*BEEEEEP* If This Had Been an Actual Emergency
No emergency; just testing to be sure this thing still works.
Sara’s doing terrific (when she’s not practicing her terrible two tantrums, which she does very, very well.)
We had a good birthday party on the 15th (a Sunday) even though the weather scarcely cooperated, dishing out a cold, damp, windy day that gave way, only after the party disbanded, to a beautiful Spring afternoon.
We’ve been busy sprucing up the ol’ homestead, or at least the front and backyards. Justin and I secured 6 cubic yards of dirt and my brother and I spent seven hours shoveling, moving and spreading it in the yard. (Pics). Justin was sick, otherwise we’d have enlisted his help after work, as well. Our backyard had died off, so we’re putting drought-tolerant buffalo grass in. It should arrive soon from Gurney’s seed company. The front yard just needing some filling in and is still populated by water-hungry St. Augustine which, for some reason, folks in drought-prone areas like South Texas still install in their yards when they have homes built. Why?
Justin’s been traveling a bunch for work and it seems like we’ve been harboring one sickness or another for the past 6 weeks. Between illness (me, Sara and/or Justin), a freak minor back injury (me–surprised? No, right? Pulling weeds. Add that to my list of strange ways I injure myself.) and bad weather, I’ve been off the bicycle for at least 6 weeks. Six freakin’ weeks. No point in dwelling on it, though. I’ll get back on ASAP. Life goes on.
Illness-wise, Sara has been sick twice (fevers and the works) in the past 6 weeks, which is uncharacteristic for her–her immune system’s proven far more resilient and responsive than mine or Justin’s. She had one close call with the ER but we managed to keep her away from dehydration, which is what sent Justin to the ER just days before she came down with the same bug. Fun times, I tell you. I wish I could say Justin’s all better, but he’s still playing host to some kind of contagion I’m still trying to keep from catching. Sara’s 2-year checkup is tomorrow (Thursday) so we’re looking forward to that… I think. (We’ll see how she reacts to her pediatrician now that she recognizes the place as where she gets shots, etc.)
Sara’s about to graduate to a big girl bed, much to the entire household’s relief. I won’t even begin to explain our sleeping arrangements; suffice it to say it’s what’s worked up until this point. Anyway, her mattress, bed linens and pillows are coming from Overstock.com next week after my brother suggested I check them for deals. Two sets of sheets, a Full size mattress, a comforter/quilt set and FOUR pillows (this house can never have too many pillows), all for under $375–works for me!
No travel plans, no camping plans, no plans. Need to change that before I go absolutely stir-crazy. It’s difficult to run a parks, recreation & travel guide when you don’t do anything beyond supervise at playgrounds or take short walks with a 2-year-old… not that those things aren’t fun, mind you, but we’d all do better with some variety in our lives, right?! Sara’s been camping a few times before, but this would be the first time she’s really aware of the experience.
I’m sure I’m leaving out some other pertinent updates but I figure I’ve whetted your appetites enough to sign off for a bit before Sara gets in to something. Aside: Nah, she’s actually being quite good, watching and listening to birds since we have the windows open in anticipation of an approaching “cool front”.
