cr**ola month

And I don't mean crayola either.

Ahiru update: Came home, did great, went downhill steadily, RE-broke femur at hip, back into hospital, back into surgery, back into rehab, like the enterprise in a time-warp.

Me update: Was happy to have him home, was stressed that he was going downhill, had a minor breakdown when he became bed-ridden, was relieved to hear it was actually another break and not all in his head, have been losing weight due to stress-starving, medical bills have me totally broke in time for the holidays, am now in a holding pattern.

Pumpkin update: was stressed and upset when daddy screamed in pain, missed his daddy, couldn't visit his daddy because of swine-flu rules at hospital and rehab facility, came down with a nice little flu + fever himself, has the funniest cute little raspy baby voice, has suddenly started signing for food, more, all done, "itsy bitsy spider."

In general: One of the firemen who came to our house when we called for an ambulance to get Ahiru to the hospital was gorgeous. Seriously gorgeous. Not gorgeous like real firemen - gorgeous like Hollywood firemen. So if you are ever in the neighborhood, feel free to have an emergency. You won't regret it.

Xmas lights are up. Unlike last year, Pumpkin is looking, and loving them. He puts his hand on my jawline and shoves my head to one side to get me to look at them with him.

Had some fun highlights put in. Had fun getting all sarcastic on my students when they asked if they were real.


I smell roses! Go Ducks!

Caveat

So,
the last post, about not losing focus? totally true, for at least 48 hours. Then, on top of EVERYTHING else, I lost my freaking wallet. I totally lost it - the last straw on top of the last straw.

Poor Pumpkin got to see his mommy drive across town while crying, while his daddy was still in the hospital... Hubby is now in a rehab facility working on walking again, so that is good. I have been cleaning my house almost obsessively, because with everything else I CANNOT handle looking at a mess right now.

I did get my wallet back, sans $14 but with all my id etc.

And can I just say, I have the sweetest students ever? They were so worried about me - checking about Hubby and the wallet and just generally great kiddos.

And I never knew how many wonderful people I was friends with, until they started bringing over food and supporting my family in any way they could. They are the silver lining to my life right now!

And Pumpkin just gets cuter and smarter every day. It's amazing how much your soul can focus on a child, even when everything else is crap.

growing out of stuff, again

Pumpkin is officially one for a couple weeks now. We had to go through his stuff and get rid of all the 6to9 month clothes, as my 5th percentile charmer is finally ready for 9to12... Not that we had any. So we jumped straight to 12mo stuff, which swims on him a bit, but when your this cute, who cares?

So, pumpkin patch pictures,



bday cake in the form of Thubby Elephant (thanks Sweetlife!),



crying at mommy not to go to work, and now an official walker.



Life is crazy and wonderful.



Until.

Hubby broke his hip, so this weekend was spent at the hospital. Did you know that Riverbend emergency room is kept at approximately 40 degrees farenheight? Well, it is. So next time you go, dress for the artic. Seriously. Cords and a light jacket WILL NOT SUFFICE.

But it's actually hard to lose focus, when I have this to keep me in line!

Wild West

Brushing his hair back from his face and putting his hat back on, P. P. "Sticky Hands" McGee watched the Sheriff and his latest posse ride through the valley below. From where he lay behind the scrub at the top of the dusty cliff, he could count the number of deputies, but could not see who they were. He would need to go in closer, and assess just who was a dangerous hand, and who was just filler, looking for a share in the bounty.

"Some fella's just don't know when to quit" said the outlaw to his left in a deceptively sweet voice. Many a man had woken up dizzy and toy-less after being lulled by that soft purr.

McGee looked over at her and smirked, "Wouldn't be much fun for us if they did, now would it?"



"Nah, I guess not. Here's the last of the moonshine. We had better raid a town with a daggum milk bar next time, Sticky!"

McGee drank. She was right - they were running low on supplies. An outlaw would have to look hard and long before finding a crew as tight and cunning as the September Kids, but even they would start grumble if not regularly supplied with their favorite crackers.



Sticky Hands and Jelly Belly looked down the hill behind them as they heard someone scramble up.

"Boss! I just came from base camp. Looks like some Professional Binky Hunters split off from the Sheriff a ways back, and have picked up our trail! They can't be more than a mile or two behind me."

"Oh, Poopy pants! Get to the other kids and get them here quick! Jelly Belly and I will hole up over behind those swings and hold them off. You all come around from the North and we'll pin them in. Go!" The lackey scrambled off, as Sticky and Jelly began to ready their ammo.

"Sticky, I hate to say it, but I only have one ball left."

"What? I didn't bring any - I thought you were carrying!"

"I was, but they fell out when we forded that second creek, and I couldn't exactly stop for them!"

"Oh, Poopy pants on a duck! We'll just have to do this the old fashioned way."

Sticky and Jelly made their way to the swings, and climbed up so they could jump on the binky hunters from above. Sure enough, moments later they heard footsteps and the interlopers, having dismounted to get closer to their quarry undetected, came into the little ravine.

Jelly signaled, and down they jumped! Sticky couldn't see what was going on with Jelly, but he knew she could hold her own, and focused on taking down the big brute he had landed on. It was a short struggle, and Sticky was quickly sitting astride his would-be catcher, ready to make her talk.



"How many more are coming?" The hunter just shook her head. "I ASKED you a QUESTION you drooly-bib! How many?"

"Just us P.P! I swear it! The sheriff thought for sure you'd gone west, so we struck out alone!"

Just as well, thought McGee. I wasn't planning for more trouble today. Sticky and Jelly quickly hog-tied the two hunters, and when the rest of the crew arrived they all had a good laugh at the hapless brutes.

"Well, kiddos, what do you suppose we go see what that new rattle boutique has in stock that we might like?"

Sly smiles spread around the group, and they turned as one and headed north, free to plunder another day.

Discovering the Beach

The ocean was a churning grey that afternoon. Around the dessicated remains of some trees, and the occasional pile of slimy brown kelp, wind blew tiny grains of soft sand into miniature hills and ripples. Dark grey water, pale grey sand, blotchy grey clouds, the edge of the land descended into monochrome nothingness.

Out in the water, small slick heads would emerge, then sink again, then re-emerge, looking around with curiosity. Chubby, stubby looking fins paddled slowly toward the shore, in the direction of one of the large pieces of wood.

The creature considered the item as it came closer. Could be food. Maybe not. A distant memory surfaced of a similar item, a large bone with meat still clinging to it that had proved quite tasty some seasons back. This larger item seemed worth checking out.

Slowly, cautiously, nervously, the creature let the waves carry it to the shallows. To the point where it's stubby extremities touched the sand. It let the next wave push it forward, until half of it's body was unsupported by water.

Strange feeling, heavy, it began to lose nerve and was attempting to turn, but the next wave was a big one, and shoved it further up the beach. The creature huddled there, waiting for the next wave to carry it off, which didn't happen. The waves were growing smaller, the ocean quieter, the water crept slowly away from the stranded animal.

Despite the discomfort of feeling so heavy and clumsy, the creature noticed how warm the sand felt underneath it. If nothing else, here was a break from the relentless chill of the water - a break only previously felt on the creatures back when it surfaced on sunny days. The feeling of warmth on the belly was quite enjoyable.

Still hoping to find food, it tried to swim up the sand, feebly inching it's way toward the bone. Alas, it was not a bone, but only one of the sticks that sometimes floated overhead toward the shore. Defeated and having a hard time breathing, the creature struggled around until it was headed back down toward the water, and began it's swim-wiggle toward where it could see the waves.

Halfway there, it stopped to rest. Smelling something interesting, it began mouthing a nearby rock, only to discover that it cracked easily, and was delicious inside!

Aha! This was one of the shells that were so hard to pry from the rocks - but here it was laying out in the open, washed ashore by the waves.

As the creature lumped its way to the waves at last, it considered it's luck in finding the shell. It would have to try that again sometime!

Flying

Aaah - Holy crap am I really doing this?

Yes! yes yes no no no ok OHMYGOD

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

awesome! awesome cool WOO HOO

Look at the little ants down there! So freaking far away!

Jeezuz that wind feels fabulous - I hear squeels and coos and laughing

look at all that rushing up - parachute?

CRAP parachute - cord - cord - cord

holycrapwhereisthecor - oh, got it

ooof! Wonder if anyone ever got wiplash from that? Better whiplash than pancaked, he he he

all right, coming in for a landing - I have GOT to do that again!

Music Man

His talent for tickling the ivories was evident from an awfully early age. As long as he could remember, people had commented on his "piano fingers" and he did agree that he had very elegant hands. What became evident a bit later, however, was infinitely more interesting to Pumpkin - namely, music attracts the girls.

Even more than his lovely hands, or musical talent, it was his suave stylings with the lady-folk that made the other men jealous. With a glance over the shoulder, and a smile that melted all humans of the feminine persuasion, he never lacked for attention at parties, or snuggles whenever he desired.

Tonight was no different. The lovelies were scattered around the room, glancing his way but too shy to approach. Pulling out his (every often) tried and (invariably) true techniques, he casually worked his way through the crowd, arriveing after a few minutes at the elegant piano under the window.

Another young man had been playing previously, to some general smiles but no lasting success. Pumpkin set about showing the other young men how it is done. He laid his delicate fingers on the ivory, and began to lightly play.

The soft coos of appreciation were, of course, immediate. Some nearbye couples admired his technique, but he outwardly ignored their compliments, choosing to appear unaffected by the stir he was making. Sure enough, after only a few moments a lovely tall, towheaded young lady sidled over to watch him and strike up a conversation. She was charming, with big blue eyes and pouty lips. Perfect.

As she briefly left his side to get them both fresh drinks, he allowed himself a short, gloating smile. Music never fails the Pumpkin.