is this gonna be forever?

I woke a child up from nap today. He blinked against the afternoon light, and in a very David after the dentist voice, said, "My eyes are spicy."

okay, I vow to clean the bathroom this week

I like to be a clean person, really I do, but...one of my favorite necklaces broke and scattered various sizes of red beads all over the bathroom floor over a week ago. I scooped them onto the rug and still haven't cleaned them up. I think I don't want to acknowledge the necklace's death yet. Cause even if I put it together, I obviously bought crappy 'fishline' for it, so who's to say it's not going to break again?

I wonder what this says about how I live my life in general.

'first annual' is one of my favorite phrases

I like routines and rituals. Here are some that I've particularly cherished:

• trips to the same places every year (Massachusetts, Lake Champion - I have a thing for lakes)
• listening to the same 'car trip' music every summer (CSNY, usually)
  
• eating with people who had the same breaks as me in college (ex: Monday Lunch, crossword and coffee at McKeldin with Emily)
• playing HLH whenever possible with groups of friends
• bedtime stories with my roomies in the summer
• hot cocoa breaks with the roomies
  

I never feel like a particularly spiritual person. I don't pray a lot, at least not in the usual format. I don't study the Bible by myself very much. I don't do yoga or meditate. I don't go to confessions or anything. I go to church, but I don't know if that 'counts' in this category. I used to journal a lot, which was good for me, because I reflect best through writing (surprise surprise). That's partly why I make so many lists.

I think the most meaningful and helpful practices in my life are exactly the type of thing that I listed above: the little things that are important because you share them with another person and that person sees their importance enough to come back to them with you. Everyone should share at least one ritual a day. My prescription for life.

one big huh

It's Mother's Day. My mom is currently outside on the deck in the sunshine. She's staining the deck with my dad. This is what they do. They forgot it was Mother's Day and made plans to eat at the neighbors' house, so I will be joining them there. It's a weird weekend. Last night, the dog I was sitting for had a seizure. It was terrifying. She acted like she was on speed the rest of the night - all hyped up and whiny. Of course, I have no idea what the effects of speed look like, but let me assure you it was weird. I stayed home to make sure she was okay and watched an Ace of Cakes marathon. I watched 2 of the episodes twice. It was a weird night. Life is crazy.

seams in hose often crooked

I'm not sure what the purpose of this 1939 pamphlet was - to prove which spouse was responsible for the marriage's problems? Either way, it makes for some entertaining reading 70 years later.


I find it interesting that most of the items relate to outward appearances and pet peeves, like how to squeeze the toothpaste or whether or not you wear curlers around the house. Were these really considered the most important pieces of a marriage back then? What would a test like this look like today? I think things are based more on personal compatibility surrounding beliefs, personality, and values, if you think about something like eHarmony or Match. Overall, that sounds like a good transition.

But still, squeeze the toothpaste from the bottom, please.