Only fun things

..is what I promised my mom I would do today. Sorry mom, it didn't quite work out that way, although I guess as always, it is a matter of perspective. Or perception?

Luxury problems really- Gus got me up early just like the past three days (although Saturday I went for an early start myself, considering the oil change and long list of errands) so I thought I'd mow the lawn and get it over with.

I did finish a book! First since our trip in June. I liked this one, "the daughter" by Jane Shemilt. Probably easier to relate to if you are a working mom with teenagers (or past that age) but still, the general theme of  'do we ever really know an other person/ ourselves' and how people tend to keep their established perceptions of other people even if they change, does its job of provoking thoughts. What shapes your perceptions, and how do perceptions then shape your interpretations-

The floors were really begging to  be cleaned mom, so I am still working on that, in between sorting and tidying and laundry tasks. And bread baking and such.

The fun part comes when I get to iron the cotton I washed for Emma's quilt, and when I start cutting and sewing. And, when my love arrives home from his travels. He was in Oxford, England for a few days and then in Paris, France where he spend some time hanging and exploring the city of light with our girls! I can't wait to hear all the stories.

While I was mowing this morning, I enjoyed this view of our 'natural' area on the one side, and did not enjoy the view of our neighbors's yards on the other. I am sure they are very disappointed in our yard keeping skills, because one of the first things they told us after we moved in was that they were hoping we would do a better job than our predecessors).

On the fun side, I also cuddled with various cats. They seem almost confused by the fact that I am home (although not kids, one can still feel guilty if the cats don't get a lot of attention). So all in all, I think, a balanced day. Okay mom? Love from your daughter.

happy birthday

to my true love. He turned 50 yrs today-

and now we are both standing on that 'hill', looking forward to tackling the coming ups and downs together, as we've done for (so many) years.

We've been talking about bucket lists. We've looked back on highlights of the years since we've met (sure, and not all was rose-colored!). The indisputable very best ' things we've done so far' are our awesome threesome.

The other night was the first in a long time (how long?) that we had dinner all together at our dining room table. The 'kids' took their 'usual' spots. We did too. It was almost like old times except that during old times (say, elementary, middle school and junior high) the three of them did not get along well at all. And now there is a real friendship, respect, and love.

Today, on my love's birthday, we brought Vera and Emma to the airport in the big city, from where they left together to study in the City of Light for (only) one semester. We had to kind of hurriedly say goodbyes because we had enjoyed a lovely lunch together (and there was road construction almost all the way), which may have been good anyway because in spite of best intentions and telling myself I should be completely used to this by now, I did shed a few tears. And the house felt oddly quiet (get a grip, this has been the case for the past two years!). How fortunate we are though, that they can follow this dream of studying and living in France, that Thijs can follow his heart and his interests, that they are growing more independent and adult, that we can have 'just the usual' worries about young adults navigating the world.

And none of these riches would have happened in my life if I had not met my love, if I had not gone against my rebellious thoughts when my mom mentioned that he was 'such a nice boy'. Long ago, someone asked me if I didn't find it unsettling that I had met him so early in life  (in high school), and what about other men who I may have fallen in love with out there? I answered that it really did not matter how many awesome men were out there if I was in love with this ONE. At that moment. Duh.

So, happy birthday love. Let's make the rest of it a blast as well.

ohm

Oh the joy of air travel (it makes me personally extremely nervous when flying over a large body of water). Emma is scheduled to arrive today, when precisely is just not clear and has not been clear for most of the day. One flight cancelled, another cancelled, the third now on hold, waiting for their turn on the tarmac.

window in Vera's 'old' apartment in the big city

Numerous texts back and forth. Keeping an eye on the flight info. Luckily, Emma has a positive attitude about this : she just would like to arrive today. I am thinking about how easy it is nowadays to keep abreast of every minute and move (or standstill), due to technology. So really, it is not at all a bad thing for the airlines to cancel flying through a storm, it is just a minor inconvenience (not a tragedy).

Meanwhile, I can update you all on some finally finished projects. A quilt for Thijs, started three years ago, a shawl for me (in hopes of one day feeling cold again).

I can't decide whether I should start one of the thousands of other projects I have planned (first in line would be a quilt for Emma, we have picked the fabric and I think I know which pattern) or study for my clinical license, or none of the above and get serious about moving more.

Mostly, evenings are busy with cooking, , ironing, sometimes cleaning, relaxing for a while, and a little bit of work for work as well...and weekends the same. How do other people do it? No idea. I'm sure I will figure it out one way or the other. And Emma will get home eventually.

August

It is August, and so naturally, the stores are full with products for the end of October and beyond. Same every year I guess, but it always takes me by surprise.

The past couple of years, August has also been the month for moving the awesome threesome to better and/or other places. Thijs arrived last night with a truck full of stuff from Vera and himself. Some of it is now in our garage and will make its way slowly (back) into the house.

Some of Thijs' possessions have been neatly packed into a storage unit (all that training in my in-laws' grocery store comes in very handy for my love) until the time is bridged and it will move to what is likely Thijs' last apartment in the college town down south.

Vera is bridging the time to her move over the ocean in a room she is renting for a few weeks, and some of Emma's non-essentials will be spending their fall-semester in a storage unit in the big city.

It is a tad chaotic, and so, at first glance, is our yard. Granted, some more weeding could be happening, but we are in fact aiming for a free-growing flower and green fest. To the dismay of some of our neighbors, I know.

Soon enough it will be autumn and the green will die down. That comes with its own beauty, and in my opinion, better temperatures. For the young ones, excitement over new places to live and study. For now though, I would like to enjoy the abundance in color, sun, and jungle sounds that is August.

parenting

Technically (one of Emma's favorite words growing up) we are 'done', my love and I, with the raising part of parenting. Our children are adults (and 'grand-adults' instead of grand-children, like Vera said). This past weekend we enjoyed the company of our awesome threesome in the big city.

And while marveling at how indeed grown-up they are and act, I felt that as with many things, I never did appreciate how fast time goes and that you can't undo or edit the past, you can't insert or adjust the tone, take back, give more.

I know I was far from the model parent I wished I was- often too stressed over things that really should not have mattered, too often I strayed from my ideals because of what other people thought or what I thought they would think (if you follow). Did I teach the kids all I should have? Is it too late to impart some wisdom? Of course, they have to figure things out for themselves and that is always the best way to learn- but still.

We attempted to partake in two of the many events that were 'going on' in the city, and both times it literally rained on our parade- but really that did not matter and we had a great time anyway.

We walked and talked, discussed, joked, teased, and sat down to do more of that while enjoying big city amenities.

We talked about memories and more about the future. We visited Thijs's job site. We missed out on visiting Vera's job/school/exhibit site because we ran out of time.

In the end, I hope they did hear me when I told them that I love them, unconditionally- which means, my dears, that we don't always have to agree on life choices or ideas, and that we can tell each other this without it affecting that love, and that, in turn, means that I only wish for you to be true to yourself as much as you can. Even if I did not exactly always model that.

Oregon (part 2-ish)

By now it seems like almost another lifetime ago that we were looking into the deep blue of Crater Lake (Oregon's only National Park- however, the whole coast is a string of beautiful state parks, and all of it belongs to the public, there are no private beaches).

Not only was the lake mesmerizing, the surroundings were breathtaking as well- even if we were literally 'hailed' on during our first brief  hike (and found protection under an ancient tree). We had, in a moment of insanity or sanity, that's all a matter of perspective, splurged and booked a room in the historic lodge with lake view. I have no regrets, I would recommend it to all who can find room in their budget, and ask for the third floor, it has the cute dormers- except I hope that you will have better service and food in the historic lodge dining room if you do decide to go for this. The hike down to the lake's edge is not as bad as the ranger tells you.

From there, we drove to our 'away from it all log cabin' between Bend and Sisters. My love fell in love at first sight - this was after we had gotten thoroughly lost on that particular mountain for a while and were doubting that the rental car would make it alive- and it took me only a little bit longer.

This was a one-room, true log cabin with AMAZING views, which we did not manage to capture sufficiently or satisfactory in any sense.

Such peace and quiet there.

There was an intricate system of bird feeders, a misnomer since the chipmunks not only picked up the spilled seeds (never ever will I see this many chipmunks in one square yard again) but also some daring little ones climbed the poles and walked the tightrope to get to the food.

We stayed there three nights. To my surprise, Bend and surroundings are dry and desert-like. Definitely appropriate for the town to have a good many microbreweries to ameliorate the thirsty throats after a long day in the sun. We went to Deschutte's, (listed as Oregon's #1) which did not let us down. The best beer and the best pub food. I my humble opinion. If you find yourself in Bend OR during the summer, and you want to try out the 'only in the pub' list, hope that they have the 'sagefight'. Or the 'blond walking into an abbey'. The wait staff was extremely good and generous and accurate with hike recommendations. The 'real butt-kickers' (their words not mine) were indeed so, but worth the effort. We did 'earn our beer' and could report back with clear conscious.

Smith Rock

More to tell, however we had to move on to our last destination already. The Mount Hood area. Just as fascinating and beautiful as all our other stops and yet again completely different.

We met the owner of the 'Swedisch Stuga' we rented there, a cabin he stated to have built with his own hands. He added several intriguing and personal touches to the place. To reach it, we had to cross a rickety bridge over a fast stream. It was marvelous.

a small part of the deck that was covered

a short way up a rocky path was this 'outside bedroom' complete with chandelier and light up mushrooms sprinkled through the forest

And all good things... In any case, this was but a brief summery of our adventures. It was fun to get excited about a new place to explore every few days. Although also sad to leave some favorites where I felt we did not have enough time to hike the trails, get a better feel. Oregon: still on my bucket list.