A Second Helping of Today

Today began like all the rest, but it turned into one of those charmed days when, for some intangible reason, I felt great. Extra great. Maybe because the weather was chilly, maybe because I sent off some work this morning that I've been fussing over for weeks, but my everyday tasks felt like more of a privilege than usual. Colors seemed brighter, food tasted better. My baby even smelled sweeter.

On Mondays after Bim and Ally leave for work and school, and Emmett goes down for his morning nap, Liv and I have a couple of hours to ourselves. This morning it seemed like we had even more time. We went to school in the cargo bike after Emmett's babysitter arrived. I get to spend one day a week in Liv's kindergarten classroom and it's one of my favorite things.

After school we loaded Ally and Sasha into the cargo bike with us and came home to do homework, practice the piano and make Christmas cards for Liv's class. It was sort of a soothing exercise to paint green triangle trees on blue paper.

Even if I've managed to stay organized during the day, things usually start falling apart around 5 when the dinner is being made and the kids are in full destructor mode. That was mostly true today too but somehow I managed to make dinner without making the usual mess. Some very few days are like that--I get interrupted less often and can finish small tasks. But today I was unusually competent. Dinner dishes were finished before the girls were even in bed. What black magic is at work here?

Granted the car didn't start when I went to take Sasha home, kids all loaded and buckled. But we piled into the cargo bike and even Emmett cooperated. It was fun to ride after dark with our wheel lights all ablaze and a-blink.

When we got home, Liv, my little patroness of holiday traditions, resumed begging for a fire in the fireplace. We compromised with candles at dinner and marshmallows to candle-roast for dessert.

I don't know what we'll do about the car--this particular issue is a new one. But I'm sure I'll find out tomorrow. Maybe I'll also get closer to repairing the dishwasher or the broken window panes or the bottom right drawer of the black dresser or the low cold water flow in the hall bathroom or the recessed lights in the oven hood. Probably just the car.

Today I felt less burdened with worry, disappointment or regret. Not that I didn't feel those things at all, but they were muted, or I felt more capable.

As I was picking up in the other room I heard a sound that I thought might be crying, but it was just Liv giggling in bed with Ally, who was reading aloud from Calvin & Hobbes. Maybe I should end the day right here. I have a second round of Christmas cards to send, but.... maybe tomorrow.

2nd Annual Apple Tasting

The surprise winner this year was Jonagold beating out favorites, Honeycrisp and Sweet (sweet) Tango. The boys voted for Macintosh but they were not numerous enough to carry the day. Congratulations, Jonagold.

I'm convinced Sweet Tango would have taken the day, had the first batch not been blended into Bim's morning drink. As penance he searched every Trader Joe's within 25 miles to no avail. When I finally found them again it was too late. I'll get you next time, Gadget, next time!