The Hall: When a Hallway Is Not a Hall

Dinesh and Anu came for a visit this past weekend. We love this couple. I wasn't sure how comfortable the air mattress would be for Anu, who is 22 weeks pregnant (yeay!). While rattling off the other options (couch, maybe?), Dinesh casually shook his head and said not to worry, they could sleep in the hall. What!? The hall?? I imagined them stretched out the length of our hallway, perhaps stepping over them during the night en route for a midnight snack. No, that wouldn't do. What sort of hosts are we anyway??? Dinesh insisted the hall would be perfectly fine and I continued to tsk my head.

The plot thickens.

Later that night we were chatting about growing up in India. Dinesh described the layout of his childhood home (built in the late 1940's). He said that he slept in "the Hall" with his siblings. The light started to click. Yep. "The Hall" to Dinesh and Anu is what we call, in our house, the front room. Which would have been a lot more comfortable than the hallway. More room to stretch out, at least (although, turns out the air mattress worked just fine).

Fall leaves we saw on our walk, Saturday afternoon.

Happy Birthday, Hed

We had a rocky start, there, in childhood: the Chocolate Mousse Fight, the "I don't show my list to liars" episodes, the Foot in Your Face Fiasco. Do you remember any of those? Maybe that's why I love you so much now. Sorta like Newton's Third Law of Motion.

Your intensity of spirit has allowed you to accomplish astounding feats: swimming under Dan's coaching, West Point, marathons, crazy sports (bungee jumping, kayaking, mountaineering, biking east...to name a few). I admire your resting heart rate talents, too: The Wedding Ring quilts and numerous other projects for others, your listening ear, your interest in people, how you analyze things, your smile. I like your soft side, too: your tenderness for your family and friends; soaking up your "Aunt" role. I'm really glad we're sisters.

Happy Birthday, Syd

As someone pointed out, nine months old is a major milestone. Syd has been on the outside now, longer than she was on the inside. But she still fills me. Sydney, you are a delight! We love you so much! And you've got 8 teeth.

Closets: The Source for all Things Halloween

It was a dark and moist night ...

... time to start making our Halloween costumes. The Bowden Halloween Party is not a party to be trifled with. As it says on the evite: "From The Book of Bowden Halloween Costume Party Law, we read the following:

1) Costumes are required. Period. "

Six other official rules follow. We take this party very seriously. As seriously as you can when the your main costuming material derives from your closets.

Over the past four years, we've been refining our costume criteria based on trial and error.

2005:

ICE PRINCESS AND HER THRONE

Lessons Learned:
1) Do not spend exorbitant amounts of money on material, even if it is pink, shiny, and furry. You'll end up with mounds of pink, shiny, furry material to store after Halloween is over. Plus, it's HOT. The costume is inevitably discarded by round two of the Cake Walk.

2) Avoid Costumes that are so awkward they require a stool strapped to your bum underneath the costume.

2006:THREE PEAS IN A POD (not a boat)

LESSONS LEARNED:

1) Costumes requiring three people to remain strapped together come apart about five minutes after entering the Party. Especially if one of the Peas is a baby in a bjorn.
2) Leave Petite Peas at home.

2007:Chopsticks in Wrapper and Take-Out Box o' Rice

LESSONS LEARNED:

1) Pay attention to box dimensions. Hallway and crowded-room-navigational-abilities severely limited.
2) Where is my Chinese dictionary???

2008:Can You Guess What We Is?

We're getting the hang of it, here. We were not stuck together (a la 2006), unless someone wondered why Briton was a zipper. My box was smaller (a la 2007). Except for yellow paint, this costume was free (a la 2005). Given the Bowden's throw a Sixth Annual, my goal is not to be in a box. Think outside the box. Think "Win the Cake Walk."

Essay Questions (optional)
What are you going to be for Halloween?
What is your most memorable Halloween?

Back Porch: A Study in Procrastination

BEFORE:
Two bedside tables purchased at a 2007 estate sale for $60.DURING:
A lot of sanding.

AFTER:
(I'll take a picture ... later)

Over the past year and a half, I've worked on and off (mostly off) on sanding/staining these bedside tables. They spent the rainy season warping on the back deck.

Tonight we've been projeckting like madmen, including finishing the second bedside table. Literally. Except for the drawers.

Unfinished Project #2 completed (mostly). Check.

Front Porch: A Study in Purple

Winter Pansies, a Heuchera, and unknown 8" plant.
(tho' this photo doesn't quite capture the prettiness of the plants ... perhaps defying the FPP ;)

Unfinished project #1 completed. Check.

I went running this morning.

The end.

Scrabble Rabble

When I said Briton beat me at Scrabble the other night, we had not yet played this game. This game made the prior one seem like a friendly spar. "Arrestee" and "Ungentle" are both his plays. "Ungentle" was particularly so, since he not only played over both Triple Word Scores, but it was also a bingo. I set him up with my "ruin", to my ruin ...and utter annihilation. His final score? 465. Qoph.

Dear Dad,

Hi! I wanted to tell you about my day.

After breakfast, mom put me in the carseat. I never know where I'm going to end up when I'm strapped in the bucket. Today we ended up somewhere I'd never been before. It was this humongous indoor playground with lots of bright colors. Mom let me slide down the long slide all by myself. It was fast! She took me to the top and just let me slip away. The slide was bouncy and full of air, so it didn't hurt when I wiped out at the bottom. I smiled and laughed and wanted to do it again. So I did. Once on my back and once on my tummy. Feet first ... because that's the rule. I hope mom takes us there a lot when it starts raining all the time.

After the playground, I got put back in the carseat. Mom had just fed me, so I slept until we stopped again. When I opened my eyes, we were at my favorite store. They have free samples there. I didn't get any, but Talmage and Joseph did. They had a cobbler, chili beans, yoplait smoothie, and fake mashed potatoes. Mom bought me some size 3 diapers. I'm glad she finally noticed that the size 2's have been getting kinda tight.

I slept for almost 2 hours in the afternoon. Then, mom put me back in the carseat. Maybe she was taking us back to the playground! We ended up at the church instead. Mom helped set up a quilt. I slid around on the gym floor with Lila. Talmage played cars with Jed. My favorite part, though, was when mom held me underneath the yellow quilt and swung me upside down like a bat.

For dinner I got sweet potatoes and rice cakes. I love them. They just, mmm, melt in your mouth. I was getting tired and so mom let me sleep a little bit before waking me up to get back in the carseat. Talmage stayed at home with Joseph and Isaac and Dave. Mom and I had a Girls' Night Out. We went to Honey Jo's house. It smelled so good. I hope mom buys lots of Scentsy Candles for our house so it will smell good and not like stale people. I saw Stephanie at Honey Jo's and she held me. I like her. We left after an hour. I hope when I go to sleep tonight it will be until the morning.

I love you, Dad. I'm excited for you to come home tomorrow. We miss you very much.
Love,
Sydney
p.s. Don't be mad about the carpet. Talmage did it.

"Innocence...

...is the spirit's unself-conscious state at any moment of pure devotion to any object. It is at once a receptiveness and total concentration" (Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, 82).

Root Toot Boot Scootin' Sydney

TAKE ONE:


Syd only scooted backwards for awhile. A couple weeks ago she started experimenting with forward propulsion. This past week she's really picked up the pace.

TAKE TWO:

.

Horsetail Falls in the Fall

What Economic Downturn?

Last night, before Briton soundly beat me at Scrabble (“chez” was the turning point; “bu” is not a word), we were reviewing a document we’d written as starry-eyed newlyweds. I’m talking one-month-behind-our-belts-the-world-is-our-oyster-type starry-eyed newlyweds. The questions covered a wide array of topics related to how we envisioned our future lives together. Below are two of the more temporal questions:

10. How much money do we need to have?

"1 million dollars"

11. What things would we like to own?

"grand piano, harpsichord, new bike for robin, our own vehicles, a place to call home, kitchen aid, industrial blender, really good stereo system with great speakers (possibly surround sound). Flat screen monitor? good furniture down the road. nice house stuff (washer and dryer---quiet dishwasher too). sewing machine. serger. loom. quilting table (2x4s), pair of skates, and a pony, 1 milk cow, 1 goat for trash, 7 chickens, garden w/ rhubarb, a tire swing, big trees, yard big enough for catch and badminton and a zipline. a bandsaw, drill press, table saw, miter saw, glass grinder. good work bench,,outdoor freezer, a bucket from Tillamook, incidentals, and lots of good camping equipment, and a cooler, and some lawn chairs, garden hose, lawn mower, garden implements, tools, a couple four wheelers (sweet!), an OED, just for show. a television, a VCR, a DVD player, a video camera, -the latest gizmo."

They say if you write your goals down they will happen. Four years into our marriage, I can see how that is true. Not that we have a million dollars; but we do have one chicken and a bucket from Tillamook (50 cents!).

Home Decorating Angst

The cornices (cornici?) will be in this fabric, with a darker blue fabric trim.

Paisley is a beautiful word, anyway. Paaaaisley.

Whidbey Island

... has a Navy Base (i.e. cheap cereal at the commissary and a "free air" pump that doesn't pump air) and Deception Pass (i.e. jaw-dropping scenary). The only reason I know about Whidbey Island, though, is because Keriann and Tom moved there this year. Since Briton is working in Dupont this week, I pre-empted his departure with my own by making a second visit to see my cuz' from the 'hood. Guaranteed good conversation and some walks down memory lane. As a bonus, Mark and Marianne and kids were there, too. And just as a little advertisement - if any of you want your house cleaned in a flash (not that yours was dirty, KA), just invite Marianne over.

Second Cousins in the backyard playground.

A quick pose before resuming trampoline warfare.

Kate (second from left) took watchful care of Talmage.

"Hey, Sydney...

...where's your mom? Why doesn't she put socks on your feet so they don't turn blue?"We left Whidbey via the ferry to Port Townsend. Just for kicks. We rendezvoused with Briton in Dupont, much later than expected. After a gross Mexican meal, it was late enough that we decided to spend the night in Dupont, courtesy of Intel. Sydney had a room all to herself.

Date Night

Friday nights are the highly anticipated Date Nights. We're in a babysitting swap group with three other families. Three out of four Fridays we have the evening to ourselves; but when it's your turn to watch, you're jumping over 6 kids (that's 12 eyeballs) under age 3. Totally worth it.

Last week we went on a bike ride. Tonight we did the traditional dinner/movie. We watched "Fireproof" based on Mrs. M's recommendation. Very wholesome movie; solid message about marriage. We recommend it, too.

It's a Potty Around Here

Talmage's time has come. Potty-training time! Let's get down and boogie.

Saturday, Sept 27: Special trip with Talmage to Kohl's. He picked out Lightning McQueen and Friends underwear. I bless the name of Pixar.
Sunday, Sept 28: Remind Talmage that tomorrow is the big day to start wearing underwear and using the toilet. He gets candy for staying dry and clean. He seems game.
Monday, Sept 29: Details below.

I pumped him full of juice in the morning. He got as much as he wanted. The goal was to get him to urinate a lot so he could practice a lot. And boy, did Talmage have ample opportunity to practice! (Notation: I=input; O=output).

Day One:
8:39-9:22 am
On toilet, putting stickers on back of toilet seat. Morale: HIGH
I=8 oz juice; O=zero

9:23 am.
Playing with cars
O=in pants, onto carpet.

9:30 am.
I=8 oz juice

9:55 am.
O=in pants, onto carpet
Jo comes over and saves Sydney, who is being neglected

10:25 am.
I=8 oz juice
Playing outside. O=goes #1 and #2 in pants.
He understands when he urinates he gets wet. He doesn't like it. He walks wide-legged to the bathroom.

11 am.
On toilet for 26 min. Watching movie. Urinates in toilet for the first time!!!! He is rewarded with fistfuls of candy. He loves the potty party: juice, stickers, movies, candy, mom's undivided attention.

11:45 am.
O=in pants

12:15 pm.
I decide to cut down on the juice.
I=zero, O=in pants

12:40 pm
I=zero, O=in pants (again).
Morale: LOW (I ask my help-line, "Is this normal?" Answer: "Yes.")

12:42 pm.
Sitting on toilet.
O=zero.

12:53 pm.
O=in pants (grrr! He was just on the toilet. Argh!)

1:23 pm.
Sitting on toilet (12 minutes).
O=in toilet!!!!! Tremendous praise and more candy. Beaming Talmage. OK. This is worth it!

1:45 pm.
Naptime (1 hour, 15 min). We both need a break.
T wears a pull-up.

3:15 pm.
O=in pants. But ... a breakthrough. I was outside mowing the lawn. I had told him to come get me if he had to urinate. He came outside and told me he had to go and then peed on the sidewalk. Which meant he had recognized the sensation and was able to hold it long enough to come outside. I felt bad for not helping him be more successful. But I see that he's getting it. Good Job!

4:19 pm.
O=urinates in toilet!!! Talmage beams ear to ear. Me, too.

4:35 pm.
O=in pants.

4:40 pm.
Went for a walk.
O=in pants, on sidewalk.

5:40 pm. Sitting on toilet. O=zero
6:32 pm. Sitting on toilet (25 min) O=zero. I guess he was all emptied out.

Wore pull-up to bed.

DAY TWO:
Yesterday's cumulative efforts started to pay off. Sat on toilet first thing in the morning and urinated right away. Only one "accident" today- and it happened at the playground... so that's cool.

DAY THREE:
7: 30 a.m. Without being asked, Talmage pipes up, "Mommy, I need to go potty!"
O=In toilet. LOTS OF PRAISE.

I'll stop the detail here. Generally speaking, I think he's getting it. I ask him frequently "Are you dry and clean?" and take the initiative to put him on the toilet (you see he prefers the big toilet, sitting backwards. So he needs a boost). But he's off to a good start. There's no going back. We're committed to Lightning McQueen. I'm really pleased with him and his willingness to give toilet training a go. Have another Reese's Pieces, Talmage.

Pink is for Girls, Blue is for Boys

The big-bosomed Egyptian boaba's used to pinch my cheeks (hard) and tell my mom what a cute boy I was. Except I wasn't a newborn. I was in second grade. Old enough to feel indignant.

Can you guess which picture is our girl-child and which is our boy-child?

Open Adoption

We recently had a very tender experience with D., Isaac's birthmom. Afterwards, just she and I had some time to chat. I loved getting to know her better. It got me thinking that Isaac's adoption isn't just about my cousins and D, and me and D. via my cousins. It's also about me and D., directly. It's like we got a new family member, besides Isaac. She deepens the sense of family.

Isaac's adoption story is unique and beautiful. D. created this movie about his arrival and placement with Dave and Jo. Keep a Kleenex handy.

Abacus' Father-in-Law Sounding

I asked my dad, who is retired, how today's stock market downturn affected his "piles of gold". Everyone is in differing financial situations, but his response is a voice of steadiness and offers insight that I believe is applicable to many. Below is a portion of his email response:

"...One lesson to remember is that the market responds to psychology as much as to economic forces. And drastic falls, like today, will give way to sudden surges and no one can predict those days. So, if it doesn't drive you crazy, you stay invested with the confidence that in the long run you will do better than anything else you could do with your money. It may take years, but it will be worth the wait.

"Here is one thing you will see: in the next few months there will be advertisements about programs, funds, or books that will show fantastic returns while our investments have tanked. But you won't hear from these same people a few years from now. There is no magic formula and no one knows what the market will do, much less when it will do it.

"Here is what Fisher says:
"'These are extraordinary times but they won't last forever. Now more than ever we urge you to exercise continued patience. Living through abnormally high volatility can be very uncomfortable, but now is a treacherous time to attempt to stem the temporary discomfort by abruptly selling out."

"The only time the piles of gold are affected is when you sell. Just because it is less on paper will only bother you if you let it. Marianne's grandpa had investments he bought in the 1920s when he was a 'prominent man' in the Kettle Valley Railway. He lost his job (because Canadian Pacific bought the little railroad) and they moved to California. But he did not sell when the market fell apart nor during the Great Depression. By the time Marianne came along he was a wealthy man again. It took over 10 years, but those who sold in panic or jumped out of windows were worse off than he."