Bow Tie

Max has wanted a bow tie for over a year, and I finally found one that wasn't a) tacky b) extremely flammable and c) part of a hideous jr. tuxedo. He looks even cuter than Tucker Carlson, and I agree more with his political views.

Tart

I had this amazing tart Friday night at Sundance, and it truly lived up to it's name. It was intense, sweet, fresh lemon, and tasted as good as it looks. If summer had a flavor, this would be it.

Seems Like Old Times

I was lucky enough to happen upon Annie Hall tonight on PBS. It took me back, way back, to college when a guy I was dating at the time was shocked and amazed I hadn't seen it, and jumped into the car that very moment to rent it. From that first viewing, I became an obsessive Woody Allen fan, and have now seen every movie Woody Allen has ever made. And Annie Hall, I mean, really, is there any more perfect movie in the world?

The closing scene reminded me of all the relationships I was in before Steve, and all the things I learned from them, mostly about myself. And I felt this real gratitude for who I became from all those experiences, and was just really glad that all of those people shared part of their lives with me. And how they all led me to someone like Steve.

So, this little snippet is to all those guys, and a special thank you to Matt for jumping in his car that night and introducing me to one of my favorite things in the whole world.

School Daze

Um, excuse me, but when did kids go back to school in mid August?

Hello?

Way back when I started school it was always the week after Labor Day.

And I had to walk there, uphill, in the snow, both ways.

School not only seems to be coming earlier every year, but this year I totally got hit upside the head with it. The boys have been going since Monday, and I still look around and wonder where they are. Like most of my craziness these days, I chalk it up to all the building and the moving. But, luckily, we did remember to take first day of school photos. Here they are:

Jack's back at the same preschool this year, and he loves it. Unfortunately, we still have to drive there, but it's totally worth the trip.

And, fortunately, the local elementary is just a few blocks away, so Max was able to ride his scooter to school. Another reason I love our new house. You can add it to the list.

And he's off to start 2nd grade with Steve as his wing man.

Forgive me, but I have one more excuse me:

Um, Excuse me, when did my baby get old enough to start 2nd grade?

Hello?

Briscoe

Again with the list.

Another thing I love about the new house is that we get our cat, Briscoe back. (He's named after Lenny Briscoe, the character played by the late, great Jerry Orbach on Law & Order. We went through a heavy L&O phase early in our marriage). He's been living with my parents for the last year because we couldn't have pets in our rental. I often felt bad because I forgot about him a lot, but we have loved having him back. The boys love him, and were so excited to pet and play with him and set up a space for him in our utility room.

I admit, I've loved having him back too. There' something so zen about a cat. They are so still and quiet, and there is something truly therapeutic to me about petting Briscoe and hearing him purr.

I'm sorry, Briscoe, for forgetting how much you add to our family. It's good to have you back.

Hidden Treasures

Okay, so this one isn't about the new house, but I actually found something I love about ALL THOSE BOXES I had in storage for the past year. Once we got them to the new place I just looked at them and wondered what in the world was in them and why I couldn't just load them in the back of the car and donate whatever was inside. I told my new neighbor, Louise, this and she said I should just do it, but I said there might be something worthwhile in there. And boy, was I right. Check this one out:


It's a picture of Steve, in full cowboy gear, taken when he was probably four our five years old. I loved these two photos when his Mom gave them to us, and then spent FOREVER looking for a cool frame they would work in. Luckily, I found this one at Pottery Barn after months of carrying the photos around in my wallet, searching wherever frames were sold.

I love these photos for so many reasons, for the retro colors, the fact that the photos have the cool white borders you never find on photos anymore, the fact that Steve's brother Jay is wearing his holster and gun crooked so it looks more like a g-string, but most of all I love it because I love Steve, and having this little glimpse into his childhood is such a treat.

One box down, about 4 million more to go...

Pot of Gold

I'm continuing my list of the things I love about my new house.

Today, I'm loving the yard.

The other night there was a major summer thunderstorm and cloud burst and after the short and powerful storm, I looked out our back window and saw this:


It may be hard to tell but that rainbow was ending right in our cherry tree, which makes me think we may have just hit the jackpot.