Change in Direction

I haven't felt the need to write about my thoughts and feelings the way I did in 2005-2007. Things are pretty settled and my life isn't careening towards or through crisis after crisis. The divorce is final, PdeFF and I are making pretty good work of sharing parenting (as long as I don't have to pay is ridiculous bills, he and I get along pretty well even though he is rather nuts -- we agree on the one big thing: the FoilKids are the center of the universe and we love them). I've had the same job, which I enjoy, for almost five years, and it's looking pretty stable. Since I'm not paying for a babysitter (or full-time child care, since DG is starting kindergarten) my disposable income actually includes a part that is truly disposable. I'm putting money in savings. I've increased my retirement plan contributions, and am re-starting contributions to the girls' college accounts. I can occasionally go out to eat on my own dime.

The last five years? Pretty rocky, but I got through it. But here I am now, and now DG can ride a bike. So my goals for the next year are pretty simple: save money (for a safety fund and for a home purchase), and regain physical fitness. Next year, LOS has suggested that we take the FoilKids up Mt. Moosilauke, which is a pretty minor climb, but bigger climbs will follow. I'll have fewer injuries (dislocated shoulder, I'm looking at you) if I'm in better muscular shape. Also, it's time to start taking the girls biking. So the change in focus: less on what's going on inside my head, more about what I'm doing.

Last weekend, Innana and I took the FoilKids to Bush Gardens Williamsburg. We must have walked around that park five or six times. This weekend, I biked 11 miles today. Tomorrow, either biking or hiking, I'm not sure. But my goal is to get some real exercise at least four days a week. And increase my activity level. Hiking, biking, swimming, skating. Not to mention simply trying to keep up with a five-year old and eleven-year old.

Home Sweet Home

Really, that's all. Safely back. Nuclear Grammy is fading fast now (I think I said that when I saw her in December, but now she can't remember from one day to the next), but we had a nice visit. I saw everyone I wanted to except on old college friend and Cousin Roland and his wife and their new (preemie) twins. I'll visit them over Christmas, when the babies actually look like babies and not just red blobs, and also are less vulnerable/at risk for infection.

Adrift

I left my cell phone charger at LOS, so I've been out of phone contact for a few days. I don't know what day of the week it is, and I'm liking that. The FoilKids have played on a beach, done lots of bicycling, and been cooking breakfast every day. I've seen Aunt Elsebet, her daughter, LOS, FoilMormor, and will be seeing NSLOS, Big Grampa, and possibly Nuclear Grammy shortly. And Francesca and her Mom. I've been in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, and will be eating lobster in two days time. Next week, I return to real life, but until then, I'll remain cheerfully oblivious of the days of the week.

And DestructoGirl is biking on a big girl bike (thanks FoilMormor) without training wheels. So when we get back to DC we can do the bike trails for family outings. I'll try to post when so sane people can avoid the C&O Canal towpath, the W&OD, the Capital Crescent, and the Mount Vernon trails when DG might be there.