ODE to my dream and HOMAGE to reality.

I am on a mini vacation with the kids tonight. I had a business conference in Monterey so I decided to drive with the kids and let them do the hotel thing with me. I love being with these two. Micheala cracked me up today. We had purchase a can of Pringles to share. She was doling them out slowly (too slowly for Spence and I). She was making Spence wait, so I gave him mine. She stated, "How is he ever going to learn, if you just give him what he wants." Tomorrow we go to Hearst Castle--I have never been and will try to stop in Solvang if we still have the energy. Photos to follow.
I am having a little issue with anger management myself lately. I have no direct evidence but my less than empirical evidence shows that Californians are just plain rude especially when it comes to women traveling with children. Maybe is has something to do with the space per capita. Yesterday, Spence was having difficulty opening a rather heavy door. It caused a man who came up behind him to sigh and roll his eyes. Normally, I just ignore it but I am turning into the guy from "Network"--mad as @#$% and not gonna take it anymore. In a calm voice, I said to the gentleman, "you don't need to be rude, he is a ten year old boy." A second incident took place today where someone was screaming in a parking lot because we were in the wrong spot. Spencer had thrown up in the car and Michaela and I were trying to dispose of the towels we used to clean up. We were inconveniencing this man because he had to wait a few seconds to get into the space. After his response, I indicated that a child had just thrown up and we were trying to get it taken care of. The man was absolutely unaffected. His need to get into a parking space was greater than a barfing child. Incredible. Michaela and I talked about it after. I am reminded of the intense need for gentility and patience in the world. I am not there but am willing to give you a break if you cut me off in traffic or take my parking space (especially if barf is involved).
Enough for now....love to all.

I just looked at my last post and realized that I should have explained why I included that photo. It looks strangely out of place amidst the photos of kids. I guess the photo is a total juxtapose with the text but the truth is...this photo never really captured the strength of my relationship with my dh. It is some photographers #5 on the list of mandatory engagement photos. A more realistic pose would be dh and I doing the firemans's carry or pulling an ox cart. We have had the blessing of working alongside each other for 12 years. One of the things I have always admired about my husband is his willingness to work. He has never been one to watch me clean around him. If I begin straightening up an area, he is right beside me doing his share. I'm sure I have his mother to thank for that and I would hope Spence is the same with his wife someday.
Enough for now...love to all.

Real and Practical Love

Doug and I went to a party on Friday night. There were about 12 other couples and the hostess had planned a couple of icebreaker games. We played a couple of rounds of "I've Never", where you say something you have never done and the those that have have to contribute a penny to the pot. Then we played "Two Truths and a Lie." Here was my contribution:

1. I sat by Fabio in an airport lounge. TRUE And he is totally huge and rather greasy looking.

2. I was on "Good Morning America." TRUE

The year I graduated from High School, I did summer stock theatre in Jackson Hole, WY. Good Morning America came to do a feature story on Jackson. That morning I just happened to be playing the part of the saloon gal in the shootout in the square.

3. I piloted a 747. FALSE

Anyway, as the evening waxed more languid, we started sharing engagement stories. The couples ranged from newlyweds to 25+ marriages. It was so interesting. The stories ran the gamut from wonderfully romantic with a fairytale setup to the low-risk "okay, so some day I might want to marry you, what do you think." One couple made a hasty exit and it seemed clear that this topic was off limits in a group. Finally, the asked the Tates. This has always been kinda a sore topic for me. Doug and I got engaged after a serious discussion (argument). We had carried on a long distance relationship for 8 months. I was living in Toronto at the time and I would fly down every few weeks and Doug would fly up when he could arrange for the kids care. Our discussion at Murray Park was a "fish or cut bait" talk. If we were not getting married, I needed to move on and not waste my time. The "will you marry me?" wasn't spontaneous or beautifully orchestrated, more like a concession to circumstance. I have always held a little resentment about this, petty to be sure. When it came our turn to share our "engagement story", I let Doug tell it. At first, he futzed around. He knew this was a major set-up. At one point, he just got down on one knee and asked me, "if I would still marry him?" Of course, I said yes. Then I exclaimed, "let the healing begin." It was funny but somewhat touching at the same time. It made me reflect on how many times Doug has allowed me to take the lead when he thought it would make me happy. I am not easy to live with and he thinks about my comfort and happiness often. Okay, ours is not a movie type of love but it is enduring and constant and I am totally blessed to have real, practical love in my marriage.

Enough for now...love to all.