Quiet, random, big thoughts...

5 April 2020: I don't know what to focus on, so I'll just list some stuff from today.

1) Listened to this episode of Everything is Alive this morning on my walk and adored it. It's sweet, sad, interesting, funny, even a bit romantic (?), and everything that is wonderful about this show.

2) Re-watched Portrait of a Lady on Fire today while getting some work done and surprise: still love it. Then re-watched Phantom Thread while still getting work done. Yeah: still love this one, too. Stopped myself from watching more.

3) Got texts from Tara with pictures of her family checking on my parents. Tara said my mom bounded out of the house (complete with mask that Christian dropped off yesterday) to see the kids. My dad was already outside weeding.  And looking at those pictures, I felt all kind of things, including deep love and sadness. I have no idea when I will see any of them again, which sounds more dramatic than I mean for it to, but it is factually true and that's just strange.

4) Currently re-reading A Tale for the Time Being, which we are starting later this week in American Ethnic Literature. And yeah: still love this one, too. What a perfect time to dip back into it.

5) Put the ipod on shuffle earlier today and this track by the Wailin' Jennys came on. Thinking about  it now, as evening just starts to set in. 

"All o'er the world, as it turns and it turns, the stars twinkle off and on,

And we come and go: away, but never gone."

Dinner with the family

18 February 2016: My parents, Tara, Colin, and Olivia were in town today and I had dinner with them. This cold is still slowing me down a bit, but seeing them made my evening better.

Dancing queen

My quest to be a cool aunt receives some much-needed validation.

 
I certainly don't think I am good at playing Just Dance, but the kids seem to like it. 

Christmas wrap up

Yesterday I went to see Erin, Eric, and Krista. We had dinner and exchanged gifts. It is amazing to see how much the baby has changed in just the few weeks since I had last seen her. She smiles, laughs, and follows you with her eyes now. Very cute!

Check out this gallery of her various expressions, all displayed with about a minute.

Christmas in New York

A bit bummed that I didn't get any pictures of Jennifer, Jeff, Ryan, or my dad, but here are a few pictures of other folks.

Kelsie.

Olivia.

Aidan.

Colin, Christian, and Olivia. Wish the kids would stop with the rabbit ears thing--and that that candle wasn't in Christian's face, but I think he looks very nice otherwise!

Colin with the sock monkey I got him.

The boys with the Lego headlamps I got them.

Colin (with lamp) and me.

My mom and Kelsie.

Me, Tara, and Christian.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Just a few more pictures from Thanksgiving Weekend...

Tara and I at dinner on Friday night.

Mom and Dad at dinner on Friday.

My dad trying on a dapper hat at O'Hurley's in Shepherdstown.

Colin used his own money to buy this nifty walking stick at O'Hurley's.

We took Ava (Tara and Jeff's dog) down to the Potomac and she dashed right in. She didn't even hesitate. Here she is coming out...

...before heading back in.

Colin down by the river.

We took in more of the sights and activities of Christmas in Shepherdstown, which included free face-painting for the kids (and maybe adults, too, if they wanted?) and a visit with Santa.

Friday Visit to Erin and Eric's

On Friday, we drove into Arlington to see Erin, Eric, and baby Krista. Tara, Jeff, and the kids hadn't met her yet, so it was extra-special for them.

Tara and the kids.

Colin.

 Cousins.

Waking up...

 Olivia and Krista.

Tante Tara and Krista.

Tara, Jeff, and Krista.

Opa and Krista.

Jeff and Colin.

The happy (if tired) parents.

Krista and Oma.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving 2012 was a good one! I had seven family members in town for the weekend and hosted dinner on Thursday.

 

Me and Colin.

 Me and Olivia.

 Olivia.

 Colin and Ryan.

 Ryan and Olivia.

 Dad and Jeff. (They actually were having a better time than this picture indicates!) And notice Olivia trying to photobomb into this one.

Mom, Olivia, and Tara.

Kelsie's confirmation

It's hard to believe that Kelsie is 13 and old enough to take part in the Rite of Confirmation, but she is and she did (this past Sunday). I am so proud of the lovely, smart, and sweet young lady she is becoming. Some pictures from the celebration afterwards:

 Christian and Aidan.

 

 Ryan and Colin.

 Olivia and Erin.

 My mom and Colin.

Me and Kelsie.

 Eric, who always makes the best faces. He's going to be fun dad.

Jeff and my mom.

Me and Christian.

 All five siblings. (Perhaps you might notice my wardrobe change? I had to leave straight from the party to head back to WV and changed from my rather pretty dress into driving clothes. That's when my dad decided it was picture time. Sigh.)

 Kelsie and her tantes.

My parents and Kelsie.