Sunday, June 11, 2023

You guys, what a week. What a freaking week. I'm so glad it's over but I'm scared I have to do it again next week. Last summer, one of my coworkers and I would chirp to each other nearly every Friday "this one was a doozy" and "I know I always say this, but this one really was a dooooozy." 

Every week until October. She's out for a bit, so I just whisper it to myself now but you can be sure I never miss a Friday. Man, what a doozy. 

You know how time makes everything easier to look back on with rosy colored glasses? Someday, I'll look back fondly on this bonkers time in my life and smile crazily with nostalgia. The frantic phone calls and rushing through the parking lot when I'm late to pick up Duke from school. All of these things will someday be laughable and sweet. Most everything is, eventually. 

In the meantime, I am making the most of small glimpses of retirement: aka the weekend. Big plans over here to get thee to a beach and play at least 57 rounds of Uno. Maybe eat some watermelon, or a donut, or both. 

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As usual, I'm fretting over how quickly time passes. Duke is just about finished with kindergarten and speaking of doozies, this is a school year I won't miss. Turns out I'm the mother of a kid so loud and annoying that his teacher needs to send me a note about it at least once a week. I dutifully signed weekly write-ups that reminded me that Duke talks and giggles and is incessantly loud (as if I didn't know) and frankly, congratulated myself that this is the worst of it. Not a single one of those write ups ever said he was mean or unkind or hurt anyone -- just loud and obnoxious. And you know what, so am I. Suffice to say, I'm ready to put this year behind us. 

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Last weekend, Ryan suggested we go to a new-to-us (and maybe just new?) pizza place in Traverse City that wound up being two steps away from an arcade. I perched up outside to eat my pizza and people watch while Duke ran around with an ever decreasing pocket of quarters. 

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In other news, Ryan and his friend have been hard at work on a race car project and yesterday, I followed those dorks out to a drag strip that will be henceforth known as Hillbilly Heaven, which is not an insult as I felt right at home immediately. I came home with the dirtiest feet and the scent of motor oil and burned up rubber so deeply in my nostrils that I think I still smell it this morning.  It's hard not to catch the euphoria of adrenaline - everyone is just so amped up. Duke, naturally, had a blast. Fast cars and screaming "gooooo DAD!" is very much his scene. 

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Shopping and sharing break - 

This retinol eye stick has been sold out every time I've tried to buy it, which is how I know it's great. I've recently decided my eyes, tired and dead from everything I mentioned in paragraphs above, are aging me unfairly and I'm willing to give a try to all cosmetics that promise to reverse this. 

Also trying these blurring drops. Please be a miracle. 

Currently reading this non-fiction, focused on Jackie's side of the family for once. 

I so enjoy this writer. Book marking this for when I need encouragement to trust the process. 

I listened to this interview with Jane Fonda and took note when she began referring to her life in thirds. I'm firmly in the second third, but also, I live my life in 5-year plans. Coming up on my 35th birthday this summer means I'm wrapping up one plan, and thinking ahead to the next one. What exactly am I hoping for before I turn 40? I don't know, but I have the naive optimism of a high school graduate - the world is mine! What would I like from it?

Cheers to Sunday! May the scaries wait until at least 8pm.