Breaking the Silence

So, the blog has been dormant, because, really there has been one major thing going on, but we were keeping quiet. Being nearly 40, we were silently waiting out the first trimester. And it took that long to get over the shock.

I was really quite sick for the past few months, so didn't feel like doing much of anything (like writing) anyway. But, now I feel great and, apparently, so does "Little Doodle." He has begun making his presence known more politely now. (Before it was just a lot of time spent over the toilet.) Now, he is giving little nudges and pokes, barely noticeable, but definately there. Getting to be just about every day now that he reminds me my largesse is actually his temporary home/incubator.

In a week or so, we'll find out if I have to quit calling Little Doodle "him." If he cooperates, then we'll be able to end the Adams-Jones feud :) All the Adamses think it'll be a girl and all the Joneses think it'll be a boy. The divide is alive and well in our house, too. But, "we'll be happy with either..."

"It Ain't No Etcha-Sketch. That's One Doodle That Can't be Undid, Homeskillet"

Yep, it says "Pregnant." And, yep, its ours! Shocking, I know!


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We're calling him "Little Doodle" for the moment. Its better than "blastocyst." He's due November 7, 2009. I hope he comes earlier so I will still be in my thirties. I'm told that's the last thought I'll ever have about myself.

Little Doodle will quickly understand that, as my kid, he's just along for the ride. In fact, I estimate that he's been riding 5 times already :) (Don't tell the Doc)

He will be the third Scorpio under one roof. I anticipate a very LONG, LOUD 18 years ahead! Totally INSANE! And, before you ask, no, this was not on the log home building agenda. But, again, he's along for the ride.... Aren't we all?

Home for the Soul

I went to the beach this weekend with my Man to celebrate 16 years together and to spend some time away. We walked a few miles to see the seastars and anenomes in the tidepools, basked in the glorious sunshine, watched the seaspray lift off the cresting waves, practiced yoga poses on the beach, marvelled at the most brilliant sunset in oranges and yellows we had ever witnessed, danced by the warming fire, and contemplated life on other planets while being lost in the Milky Way. The next day, we did the same thing. The sun was just as warm, my Man perfected his headstand, the rising sun infused the seaspray with a rainbow (if you looked in the right spot, yep, every cresting wave), and the sunset became more complex as a single cloud to the south added a purple tinge to the creamsicle hues.

I intentionally left the camera at home, so I will work hard on preserving the memory. For I come away with more than memories, I come away refreshed with a happiness that is part peace and part shock. The yin and the yang.

The serenity lasted an entire workday. It is not gone yet.

2009!

It has been quite a bumpy beginning for 2009, but we've had some fun along the way. Check out this weekend's latest "home improvement" project. Something I've wanted to do with that old childhood runner sled for a while now :)

Julie asked about goals. My goal for 2009 is house, house, house. Get designs and permits in hand for the real deal. You might get a sense of the crazy things a house built by us might contain if you scroll through the few improvement project posts.

A friend who built her own log home suggested that I should know what theme I wanted: New England whatever, American something, Nautical (?!). I suspect we're creating a whole new category - Found Objects.

Lots of work, but full of fun!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

After the demise of the Redneck Garage, we have moved on. Take a look at all that snow on Christmas morning! Snapped a few pics since nothing else was to be done without power.


Man got a bit paranoid and decided to shovel the roof of the house. I couldn't complain; who knows if the original owner was thinking about snowload when they built this summer cabin. And we've never seen 2' drop out here before. All the while, Man was saying, "I've been waiting for a huge dump like this since I was 10 years old!" He shoveled rooftops and driveways for 6 hours on Christmas morning. He was smiling the whole time. (Until one of my dozens of errant snowballs made contact!)
In the meantime, I cooked our Christmas breakfast - sausage and French toast. Tea was also served.

Then, we made our way to mom's for Christmas dinner. Man quickly adjusted from snow shoveler to bartender.

We were a few family members short this year, but one sister made the trip from NE via Skype.

We joined Man's family on Saturday, where 7 grandkids kept grandma shoveling out presents as furiously as Man shoveled the driveway that morning to get out! :)

It's raining now. Our Christmas craziness is done for another year. We really did have a fun few days.

In Rememberance of the Redneck Garage...

What a crazy Christmas the Northwest served up for 2008! Weeks of snow and more snow and more snow! We love it, especially since it justifies the all-wheel drive with 4 studded tires! Go, baby, go!

Man and Woman took advantage of the Christmas retail sales by going snowboarding on Christmas eve. Conditions were tasty, even if coverage was a bit thin. For Christmas Eve dinner, we stuffed ourselves with Peorgies and veggies. Not entirely traditional, but we loved it!

Our tummies filled with Perogies and the promise of an additional 6" of snow to fall on the ground by Christmas morning, we snuggled under our down comforter and happily snoozed the night away.

At 7 am Christmas morning, the flickering power and the promised blanket of snow was threatening the final holiday baking. We scurried to shower and complete food processing. The thin sun cast some light outside.

And then we saw it, crushed under the snowload. Our Redneck Garage was sagging sadly down its middle. It was crushed. It is no more. KaPut!

Fortunately, nothing inside was ruined; we don't keep much worthwhile under it anyway. It survived the major windstorm of '06. It was affordable when we had no cash. It lasted many years. It served its purpose. We will mourn only momentarily. Then we will move on.

May she rest in peace.

Nestled all snug in their bed...

We've had a foot of snow over the past week and it keeps coming in spurts, adding a couple of new inches last night. I don't remember icicles this long at our house before, or this much snow accumulation. It's fun to kick around in and makes inside feel so much more snuggly.




We're using the weather as an excuse to stay in this weekend. Had enough of driving in the ice & snow getting to work this week. We haven't decorated the house with lights and the tree this year. Too busy getting all the gift packages together, I guess. Man is a little ahead of the game in getting the gift for his pre-selected brother; he is completing his shopping this weekend, as opposed to Christmas Eve. He's quite exhausted from all his running around... on the internet! Good thing our power has not been interrupted by the snow & winds.


I'm busy putting finishing touches on gifts with the baked goods. Baking keeps the house nice & toasty warm. Went back to an old recipe I haven't made in years; almond roca and I've had fun experimenting with new additions to the goodie bag, like biscotti! Man keeps eating it for breakfast, so I may have to make an extra batch to augment! Good thing its so easy!



Hope you all are staying safe & warm this season! All our best for the New Year!
~Man & Woman