One good turn

In the car with Ariel on the way back from the high school I observed that his grandmother was already at the house--it being only 7:00, and she needed to sleep over since my car picks me up at 6 am for San Diego. I suggested that she gets anxious about these things--I would try not to give her too much grief about coming over so early. Ari said, "You know, Dad, I can't wait until you're in that position and I can tease you about being anxious watching my kids."Hmmph. Not me! I'm not going to be anxious. Besides, I can give you a hard time about saying the things to your children I say to you now (no, you may not eat tortilla chips for breakfast).
It's not that I don't want to get older, or that I hold on to this idea of being the cool dad. I just do not see myself as a middle-aged guy. I feel the same as I did at 28...but of course the thought of retiring in less years than its been since I was in college doesn't seem so bad.

Planning gone awry

Last time Rosalind went to Africa, when the radiator pipe froze, burst, and flooded our newly-installed porch floor, I took the opportunity to teach the children the value of coping with adversity with a sense of humor. Today proved good opportunity to practice that...I started off well, going to the gym, making a lengthy list of things to tackle before I left for San Diego (paying bills, writing out phone numbers for Mom, cleaning bathrooms, etc). Then at Matthew's soccer game Ariel called to say Grandma had phoned, wondering when we were coming by...oh yeah, I forgot that Rosalind had mentioned perhaps going for a visit, something that clearly became augmented in my in-laws' minds to 'they are definitely coming and manybe it should be today before the big storm comes tomorrow.' Of course since yesterday was her birthday I can't be surprised that she wants to see her grandchildren. So, off to the bakery for a cake and then a plan to go with dinner (no, I do NOT want to eat in the dining room of the independent living home!). Along the way the car again started making some odd vibrations...not unpleasant but clearly abnormal. I would have been willing to overlook the vibrations until the 'check engine' light started flickering on, then stayed on. Anna's plaintive observation as the water poured onto the oak floor in February echoed in my mind: How come bad things always happen when Mom is away?
Turned around, drove home without incident, wedged the kids into the Mini, went back, had dinner and cake with Grandma and Grandpa, came home too late to watch the DVD of Annie Jr. (much to Matthew's displeasure), and came upstairs without denting my list. At least I went to the gym, though.

What I have been waiting for all day...well really we went for pizza, like everyone else. You see the world at DiRaimo's. This was a bread I baked about a month ago. It is an excellent recipe. It's a semolina bread but fermented over three days, so it has a soft, rich taste to it.

Waiting for night to fall and bread to rise

Those last few hours of the holiday really wear on you...the question for today: will we go to Di Raimo's and see all of Huntington, or will we go somewhere else? Anna has lobbied for House of India. I must admire her culinary sense of adventure, though even Matthew ate there and pronounced it "good."
Yesterday was Rosalind's birthday, and again she suffered the fate of trying to have a birthday cake when it was Passover. I will have to make it up to her somehow.
These days at home are challenging--I open up my e-mail from work and start getting sucked in, and then I back out. Tomorrow looks busy...no vacation goes unpunished.
I'm new at this blogging thing, but I'm not sure about the post labels. I think I will title my next posting "scooters, vacation, fall."

It's all Paula's fault

I saw Paula's blog all about her upcoming sabbatical to Rome, and it inspired me to create my own blog. I think the title suits...too busy at work, working far away...now we have to find some photos!
Next week's adventure should be fun. Rosalind leaves for Capetown on Friday night, and returns the following Saturday; I leave for San Diego on Tuesday morning and come back on the red-eye Thursday night. We daily thank our lucky stars for Janet and my Mom. The kids don't really need a baby-sitter so much as a driver, really, and someone to make sure they don't eat cookies for dinner.
The good thing about us both being away? Saves money on iTunes purchases, as this is my major vice when Rosalind travels.
In the meantime, we are busy hunting for dates and flights to Rome to visit Paula. I'm not sure whether the dates will work out, though...