What the hell has happened to me? Blixx said we could do anything I wanted for my birthday. I really wanted to go kayaking (to use the cool new paddle Blixx got me), but the weather was not cooperative. I was thinking mall shop fest (Mom gave me some $$) but then I looked at my little cherubs bright eyes & had an idea. We drove to Boston, we being Blixx cuz I will not drive in that fucked up city, and went to the Boston Children's Museum. It was a blast! Cass had her little baby mind blown & we didn't even get to everything. They have a special $1 admission on Friday nights so it was certainly worth it. I was worried that everything would be too big for her, but she got a real kick out of a lot of it and fell alseep in 2.6 seconds in the car on the way home. The only thing she didn't like was the Blue Man Group instrument section - it was loud & crazy. Blixx & I liked it though! So, I could do anything I wanted & I decided to do something for my kid. Wow, motherhood sure changes a girl. I mean, I'm still far to selfish for my own good, but I guess I'm softening up. Or egads - growing up. Nahhhh. Back home with take out Chinese - Grips came over with a bottle of Korbel and the rest, as they say, is history.
Saturday was V's birthday party so we went to Grip's & hung out. Sunday I gave Grip's & V a ride to her soccer game - boy is it funny to watch 5 yr olds run around chasing a soccer ball! Cass is pretty good too. I let her run around & chase the ball & she kicked it a few times, which amused her to no end. Back to the house after the game & Blixx was out back mowing the lawn & shoveling dirt for the shed. It's coming along nicely. Not as quickly as I would like, but no one can accuse me of being a patient person. My mom got me a new crock pot for my birthday so I made pot roast. It was a little dry, so I guess I need practice.
The Patriots won on Sunday, not that we had any doubt. They have a bi this week, so I'm wondering what we should do on Sunday to celebrate. We have 2 tickets that expire end of September for Six Flaggs - maybe we'll drive out there & walk around, take turns on the rides. Or better - Anyone want to come out & watch my kid so we can go on rollercoasters? Seriously - I'l buy your way into the park! You won't be stuck with her all day even. C'mon.....
Blixx, Grips & Birdgirl are all participating in The Greenway Challenge on Saturday. It's a race from Worcester to Woonsocket RI & back - biking, running and kayaking. Birdgirl's radio stations are the sponsors. It was wacky last year cuz Blixx's biker had a malfunction so his team came in 4th to last, but Blixx had the 7th fastest time on his leg of the kayaking. He's looking for the team to make a better showing of it this year. Anyone who wants to take a drive up to cheer them on is more than welcome - it's a beautiful spot this time of year. The following weekend Blixx is once again racing in the Great Quinsig Canoe & Kayak Race. Again spectators are appreciated.
I'm off to see if I can get some pictures working on this piece of shit computer. Wish me luck.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Dancing Naked Around the Fire
I spent Sunday afternoon getting gear & food ready, loading boats onto the Jeep, etc. I kissed the husband & daughter goodbye around 4:30 & headed to Oxford, MA. Lucky for me, there was a nice guy fishing with his kid who offered to assist me in getting the boats off the car - woo hoo - Blixx's boat is longer & heavier than I can really handle by myself. I took both kayaks because I wanted to bring a whole bundle of wood with me, just in case. HEHE I'm a pyro!
It was difficult to paddle against the wind with the other boat in tow, but I took it slow & steady. I made landfall by 6 & set up the tent. It's Blixx's smaller tent, the one I was so mad that he bought right before he went to Colorodo, & it sets up in like 2 seconds. That left me plenty of time to build the perfect fire. Someone had left these huge logs from a downed tree that made a perfect outer ring, then some smaller of the same. Some paper & kindling went into the middle then WOOSH I had a rager! I had steak kabobs & pasta salad for dinner, sitting watching my fire consume itself. Interesting metaphor there.
I got 1/2 way through my bottle of wine (it's important to bring the right gear camping) when I decided to head out for an evening paddle. Out I went into the lake. It was beautiful under the stars, but I started getting wigged out that I was so isolated & in a boat & 1/2 drunk & all stoned - perhaps it was the paranoia talking, but I decided that I needed to be on dry land. As I'm paddling around to my side of the island, I hear a big rustling in the woods. I zap it with my headlamp & find that I'm staring at a big ass racoon. He was on the mainland & no threat, but it was both comforting & disturbing that I wasn't as alone as I thought.
Once back on dry land, I continued on my quest to finish the bottle of wine. I was a little damp from the paddle & decided to change into warmer clothes. There was no one around & the tent is small, so I dropped trou & started to get changed right there around the fire. I'm bending over to adjust my shoes when I realize how good the fire feels on my bottom...
Yep, I danced around the fire naked. Well, I had sandals on cuz there's a lot of broken glass around, but for the most part I was naked. It was a silly thing to do, to sing a little tune & dance. It was a brief moment before modesty (to who, the racoon? Damn that whole Catholic thing runs deep) took over & I put clothes back on. It was invigorating. Ok, you're thinking I'm crazy. Yes, I am!
Later that evening there was a huge rustling on the mainland. I whistled & it stopped for a moment, then continued on even faster in the opposite direction. No clue what it was - deer, big dog - but I was psyched that I was island bound. I went to bed & passed out cold.
I was awoken by the sound of a thousand chipmunks churping around my tent, scurrying about looking for kabob scraps. I looked out the tent & the lake was covered with a thick white fog. It was breathtaking, but it also told me it was too damn early to get up. Back to sleep & when I next awoke, there was just a fine mist on the water & the sun was shining. After a brief visit to the nearest tree, I grabbed my coffee thermus & headed back out onto the water for a while. It was lovely to watch the sun burn the dew off the shore & the wisps of mist churning around the bow of the kayak as I paddled around. Truly a beautiful way to start the day.
Back at camp, I made a fire with the rest of the wood & toasted my bagel on the open fire. I've been reading the Best of SciFi short stories & got through a couple of them just hanging out in the dappled sunlight around the fire. I slowly broke down camp & reluctantly left my island escape. I put the smaller boat back onto the Jeep, then paddled out to the whole other side of the lake. It was windy so I didn't get far, but I did see some rivers that will bear exploring another day. There's a picnic area & beach over there that I explored, then spent some more time reading & eating my Regatta sandwich. While walking around I found a Patriots lighter sitting on the ground. I take that as a sign that we'll win the Superbowl again this year.
I loaded the boat back up, after only 1 failed attept that almost took my fingers off, and headed home. Blixx & Cass were happy to see me & he'd cooked dinner & it was good to be home.
I didn't have a vision quest or anything dramatic like that, but I proved that I can take care of myself and be alone. I did some thinking & realized yet again what a lucky girl I am to have such wonderful family & friends. Biggest realization of all, I figured out that I have to take better care of myself, both physicly & mentally, cuz I'm my own worst enemy.
It was difficult to paddle against the wind with the other boat in tow, but I took it slow & steady. I made landfall by 6 & set up the tent. It's Blixx's smaller tent, the one I was so mad that he bought right before he went to Colorodo, & it sets up in like 2 seconds. That left me plenty of time to build the perfect fire. Someone had left these huge logs from a downed tree that made a perfect outer ring, then some smaller of the same. Some paper & kindling went into the middle then WOOSH I had a rager! I had steak kabobs & pasta salad for dinner, sitting watching my fire consume itself. Interesting metaphor there.
I got 1/2 way through my bottle of wine (it's important to bring the right gear camping) when I decided to head out for an evening paddle. Out I went into the lake. It was beautiful under the stars, but I started getting wigged out that I was so isolated & in a boat & 1/2 drunk & all stoned - perhaps it was the paranoia talking, but I decided that I needed to be on dry land. As I'm paddling around to my side of the island, I hear a big rustling in the woods. I zap it with my headlamp & find that I'm staring at a big ass racoon. He was on the mainland & no threat, but it was both comforting & disturbing that I wasn't as alone as I thought.
Once back on dry land, I continued on my quest to finish the bottle of wine. I was a little damp from the paddle & decided to change into warmer clothes. There was no one around & the tent is small, so I dropped trou & started to get changed right there around the fire. I'm bending over to adjust my shoes when I realize how good the fire feels on my bottom...
Yep, I danced around the fire naked. Well, I had sandals on cuz there's a lot of broken glass around, but for the most part I was naked. It was a silly thing to do, to sing a little tune & dance. It was a brief moment before modesty (to who, the racoon? Damn that whole Catholic thing runs deep) took over & I put clothes back on. It was invigorating. Ok, you're thinking I'm crazy. Yes, I am!
Later that evening there was a huge rustling on the mainland. I whistled & it stopped for a moment, then continued on even faster in the opposite direction. No clue what it was - deer, big dog - but I was psyched that I was island bound. I went to bed & passed out cold.
I was awoken by the sound of a thousand chipmunks churping around my tent, scurrying about looking for kabob scraps. I looked out the tent & the lake was covered with a thick white fog. It was breathtaking, but it also told me it was too damn early to get up. Back to sleep & when I next awoke, there was just a fine mist on the water & the sun was shining. After a brief visit to the nearest tree, I grabbed my coffee thermus & headed back out onto the water for a while. It was lovely to watch the sun burn the dew off the shore & the wisps of mist churning around the bow of the kayak as I paddled around. Truly a beautiful way to start the day.
Back at camp, I made a fire with the rest of the wood & toasted my bagel on the open fire. I've been reading the Best of SciFi short stories & got through a couple of them just hanging out in the dappled sunlight around the fire. I slowly broke down camp & reluctantly left my island escape. I put the smaller boat back onto the Jeep, then paddled out to the whole other side of the lake. It was windy so I didn't get far, but I did see some rivers that will bear exploring another day. There's a picnic area & beach over there that I explored, then spent some more time reading & eating my Regatta sandwich. While walking around I found a Patriots lighter sitting on the ground. I take that as a sign that we'll win the Superbowl again this year.
I loaded the boat back up, after only 1 failed attept that almost took my fingers off, and headed home. Blixx & Cass were happy to see me & he'd cooked dinner & it was good to be home.
I didn't have a vision quest or anything dramatic like that, but I proved that I can take care of myself and be alone. I did some thinking & realized yet again what a lucky girl I am to have such wonderful family & friends. Biggest realization of all, I figured out that I have to take better care of myself, both physicly & mentally, cuz I'm my own worst enemy.
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Camping & Stuff
So, we took Cass camping again over Labor Day Weekend. It was an awesome trip. I think she ate more than I did!!! She's terrific in the kayak, just chilling out & taking it all in. We're very lucky. It was overcast when we got up on SUnday, so we ate a HUGE breakfast of bacon & eggs, then went back to bed. We awoke from our naps & ate a HUGE lunch then relazed around the fire for a while. After a quick paddle around the island, we returned only to eat yet again, this time it was Hawaiin chicken with mushroon & artichoke risotto & garden veggies. That night we had champagne & strawberries for dessert. We had strawberry pancakes for breakfast the next morning. MMmmmmmmm. I love camp food. We make it an art form. Oh yeah baby, we ate like kings. I promise that I'll get some pictures up soon!
I'm actually heading back out to Buffumville Island for a by myself overnight camp. Thats right, just me, myself & I. Blixx has never ever gone out overnight just by himself! I figure, we've got the island reserved for a few more days, it's only like 20 minutes from the house & damn it, I can do it! Blixx has been nervous & helpful, and resistant of me wanting to plan & get gear ready on my own. I explained to him how I wanted to be independent with this whole thing & he said he understood - then he went ahead & pulled out all the stuff (sleeping bag, tent) that I would need from the basement of horrors. I can't be mad at him, cuz he's just trying to help and make sure that I'll be taking everything I need.
So, I'm a little nervous about spending a night in the woods alone, but it also sounds like a little bit of heaven too. No crying babies, no telephone calls from my mom to interupt. I stashed a fire starter log on the island while we were all there, so I'll be sitting around a fire drinking wine into the night. I'm bringing kabobs for dinner & a quick bagel for breakfast. I got a Regatta Deli sandwich for lunch tomorrow, where I plan to paddle up the other side of the lake, past the public beach. It's been years since I've been up that way. I'm bringing a book & plan on reading more than 2 pages before being interupted.
This trip is my birthday present to myself. Ok, so was the new purse & the Patriots t-shirt, but who's counting? I'm now off to pay all this months bills so that I can hand over control of the finances until Friday. Blixx doesn't want me peeking on where he's spending $$ for my birthday. I really hope he was listening when I said what I wanted. The only thing better than getting exactly what you ask for is getting exactly what you want, without having to ask for it.
As far as the rest of this week, I'll be hanging with my mother one day so she can gift me & grab at the granddaughter. I'm heading down to Attleboro so I can visit with SherBear, who is hiding with her daughter in MA until the string of hurricanes pass over Florida. She was there for Charlie & it scared the shit out of her - she she's hiding out at her mom's house until Ivan goes away. No clue how we'll spend my actual birthday on Friday - probably go out for chinese cuz it's my favorite. Grip's daughter V has her birthday party on Saturday, so we'll be attending that fiesta.
So I don't forget, HAPPY BIRTHDAY PURGE!!!
I'm actually heading back out to Buffumville Island for a by myself overnight camp. Thats right, just me, myself & I. Blixx has never ever gone out overnight just by himself! I figure, we've got the island reserved for a few more days, it's only like 20 minutes from the house & damn it, I can do it! Blixx has been nervous & helpful, and resistant of me wanting to plan & get gear ready on my own. I explained to him how I wanted to be independent with this whole thing & he said he understood - then he went ahead & pulled out all the stuff (sleeping bag, tent) that I would need from the basement of horrors. I can't be mad at him, cuz he's just trying to help and make sure that I'll be taking everything I need.
So, I'm a little nervous about spending a night in the woods alone, but it also sounds like a little bit of heaven too. No crying babies, no telephone calls from my mom to interupt. I stashed a fire starter log on the island while we were all there, so I'll be sitting around a fire drinking wine into the night. I'm bringing kabobs for dinner & a quick bagel for breakfast. I got a Regatta Deli sandwich for lunch tomorrow, where I plan to paddle up the other side of the lake, past the public beach. It's been years since I've been up that way. I'm bringing a book & plan on reading more than 2 pages before being interupted.
This trip is my birthday present to myself. Ok, so was the new purse & the Patriots t-shirt, but who's counting? I'm now off to pay all this months bills so that I can hand over control of the finances until Friday. Blixx doesn't want me peeking on where he's spending $$ for my birthday. I really hope he was listening when I said what I wanted. The only thing better than getting exactly what you ask for is getting exactly what you want, without having to ask for it.
As far as the rest of this week, I'll be hanging with my mother one day so she can gift me & grab at the granddaughter. I'm heading down to Attleboro so I can visit with SherBear, who is hiding with her daughter in MA until the string of hurricanes pass over Florida. She was there for Charlie & it scared the shit out of her - she she's hiding out at her mom's house until Ivan goes away. No clue how we'll spend my actual birthday on Friday - probably go out for chinese cuz it's my favorite. Grip's daughter V has her birthday party on Saturday, so we'll be attending that fiesta.
So I don't forget, HAPPY BIRTHDAY PURGE!!!
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In other news, did you hear about the guy who was shot by his dog? Check this link for poetic justice. Fuckers hurting defenceless animals make me sick.
