggestions for a relatively progressive denomination?

Summer Television
One thing I love about the largely abyssmal summer TV lineup is this: the excuse to watch crap!  Trashy TV is quickly becoming my favorite guilty pleasure.

Wipeout
You really have to watch this - it's hands-down the best stress-relief out there.  Last season, once I forced myself to stop feeling sorry for the contestants (they VOLUNTEER!  and they have a shot a $50K!), I loved every second of the exploitative falls, slips, and periously dangerous head-shots.  This year, the courses are much improved, and the comedic comentary is hilarious.  Even my kids like watching it (with a preceding explanation that it's only okay to laugh at people who fall if a. they're on a game show, or b. you checked to make sure they're okay and stop before you hurt their feelings).

The Bachelorette
I wholeheartedly blame my friend Em for making me watch this.  She also hooked me on I Hate Greenbeans (a recap blog) which is written by a real-life friend of hers.  I generally disagree with the premise of the show and I think the intentionally pick at least a half-crop of losers and drama kings, but man, there's no denying that the show is hilarious!  I laugh out loud every time and usually try to explain to Todd what was so funny, except it never fully translates and I end up sounding like an idiot.  But who cares.  Funny is funny.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey
You can't make this sh*t up.  Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous!  Completely inappropriate in every single way, and yet, 100% addictive.  The "characters" are so over the top that I literally sit there with my mouth hanging open.  And yet, each one of them has deeply redemptive moments that make me tear up!  (I know! How humiliating to cry over crazy people!)  Once you get over the wrongness of it, it's so very, very right.

In the realm of less trashy, I'm also watching Burn Notice (Magnum PI for the new millennium), Saving Grace, Royal Pains, Deadliest Catch ("The crab show" as Hannah calls it), Ice Road Truckers (actually scary this year), True Blood, In Plain Sight, Bizarre Foods (he's actually endearing), and Man vs. Food.

Am I missing any Must-Sees?

What Hannah Did on her Summer Vacation

Transcribed by Nana (who rocks). Pictures pending the correction of a technological error.

Saturday, June 13

Mommy and I left home this morning and drove all the way to a town called Sonora. We stopped at a Dairy Queen, and Nana met us there. We had a little lunch and visited a few minutes before I waved goodbye to Mommy and went on to Fort Davis with Nana. On the way, I liked looking out the window and watching the clouds. There was some lightening and some rain showers.

Nana forgot to tell Zeus that I was coming, so he was surprised to see me. He’s such a good boy. When we got to Fort Davis, Nana helped Grandpa load a table he made into his truck to take to a nice lady. While he did that, Nana and I sat on the front porch. I learned that I could climb the apricot tree by myself by standing on the little rock wall on the porch. I’m such a big girl!

When Grandpa came home, he brought us a big pizza from Murphy’s Café. I drew some really good pictures on the porch with my new chalk. Late tonight I had a small bad dream, but Grandpa rocked me back to sleep.

Sunday, June 14

This morning I woke up early and helped Nana make waffles for the guests who were staying overnight. I made one for myself, too, and we put pecans in them. Yum. Nana had to play the piano at church, so I went and sat on the front row with Grandpa. I was very quiet and good, and I had a coloring book to play with.

After lunch, we drove on a really bumpy road at Rocky’s ranch house to go look at owls. The first box had just 3 babies in it, and I got to pet them. The mommy and daddy birds were not there, so the babies were just ready to fly. The next box had a mommy bird and 3 more babies. I got to see the mommy bird on that one. The third box had a mommy bird and 3 eggs, but no babies. I went up a tall ladder to see the birds.

I helped Nana cook beans and weenies for dinner, and we started to put together my princess puzzle. I had another big bad dream tonight, but finally I slept well.

Monday, June 15

Today I started Critter Camp. On the way to camp, we passed a whole herd of sheep, including some big rams with big, curled horns. We go on a bumpy road to camp with lots of little dips and hills that Nana calls “belly coolers.” Nana dropped me off and I made my own name tag. I colored a pretty butterfly. And we went on a hike where we got pretty flowers, and we pressed them in wax paper.

After camp and after lunch, I went with Nana and Grandpa and another lady to clean Hope's Ranch. That didn’t take too long, so I watched cartoons this afternoon while Nana did laundry. At dinner, I made the salad for Nana. After we ate, Nana took me for a big, strawberry ice cream cone at the Caboose. This is just a train car, and I called it the “bacoose.”

There is a little store next to the Caboose, and we went in to look around, but most of the stuff is fancy and breakable, so we didn’t stay too long. When we got home, we finished the Princess jigsaw puzzle (except for 1 lost piece.) Tonight I slept all night long.

Tuesday, June 16

This morning I got up early and helped Nana make baked eggs for her guest. Then at Critter Camp I made my name tag again. This time I started writing on the right side and moved to the left side. Luckily, my name is the same either way, so it didn’t matter. Today we made an owl puppet and a poster about what owls eat. I had already petted an owl this week, so I knew a lot already. I told Nana that Critter Camp is “Not really like camp, but like school.”

After lunch went to grocery store and took clean laundry back to ranch. Then this afternoon Nana and I played in the water tub on the porch, but I thought it was too cold. But it still felt good because today was pretty hot. I got a splinter in my foot that Grandpa took out. I thought it would hurt real bad, but it wasn’t bad at all.

Tonight Grandpa went to band practice, so Nana and I ate Mexican food at Cueva de Leon. We sat outside on the patio, but the flies really bothered us! I ate a lot: grilled cheese and large milk. After my shower, Nana and I started making sourdough bread. We mixed it all up, but we have to wait until tomorrow to finish it!

Wednesday, June 17

The first thing this morning, Nana and I kneaded bread that puffed up “big as a house” overnight. We had to put it into 2 other pans and cover it up again until later today… it sure takes a long time to make bread! At Critter Camp painted rocks with agave paint brushes, and made braided bracelet from yucca plant. We went on a hike and the boys all sang, “Hut, two, three, four.” That was fun.

After lunch we finally baked the bread. We have to let it cool before we eat it. Today was the big trip to Balmorhea to swim in the big pool. The water was cold and the bottom was slippery. But we found a round “life saver” that I could use to paddle around in. While we were there a big rain cloud came over and there was lightning and thunder. So everyone had to get out of the pool. So we didn’t stay as long as we wanted, but that was OK, because I was pretty cold.

On the way home, I asked Nana, “Why can’t we see God?” That’s a really hard question to answer.

It didn’t rain in Fort Davis, so when we got home, I painted with chalk on the porches again, and I climbed trees. I have named the trees the really old tree (Mexican elder), the skinny tree (madrone), and the apricot.

Tonight we had hot dogs, and then I helped Grandpa make a birthday cake for Nana, even though it’s a little early. Grandpa is a pretty good cook! I put sprinkles on it.

Thursday, June 18

Today at critter camp we took a long hike, and it was really warm. Then we made cactus from play-doh and toothpicks. I don’t know how I’ll get that back home. When I got home, there was a business man there who took all of us to lunch at Mary Lou’s café, but we were late getting there and most of the food was already gone. So we only got to have fried chicken.

On the way back home, Grandpa picked up his Jeep from the car shop. Nana and Grandpa had a meeting with Mr. B, so I played quietly until they were through. It got very rainy this afternoon, so I had to play inside all afternoon. Nana and I made a Father’s Day Card for Daddy. I took the toothpicks out of my play-doh from yesterday, and played with that some. It was a pretty quiet afternoon.

Mr. B and Whit came back over and we had dinner at Murphy’s Café. I had a huge hamburger, but couldn’t eat it all. Mr. B stayed at the B&B tonight, so I just watched TV while the grownups talked.

Friday, June 19

This is the last day of critter camp. Today we did a lot more hiking, and they gave us our own cameras to take pictures. But I’m not sure what my pictures look like, because we have to take the camera to the store and get the pictures that way.

After lunch, Nana went to have her back fixed, so I helped Grandpa make a bird house to take back home with me. Then Grandpa took me on a jeep ride. We met some people at the Chuck Wagon this afternoon to have an ice cream cake to celebrate Nana’s birthday. It was yummy. Grandpa was going to share a piece of cake with me, but I ate almost all of it by myself.

At dinner, I helped Nana make a chicken stir fry. She cut the food, and I put it in the pan. I poured the sauce on all by myself. We tried to take another jeep ride, but the jeep was broken again, so we couldn’t do that. Nana and I took a walk around town, down to the courthouse and down main street. Since it rained again today, the streets were a bit damp.

Back in our yard, I walked along the stone fence and climbed trees again. When it got dark, it was bedtime again.

Saturday, June 20

No critter camp today, so I slept late (until 9:00.) I had to wake up Nana and Grandpa. We had a good breakfast with a smoothie I made. We put bananas, strawberries, apricots, yogurt, honey, egg and orange juice in a blending machine, and mashed it all up. I liked that a lot. Then I got to scramble some eggs.

Nana drove me to a ranch to see a baby cow, but the people were not at home, so we couldn’t find the little cow. We played at the park play ground when we came back to town. Grandpa rode his bike again this morning, but we all had lunch together.

After lunch we painted my toe nails and fingernails…all different colors. Then we went to see some kids put on a play called “Jack and the Beanstalk.” Maybe someday I will want to do that, too. We visited Javelinas and Hollyhocks store and I got a little gift for Caroline for when I see her tomorrow. I hope she likes it.

Later I made a “fort” in Nana’s kitchen with open doors and stools and pillows. Grandpa and Nana mowed the yard this afternoon, so it was fun to play in after dinner. I was the travel agent who took Nana to lots of different towns in an airplane. She says I have a wonderful imagination.

Tomorrow is Zeus’s birthday, and he will be 12 years old. He’s such a good boy, but his ears don’t work very well any more. I hope I sleep a lot tonight, because I’m excited to get home tomorrow to see Mommy, Daddy and Caroline.