A rare treat

Today is Sunday...and it is quiet for the next hour or so. Jeff is diving, and though I had planned on watching Diz and sharing some special time with him, my plans were changed.

I did the deed (grocery shopping) yesterday, the ironing, the cleaning etc., etc. etc. leaving me today sleep in. I did not sleep in, but awoke at 6:45. I went for a three mile walk, put the laundry on, as there is ALWAYS laundry to be done, AND read a book...FOR PLEASURE, with a cup of tea on my balcony.

So, I still have a few tasks I must do before I can consider myself "finished" for the day, but it is just now a little after noon. I am about to undertake these tasks which will take me an hour or so, just about the time Jeff will return and my home will fill up with the love I am surrounded by on a regular basis.

For now, my favorite thing is the unexpected silence. no music, no t.v., just the thud thud of the dryer, the squeak of the dogs rhythmic breathing, and my thoughts. Splendid.

May your surprise changes be peacful changed and your days blessed.

Mini trip

Brandon's birthday adventure was again a trip to Great Wolf Lodge. This year it was with his friend Malcolm, who just recently moved to Seattle. Brandon was going to request a sleep over at our house for his birthday adventure, but decided he would rather spend it with one person at the Lodge.

The timing worked out perfectly as Malcolm's family had to return to Portland the very weekend before we were going to leave. So, Sunday they came to our home and dropped Malcolm off here adding an additional night of fun for the boys.

Monday we headed up to Great Wolf as planned, and Tuesday we headed for Seattle to return Malcolm. It hardly seemed fair that they should have to travel to collect him. Much to my surprise, Erica (Malcolm's Mom) offered to let us stay with her in their guest room, though they have only been there for three weeks! I accepted as I had no clients, and there is all sorts of learning opportunities to be found in Seattle. Furthermore, I did not relish the idea of driving home to Portland from Seattle after an overnight with the boys at Great Wolf in the pool etc.

When we arrived we were treated to a lovely dinner, complete with appetizers. Erica and her whole family, the dog included are just so laid back and warm it was a real treat to relax and spend the evening with them. I could learn a lot from this family. It would have made me uptight to have visitors so soon after moving in to a new home, wanting everything to be just right! I would have likely made my guests less comfortable in all my attempts at perfection, wanting to assure that they were as comfortable as possible away from home and worrying that they might uncomfortable.

The following morning she seemed to float through her morning offering the household something to eat taking in to account individual tastes. After some consideration we took took in a few museums and enjoyed the day. I watched in amazement as she drove us toward dinner, in Seattle traffic, during rush hour and took the and took a wrong turn without getting flustered and dismayed as I always seem to do. I could learn a lot from this lady, whom I am delighted to call a friend.

My favorite part of this trip was the unexpected lessons from a remarkable family.