Yesterday, I emptied and loaded the dishwasher using my knee walker. It took me 25 minutes. I was so proud of myself that I called Jesse to brag about it. We’ve also figured out that Jesse can bring laundry down in the morning, I can wash it, dry it, fold it and he can bring it upstairs and put it away. Small victories.

My bum print is permanently etched into the corner of the couch and I’ve completely taken over the window ledge. Knitting, list making, checkbook balancing, Diet Dr. Pepper drinking (yes, I’ve started doing that again. I’m going to give it up after Memorial Day weekend for the summer, maybe). And lots of reading. David Sedaris for laughs and Lit by Mary Karr because it’s been on my bookshelf forever. I’ve also been doing lots and lots of bird watching because I’m not already enough like my mother.

Red, purple, and gold finches have pretty much taken over my feeders, but my favorite are the red winged blackbirds (I never thought of them as “feeder” birds, but they visit quite a bit) They make me think of being a little girl and the park by my grandmas. Funny how a bird call can instantly make you think “summer”. We are lucky enough to live by a marshy area so we have them often. I love to have the windows open – I listen to them in the morning and the spring peepers at night. I’m growing to love this home of ours. Even if my blood is stirring for another move. (We’ve been here for a total of 2-1/2 years, so of course I’m ready to start packing and go – another Mother trait) I even have the house picked out.