Life Filled to the Brim

Lately I have been very satisfied with being passive. I have done well being entertained, though I have not done much to contribute. I think this behavior has an excuse, though the only reason it is excusable is that I am not all that narcissistic. It is there, just not enough to pull me to the computer this past month. Here are some examples why:
To say that we are moved in to Rathdrum is to be quite optimistic.We do spend the majority of our time here. However, we are back and forth from Ephrata, business, and other distractions. This has led to the condo resembling more an extended stay hotel than a residence. There are things which need to be unpacked. There are storage systems which need to be procured. And there is the matter of feeling familiar with the area, which only comes with exploration and living in the place. So, our things are 3/4 of the way out of the boxes, and it is basically unknown how much more furniture is needed, or that is sitting in the storage shed at the other end of the Village. Moving does a number on my psyche, and I am coming around. It is simply a challenge for me to be in the appropriate state of mind.
My focus has been toward skiing. And I seem to be struggling with the maintenance. Part of being acquainted with the area has been through my workouts. I am seeing roads in a different way, at 10mph instead of 50-60. It has also been through breakage and simply acquiring equipment that I have become aware of areas and infrastructure that I was not aware of before. I could be a little better at setting up relationships with the local skiers, but so far, this tedious (yet important) task seems to be going well. Simply knowing each other are there not only helps the morale, it also allows for helping each other out.
I went to a wedding in Bellingham last weekend. This was one big adventure. We started on Wednesday. I had the NWPVA board meeting at noon, so we tried to get out of the house by 0600. It is pretty interesting that Sarah and I still struggle with tardiness. This time was no exception. I just hope the curse of the Washingtons is more diluted for the kids. I made it to the meeting, and because they started 5min late, I was on time. The kids went with Sarah to visit a friend in Gig Harbor. I did not receive a full report, but I believe they had a good time. The kids and Sarah met me at the VA hospital, for the PVA pizza feed. Some staff and friends were happy to see the kids, whom they had not seen in quite a while. We stayed the night in Bellevue, or Lakemont, with Auntie Bekah and Auntie Joh.Sarah had to be at SeaTac by 0700(for a business trip to Madison WI), so the kids and I went from there to Denny's. then the Boeing museum of flight (which did not open until 1000, so there was some time killing practices going on). I did not have to coax the kids too much into enjoying themselves. There were a few displays which were animated, and there were a few interactive displays as well. We had lunch at the museum, and afterward killed more time by going to a park or two in the West Seattle area. That night was with the aunties as well. Friday, was a leisurely departure and drive up to Bellingham with Auntie Bekah, for the wedding of the girl's step sister. (I'm hoping the kids are getting something from this touring) Rileigh was scheduled to be the flower girl, and Ethan was penciled in as the ring bearer. The rehearsal painted a grim picture of the twins participation. Ethan had his heels dug in the whole time. Riles only dug her heels in when she realized that she would be standing up front. Plan B? The next day, Rileigh did play the flower girl role, without any encouragement. I'm not sure if it was the dressing up, or that she discovered that she was holding a basket of flower petals, I don't want to mislead anyone in thinking that I know what goes on in her head. Ethan was satisfied to fidget with me in the ranks of the other well wishers, and in picking up the flower petals afterward.At the reception and other social gatherings, the kids performed adequately, but we are reinforced that they are my kids. Not too keen on new people and new situations. Sunday was breakfast with Grandpa Nat & Gramma Donna, step siblings and aunties, then drive south to the pugetropolis. I took this opportunity to educate the kids on another of Seattle's parks: Ft. Lawton, or Discovery Park, or the "Hunger Strike" video location. I may have overstepped my bounds at this park, as it was dark by the time we left. I think the kids have a better understanding of the difference between a skeeter eater and a mosquito now. I think they thought they were witnessing a giant mosquito that had the ability to ingest half their blood supply. I don't think the kids want to go into another "dark forest". This is also the location which is where "the iron gate that closes by itself" and "sounds like an elephant" originated. Rileigh hugged me for taking them to the van. While the kids slept at their auntie's in Lakemont, I went to get Sarah from the airport at 2345. 20 min commute at that time. We drove to Ephrata after a breakfast at the Issaquah Cafe. In Ephrata, Sarah met with one of her consultants, and we had pizza. On the way home, I progressively felt less good. Filling up at the shell station on Pleasant view, I was shivering like I had been banished to Siberia. I'm still recovering, but I had some flu like bug. We had a MRSA talk at the PVA pizza party at the VA, which did not help me much in the wee hours of the night unable to sleep.
In short, I have been tired and distracted.
The kids are still enjoying preschool. There have been no fights, or exclusions, at least no one has shown lasting signs of being offended. Maybe they learn that in kindergarten. They are unashamed to blurt out that "momma is not a fan of Halloween", which does not help us much. The message is quite unclear as to where "mom" really stands on the issue. I like avoidance, and blurting like that....is not conducive to avoiding.

as I stood by my window and looked out on those

no time

It was 30 this morning, at 9. Yesterday the "grass was all frozen" when we woke up. Maybe it is fall? Oh, yes I guess it is.

Anything Goes

Nishka nishka nishka nishka
There is not enough space here to write about the whole trip, so there is simply a summary.
How long has it been since our trip to Kack-alacky? Was it yesterday? Was it last year? Time is a funny thing, no? That was an awesome trip on a couple different levels (using both positive and negative connotations for awesome). It was so expensive, both in time and money. We had not seen each other in a long time. We were in a completely different environment. It was a great time.
The kids were great. They carried their travel necessities in their own backpacks. They did not run (too far) from us in the airports. They were not "Jeffry" on the airplanes("I'm four years old"). They thought flying was cool and not scary. They were shy for a while with people they were supposed to be comfortable with, but that usually tapered over a short time. Rileigh did the first leg of the trip with an ear infection. Despite being miserable, she did not torture the rest of us. They liked the pool, they liked the beach, and Ethan liked Wii. The one disappointment I had was that neither wanted to eat the seafood.
After such occasions, I always get the post "activity" (whether it be vacation, or competition trip, whatever) blues. This time was no exception. Always questioning was it worth it all? Did we maximize our time? In the end, I do think it was worth it. I did not maximize my time, but I am satisfied with the activities we did do.
The kids went on their first field trip yesterday. We went to a "you-pick" farm. There was a corn maze, they picked pop corn, and they picked pumpkins. It was way too warm for the first of October. Hopefully the field trip gave them a good impression of fall/harvest. Rileigh was there with answers to what does corn grow on? what is the corn growing on the stalk called? It was nice to see that she was not afraid to offer a response to the queries. I have seen her offer too many responses while in class, so the task is to curb every blurt, without discouraging participation.
It is cool seeing them go through these experiences.